I will look up the procedure that you had. I hear your pain. You will find some support here, and those who have experienced some terrible pain in their lifes as well. I have had a couple of spinal fusions, and was lucky to get relief with the second surgery. Please keep seeking help. I am glad you are getting another MRI. No matter what the results are, someone here will help you to understand them. As far as the pain goes, there are other solutions, and you probably need an expert in pain control. Not all medications make you loopy or cause side effects. I am not over hep on narcotics either, but it does make my quality of life better in regards to pain I have. I have other conditons that warrent their usage. Please keep trying to get some better help with the pain your experiencing. Folks on the site have had everything from a pain pump, to SCS inplants, injections etc. There is help, and sometimes it is difficult to find the compassion and help you need to deal with the pain. This can be helped in some way if you seek the physicians who are most able to address your needs. Ask your neuro surgeon, and seek more opinions. Get the relief you need, to have a better quality of life. That is what I shoot for. Noone wants to live their lives flat on their backs and in that kind of agony. Please seek more help, it is out there, and there will be someone who can help you. Keep asking on this site too. Let folks know where you live, and they may be able to provide you with names of good physicians on your PM in your area. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I do wish you all the best. I hope you find a way to have less pain. ginnie

I am 50 and was Dx with TCS by an MRI two weeks ago. I see a Nero surgeon next week so I have been trying to read everything I can. this post seems to have all bad experiences related to untethering Sx. however everything I have read by doctors indicate the only relief from the pain and other symptoms is surgery. Is there anyone on this site that has had a positive outcome from the surgery? I'm feeling very nervous and confused! I want relief from this pain and lack of sleep, I just want my live back I can't stand or walk more than 5 minutes and even then I pay for it with more intense pain and Norco doesn't help in the least. Please let me know if anyone has had a positive outcome (Please!)

Sue,

It is great to have you come and be with us. You will find a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. Please let us know how we can help you out. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

Click on the following forum, there you will find some dear friends to assistant you with questions.

Spinal Disorders & Back Pain:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

Please keep us up to date on your condition. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

I had two great years after getting over the first surgery. But ask you Dr the chances of retethering and arachnoiditis before you make a decision. AND get a second opinion from a spine center/hospital. Good luck and God bless. Ask the doctor how many her had performed. They are rare and his or her answer may be zero

And as bad as it hurts now, if you get you will miss the pain you use yup have. I didn't think it could get worse. I've stopped saying that. Things can always get worse

Thank you so much for your response. I have now started a list of questions to take with me to the doctor! I'm still scared but feel a little more in-powered not going in blind. So glad I found this site with good people willing to share with and support others! God is good!

Hi Sue.

I am also 50 years old. Last April I was diagnosed with Tethered Cord Syndrome and had surgery in October.

I tried everything prior to surgery to help manage the pain and nothing helped. Thank GOD I found the best Neurosurgeon for surgery. Granted, not having surgery is NOT an option.

Prior to surgery I was not incontenence, however frequent urination. Mostly at night. Pain was Chronic and I could not walk longer than 5 minutes. Every body part below my L5 hurt....burning in buttocks and outer hips, tailbone pain, low back pain, pins and needles in my legs were the most dibilatating. I tried 3 different nerve meds and prescribed NSAID's and no relief.

After surgery I was in the hospital for 4 days. 2 weeks before I could drive. Pain and weakness slowly subsided in about a month. I had complete recovery in about 2-3 months with NO PAIN. Bladder function is still frequent.

Unfortunately, I now have mild scoliosis with possible retether. All the symptoms are coming back and MRI showing low lying spinal cord in mid L3 and thickened filum terminale. Going back for another Urodynamic text next week to confirm

Please do share your journey......

Lorraine

Welcome myrose4me.

I'm sorry, but I disagree. I have had the surgery twice and both times it retethered and I now have arachnoiditis which is hell on Earth compared to the pain of a tethered cord, which I THOUGHT was hell on Earth. Reading some descriptions of people who have had the surgery it sounds like they too have arachnoiditis but doctors refuse to admit they have it because to do that it would be to admit they made a mistake in surgery.

The truth is that it is a toss up. If you have surgery you take a huge risk, if you don't have surgery you take a prolonged risk. I have had a tethered cord for years now. I am inoperable and if I could go back I would not have had the second surgery. One is all anyone should try.