Looks like no brewing for awhile...

[FrozenInTime]

Sorry to hear this. I have back problems, not bad enough to operate on but bad enough to take pain killers the rest of my life. I know a few guys who have back operations and not a one has gotten better because of it. Avoid it, surgery should be a last ditch effort, a small pain is better than excruciating pain the rest of your life. I hope they find a way to help you without a knife involved!

[FedoraDave]

I hope you and your doctors can resolve this and you can get back to a functioning life ASAP. Get multiple opinions and weigh your options. And follow the doctors' recommendations to the letter.

[JohnSant]

One last thing: although I'm fine from my surgery, SWMBO went in 10 yrs. ago and had surgery on the neck now she can't move her neck sideways to look over her shoulder and she has pain quite often. Just saying!

[ScrewyBrewer]

Very sorry to hear you are going through all of this. I hope you are feeling better soon.

[Stinkfist]

Thanks for all the info guys...the pain doctor I saw on Tuesday, Pretty much said that when he first saw my MRI, he knew the spinal injection was a formality and knew he would have to refer me to the spinal surgeon based on the amount of the disc that protruding into my spine....

I am not very optimistic that I have many options besides surgery....I should have an appt with the neurosurgeon in a couple of weeks and see what he has to say...At least the pain doctor gave me some good meds..so that is helping...Although those are misleading since they literally block all the pain, which in my head makes me think hey maybe I do not need surgery...even though I know I cannot take these meds for the rest of my life...

johnsant....what area was your wife's surgery and where was yours?

yeah I was told from doctor that PT would be useless for me at this point..hard to do PT when it is too hard to do much else...and he said PT can not fix this issue..it can help you cope but will not fix it...

still not sure surgery is the best option, but not being able to walk would be worse..

[Stinkfist]

I couldn't get into see the surgeon for 5-6 weeks(Still have 4 weeks)....which sucks so I am kind of just suffering along till then, it has not gotten any better, maybe even a little worse...

I was able to get a "Second" first opinion just needed to pick up my MRI results and dropping them off tomorrow to see what they think. will be nice to have two opinions(My Wife has connections).

thought I would include a picture from MRI, so enjoy looking at my insides...lol

MRI_9-11-15.jpg (86.86 KiB) Viewed 805 times

[Pudge]

Knowing you, it is probably a spinal hop blockage. I'd suggest flushing 2-3 times a day with a quality European lager until pain subsides.

Seriously, I hope things move quickly and turn out well for you, Stink. Keep us updated.

[RickBeer]

I'm no doctor, but your MRI clearly seems to show "Total Recall Disease". You may turn into a manly-looking woman with a head that blows up.





If your eyes starting bulging out, you have real problems.

[docpd]

From your current symptoms, lack of response to the pain injection, and significant herniation seen on MRI, it is likely that surgery will be your best option now. It is advisable to get a couple of opinions and to be sure your surgeon is willing to answer all your questions up front. Most people do well in this circumstance, but there are significant potential complications. I wish you the best.

[Stinkfist]

From your current symptoms, lack of response to the pain injection, and significant herniation seen on MRI, it is likely that surgery will be your best option now. It is advisable to get a couple of opinions and to be sure your surgeon is willing to answer all your questions up front. Most people do well in this circumstance, but there are significant potential complications. I wish you the best.

Thanks for the info! I went and saw my doctor because it was so long to see the surgeon I needed a drug refill, and they were able to get my appointment moved up and I am going to see the surgeon in Wednesday so I will see what he says, I got a sort of second opinion and it was the same.. Go see a surgeon. At this point I just hope I can get it fixed soon, it seems to be getting progressively worse..

[Stinkfist]

So finally have my surgery date scheduled, I am heading under the knife on Dec 16th and am hopefully getting the disc replacement vs a fusion as long as there are no complications. So hopefully I will start feeling better soon!

I have been waiting so long for this I wasn't worried now that it is scheduled starting to get a little nervous...

[RickBeer]

We got a Fusion in 2009, great gas mileage!

[bpgreen]

So finally have my surgery date scheduled, I am heading under the knife on Dec 16th and am hopefully getting the disc replacement vs a fusion as long as there are no complications. So hopefully I will start feeling better soon!

I have been waiting so long for this I wasn't worried now that it is scheduled starting to get a little nervous...

Good luck. I hope everything goes smoothly and you have a speedy recovery.

[The_Professor]

Good luck. I hope everything goes smoothly and you have a speedy recovery.

Yes, ditto, exactly what I was going to say.

[BigPapaG]

Good luck. I hope everything goes smoothly and you have a speedy recovery.

Yes, ditto, exactly what I was going to say.

Make that three... Best wishes man!