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TIRED OF PAIN ANYONE HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT TO EXPECT AT NEUROSURGEON APPT
HI, I have posted previously a week ago, to detail the problems I have in my back, bulging disks, hernatied diskes, narrowing of spinal canal at multiple levels,endplate osterophytes on X-Rays of L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1, Degenerative changes of Facet Joints, etc, etc. I hurt my back, mid and lower back in 1999. It is now 2009, and I have only gotten worse. I have not worked in ten years and am permanent disability, on SSI and Social Security.
I have tryed every med out there, Vicodin till it came out my ears, Neurontin, Amitripiline, Lidoderm patches, Soma, Flexeril, Viox, Bextra, CElebrex, Percocet,even Dilaudid. I use a TENS unit. Have physical therapy, Epidurals, Facet injections SI injections and nothng has worked except for Methadone. Even Morphine has not worked as well as Methadone.
I am in constant pain and the Methadone just takes the edge off. If it were not for the Methadone, I don't know what I would do. I have been taking Methadone for almost 5 years now. I see the neurosurgeon next week, the 20th of April to see if I qualify for Surgery and what possible alternatives there are at this point.Not only does my lumbar area hurt, but my left and right hip , thigh and mid calf hurt, esp on the left and it is worse in morning and after sleeping. Also my left knee is swollen and hurts for the past year.
Can anyone give me an idea of what to expect at my appt? What type of things do the Neurosurgeon do to assess you to see if you are a surgical candiate? Do you allways have to have a Discogram, where they inject the dye? Also I read somewhere about not doing surgery if you are over a certain age. I am 55, does that mean I am not a candiate? I can not do the things I used to do. For the last 10 years I have to crawl on my hands and knees just to vacumm the floor an I haven't had sex with my husband for at least 5 years because of the pain. I feel like my life is over and I am more like 85 then the age I am. I don't want to be on Methadone when I am 70 either, ( if I live that long.)
that can't be normal. Do DRs. do surgery not just for Herniated disks, but because of DDD at many levels and constant pain? I also have Hypothryroidism, High Blood pressure and am being treated for Angina. If anyone can help or tell me what your appt was like I would appreciate it. Has anyone else been on Methadone for pain like I have ? Thank you. fluffypurrcat
I have tryed every med out there, Vicodin till it came out my ears, Neurontin, Amitripiline, Lidoderm patches, Soma, Flexeril, Viox, Bextra, CElebrex, Percocet,even Dilaudid. I use a TENS unit. Have physical therapy, Epidurals, Facet injections SI injections and nothng has worked except for Methadone. Even Morphine has not worked as well as Methadone.
I am in constant pain and the Methadone just takes the edge off. If it were not for the Methadone, I don't know what I would do. I have been taking Methadone for almost 5 years now. I see the neurosurgeon next week, the 20th of April to see if I qualify for Surgery and what possible alternatives there are at this point.Not only does my lumbar area hurt, but my left and right hip , thigh and mid calf hurt, esp on the left and it is worse in morning and after sleeping. Also my left knee is swollen and hurts for the past year.
Can anyone give me an idea of what to expect at my appt? What type of things do the Neurosurgeon do to assess you to see if you are a surgical candiate? Do you allways have to have a Discogram, where they inject the dye? Also I read somewhere about not doing surgery if you are over a certain age. I am 55, does that mean I am not a candiate? I can not do the things I used to do. For the last 10 years I have to crawl on my hands and knees just to vacumm the floor an I haven't had sex with my husband for at least 5 years because of the pain. I feel like my life is over and I am more like 85 then the age I am. I don't want to be on Methadone when I am 70 either, ( if I live that long.)
that can't be normal. Do DRs. do surgery not just for Herniated disks, but because of DDD at many levels and constant pain? I also have Hypothryroidism, High Blood pressure and am being treated for Angina. If anyone can help or tell me what your appt was like I would appreciate it. Has anyone else been on Methadone for pain like I have ? Thank you. fluffypurrcat
WOW.....reading all ur issues all I can think is ouch!
