Back surgery / Fusion

[Chezz]

Good morning Everyone!

I have been up half the night thinking about the iminent possibility of back surgery.
Has anybody had fusion done? And if so, did it get rid of the radiating pain and problems associated with it?

Yesterday was one of the hardest days for me. When my new doc said she thinks it is a very good possibility that I will need surgery, it scared  the h%$$ out of me.
I go in monday for another test. Which will help her determine it.
Thanks,
Chezz

[athena]

Hi and welcome.I realize that you are in a desperate situation right now.It will take some doing but chatahan is right.There is help out there.Call your local crisis line,call the health dept. Someone out there will have the answers for you.I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.You can vent here whenever you like,and many of us have been where you are.Just talking to people who understand what your going through is a big help.I hope you really think hard about your family before you take such drastic measures to get out of pain.They need you!Please make some calls and try to get help.It is out there.God bless you.

pixi

[BLONDEONBLONDE]

  HI I WAS ADDICTED TO VICODEN FOR 3 YEARS TOLD THE DR. PUT ME ON # 4 CODIENE AND IT WAS EASYIER TO WEEN OFF. IF THAT HELPS ANYONE. ASLO IF YA HAVE HEP C LIKE ME I GET THE CODIENE  WITH ASPRIN IN THEM. ITS EASYIER ON THE LIVER THAN TYLENOL. ALSO " MILK THISTLE REJUVENATES THE LIVER" ITS A fact!

[puma]

Loveyes,

This may not sound feasable but if you are an American citizen and move to Guam, you can apply for the Medically Indigent program and wellfare and they will have to do the surgery.

If you have assets, you will not qualify. Have you considered calling the American Medical Society or your local public health center and asking them what are your best options to obtain this surgery. You may have to travel to another state for awhile to get it done but then you'll have it done. There are always other doors to open when others are shut. You need to pray hard for a new opening and guidance from the Lord to seek it. You may even want to start at your local church for assistance. Depression makes that nearly impossible, I know because I've gone through suicidal thoughts before.

If nothing else, call your local crises hotline and they should be able to find you some help. I'll be praying for you.

Good luck,

Chatahan

[loveyes]

I am on the verge of ending this life here on earth...
Hello all, I am new here. This is my last visit any where at this point of my life.
Let me see if I can break this all done for all of you please.
I live in Arizona. I have been living with back pain for 7 years now,it is to the point that it just rips right through my body. I have been to multi doctors and at first when I first started having this trouble,it was as if it was on my head,as I read I am not the only one this has happened to. Now today I have multi levels of degenertive disk disease,it does not stop there. I have a ruptured disk as well as spinal stenosis...This is not all. I have lost my state medical coverage, due to my husbands income. We make so little that we strugle to feed our children. I can't afford priviate insurance,as I checked,but they don't want to cover me anyways.So today I have only 2 doses of pain meds and its over. I have been shoved from one doctor to another for so long. Treat you with pain meds and drop you. When I can't get help,I retreat to the ER where I am told that I am starting to look like a drug seeker:(...... even though, they know what I have. The pain is ripping through me as I speak.The one surgon said you must detox off all pain meds and stop smoking or I won't do the surgery,as it is a waste of time if you keep smoking, he said that they had to be able to control the pain after surgery..However what was I to do with all this pain? while waiting? Well that matters not anymore as I am alone in my pain and suffering and they don't seem to care.I have gone from 18 pain pills a day to 8,as of now, and I am so consummed by this pain.When the last pills hit my mouth ,it is over for me.I have done all that I can do and have called everyone and no hope avails for me...Thanks for letting me vent here..I wish you all the best...God Bless you all"Lovechiidelvis

[peaz]

Hi--how was your weekend?  I was thinking about you, and wishing I could have been more help.  I don't know if you want to hear from me, but I thought of something that a number of people here on the board have used for insomnia, and  that is trazadone.  It comes in 50 and 100 mg., and is not a benzo.  It's also an antidepressant, which we all can use, right?   Also, I read that some think your itching is a sign of allergic reaction, and it very well may be; but as I said, in my experience, and as listed in the drug monograph, itching is a definite side effect.  Someone suggest you get switched to another drug altogether, and I'm inclined to agree. I hope you were able to sleep a little and that you have a good week!  Peaz

[athena]

