L5-S1
bamagrpe posted:
I've had back pain for a long time. got so painful that I asked my dr to order and mri. He did. from that, I found out I had 3 compressed disc 2,3,4 and a bulging disc at L5S1. I did not want the regular surgery so I went to a lazer spine specialist. they have 4 offices and choose to go to PA to get my lazer spin surgery. Done as an out patient, and paying way too much for a hotel for 6 days. Day 1, consult and did another MRI. Day 2 Surgery, went back to hotel, Day 3 was to be a day of rest, but instead my husband took me back to clinic because I could not walk on my left leg. Bad Charlie horse feeling and could not support any weight. Day 4 rested all day, day 5 flew home to Arkansas. that was all on or around 11-19-2012 . Felt pretty good, had bad Charlie horse in my left leg and could not sleep while stretching it out to lay down. Charlie horse or muscle spasm still there. About 4 weeks after surgery started having terrible headaches. I just thought it was because they had cut my nerve endings on L2,3,4 so I thought it was tension in my shoulders causing headache on front of my forehead. Stayed down for over 3 weeks maybe 4. Then horrible pain and I could no longer bend over. Husband had to pull me off couch and still could not stand on left side. I thought I had pulled something so I laid on a heating bag for about a month, til I could not stand it any longer so I called the Lazer People up. they ordered another MRI, which I got back results back yesterday 3-14-13. Dural Tear and leakage, Overnighted mri and report to PA and am waiting for a call back. I can't afford to go back to PA again. I'm trying to get with a neurosurgeon, apt is 3-29-13, but very unlikely someone else will want to take on the responsibility of the first DR. Every post i read said they had symptions right away. I just thought well it was the medicine going away from surgery, or a muscle that had not been used in a long time. I've waited 4 months and have now found out that this is Other than the cramping down my leg when i walk, trouble getting up and bending down, headaches and much confusion in my head. I thought I was normal. Boy was i wrong. I'm also wondering , since it has been 4 mnths is it still repairable.
3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:L5-S1I've had back pain for a long time. got so painful that I asked my dr to order and mri. He did. from that, I found out I had 3 compressed disc 2,3,4 and a bulging disc at L5S1. I did not want the regular surgery so I went to a lazer spine specialist. they have 4 offices and choose to go to PA to get my lazer spin surgery. Done as an out patient, and paying way too much for a hotel for 6 days. Day 1, consult and did another MRI. Day 2 Surgery, went back to hotel, Day 3 was to be a day of rest, but instead my husband took me back to clinic because I could not walk on my left leg. Bad Charlie horse feeling and could not support any weight. Day 4 rested all day, day 5 flew home to Arkansas. that was all on or around 11-19-2012 . Felt pretty good, had bad Charlie horse in my left leg and could not sleep while stretching it out to lay down. Charlie horse or muscle spasm still there. About 4 weeks after surgery started having terrible headaches. I just thought it was because they had cut my nerve endings on L2,3,4 so I thought it was tension in my shoulders causing headache on front of my forehead. Stayed down for over 3 weeks maybe 4. Then horrible pain and I could no longer bend over. Husband had to pull me off couch and still could not stand on left side. I thought I had pulled something so I laid on a heating bag for about a month, til I could not stand it any longer so I called the Lazer People up. they ordered another MRI, which I got back results back yesterday 3-14-13. Dural Tear and leakage, Overnighted mri and report to PA and am waiting for a call back. I can't afford to go back to PA again. I'm trying to get with a neurosurgeon, apt is 3-29-13, but very unlikely someone else will want to take on the responsibility of the first DR. Every post i read said they had symptions right away. I just thought well it was the medicine going away from surgery, or a muscle that had not been used in a long time. I've waited 4 months and have now found out that this is Other than the cramping down my leg when i walk, trouble getting up and bending down, headaches and much confusion in my head. I thought I was normal. Boy was i wrong. I'm also wondering , since it has been 4 mnths is it still repairable.
bj1208 responded:
Hi Bamagrpe - welcome to the support group -
I'm sorry you are in so much pain and have had to endure so much.
I would get a couple of opinions - from both Orthopedic Spine Specialist and Neurosurgeon Spine Specialist. this way you will know what needs to be done.They will understand your situation where you cannot afford to return to the institute where you had the surgery. Once they examine you they can let you know what options are available.I would stress the issue you are having with your leg. they may order a test to see if there is any nerve damage (EMG and Nerve Conduction Test). this can also let them know which disc(s) are causing problems.
They will be the only ones to let you know if this is correctable or not. If you are in too much pain and cannot wait for your upcoming appointment then I would go to the ER and see if can help with the headaches etc.
