Dangers of removing the Harrington rods:

[Bea48]

I am 63 years old, I have scolosis. Dr. put in the Harrington rods for the upper part of my back in July 2010. Then within 6-8 months the lower spine started to turn, had the rods put in the lower section in Dec.2011. Ended up with foot drop in left side. I am in pain constantly, the right leg feels like needles are sticking the bottom of my foot. Left hip has sciatic pain, lower center of spine constantly feels like it is on fire. Can not sit long, stand long and do not rest well when I go to bed. I can not do any driving, shopping (no quality of life at all.)
Would I be better off to have the rods removed and just deal with a deformed back? Would I still have all this PAIN???

[Bea48]

Thank you for reading my post. I pray for you, your son and grandson. You are a strong survivor, I understand fully about trying just to wash dishes and with the cooking it is terrible. That was one of my happiest times, when I could get in the kitchen and fix a fabulous meal. Now I get my husband to pick up frozen pot pies or precooked ribs so I don't have to stand as much. The back specialist did answer all of my questions, but he never told me what to expect once I had the rods put in. Never mentioned that they break, or rust and the screws come out. As far as all the tumor being removed, NO. The type of tumor is developed in animal bones and when I had my first surgery. At 6 years old they removed the spine that had all the scoliosis and put in a lamb spine. This was in 1955 they had not started with the rods at that time. When I was 46 I had problems from the tumor that I did not know at the time I had. All of it can not be removed because it is attached to the spinal cord and it will leave me paralyzed. I went about 17 years before this surgery in 2010 and they used laser and I believed that is why I have the foot drop. The way the doctor talked I should be as good as new and go at-least 20 years before I need another back surgery. I did ask why can't the tumor be drawn out with a needle and not do another surgery? He said they have to know exactly what type of tumor they are dealing with. I don't give up, I just wish I did not have to get back on the strong pain medication, but I can not deal with this pain night and day all the time. I do like you dear friend and turn on my Oldie Goldie music and try to think of the good old days.
God Bless you and your family and I wish you nothing but peace and pain free one day.

[railroaded]

I can tel how much pain you are in, and I remember wanting to cut off my leg if it would stop the nerve pain. Of course, I realized I would still have the phantom pain, and I remember after my second back surgery thinking that my quality of life ,well...It was TOO painful to enjoy anything. I would think about my children, and my grandson (now), and go on. My son had foot drop in both feet from chemo, and it never went away, and he would always scream at night saying his legs wouldn't stop running...although they weren't moving. The pain has gotten better for me, but there are periods when I can't do the simplest things, washing dishes...forget it...I feel like I want to cry! Has the doctor,(what specialty is he in, the one who put the rods in?), discussed your options. My doctor said I was not a candidate for any of the fusions, etc, but I DON'T have scoliosis. I know what you mean about the saying "God doesn't give us more than we can handle". There have been many things in my life that I didn't kill myself over...but handle? Not too sure about that. I do live because I am raising my grandson, and I am doing it alone. I have NO idea what would happen to him if something happened to me. (he is only 9) I find myself always wanting to lie down on my right side, and even then, the pain is just bearable at it's best. Someday, I hope they find an answer for those of us who are basically living in our houses, dreading the everyday chores, for me it is grocery shopping! I don't even care about eating, but my grandson has to eat, so I have to make his meals, and oh boy...do I dread that, every day! Listening to music, which seems like such a nothing thing...takes my mind away, and laughing, when I can laugh about things, it REALLY helps! I pray that your doctor helps you get through this waiting game. 3 weeks is a long time for constant suffering, I mean your kind of suffeing. Did they remove the tumor, I mean all of it? I hope so, and I hope you are healing and will gradually feel better. Please keep us posted.

[Bea48]

I am 63 and have had the Harrington rods put in my upper and lower back. Now I have developed flat back syndrome symptons include low back pain, groin and leg pain, inability to maintain erect posture, sciatica and spinal stenosis with leg pain that becomes worse as the day processes. My knees or legs are often bent in an attempt to obtain an upright posture, which becomes exhausting after long periods of small activity. These symptoms are disabling me and it limits my ability to engage in routine activities. After my surgery where he used laser trying to remove some of this tumor that is located on the spinal cord, I now have foot drop. So I feel at times I do not have much to live for, but then I think of my Grandchildren.
The old saying is that God does not put any more on us than we can handle....but I keep hoping and praying they will be an answer. I pray for each and everyone of us that has had this type of life. God Bless and keep trying to smile, we never give up......