To young to feel so old

[jaydee211]

I am 27 years old and had regular/daily back pain for about 10 years from an injury when I was younger. It finally got to a point I went to a doctor, I went to get out of bed one morning and my legs could not support my own weight and sent me crashing to the floor, where I had a discectomy for two slipped/herniated discs as well as a ruptured disc. L3/4/5. I have been diagnosed with Degenerative disk disease and spinal stenosis. I am still in regular constant pain, obviously it gets more severe the more I do in a given day. It has been recommended that I have a spinal fusion. I am scared that another surgery is not the answer. I have read a lot about people suffering more after the fusion. My end goal is to be off of pain meds, but is another surgery going to alleviate enough pain to make that possible or is the pain something I will just have to learn to live with forever?

[jaydee211]

Thank you for your response! I have never heard of the endoscopic surgery and it is something I will look into. As far as mine pain goes, it varies on a daily sometimes even hourly basis. I have not yet found everything that triggers it aside from the obvious. I am already not working so getting help from insurance on such a large bill will not be easy. Looks like I have some research to do. Again thank you so much for your response and all the information.
Best Wishes to you in your future

[femmy29]

Your gut feeling is correct.  Fusions surgeries are not done from pain relief, in many cases the pain remains the same or gets much worse after the surgery.  I have similar spinal issues (click my name and read my about me).  I am looking into endoscopic spine surgery next year.  It is minimally invasive surgery that only requires a local anesthetic.  They go into the epidural space with very small instruments and they can vaporize the disc material that has ruptured or is bulging with lasers and it contracts back into the space inbetween the vertebrae.  They cauterize ruptured discs so that the disc material will no longer spill out.  They also can widen the openings where the nerve roots exit to relieve the nerve compression.  There are a lot of other things they can do without leaving a lengthy recovery, increased pain from scar tissue, and reduced mobility.  There are many different institutes that perform these types of procedures but it is expensive.  But, the success rate is 90% whereas the success rate of a fusion surgery is 50%.  A 50% success rate is essentially a gamble (like flipping a coin).  I can't come to terms with that risk.  Many have gambled and lost and are now permanently and completely disabled and unable to work.  Not working is not an option for me as I am sole provider of my family.  

My endoscopic spine surgery was quoted as $70,000 and my insurance will cover $60,000 so I have to finance 10K but it is worth it if it gives me my life back.  

You don't have to live with it forever.  Consider researching endoscopic spine surgery.  Many institutes will do a free MRI review and tell you exactly what types of procedures will be performed and give you a price quote.  They will conduct their own MRI when you go in for your pre-op physical that will tell precisely where the guide the laser and other instruments.

Right now, I am 95% pain free from the boatload of medications that I am taking but it takes A LOT of medicine to get the pain under control but it is controllable you just have to find a doctor that is willing to titrate your doses properly.  Unfortunately they are hard to come by but don't give up.  If you are still in enormous pain despite the medications, you are most likely undermedicated.

Good luck and keep us posted on how your treatment plan is firming up.  I truly hope you feel better soon.  :)

femmy