First let me say the the Community Leader kittyluv1 does a great job answering posts as this is a newer forum and it has not developed alot of repeat posters. All the forums are for support and to share with others and alot of people come for a dx and medical info that most of us can not provide.
I am glad u r here, and feel free to help kitty answer the posts, I am sure she would love the help....even if all u can say is hi , and I can relate to ur frustration ect....
Well my cervical spinal stinosis was dx back in 1998 I think....nothing was suggested be done at that time.I was also told I had DDD around the same time period.
Since the dx's were not believed to cause the pain and issues I went to the dr for...I dropped pushing the matter until I could not take the pain....I was next told to have tarsel tunnel in my right ankle and had surgery in 2000....while having PT for the ankle it was determined that I still had an issue and PT was stopped.....the dr said it would take 2 yrs for the nerves to heal completely and that to correct the problem they would have to cut bone and use bolts to repair it...so in the meantime I was to wear a boot when ever I was on my feet...I worked retail and was on my feet constanly and the muscles atrophied.I transferred to another position with my company to get off my feet and went back to PT to build the muscles up.
I put up with all my issues until I had a drop attack where u pass out breifly and come to while in mid fall and the fall resulted in a sprained left ankle and a torn meniscus (sp) of my right knee...I again was sent to PT and I had surgery to repair the issues leftover on my right ankle bcuz I did not have enuff mobility in it for the PT for the knee....then I had surgery on the knee and the surgeon thought I had Lupus and referred me to a rheumatoid dr and it was discovered I had chiari, tethered cord,Hashimoto's thyroiditis.....I then tried to get a dr to treat me and was not successful until I had already been seen by 2 NS's in my area.
It was online that I located info on a place in NY with drs that specialize in chiari and related conditions...so 2 weeks ago I went and had 2 more dx's added...cranial instability and ehlers danlos syndrome.
As for the hashi's...I was dx last april and was just placed on meds approx 3.5 weeks ago....I believe that I must have had it for yrs...the drs always said ...do u have a thyroid issue...I would say no.....I know better now...I always respond I do not know....duh...until they tell me how would I know.
Having issues can be very frustrating....I am now waiting to hear for the drs in NY to see when they are going to schedule the firat surgery.
I hope u were able to follow that.
"selma"
First let me say the the Community Leader kittyluv1 does a great job answering posts as this is a newer forum and it has not developed alot of repeat posters. All the forums are for support and to share with others and alot of people come for a dx and medical info that most of us can not provide.
I am glad u r here, and feel free to help kitty answer the posts, I am sure she would love the help....even if all u can say is hi , and I can relate to ur frustration ect....
Well my cervical spinal stinosis was dx back in 1998 I think....nothing was suggested be done at that time.I was also told I had DDD around the same time period.
Since the dx's were not believed to cause the pain and issues I went to the dr for...I dropped pushing the matter until I could not take the pain....I was next told to have tarsel tunnel in my right ankle and had surgery in 2000....while having PT for the ankle it was determined that I still had an issue and PT was stopped.....the dr said it would take 2 yrs for the nerves to heal completely and that to correct the problem they would have to cut bone and use bolts to repair it...so in the meantime I was to wear a boot when ever I was on my feet...I worked retail and was on my feet constanly and the muscles atrophied.I transferred to another position with my company to get off my feet and went back to PT to build the muscles up.
I put up with all my issues until I had a drop attack where u pass out breifly and come to while in mid fall and the fall resulted in a sprained left ankle and a torn meniscus (sp) of my right knee...I again was sent to PT and I had surgery to repair the issues leftover on my right ankle bcuz I did not have enuff mobility in it for the PT for the knee....then I had surgery on the knee and the surgeon thought I had Lupus and referred me to a rheumatoid dr and it was discovered I had chiari, tethered cord,Hashimoto's thyroiditis.....I then tried to get a dr to treat me and was not successful until I had already been seen by 2 NS's in my area.
It was online that I located info on a place in NY with drs that specialize in chiari and related conditions...so 2 weeks ago I went and had 2 more dx's added...cranial instability and ehlers danlos syndrome.
As for the hashi's...I was dx last april and was just placed on meds approx 3.5 weeks ago....I believe that I must have had it for yrs...the drs always said ...do u have a thyroid issue...I would say no.....I know better now...I always respond I do not know....duh...until they tell me how would I know.
Having issues can be very frustrating....I am now waiting to hear for the drs in NY to see when they are going to schedule the firat surgery.
I hope u were able to follow that.
"selma"
Hi Selma, thanks for the reply, I was getting pretty discouraged, it doesn't appear as if anyone answers in these spine, back forums except the moderator. Anyway, thank you for your response. NOw for your questions. Yes, I have Hashimotos thryoid, diagnosed in Sept. 2000, although I had symptoms for at least several years before. I hurt my back on the job, in Sept. 1999 and went immediatily, within 18 hrs of hurting my back to the Company HOEM, and they diagnosed my thorac and lumbar strain.After a whole year my Workmans comp dr. made me permanent and stationary becauses I was not getting any better, still taking pain pills, ( Vicodin, ) and physical therapy, pool therapy, muscle relaxers etc, did not elimate the pain. My mid back got better, but never the lumbar. The only test the workmans dr. had ever done was a plain X-ray that showed Arthritic changes at L-4 L5. So in Oct. 2000, the Workmans comp dr. decided to order a MRI of my back and it showed I have hernated disks at L4 L5. I had been working a whole year with my bad back. As for the other conditions causing pain, I know it is my back because of the hernated disks, it has been 10 years since I hurt my back, or it will be 10 years on Sept. 15th of this year, 20009.. I was a preschool teacher at the time and also did inhome health care for the elderly which all involved lifting of which I can not do anymore.
Since hurting my back in Sept 1999 I have had lots of medical issues, it seems like everything happened at once.
Sept 1999 Hurt my back on the job.
Sept 2000 laid off of work because of my back and diagnosed with Hashimotos thyroid.
Oct. 2000 First MRI showed herniated disk at L4-L5.
Feb. 2001 Saw the Neurosurgeon for first time and said I could have surgery but I opted
for conservative treatment, put on Viox and started epidural injections which did nothing
June 2001 I was hit by truck while on bike and on my way to school to retrain in other occupation that didn[t involve lifting. Broken 5th Metatarsal in Right foot and worseing of pain on right side of back . In cast and on crutches from June 25th 2001-Oct 2001.
Nov 2001 Diagnosed with Osteopenia because my bones in foot were so slow in healing, put on Fosamax, for Osteoporous prevention.
Feb. 2002 finally bone in foot healed and beginning physical therapy. Because of the very long time I was in a cast, my right foot is contracted at the ankle and I don't have full range of movement.Between 2001 to 2004 I saw lots of specialists, and different dr.s and tried lots fo meds, Vicodin, Neurontin, Soma, Flexeril, Amitripilyne, Viox, Bextra, Lido derm patches, physical therapy, Pool therapy, I have had epidural injections, Facet blocks, SSI injections, and finally was put on Methadone in 2004 and it is the ONLY MED THAT TAKES THE EDGE OFF OF THE PAIN, BUT DOESN'T ELIMINATE IT COMPLETLY.In 2004 my Periods became extremly painful, and heavy and clottting. Had Ultrasounds and showed I had not only Fibroids which I already knew, but Ovarian Cysts and a CA-125 blood test which is a cancer marker for Ovarian Cancer was elevated.I kept getting cysts and finally opted for a Hysterectomy and to rule out Ovarian Cancer. Went to hospital for surgery on Dec.5th, 2005 and the pre antibiotic they inject into the IV bag before being wheeled into surgery, put me into Antaphylactic shock and I almost died. My kidneys shut down and my blood pressure was only 70/40 while my heart EKG showed I was in Tachacardia, over 300 beats per minute.They were able to pull me through and after spending the night in the hospital I was released. Next month, Jan 10th of 2006 I had a Complete Hysterectomy and it was successful. Complications the month after my surgery and I ended up back in emergency room with a torn vaginal cuff and they had to sew me back up bcause I was hemmoraging.
