Lumbar surgery

[LOUSUE]

Thanks for your answer to my last question.  I have another question now. You suggested that I get an EMG.  I have discussed this with my neurosurgeon. He said because I had X rays, MRI, CT scan and a positive discogram at L4/5 that this was not neccessary and it was an  unreliable test with a very high false-negetive rate,especially in the lower extermities.  He also said it was a painful test that he felt I should not be put through. What is your opinion? I want to do everything possible before I have this second surgery, but I am also having a hard time putting up with the constant pain that I have had every day for over a year since my injury.   The cervical fusion relieved alot of pain ,but as I understand it, this is not always true with every fusion surgery.  I don't want to jump into another surgery just because of the success of the first. Thanks again for any help you can give me.

[WOT]

I am age 59.  At present, I have no records on hand as I am a guest of family.  I had a lumbar fusion in Jan. 2001. I had two disks deteriorated,terrible arthritis. etc. I still have 8 screws in my lumbar fusion area. My neurosurgeon insured me I would be running again as I was a "phenom" in long distance running back home in Billings, Montana. Being in excellent condition, the morning after I had the surgery, I walked the figure "8" section of the hospital TWICE!!.  No one has ever accomplished this feat after an 8 1/2 hour back surgery.  On one visit about a month after surgery, he asked me if I was jogging yet.  I thought he was kidding - not sure.  In April 2001, a cervical fusion was performed and seems to be successful.

I moved to Oregon about 7 months after the surgery.  The pain is worse than before, and sensations, i.e, numb legs, swollen feet, are now present.  The sciatic nerve issue on the left side is the same. I have terrible pain radiating out to the hips.This alternates from side to side but not on any schedule - it just occurs.  I have been in such horrendous pain, I was referred to pain management consultants, for medication and plan.   I am now on morphine tabs (3 a day, 15mg tabs).  This helps, but on bad days it only dulls the pain. I have been on the morphine tabs for about 10 months now.

Ladies and gentlemen, as I type this for you, my left leg is completely numb feeling like the hole thing has been injected with novacain (sp.  My hips are hurting terrible and as usual the lumbar area.  When I get up, it takes me about 10 minutes to get straightened up.

I have been alcohol free for 10 years, and never a drug user or abuser.  At present, I went from an occasional Motrin to now to morphine.  I excperienced my first taste of withdrawal when I had not called in my prescription on time.  Oregon is strict on the dispensing of narcotics.  I have gained 40 pounds and my national/world class status in running have went out the window.  

I am on disability retirement.  I lost my home, 2 cars, etc to bankruptcies because of all of the terrible pain. Now, my wife has pushed me out the door.

The surgery failed, and I am now a "legal junkie."  I am seeing a shrink and taking antidepressants and more.  A side effect of  my meds will cause me to talk to much and to WRITE a lot - so forgive me.  This cannot be true, I always think.  Any help or suggestions, I would appreciate your assistance.  Excuse me, I am a reck.

WOT

[LOUSUE]

I understand where you are comimg from. That is the same fears I have.  I have had three other doctors opinions and the fact is I have to decide to go through with the surgery or put up with the level of pain I am currently dealing with. Another opinion from another doctor may or may not helpwith my decision making.My  neurosurgeon wants me to be completely involve, but sometimes I wish he would take the pressure off me and just say it will be all right---but we all know this is not the proper way to handle this.

[Sreenu]

I have had a laminectomy in 1991 at L4-L5. For the past two years my sciatica pain is returning and I had taken PTs, medications and injections. Injection worked for about 5 months first time and gave me relief for less than 3 weeks after that. Doctors feel scar tissue is the main cause and want to perform one more surgery at L5-S1 and L4-L5. I am scared, if I get scar tissue because of my first surgery, I might double or triple it by going for second surgery. I am 36 year and I am scared of my life in front of me. Please help.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

If you are concerned with moving forward with a second surgery, then consultation with a neurologist is reasonable. The neurologist will evaluate you from a medical perspective and make an independant assessment of whether surgery is useful. This is perhaps the best course of action if you are questionsing the surgery.

[PRP]

My first Neurologist told me the same thing. My second Neurologist ordered an EMG and it was very painful. It showed that my "H" reflexes were non-existant and I had very poor muscle activation. And then they said there was nothing wrong with that. I still don't know what my "H" reflexes even are. So, I am not convinced that they are worth going through. Sometimes I think we can't always expect to find a cause. I have never known anyone who has had one and then came out with any type of answer.