I am a 51 year old male, who has undergone
13 surgeries since 1997, 5 spinal
surgeries, all surgeries has failed and 7
abdominal surgeries, due to my last spinal
surgeries, I had been diagnosed with an
incisional surgery because a jp drainage
system was not put in after the first
surgery, causing 3 staph infections and 7
surgeries to finally close the gaping hole
in my stomach. All surgeries done in fort
myers florida, (please stay away from the
doctors in that area). I take 8 to 32 mg.
Of dilaudid a day to combat the pain,
along with 10 mg of valiun and soma, a
muscle relaxer, seems like alot of
medication but 5 years ago I was on
atleast 12 different types of medication,
I weaned myself off, afraid of the damage
I was doing to my liver and was not
helping. My problem now, every month my
lower extremities become very numb,from my
waiste to my feet, not painful but very
discomfortable, making it hard to
walk.When this happens I have to take 24
mg dilaudid and within an hour the
numbness seems to go away somewhat, still
able to function this problem is getting
worse. I just recently had a mri last
wek, (1.14.2006), findings, l-4, l-5
spinal surgery has not fused, at the l-5,
s-1 severe facet joint arthropathy, & mild
stenosis, alot off scar tissue around the
l-4, l-5 area, also at the same level
demonstrates moderate enhancing tissue in
the left parasagittal region, at the l-3,
l-4 level severe stenosis secondary to
ligamentum flavum and facet hypertrophy
and severe right sided foraminal with
compression of the l-e nerve root, at the
l2-3 level there is a disc herniation with
acute annular tear causing compression on
the l2 nerve root, facet hypertrophy
leading to moderate spinal stenosis,now I
now I am considerd a high risk patient and
with everyone trying to sue doctors, no
docroe will come near me, they give me
excuses but I know the reason, the funny
thing is with all the failed surgeries I
have never not once talen any cilal action
against any doctor, all I want in life now
is to be pain free, or atleast better off
then I am today, I mover from the ft.
Myers area on the advise on my doctors to
central florida, orlando, staing this
would be the only are that doctors would
or be able to handle high risk patients,
i',m really tired, even from the doctors
here in orlando, I was turned down for
surgery last week because my last surgeon
put in his report this was a salvage
operation and most possibly more surgery
would be needed, please don't get me
wrong, I am not looking nor want another
surgery, but am a very realistic person
and realize with the report from the last
mri and with the lower extremities
numbness, this is finally getting the best
of me, some type of surgery would relieve
the pain I live through all day, I would
think i'm new to the post or forum, I
don't know if doctors ever read this
message board, but I need a doctor with
balls, not afraid to take on a hard case,
basically all I want is help, so anyone
reading this message with any suggestions
please feel free to contact me, I wish all
of you with posts on this forum only the
best and hopefully a speedy recovery and
if I can help with any answers with all
i've been through please don't be afraid
to ask, sincerely paul w : :?:- :( :?: