
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Hello fellow sufferers, This past week I attended a seminar advertised in our local...
Posted by georgia888
Hello fellow sufferers,
This past week I attended a seminar advertised in our local paper on the subject of minimally invasive spinal surgery. Although I'm not yet a candidate for such surgery, I thought I would attend the seminar just the same as I like to become as educated as possible on the subject of treatments available.
The doctor giving the seminar was young & shared quite a bit of interesting information on the subject. It's still a new field & the doctor stated that it's tough attracting other doctors to this technology as the learning curve is a long one.
The doctor said that at present, only 15% of spinal surgeries are done using this technique. He was quite convincing with many success stories of various surgeries performed on a variety of ages with many successful results. In most cases, the procedure was performed on an out-patient basis with the patient going home the same or following day.
From a cosmetic prospective, the incisions were slight.
On the whole, it was very encouraging, If & when the time comes that I may need surgery on my degenerative spine, I believe I will choose this method.
Can any others share in on this subject?
georgiaView Thread
Posted bygeorgia888
This past week I attended a seminar advertised in our local paper on the subject of minimally invasive spinal surgery. Although I'm not yet a candidate for such surgery, I thought I would attend the seminar just the same as I like to become as educated as possible on the subject of treatments available.
The doctor giving the seminar was young & shared quite a bit of interesting information on the subject. It's still a new field & the doctor stated that it's tough attracting other doctors to this technology as the learning curve is a long one.
The doctor said that at present, only 15% of spinal surgeries are done using this technique. He was quite convincing with many success stories of various surgeries performed on a variety of ages with many successful results. In most cases, the procedure was performed on an out-patient basis with the patient going home the same or following day.
From a cosmetic prospective, the incisions were slight.
On the whole, it was very encouraging, If & when the time comes that I may need surgery on my degenerative spine, I believe I will choose this method.
Can any others share in on this subject?
georgiaView Thread
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Reply: pain meds
Hello backbreaking, I had to chuckle reading your post as it reminded me of a comment...
Posted by georgia888
Hello backbreaking,
I had to chuckle reading your post as it reminded me of a comment JFK made during his presidency. Although he appeared to look healthy, he had his share of medical problems, some of which left him in chronic pain. In response to his pain, he once commented that he would drink "horse piss" if it were to help him.
Obviously those of us dealing with chronic pain can become desperate for relief. Please be sure to thoroughly research any new med, etc. that you may be considering. Often the side effects just aren't worth it.
Best wishes for some relief......
georgiaView Thread
Posted bygeorgia888
I had to chuckle reading your post as it reminded me of a comment JFK made during his presidency. Although he appeared to look healthy, he had his share of medical problems, some of which left him in chronic pain. In response to his pain, he once commented that he would drink "horse piss" if it were to help him.
Obviously those of us dealing with chronic pain can become desperate for relief. Please be sure to thoroughly research any new med, etc. that you may be considering. Often the side effects just aren't worth it.
Best wishes for some relief......
georgiaView Thread
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Reply: RFA vs Steroid Shots
Thanks so much for the information, Dave. I do hope your wife's treatment will be...
Posted by georgia888
Thanks so much for the information, Dave.
I do hope your wife's treatment will be most successful & look forward to hearing all about it.
Best wishes to you both,
georgiaView Thread
Posted bygeorgia888
I do hope your wife's treatment will be most successful & look forward to hearing all about it.
Best wishes to you both,
georgiaView Thread
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RFA vs Steroid Shots
In view of the recent news of meningitis resulting from contaminated steroid shots given...
Posted by georgia888
In view of the recent news of meningitis resulting from contaminated steroid shots given for back pain, I'm wondering about the difference between the two treatments, Radiofrequency Ablation & Steroid Shots.
I understand the difference between the two procedures however, can someone (Joy?) enlighten me as to why a patient would opt for one treatment over the other.
Thank you,
georgiaView Thread
Posted bygeorgia888
I understand the difference between the two procedures however, can someone (Joy?) enlighten me as to why a patient would opt for one treatment over the other.
Thank you,
georgiaView Thread
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Reply: Symptoms I can't explain
Hello lotusblossum, A possible explanation of your symptoms could be Fibromyalgia. If...
Posted by georgia888
Hello lotusblossum,
A possible explanation of your symptoms could be Fibromyalgia. If you research this disorder online you will become quite educated on the subject. It's a tough one to diagnose as the symptoms are many & often mimic other conditions.
You mentioned you plan to visit your doctor & that is the place to start for any proper diagnosis.
Kudos to you for your academic achievement however, inactivity is inexcusable. Discuss with your doctor a gentle exercise program you can gradually get into as this is crucial for good health.
Please let us know how you make out.
georgiaView Thread
Posted bygeorgia888
A possible explanation of your symptoms could be Fibromyalgia. If you research this disorder online you will become quite educated on the subject. It's a tough one to diagnose as the symptoms are many & often mimic other conditions.
You mentioned you plan to visit your doctor & that is the place to start for any proper diagnosis.
Kudos to you for your academic achievement however, inactivity is inexcusable. Discuss with your doctor a gentle exercise program you can gradually get into as this is crucial for good health.
Please let us know how you make out.
georgiaView Thread
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Reply: RadioFrequency Ablation for Lower Back Pain
Hello Dave, I'm going to make the same request to you as you did to livingbetter &...
Posted by georgia888
Hello Dave,
I'm going to make the same request to you as you did to livingbetter & that is, please let us know how your wife makes out with her RFA treatment.
I continue to give it serious thought but have reservations due to fears. The amount of radiation with the fluoroscopy (is that the correct machine used?) is one of those fears. I realize each of us may react differently to treatments & I try to keep an open mind while contemplating this treatment for my lower back pains.
Best wishes to your wife for a successful outcome. We look forward to hearing all about it.
Thank you,
georgiaView Thread
Posted bygeorgia888
I'm going to make the same request to you as you did to livingbetter & that is, please let us know how your wife makes out with her RFA treatment.
I continue to give it serious thought but have reservations due to fears. The amount of radiation with the fluoroscopy (is that the correct machine used?) is one of those fears. I realize each of us may react differently to treatments & I try to keep an open mind while contemplating this treatment for my lower back pains.
Best wishes to your wife for a successful outcome. We look forward to hearing all about it.
Thank you,
georgiaView Thread
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Reply: Spinal Fusion
I'm sure knowing that potential outcome makes dealing with the pain a bit easier. ...
Posted by georgia888
I'm sure knowing that potential outcome makes dealing with the pain a bit easier.
Thanks for sharing, Joy.
georgiaView Thread
Posted bygeorgia888
Thanks for sharing, Joy.
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Reply: TLIF Surgery
Hello Garywil, You are so correct in stating that negative stories are more commonly...
Posted by georgia888
Hello Garywil,
You are so correct in stating that negative stories are more commonly shared than positive ones. Although most of us are aware that surgery for the back is usually the very last option, your successful outcome is an inspiration for those of us who may either be near that point now or know that their future will most likely hold the need for such surgery.
Walking is one of the best exercises for every condition & certainly should be included in a daily regimen, provided one is mobile enough to walk. It's inexpensive, enjoyable & when done out of doors it can be so much more fun.
Thank you for your inspiration & for taking the time out to share a positive outcome.
georgiaView Thread
Posted bygeorgia888
You are so correct in stating that negative stories are more commonly shared than positive ones. Although most of us are aware that surgery for the back is usually the very last option, your successful outcome is an inspiration for those of us who may either be near that point now or know that their future will most likely hold the need for such surgery.
Walking is one of the best exercises for every condition & certainly should be included in a daily regimen, provided one is mobile enough to walk. It's inexpensive, enjoyable & when done out of doors it can be so much more fun.
Thank you for your inspiration & for taking the time out to share a positive outcome.
georgiaView Thread
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Reply: Spinal Fusion
Hi Joy, Your story is an inspiration to many. You've often stated that your spine was...
Posted by georgia888
Hi Joy,
Your story is an inspiration to many. You've often stated that your spine was stabilized by the fusion surgery although your pain was not resolved. I am curious as to what would have happened if you didn't have the fusion surgery.
I am learning so much through stories from you & others.
Thank you,
georgiaView Thread
Posted bygeorgia888
Your story is an inspiration to many. You've often stated that your spine was stabilized by the fusion surgery although your pain was not resolved. I am curious as to what would have happened if you didn't have the fusion surgery.
I am learning so much through stories from you & others.
Thank you,
georgiaView Thread
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Reply: chronic back & neck pain
Hello Heidi, I'm sorry to hear of your pain. Concerning your need for assistance with...
Posted by georgia888
Hello Heidi,
I'm sorry to hear of your pain. Concerning your need for assistance with grocery shopping, etc., if there isn't a neigbor available for such there must be some type of social service agency who could be of help. Please try calling your local Lifetime Assistance & other such offices. There has to be someone out there available to help you.
Have you lost weight because you're not eating much or is it due to another issue?
Is your husband gainfully employed? If not, you may be eligible for some type of financial assistance.
Concerning your pain, I would recommend seeing a pain management specialist such as a physiatrist. They have helped many manage their pain. There is no reason why you should be suffering as you are. If you were able to better control your pain, tackling school along with work would be so much easier for you. I commend you for attempting to better yourself while feeling so lowsy.
Seeing as you've been denied LTD through your employer, you could always try for SSDI in hopes of it being temporary until you get your pain under control. Unfortunately, the application process for SSDI is time consuming.
I'm sure others will reply with additional suggestions. I hope we can all help guide you in finding solutions to your problems.
georgiaView Thread
Posted bygeorgia888
I'm sorry to hear of your pain. Concerning your need for assistance with grocery shopping, etc., if there isn't a neigbor available for such there must be some type of social service agency who could be of help. Please try calling your local Lifetime Assistance & other such offices. There has to be someone out there available to help you.
Have you lost weight because you're not eating much or is it due to another issue?
Is your husband gainfully employed? If not, you may be eligible for some type of financial assistance.
Concerning your pain, I would recommend seeing a pain management specialist such as a physiatrist. They have helped many manage their pain. There is no reason why you should be suffering as you are. If you were able to better control your pain, tackling school along with work would be so much easier for you. I commend you for attempting to better yourself while feeling so lowsy.
Seeing as you've been denied LTD through your employer, you could always try for SSDI in hopes of it being temporary until you get your pain under control. Unfortunately, the application process for SSDI is time consuming.
I'm sure others will reply with additional suggestions. I hope we can all help guide you in finding solutions to your problems.
georgiaView Thread
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