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Originally Posted by seahorse02
ger715, thanks for sharing. Sorry you are still under pain mgmt. after all these years! The pain clinic here is staffed by neurosurgeons and ortho doctors as well. I will be seeing a dr. not a pain mgmt. specialist for the second opinion. They are all affiliated with the hospital next door to clinic so if surgery is called for it will be performed - or at least that is what I've been told. I am financially unable to argue much.
You said that you had a laminectomy...that was done prior to your fusion for L4/5? Was it a "minimally" invasive laminectomy or the traditional? I did speak with a neurosurgeon's office, one who is highly thought of in the area (also big $$), and was told that she does not do the minimally invasive procedures (like the 1st ortho wants to do on me) because the outcome to that is not as good as traditional.
ger715, you also spoke of nerve compression. My MRI states "mass effect on nerve root". Bumping around to different medical sites, I gather that compression and mass effect are interchangeable. Do you know that to be true?
As far as any epi's, I am not sure if I could ever go that route. I had a set of 3 cervical years ago, and I had a debilitating headache for 24 hours afterward -felt like my head was going to literally explode. Completely drained on the 3rd from the pain the day before. I have since found out that I am allergic to cortisone medications. Do they still perform lumbar epi's if that is the case?
Sorry for all the questions!!.....just nervous, can't sleep, & these constant nerve spasms are maddening!!!!!!!!!!
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My spinal fusion and laminectomy were performed at the same time. The surgeon said he had never seen such a "red angry nerve". Not sure the nerve root and my compression from the vertebrae crushing the nerve is the same. The surgeon did not realize how badly compressed the nerve until he was performing the surgery. Not sure, but things might have been much worse had I not had the surgery.
A couple of years before my surgery, I had also been to a doctor for my arthritis on my wrist and told him about my spine/leg/groin pain. He referred me to one of the doctors on their staff. They also have ortho/pain, etc. associated with their clinic as well. She did an MRI which showed spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease and a problem with L4-5 but don't remember exactly whatelse was mentioned. She was a pain specialist. Did steroid injections and recommended physical therapy, which I did. (I get migraines from the steroids as well - inform you doctors of your problem.)
Eventually, the pain was almost unbearable. I tried to get an appointment with the ortho/spine specialist on staff; but he could see me for a couple of months. Pleaded; but still could not get in any sooner.
Because of this, I went to Rush Medical Center and had the fusion/laminectomy there. A couple of years later, did get to see the original doctor I had wanted in the first place. Both he and the surgeon felt further surgery would not help me as there were other problems as well so I should expect to have some continued pain.
Along with my spinal issues, did develope Pheiphereal Neuropathy. The burning feet, ankles, and leg pain is almost as bad as the spine pain. I am dealing with a few issues. Therefore, was given a name (someone else than from their clinic) of a Pain Specialist who I have been under his care for close to 3 years.
My only concern in your case is that they do not send you to one of their pain specialist first. Your second opinion should be from their spine/ortho. Like I mentioned, the clinic I first went to had a complete line of all these doctors as well. Just be sure your appointment is with a neuro or ortho/spine doctor.
Hope all turns out to be the best road for you to take. In the meantime, try to relax and have an enjoyable Christmas.
Ger