Quote:
Originally Posted by doccarolyn
Hi everyone,
my name is Carolyn and I am new to this forum, I have spinal stenosis at L4and L5- with severe degenerative disc disease. I am on pain meds, nerve meds, etc and my doctor at least one or saying the stenosis is getting worse and I need surgery- of course he is a surgeon- my concern has anyone had successful decompression and laminectomy - all I hear are horror stories and I'm terrified- I have a Ph.D in psychology, one would think I could deal with my own anxiety, but it is really hard- has anyone had successful lumbar surgeries- also is anyone from the Los Angeles area- would like to connect with someone in regards to doctors etc- I enjoy this forum,
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Hi Carolyn,
I was also scared to death and put it off until it was almost too late. If there are 3 discs in trouble this hospital wouldn't do the surgery but they did. First year or two was tough but after that things got better than much better. I had an L4 L5 fusion and he had to fix scoleosis; so I guess they rolled me over after they had lunch. Things were ok until I hit the 9 year mark and things started to go down hill; but you really have no choice. The pain gets so unbelievably bad you're dying to jump on that table. Do your homework and find the best....the very best. Are you allowed to mention Dr.s here?
Dave