I think you may be having a mild allergic reaction to the percoset.I was on m/s once,had a lot of itching and nervousness.My doc said it was an allergic reaction and switched me to hydro.Maybe you could try a different pain med .I hope you find something that works for you without those side effects.

pixi

[pon]

Hey...sounds like the solution to me.  I have know a number of riders who have had fusion surgery.  Back problems are an occupational reality for equestrians, with about 50% suffering enough damage or pain to need surg. at some point.  Anyway, the folks I know who have had it done have almost ALL said that it radically relieved the pain and gave them a new lease on life from that perspective.  For most of them it was a career ending operation...but if I remember correctly, you gave up riding ponies when you were a teenager....and I am guessing that you don't have any plans to start jumping horses over 1.6 meter high jumps as a hobby...do you?

Chezz man, I am so happy that you seem to have found the right combination of Docs and, it sounds like, meds.  I think there is light at the end of the tunnel my friend, and I am VERY happy for you.

The surgical experience will not be easy, but the payoff is worth it...

Send me an e-mail when you have a chance, I am missing our regular correspondence.

All OK here.  Day 32 behind me and feeling good.  Strained my shoulder yesterday doing some carpentry, but advil was enough to get through, so I was pretty pleased with that.

Kids and family are great...D1 started lessons on a new pony and surprised us with how much she has progressed in the last 6 months.  Seems to have tgotten her riding skills from her mother...which is a GOOD thing.  D2 spent the day in the back harness while I worked around the farm all day.  25 extra pounds to lug, but worth it...she is a VERY cheerful 1 year old, so plenty of singing, laughing and chatter to keep my mind off the labor and a smile on my face!

PLEASE write if you get the chance..I miss your letters and I'm really happy that they seem to have come up with a solution chance for you.

pon

Ps.  Wrote to Alissa, but no response...she OK?

[Sugarbeens]

Thanks so much for responding to my question.  I take 6 percs a day at 5mg each.  I can take only one and not be able to sleep at night.  They do wire me, but, at times also make me sick.  My usual pain relief is 4 vics a day and 2 percs, but, this past month he put me on all percs for the severe pain.  I told him that next month I want to go back to the vics.  I probably am allergic to them, why else would I itch so badly?  I will try and only take them when absoutley necessary.  I have taken more pain pills than I was supposed to in the past, but, I am making myself do what is right now , since I know I have to stay on them to get any pain relief.  I will try the fennel tea, thanks.  Hope all of you are doing well.
Love to all, Sugarbeens

[groovygirl]

my experience has been that mostly people that abuse opiates get wired from them.  people that i know that take them from time to time, like after surgery, get so tired and zonked from taking just one...as prescribed.  i used to get wired from meds, and i zoom around cleaning the house or whatever.  after i got in too deep with them, they simply just make me feel like ****.

[puma]

Sugerbeans, you mentioned ithing like crazy and sleeplessness. Both can be symptoms of allergic reactions. It is possible you may be allergic to the drug. Ask you doc and maybe try another pain killer. Just a thought. Good luck.

Chatahan

[deva]

yes,the percs and any narc for that matter can make you wired.for me its vikes,and percs make me tired.currently i take oxycontin,which if you take properly,give you effective long lasting pain releif w/out the blast to the blood euphoria that make us addicts.i would highly suggest asking for the duragesic patch for time release medicine over a 72 hour period of time.it is very hard to abuse them and harder to become addicted to.they are also effective and help you sleep the best out of every thing ive ever tried(and ive tried nearly all).it depends on how much med you take,but i was taking 40 mgs of oxycontin 3 times a day, and they gave me a 50 microgram duragesic patch prescription and it worked pretty well.the oxy i was on is equivilent to..i hope im right on this...8 percs. at a time,but spread over hours.i also know valerian root(valium in its natural form)is helpful as well as kava kava.also a tea of fresh or dried fennel seeds,(a handful to a quart of boiling water,cover ,steep for 20 min. and strain and drink upon the evening hours is healthy and absolutly safe with anything)will calm your nerves and help with deeper sleep.its auyervedic medicine.ancient indian knowledge.also a brisk walk or jog or deep strtching at night can relly help you too.good luck,hope you find this info useful,let me know...love deva

[DIRTBAG]

Hey Sounds like your hurting and sounds like your using me too have you missed me I'm still tapering and up and down. I'm looking for a job gonna change my day to day life I hate it. Nobody talks to me its so dysfunctional and weird.  I can't tell if its me or the dope.  I can live with only taking 5 vicodin but today I took tweleve maybe fourteen. I'm not sure nice talking to you. Peace Brother from beautiful Morgan Hill California

