Quote:
Originally Posted by ginnie
I am so sorry you have to endure this kind of thing. I am glad you got the test and all. I wonder why he didn't do an MRI? I did look at the pictures, and clearly see the bend, and where the break is. I also understand what he intends to do with fusing to your pelvis. Is he the only doctor you have seen with this new current problem? Have you seen a neurologist?
I do know that some mobility would be lost, simply because of the solid rod, going to the pelvis, twisting side to side etc, bending over, would be compromised. I am fused C3-7 and it did stop me from being able to drive at night. Twisting back over my shoulder is not so good. I do know that removing old hardware and putting all this new in will be hard on you. Please dicuss pain medications completely before you decide to do this proceedure. You have a right to be kept comfortable and not in intolerable pain. If you have a pain specialist, this would be the time to dicuss this. I was on pain meds before my second fusion. At the time of the surgery, they did not consider that I had been on medications for years, and I did not receive enough in my opinion after my surgery. There was no dicussion between my pain specialist, and the neruo surgeon who did my surgery. My son had to intervene to get them to discuss the issue. Those things need to be talked about before you go in OK? I am not sure you really have an option, as this verterbre really does look damaged. My neck did the same kind of bending as you are presenting. I did not have a break, but one folded over another etc.
Please let me know how you get along. I do care, and I really will keep you in my prayers. I wish there was something I could do for you. ginnie
|
Ginnie,
Thank you so much for your post and more importantly the prayers! i am a little overwhelmed with all of this new information. i didnt expect to have this much going on.
My doc said that he didnt want to do an MRI because of all the hardware i have in my back currently. he said that it would look fuzzy and could get a better pic with the mylegram. They injected dye into my back so they could see everything better. not a fun procedure, i had a killer headache for like 3 days after.
I am going to discuss pain meds with my family doc. I need to lose some weight. i want to see if i can drop 20 pounds and possibly feel better. but working out is SO painful. the pain during i can handle its the aftermath that kills me. i cant seem to relax after wards or lay flat, sitting hurts. So i was thinking that maybe my doc would prescribe a pain med so i can get thru this and get my body back to being strong and then make a decision from there.
i have alwasy been against narcotics because i thought if i started taking them i would never quit because its not like the pain is going to stop. If i take them over a summer and have a goal to stop (light at the end of the tunnel) then it will help motivate me through it.
I did find a website on line that can do fusions othoscopically (sp?) I sent them my information and CT results, so maybe they will bring some better news.
i am probably going to opt to have the surgery. i dont see another answer, it seems to me that if my bones are broken in my back, that isnt something to let go for too long. i am thinking that i will have surgery at the end of the summer. at least i can have 1 last summer of golf.