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9/27/10 10:52 P

Without knowing fully the workings of your Country or State's laws etc., I wonder if a Social Worker would be able to battle with you re the Work Insurance!

One thing I noticed when I was in a real emotional turmoil (severe depression as a result of an accident and the subsequent treatment (poor) I received in Hospital) my pain was extreme to say the least. When I decided to do something about the poor treatment I got and complained to the Hospital Board and the Health and Disability Commisioner, I was considerably relieved, and with that the pain lessened. Emotional states of mind can aggravate the physical pain. When you are battling as you are with a Department for compensation, this can cause the muscles to tense up, which in itself is probably adding to the already bad pain you have. For this reason, asking for a referral to a Psychologist or similar would be very helpful in learning quality relaxsation techniques which you can use anywhere, as well as dealing with any stress you have over the accident and subsequent battle!

I wish you well, both with the surgery outcome AND with this emotional battle!

Kris

current weight: 151.0

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Posts: 6
9/27/10 8:01 A

Thank you so much for your advice and comments.

I do take pain medication and have been taking Hudromorphone (a morphine derivative) for 2.5 years now. It masks some of the pain, but I could not dream of doing any of the activities that were so dear to me. I have trouble putting socks on or going for a walk.

My Neurosurgeon is very good. He's quoted as one of the best in North America. But even then, there are risks ad my disc is compressing my nerves and nerve damage is possible when they're working this close to it...

At this point. my quality of life is not good enough for me to refuse surgery and I have exhausted all other options. But I was dead set on not going this route and it's still hard to accept.

I am also fighting with the provincial work insurance as I got injured at work. I have now not been paid for over a year and have used all of my savings. I know a lot of other people who have struggles with WSIB and I guess I have to keep on fighting them.

Thank you again for sharing your experiences with me. It does make a difference!!!

Posts: 5,908
9/26/10 1:00 P

I have had five back surgeries. Each one resolved the crippling pain. I still have needed pain meds every day, but it has hidden the pain to allow me to do things I want to do, exercising, kayaking, household stuff, arts, gardening. I do not work because I do need to change my positions when I do. But overall, I have a good life (barring recent problems from a PT appointment). To me surgery has been worth it. I had my surgeries in the olden days,as far as surgery changes have happened. I had my first surgery at age 14 in 1980.

In the mid 90's my Aunt had microsurgery done. Is this the type surgery your doctor is recommending? If it is, my Aunt is doing fabulously. She rarely has any pain at all.

Hope for the best. Remember, only you can decide if the pain is crippling enough to your life to try surgery. If the pain is that bad, it is worth the try. Hopefully, you will be without pain. But,if not, I believe the goal should be to live a fairly normal life where pain can be hidden enough to live your life and enjoy it.

I do know of many fully recovered success stories but as you will read, there are other results that are possible.

Follow your gut on what is right for you. And you are right, surgery IS scary. I always turn into a *itch the day of surgery. I just can't control it because it is nerve wracking.

Good luck to you.

Kimberly

Posts: 1,322
9/26/10 6:03 A

I have had two surgeries. Sadly the 1st surgeon did some damage to my spinal cord. This is a pretty rare thing. Failed surgeries like mine are rare. He either dropped something on it or?
I had another surgery a few years later. Not much of a change. I see a phisiatrist/pain mgt. doctor now. I was sent from doctor to doctor for about 3 years after the surgery. Most said "live with it" I know my cord can't be fixed, but nobody gave me adequate pain meds. I have no choice, this is for life.
Your doctor sounds good. Why isn't he fusing it? I ask because they do this type (remove parts of the disc) almost the first time on these lower discs. And within 1 to ?? years it usually has to be fused anyway. It could be the insurance companies. My husband (separated) had the first surgery done, the the 2nd 2 years later. He is quite overweight and I worry about it going. But is isat leas 75% better then it was in 98!!! To me that is amazing!
I find my doctor amazing. I had the mecications. But they in a sense keep me alive.
I think you need to do something. I get sciatica too(why not?) and I know the horrible pain.
I think you've explored your options quite well.
How does your psyiatrst feel? I trust mine almost, with my life. I have been to probably 10+ doctors with this, and most turned me away fast. See when someone has messed up surgery most won't involve themselves. The reason mine is so painful (one of them) is that my spinal cord injury is in the cervical spine. That means from the injury to the end of the spine, I have all kinds of stuff going on.
14 years, stop letting your body do more nerve damage!!!!! I hope your on pain meds. Not that they are the cure all. I was told I will always have pain.
That's life, for me. Are you housebound? I pretty much am, except when I can get a ride. Now you will probably will have considerably less pain.


Surgery is scary! But isn't the constant burning,stabbing, aching (mine) (yours) pain???

If it were me (it is but not to the degree of your spine(lower) I would have it, if it is stopping you from living a decent life.
hugs,
Robin

Posts: 882
9/26/10 4:17 A

I agree that it sounds like your Neurosurgeon is right on target and seems to have your best interests at heart. They always have to tell us the best and the worst case senerio and I would trust him to do his best. I have not had this kind of therapy or surgery.

I agree also that therapy would help and I had it for my depression as the pain was defeating me and I was floundering. Fear is a terrible thing and I'd get help for it before you have surgery.

I had lower back surgery to remove 3 vertabrae from crushing my spine....it worked and my left hip and leg are not numb now. My left knee still hurts badly and I am scheduled for 3 synvisc injections.

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9/26/10 2:09 A

I haven't had surgery, but to me it sounds like the surgeon you have is the sort that I would go for!!

No surgeon can promise a success - they can only go by their experience with previous patients. Based on that, I don't think he would suggest it if he didn't think it was worth trying. As far as the pain is concerned, go in with the knowledge that for some people it DOES go away completely, but there is a chance you MAY not be one of them. THEN out of those who will still experience pain, there is a chance that yours will decrease. To me that gives you really good odds!

It is possible that you could do with a bit of therapy before your surgery to help you cope! It is a proven fact that when a person is fairly relaxed, the pain is less!

Do you know when the surgery is being performed? I wish you well for a successful outcome.

Keep in touch and take care,
Kris

current weight: 151.0

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151

Posts: 6
9/26/10 1:38 A

Hi,
I've been living with a herniated lumbar disc and severe sciatica in my left leg for almost 4 years now. I tried physiotherapy/chiro, massage therapy, acupuncture and physical therapy... but none made enough improvements and now my Neurosurgeon decided it's time for surgery.
I was really hoping to heal without getting cut up. The surgery should remove the pressure on my nerve and prevent further nerve damage - they will be removing 30% of my disc. But I was told not to expect a reduction of back pain. For some people, the back pain completely goes away... For most it stays the same... and for others it gets worse.
I am really afraid and don't know what to expect. My Neurosurgeon wants to start with the less invasive option and I live the fact he's conservative. Surgery is no miracle and especially when it comes to back problems.
Has anyone experiences a similar kind of surgery????