[bmac]

I am so tired of surgery,like you besides my back surgeries
I have had too many knee surgeries.Now I face replacement soon.
I told my wife which she works in the OR that I am sick of doctors and operating rooms.I pray this will be my last.
I know where Chezz is right now.I kept putting my fusion off until I just couldn't talk myself out of it anymore.It is a *****.Thanks for the comment,it is                appreciated.         bmac

[Chezz]

BTW - I can't believe how much better the oxycontin is than the percocet. I only have to take it twice a day. It doesn't make me grumpy. I don't get a "high". Its not like percocet, where you get the high, then low, take more, high, then low, ect ect ect.
The pharmacist also told me I might need to try taking it at different times to help stay on the same dose, but still get the same pain control for longer. She said switching the time I take it will help so I don't have to take more.
Plus right now I am taking about half of what I am prescribed so that makes me feel good. (I am just dealing with more of the pain though, that is why I couldn't sleep)
Its almost like I am hoping if I take less it will mean I am getting better and won't have to get the surgery.
Chezz

[percsnomas]

what mg oxycontin?

[Chezz]

Everyone has their own "best doc" stories in my opinion. Everyone I have talked to has told me about someone different. I have also done research, and that is what I found too. Their isn't just ONE goto guy.

Scripts institute in San Diego, Ca. has some great surgeons too. Cedar Sinai has some also. They take care of most of the celebs. ect. ect. ect.  I have heard many different docs and hospitals.

I can't explain my situation fully. I need a little ANONYMITY too. But I will be seeing the same team that I had before if I have to go through with the surgery. That is most likely. That could change, but probably not.  
Chezz

[bmac]

Good Luck Chezz,it is a hard thing to go thru.Just do what they tell you to do and get better.
                        bmac

[Chezz]

10mg. I told her I don't like taking the meds and I want to have control on how much I take. She already knew all of this cause she talked to my PCP already. Actually I found out he had been talking to her for a while. He is kind of young and hasn't ever really dealt with back issues.
So she gave me 10mg, then I can take more if I need too, or take less. I am not just going to take 40mg. twice a day, everyday. If I have a good day I can take less, bad day and I can take what is prescribed.
I want to keep it as low as possible. So I am still dealing with a fair amount of pain. Actually my shin is f#$%$@# hurting. But I would rather deal with it and feel the pain so I don't just mask the pain and hurt myself more by doing too much. I have done it before.
I want to get better. And that means I have to feel/deal with the pain.
So right now I am taking 20mg twice a day. I might have to change that if I can't get more sleep than I am getting. But 1st I am going to see if I can try other things to get me through the night.
Chezz

Any ideas on ways to help would be great.

[diso]

Any word from Sean today?

[Chezz]

BTW - I can't believe how freaking expensive the medicine is. I asked the pharmacist a bunch of questions about it. Then I asked how much it was just out of curiosity. She said it was over $150.00. I couldn't believe it. That **** isn't cheap.
Chezz

[Chezz]

Percs,

What video are you referring to. Was it something that described the surgery or showed it?
It sounds like something I would want to see.
Thanks for your help,
Chezz

[Chezz]

Thanks for all the info, and advice.
I hope I didn't sound like an a$$ when I was trying to explain my doc situation. I don't really have a choice on where to go 100%. Hard to explain.

I REALLY appreciate all your guys help and suggestions. It is nice to be able to have a place where people understand what I am going through. It was sooooo hard yesterday when I found out that surgery might be the only answer. But I knew I could come here and get help and find out more info. It feels like I am in this by myself. I haven't been back in the states for more than 5-6 months, so I don't have any friends here to even talk to.
But I knew I could get help and support here, because of all of you guys and your BIG hearts. Thanks again,
Chezz

[bmac]

I understand about the doc thing.Because of my insurance I have to go to one place.I can't even see the pain doc that is my friend anymore.I know how it can be with this stuff.You will do
what you feel is best,good luck.
                       bmac

[percsnomas]

It's a video showing the actual surgery(on a real live person ha ha)...i'll look for it at home to try and provide more details....I know i ordered it thru the learning channel.
Good luck to you whatever you decide!!!

ps my wife refused to watch it... too much like 'trauma in the ER' for her