Just finished reading candlegirl's thread, recovery from spinal fusion advice. Very sobering posts. Am in total agreement with surgery being an individual's choice and only that individual. Having 2 doctors tell me that surgery is the only option, I do not expect anything encouraging from the neurosurgeon's appt. this upcoming Friday. It's what, after 1am now, I took the prescribed gabapentin for spasms 2 hours ago and spasms are so busy and numerous in my legs and feet there's no chance of falling asleep.

Somebody help here please...what's the best way to describe these nerve spasms to someone who doesn't have a clue? The best way I can is......imagine a bundle of hot wires that are unbundled, of different lengths, with different electrical capacities, all firing differently, ALL THE TIME. Not the best description. Can someone think of a more apt description so I can help someone who's asked understand?

Surgery petrifies me, but this is no way to live either. Can't carry groceries, pick up a gallon of milk due to pressure in the spine, vacuuming I do otherwise it won't get done and then I pay for it later, don't even carry my everyday purse due to weight, can't pick up a 6 pack of cokes, driving causes such pain I don't even want to get in the car, can't bloody function without drugs. Symptoms just get worse by the week, and living day to day in a chemical haze is the pits. If all conservative measures have been tried (they have for me) with no improvement or promise (or even hope) of improvement, then hold the door to the operating room open...... Personally, I'd rather take a chance on improving the situation than live in the situation as is.

I believe we're all in agreement on that point. Sometimes opinions vary between neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons; it couldn't hurt to have opinions from both sides of that. Some here have said neurosurgeons are the better choice/option. If all are in agreement there, we can all only hope for the best.

It's not difficult to understand the strong pro/con feelings on these issues. The pros wish their successes for everyone; the cons wouldn't wish their predicaments on their worst enemies, and only want to prevent someone from suffering similar plight.

Informed decision, made... hopefully, NOT out of pain, fear, and/or desperation. We're all here for each other no matter what.

Doc

Don't you just wish people didn't have to make these kinds of terrible choices? The issues each way, surgery or no surgery is so difficult for a person to make. It is heartbreaking to hear of others struggle with back pain.
I hope your pain is less today too. I go to the pain specialist in a little while. I got in trouble again, and have to have a joint replaced in my foot. I don't want to do this at all, but the pain is such I am not walking very well. I really don't want to wind up in a wheel chair for this, so I am at that debating point once again. I will see today what my pain specialist thinks about my situation. Take care, ginnie

Hi Ginnie,

Yes, I wish people never had to make these decisions, but worse still is someone else making decisions for them.

My pain is... (I don't like to talk about it much) fluctuating. My wife spent most of a day working on a trigger point so I could go out for a few hours yesterday. It worked; I got through the day despite its ups & downs; it was badly needed. Today I'm recovering, and the triggerpoint is rearing its ugly head (more like backside) again....

I don't mean to (oh, what's the word... make less of a situation) but a foot is different (less complicated) than a spine. I think I would have less trepidation about it than spine surgery (but I'm speaking from ignorance) but I get it. I have impingements in both shoulders that I've been ignoring for a couple years now. Every few months they get better for a time, so I think surgery won't be necessary. I guess maybe I'm not really at that crossroads yet, or maybe just in denial.

Doc

You are right Dr. smith. A foot is not the same issue as spinal problems. For me it is an additional problem I sure didn't want. I just don't want another surgery, I am tired of them, the whole dog gone thing. I am going to have to do the joint replacement, or it will take my walking away from me. The pain doc. upped my medication until I can get into surgery. I have to heal first from oral surgery, and get an endoscopy. My barretts' esophagus is worse than a year ago, despite a double proton pump inhibitor. I need it checked out to feel comfortable about another surgery. I can't seem to stay out of trouble. I feel blue.
I am sorry about your pain too. I am glad your wife helps you. I am not sure what the therapy is that she does, but if it gets you outside and walking that is a blessing. My spine is pretty good, pain is tolerable. take care Dr.Smith, and I will try to do the same. ginnie

Your words are fine - not bad at all. In fact they're pretty cussed good. There are web pages devoted to How to Describe Pain using enormous lists of adjectives that don't come close.

Doc

Time to Act: Notwithstanding the amount of medication I still have to take,surgery was still a great idea. I also had a massive C2-C7 neck fusion. Just take tylenol for that now. Neuropathic discomfort is barely treatable. Just stay active on Neurotalk.

Good Luck,
RX

I am glad your massive fusion worked out good for you too. I still have some pain but it is tolerable. I had C3-7, wasn't that fun?....nope!.....I don't know about you but I hurt for quite awhile for my recovery time. ginnie

Horatio, glad your fusion went well, and at least that it is controlled with tylenol. That is a definite plus!

Doc, thanks for the confirmation on my elementary description of nerve spasm pain. That's the most graphic way I could come up with to describe it. Doc, it sounds as if you have a very dedicated loving wife to help you. That can make just a world a difference, and I don't mind saying I wish everyone had that in time of major health troubles - myself included. Stress upon stress is no way to fly.........

Miss Ginnie - Okay, enough now - your probs need to just chill out - & here's sincerely wishing that they do just that!! My sis-in-law recently had her 3rd ankle surgery by a superb dr., she now has a bionic ankle, and is walking really well. First 2 surgeries were performed by the same doc who was....how shall I say.....pure quack. We just don't appreciate those appendages, feet that is, until one of those little piggies start to squeak! Understand your feeling blue....hope that passes with the next breeze. I know you must be a very positive person by nature....how else could anyone read this forum day after day as you do and post such uplifting remarks for others?

Wishing all a peaceful evening............

thanks for your post. I appreciate you asking my body to chill out on the problems. I will go get this blasted surgery, and get over with. It will be OK.
I come here because of the support I get too, with just such an issue. When you see some of the other problems people have, it makes you a bit humble. I learned that from this site for sure. When we join forces it makes all the troubles less. We are not alone. I hope your next appt. goes well. I believe you said it was your pain specialist going to give you another opinion. I saw my pain specialist today, he said yeppers, I need this joint replaced. The two docs did talk, which to me is a real good thing. Let me know how your appt. goes and what he says about your spine condition. take care seahorse.ginnie