Dear painintheazz,
Did you try to contact Dr. Frank Feigenbaum in Dallas, TX? He is a renowned neurosurgeon that has had success with patients. He recommended me to have surgery due to the 5 Tarlov cysts. I opted out for now due to him saying to me there is no guarantees. I know doctors cannot guarantee the results due to prior nerve damage to surgery but, for now, my symptoms are not severe daily but off and on. WHen the symptoms do become severe daily, than I would reconsider surgery again. In the meantime, doing more research and trying to relieve the symptoms holistically. I hope this helps. Also contact the Tarlov Cyst Association for more information.
Kathryn1

To Have Surgery or Not
 

Did you meet with him in person? I am going through this now and I cannot deal with the 24/7 pain and am considering surgery.

Hi Katrina, where are your cysts and what are your symptoms? I am also trying to decide whether to contact Dr. F in Texas or Dr. Henderson in Maryland. I think Dr. F is supposed to be the best, but I live in the DC area so may see Dr. Henderson. Do you have other issues with your back that can complicate this?

Surgery or Not?
 

Hi Catrina,
I did not meet with Dr. F in person. It was a phone consultation. This made me leery also. He had all my files, MRI's, etc. but to recommend surgery without seeing me made me uncomfortable. Also he asked if sex relations were painful. I stated I was not sexually active. He writes on his report that sex relations are painful. This also made me leery. Dr. F. is considered an expert in the field regarding Tarlov cysts, but, as I stated before, I am not desperate at this time to relieve the off and on symptoms that are severe with surgery. If I was you, I would look into Dr. F's history of success with patients and see him in person. Do not do a phone consultation! Also, ask yourself if you will be better off having the surgery? How many cysts do you have and where are they? Have you been to a neurologist, pain education doctor, tried yoga and meditation, physical therapy. biofeedback? Operating on the spine is very invasive in which you could result with incontinence, bowel problems, nerve problems that could be worse than you have now. Try all options before considering surgery. If you are one of the lucky ones with good results after surgery, good for you!
Best of luck and I hope you find the right answer.
Kathryn1

Dr. Feigenbaum's office
 

Dr. Feigenbaum's office called me this week and asked how I am doing. I informed Laura, Office Manager that I was leery due to Dr. F's letter stated that sex was painful when it was not since I am not sexually active. Laura was very nice and stated will take this off my record. Also, that there must have been a miscommunication at the time. I was appreciative of her calling and probably was miscommunication. She stated if I had any questions or concerns to call her office anytime. Also, to reconsider surgery due to waiting could make my symptoms worse. I am seeing a different neurologist at the end of July for a second opinion and more information and maybe referral locally to a neurosurgeon for a second opinion. I am sure that Dr. F is highly qualified to operate on Tarlov cysts and I have confidence in him. I need more reassurance before proceeding to Tarlov surgery at this time. I am very scared!
Kathryn1

I have the itching also but the pain in my buttock,leg & thigh override the itching,also have lost holding my bladder.Can you tell me how your surgery went and was it worth going through,also the name of the DR.you used?
Thank you so much for reading this.I am in misery with so much pain.

Hello pattycake,

Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support groups.

I'm sorry that you're in so much pain. I also wanted to let you know that the person that you are asking hasn't posted here in a couple of years or more, so they may not ever see your post.

Hopefully someone else from this Tarlov Cyst forum will see your post and be able to respond to your questions.

take care there.

When my problems started I had itching but it was outside not inside. It felt like a yeast infection if you've ever had one of those. I had surgery with dr f on November 11, 2015. I am 3 months post op. I do not feel better, most days I feel worse than I originally was. As of right now I wish I hadn't had the surgery but am hoping that changes. They will always tell you it takes time. I think people who have suffered a long time just quit posting we have accepted our situation and are not trying to find answers anymore just trying to find peace and comfort each day.
My surgical experience was not pleasant. I know a few that feel the same way. My prior opinion was if a person had surgery sooner rather than later it would give a better outcome. This started 3 years ago for me I had 7cysts s1-s4. I know someone who hasn't hit the year mark of finding out she had cysts and had surgery 6 weeks after me and she's still in a lot of pain. So, I don't know if surgery as soon as possible is the answer either. For me, if I had to do it over as of right now, I would have waited longer to have the surgery.
The recovery and healing process is very hard. You need to have a lot of support and help. I took 3 months off work and mentally was ready to go back but physically it's hard. I'm hoping to build up my endurance and muscle strength. Feel free to ask me anything. Take care

Dear David. Sorry to bother you, but this is my story. Two and a half years ago I saw Dr. FF. He suggested the surgery, but I was scared to death. Now, I hardly tolerate pain and ready to take the risk.
I am 61 work in the office sitting all day long and taken at leas 6 pills to survive until the end of the working day.
To make a living, I need to work at least for four more years before I can retire.
I have an insurance through my work. Not the best, but it's better than nothing.
I live is St. Louis. I have to start the whole process with tests again according to Dr. F's assistant.
How long did you wait before they took you for the surgery?
How it could work to fly to Dallas? Where to stay after the surgery? How long will it take before I can take the plane to go back home? Should somebody stay with me? What the average price for the surgery, of course it varies.. I understand.
So many other questions, but do not want to overwhelm you.

Thank you!
Toma.

Toma,
I understand your initial fear....having someone expose your spinal nerves is not
easy to accept. In my case, I was willing to accept the risks, as I could no longer bear the near constant muscle spasms, combined with existing in a "drugged-out state" every day.
It was nearly one year from my first contact with Dr. Feigenbaum until the day of my surgery. During that time I underwent a series of tests at Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland, Oregon. The final test was a temporary nerve block, which confirmed the source of the muscle spasms.
As for travel and lodging in Dallas, I know nothing about that, as my surgery was performed in Kansas City when Dr. Feigenbaum practiced at the Research Medical Center there. I would suggest you contact the staff at Dr. Feigenbaum's office and request information from them regarding hosing recommendations while in Dallas.
If you would like to speak directly with me, Private Message me and we can exchange phone numbers. I'm here to help.
David