I have suffered with back pain since I was
14 (i'm now 33) - in my teens the back
condition was of the kind where it would
put me out of action flat on my back for a
few days at a time. Over time however,
it started to change..
A few years back I referred myself to a
chiropractor because I was finding it
increasingly difficult to walk any
distance longer than about 5 mins.
Standing was also becoming a nightmare.
After regular 3 x weekly chiropractor
sessions the condition stabilised and
became more bearable. My walking ability
increased to much better than before.
More recently, my condition has changed
into a more constant nagging pain which
most of the time is tolerable, sometimes
requires me to take heavy duty
painkillers, and at its worst gives me
serious pain and bad sciatica etc. I am
getting fed up with the nagging pain in my
back - it's not excrutiating, but its a
bit like having constant toothache - the
same sort of pain.
I finally saw a spine surgeon earlier this
year, and was diagnosed with grade ii
spondylolisthesis at l5/s1, with a pars
defect at l5. I also have degenerative
disks at l5/s1, l4/l5 and l3/l4. There
is bone inflammation at the l5/s1
sector.
The surgeon advised me that it is a
"lifestyle decision" as to whether or not
I want a spinal fusion, and its such a
hard choice to make because whilst i'm not
crippled by the pain, it's very constant
and 20 years has been a long time to live
with it. My chiropractor has always told
me it's nothing to worry about and
insisted I didn't even need a x-ray, which
has been proved wrong and so has confused
me all the more. My gp has advised that
in his opinion, if I don't have the fusion
now, it is more than likely that my back
will give me serious problems in the
future.
Overall, to be honest, i'm just scared
stiff and don't know what to do. I keep
dreaming of screws in my back, and in the
back of my mind all I think of is "what if
I end up worse than before". I'm
desperately worried that I will take the
decision to have the operation and then
wish I had never bothered. The whole
thing is seriously stressing me out.
I know that only I can make the decision,
but I just seem to be getting such
conflicting information from people.
Does anyone have any comments or advice?
Any replies gratefully appreciated.
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kristinaf
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 1
was in same condition Posted: 04-14-08 13:16pm
Hello. I just found this forum while
searching on the internet as my little
daughter has just been diagnosed with
spondylolisthesis as well as a bilateral
fracture of pars at L5.
I had degenerative disk disease for YEARS
and coped with alternative therapies,
chiropractic, and towards the end, pain
meds. As my condition was worsening, and
I had not been able to pick up my youngest
since he was 1 year old, I could not walk
very much, could not bend, coughing was a
nightmare, the pain unbearable, I
interviewed 5 orthopaedic surgeons. I
selected one and had an MRI and xrays. I
was nearly bone on bone at L5S1. The
potential of surgery freaked me out. The
thought of metal in my body freaked me
out. I was told that if I did not have
surgery, likely I would be in a wheelchair
due to the nerve damage and living on pain
meds.
I had fusion surgery, yes, with screws and
a washer and plates. This was July 25,
2006. About a year after surgery, I could
walk all day long, I can pick up my
children, which is difficult now, as they
are 9 and 7 and REALLY heavy now, but I
can do it! I have zero pain. I can
travel, swim, ride a bike, cough and
sneeze with no pain. I have my life back.
Really it is a decision that no person can
make except you. Neither a surgeon nor a
chiropractor is walking around with your
spine and your life and your pain. You
have been granted this one life here right
now.
I don't know who you are, or if you will
read this post, but I am wishing you good
health and freedom from pain.
kristinaf
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nice_notion
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Posts: 2
Scared Posted: 04-15-08 16:30pm
I recently had fusion to L5 S1 with BMP
graft and screws. I had finally had
enough of pain one morning and "said" to
myself i can't do this anymore.......no
more.
The best advice i think i can give you is
to find the right orthropedic or
neurosurgeon. IT CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
!
Don't hesitate to get 2nd opinions.
Best wishes with your decisions.......
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legend
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Apr 2008 Posts: 3 Location: ,
Posted: 04-16-08 09:21am
hi sorry to hear that im 32 year old male
ddd L5/S1 keep it short a brief ive had
lower back problems for about 10 years now
have been to see lots of diffrent people
who deal with back problems and finally
going to have spinal fusion im scared but
had enough of the pain waiting for date
for the op. First people who suffer from a
bad back i feel for you i really do
relationship,careers,keepfit,socailising
and every day living it not easy. But ive
have to say ive have cryed with laughter
because of so much pain if people can
relate to that? good luck and i hope you
make right decision
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Seattle Scott
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 4
Posted: 04-19-08 15:31pm
My doc put it best, I think. He said he
only does back surgery when his patients
come in begging, because they simply can
no longer live in the condition they are
in.
I am kind of like you, I am not in a state
of killer pain that impacts every second.
I can't do the things I like anymore, have
limited mobility, but can walk, sit, drive
wihtout much problems. But, once I go
beyond these limitations, pain.
I think this is a decision only you can
make. You'll know when you are ready and
being anxious is perfectly normal. If you
weren't, I would say something is wrong.