Then in March 2007 I had a bunionectomy on my right foot, same foot that had been broken. The dr. messed up and overcorrected my bunion and I had what was called as Hallux Varus. I went to another dr. and had a joint Salvage operation in Oct 2007. This also was unsuccessful and I needed another one. Then in April 2008, I had the symptoms of a heart attack, and lots of tests, etc since then.It turns out I have Atypical Angina, or Variant Angina and now am on Heart meds as well. After ok from heart dr. I had my right foot fused because two previous surgeries failed., on August of 2008. Since then, I have been waiting for this Neuroseurgeon who I get to see on the 20th, 5 more days!! I know I have some nerve damage or weakness on the left side and my regular dr. has me toe and heel walk which I can't do very well. I have been on Methadone for almost 5 years and am tired of CONSERVATIVE CARE AND BEING IN PAIN ALL DAY. I AM READY FOR SOME SORT OF SURGERY IF THEY OFFER IT.
MY x-RAYS SHOW NARROWING OF SPACES AT L3-L4, L4-L5, AND Minimum to Moderate changes at SSI Joints as well. Also have enplate Osteophytes. The MRI shows
DDD in all of Lumbar Spine, narrowing of joint spaces, and Broadbased posterior bulge at L3-L4, and encroachment of nerve, and Herniations in two areas of L4-L5, with encroachemnts of neural formenum also.Also involvement of SSI joint. I don't have Spinal Stenois yet, just narrowing that leads to it.. The latest thing to fall apart is my left knee has been swollen and painful for about a year and the last three months or so it has gotten worse and hurts all the time. What is really bad is my hips or I guess they are called the Facet Joints,. So Yes, my back is what started out hurting the most, but now my hips and knees are affected too A couple of weeks ago I got to go to an Acupuncturist and he put pins not just in my back, but also my hips, knee and s couple in my hands. ( I also have arthritis in my right hand.) So I think that answers your question, yes I have pain in other areas, but they all start from the lower back.
I am not sure of a babinski test, I don't think I have had that one. I was told my appt will be about an hour long and they will look at my MRi, so I guess he will do a lot of questioning.How long have you had the Hashimotos, and when did your Spinal stenosis start? What type of surgery is an option for you, do you know? NOw that you know my story, tell me yours, thanks and good luck with your appt. fluffypurrcat
Since hurting my back in Sept 1999 I have had lots of medical issues, it seems like everything happened at once.
Sept 1999 Hurt my back on the job.
Sept 2000 laid off of work because of my back and diagnosed with Hashimotos thyroid.
Oct. 2000 First MRI showed herniated disk at L4-L5.
Feb. 2001 Saw the Neurosurgeon for first time and said I could have surgery but I opted
for conservative treatment, put on Viox and started epidural injections which did nothing
June 2001 I was hit by truck while on bike and on my way to school to retrain in other occupation that didn[t involve lifting. Broken 5th Metatarsal in Right foot and worseing of pain on right side of back . In cast and on crutches from June 25th 2001-Oct 2001.
Nov 2001 Diagnosed with Osteopenia because my bones in foot were so slow in healing, put on Fosamax, for Osteoporous prevention.
Feb. 2002 finally bone in foot healed and beginning physical therapy. Because of the very long time I was in a cast, my right foot is contracted at the ankle and I don't have full range of movement.Between 2001 to 2004 I saw lots of specialists, and different dr.s and tried lots fo meds, Vicodin, Neurontin, Soma, Flexeril, Amitripilyne, Viox, Bextra, Lido derm patches, physical therapy, Pool therapy, I have had epidural injections, Facet blocks, SSI injections, and finally was put on Methadone in 2004 and it is the ONLY MED THAT TAKES THE EDGE OFF OF THE PAIN, BUT DOESN'T ELIMINATE IT COMPLETLY.In 2004 my Periods became extremly painful, and heavy and clottting. Had Ultrasounds and showed I had not only Fibroids which I already knew, but Ovarian Cysts and a CA-125 blood test which is a cancer marker for Ovarian Cancer was elevated.I kept getting cysts and finally opted for a Hysterectomy and to rule out Ovarian Cancer. Went to hospital for surgery on Dec.5th, 2005 and the pre antibiotic they inject into the IV bag before being wheeled into surgery, put me into Antaphylactic shock and I almost died. My kidneys shut down and my blood pressure was only 70/40 while my heart EKG showed I was in Tachacardia, over 300 beats per minute.They were able to pull me through and after spending the night in the hospital I was released. Next month, Jan 10th of 2006 I had a Complete Hysterectomy and it was successful. Complications the month after my surgery and I ended up back in emergency room with a torn vaginal cuff and they had to sew me back up bcause I was hemmoraging.
