I forgot to mention, my surgery took about two hours for 8 cysts, L4-S5 and a dorsal plate. I was in the hospital for three days, but could have stayed another day by choice. Pine Creek is a very pleasant private hospital with wonderful nurses and great care. My follow up visit was 8 days after surgery, and I flew back nine days after surgery.

Along with the sacral laminectomy that Dr F does, the wrapping of the cyst, the draining of the cyst is permanent.

With needle aspiration that some other doctors offer, it is temporary. The cysts will refill, sometimes almost immediately.

Whether or not the draining of the cysts will work, depends on the approach as mentioned above and how much of the nerve damage is reparable. Generally, the longer one has had symptoms, the harder it will be for the nerves to recover. Also, nerves take a relatively long time to heal, months to years. Dr F set my expectations at up to two years post operatively to see improvement.

That said, I felt a noticeable difference in some symptoms immediately after surgery and my symptoms were progressively worsening over three and a half years. I'm thinking the immediate improvement was from nerves that were being compressed by the cysts, but not damaged enough they needed much repair to work again. Also post op, some nerves get irritated by the surgery itself, so I was warned some symptoms may return or worsen for a while before improving again. At two weeks after surgery, I'm feeling a bit of that, but can still have an overall improvement in other symptoms.

Looking back, it seems you've been seeking care for a while. I'd highly recommend contacting Dr. Feigenbaum. He was straight with the facts with me and genuinely wants to see his patients improve.

Thank you all so much for you input...

I have decided to go with the draining of the cyst as I will have to prove to my medical insurance that I have tried what is avaible to me here in Ireland before I can approach them about seeking treatment anywhere else.

Now I have my foot and leg in plaster from the top of my toes to over my knee all due to a bad rupture of my Achilles Tendon

Gosh it never rains but it pours, can only happen to me

Lots of empathy here. You aren't alone in having such crazy things happen. I can only laugh at mine these days as the tears are long past. Just don't give up hope. Hang in there!

Bear in mind, there is a possibility the cyst may refill immediately without a means to close off the cyst. If you do get relief from drainage, great!

But if you don't, it could just have refilled with more CSF. Also, the cyst itself maybe innervated, the nerve root irritated, or the cyst maybe causing nerve compression and could take time to heal during which time it is likely the cyst will refill. In any case, just remember if drainage doesn't help, the cysts might still be causing your symptoms and can be treated.

Again, Dr Feigenbaum offers phone consults free of charge, but there is a waiting list.

Good luck! And keep us posted.

Hi Tomatogirl,
I am glad to hear that your recovery is going well. Thank you for taking the time to keep us posted. That means a lot to all of us. God bless you!
Claudia