Then in March 2007 I had a bunionectomy on my right foot, same foot that had been broken. The dr. messed up and overcorrected my bunion and I had what was called as Hallux Varus. I went to another dr. and had a joint Salvage operation in Oct 2007. This also was unsuccessful and I needed another one. Then in April 2008, I had the symptoms of a heart attack, and lots of tests, etc since then.It turns out I have Atypical Angina, or Variant Angina and now am on Heart meds as well. After ok from heart dr. I had my right foot fused because two previous surgeries failed., on August of 2008. Since then, I have been waiting for this Neuroseurgeon who I get to see on the 20th, 5 more days!! I know I have some nerve damage or weakness on the left side and my regular dr. has me toe and heel walk which I can't do very well. I have been on Methadone for almost 5 years and am tired of CONSERVATIVE CARE AND BEING IN PAIN ALL DAY. I AM READY FOR SOME SORT OF SURGERY IF THEY OFFER IT.
MY x-RAYS SHOW NARROWING OF SPACES AT L3-L4, L4-L5, AND Minimum to Moderate changes at SSI Joints as well. Also have enplate Osteophytes. The MRI shows
DDD in all of Lumbar Spine, narrowing of joint spaces, and Broadbased posterior bulge at L3-L4, and encroachment of nerve, and Herniations in two areas of L4-L5, with encroachemnts of neural formenum also.Also involvement of SSI joint. I don't have Spinal Stenois yet, just narrowing that leads to it.. The latest thing to fall apart is my left knee has been swollen and painful for about a year and the last three months or so it has gotten worse and hurts all the time. What is really bad is my hips or I guess they are called the Facet Joints,. So Yes, my back is what started out hurting the most, but now my hips and knees are affected too A couple of weeks ago I got to go to an Acupuncturist and he put pins not just in my back, but also my hips, knee and s couple in my hands. ( I also have arthritis in my right hand.) So I think that answers your question, yes I have pain in other areas, but they all start from the lower back.
I am not sure of a babinski test, I don't think I have had that one. I was told my appt will be about an hour long and they will look at my MRi, so I guess he will do a lot of questioning.How long have you had the Hashimotos, and when did your Spinal stenosis start? What type of surgery is an option for you, do you know? NOw that you know my story, tell me yours, thanks and good luck with your appt. fluffypurrcat
Hi..I too have back issues, but I am not sure what ur dr might look at.I am approx 5 yrs younger and I am looking at surgery for a diff condition.
My DDD and spinal stinosis are conditions that I am concerned about ...if I may need surgery for either.
I have had several NS appts lately and they have u do walking back and forth...on ur toes and on ur heels.They also do a babinski (sp) test....may ***** u with a pin........
I do not know about an age cutoff for the surgery.
U mentioned the hypothyroidism...is it hashimoto's thyroiditis?...I have that condition as well.Are u sure u do not have another condition that might be causing some of ur pain?
"selma"
My DDD and spinal stinosis are conditions that I am concerned about ...if I may need surgery for either.
I have had several NS appts lately and they have u do walking back and forth...on ur toes and on ur heels.They also do a babinski (sp) test....may ***** u with a pin........
I do not know about an age cutoff for the surgery.
U mentioned the hypothyroidism...is it hashimoto's thyroiditis?...I have that condition as well.Are u sure u do not have another condition that might be causing some of ur pain?
"selma"
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