I have problems with my back as it hurts worse than before my surgery (Anterior Fusion L5-S1 done 2/25/08) and have seen numerous spine specialist. On Neurosurgeon I saw (bout a year after surgery) and he said he would not touch what another spine specialist had done (my surgeon was a Neuro too). He told me to go back to my surgeon if I was still having issues. I chose not to and sought out treatments with a PHYSIATRIST Pain Management Specialist. (click on my name or pic and read my story)
http://www.spineuniverse.com/treatments/what-physiatrist
I have been to numerous spine specialist and thus far the problems of my spine are non-operative at this time. So the treatments I am getting do help a lot.
When you sleep at nite try using lots of pillows - between your knees when sleeping on your side or under your knees when sleeping on your back (lay like you would in a recliner chair) this will help keep the spine more straight and will also take pressure off your back and maybe legs too. Try taking ibuprofen as this does help with swelling issues and may help with the pain. My Pain doc and his PA have told me it's ok to take up to 4 at a time (they are 200mg ea) but to be careful not to go over 3500-4000mg a day.
Hope this helps - please let us know what you find out~~
I'm sorry you are in so much pain and have had to endure so much.
I would get a couple of opinions - from both Orthopedic Spine Specialist and Neurosurgeon Spine Specialist. this way you will know what needs to be done.They will understand your situation where you cannot afford to return to the institute where you had the surgery. Once they examine you they can let you know what options are available.I would stress the issue you are having with your leg. they may order a test to see if there is any nerve damage (EMG and Nerve Conduction Test). this can also let them know which disc(s) are causing problems.
They will be the only ones to let you know if this is correctable or not. If you are in too much pain and cannot wait for your upcoming appointment then I would go to the ER and see if can help with the headaches etc.
I have problems with my back as it hurts worse than before my surgery (Anterior Fusion L5-S1 done 2/25/08) and have seen numerous spine specialist. On Neurosurgeon I saw (bout a year after surgery) and he said he would not touch what another spine specialist had done (my surgeon was a Neuro too). He told me to go back to my surgeon if I was still having issues. I chose not to and sought out treatments with a PHYSIATRIST Pain Management Specialist. (click on my name or pic and read my story)
http://www.spineuniverse.com/treatments/what-physiatrist
I have been to numerous spine specialist and thus far the problems of my spine are non-operative at this time. So the treatments I am getting do help a lot.
When you sleep at nite try using lots of pillows - between your knees when sleeping on your side or under your knees when sleeping on your back (lay like you would in a recliner chair) this will help keep the spine more straight and will also take pressure off your back and maybe legs too. Try taking ibuprofen as this does help with swelling issues and may help with the pain. My Pain doc and his PA have told me it's ok to take up to 4 at a time (they are 200mg ea) but to be careful not to go over 3500-4000mg a day.
Hope this helps - please let us know what you find out~~
~~ Click on my name or picture and read my story ~~
Take care ~~ God Bless ~~
~~ Joy ~~
Take care ~~ God Bless ~~
~~ Joy ~~
Report This| Share this:L5-S1Hi Bamagrpe - welcome to the support group -<br /><br />I'm sorry you are in so much pain and have had to endure so much.<br /><br />I would get a couple of opinions - from both Orthopedic Spine Specialist and Neurosurgeon Spine Specialist. this way you will know what needs to be done.They will understand your situation where you cannot afford to return to the institute where you had the surgery. Once they examine you they can let you know what options are available.I would stress the issue you are having with your leg. they may order a test to see if there is any nerve damage (EMG and Nerve Conduction Test). this can also let them know which disc(s) are causing problems.<br /><br />They will be the only ones to let you know if this is correctable or not. If you are in too much pain and cannot wait for your upcoming appointment then I would go to the ER and see if can help with the headaches etc.<br /><br />I have problems with my back as it hurts worse than before my surgery (Anterior Fusion L5-S1 done 2/25/08) and have seen numerous spine specialist. On Neurosurgeon I saw (bout a year after surgery) and he said he would not touch what another spine specialist had done (my surgeon was a Neuro too). He told me to go back to my surgeon if I was still having issues. I chose not to and sought out treatments with a PHYSIATRIST Pain Management Specialist. (click on my name or pic and read my story) <br /><br /><a href="http://www.spineuniverse.com/treatments/what-physiatrist">http://www.spineuniverse.com/treatments/what-physiatrist</a><br /><br />I have been to numerous spine specialist and thus far the problems of my spine are non-operative at this time. So the treatments I am getting do help a lot.<br /><br />When you sleep at nite try using lots of pillows - between your knees when sleeping on your side or under your knees when sleeping on your back (lay like you would in a recliner chair) this will help keep the spine more straight and will also take pressure off your back and maybe legs too. Try taking ibuprofen as this does help with swelling issues and may help with the pain. My Pain doc and his PA have told me it's ok to take up to 4 at a time (they are 200mg ea) but to be careful not to go over 3500-4000mg a day.<br /><br />Hope this helps - please let us know what you find out~~
TRS1960 responded:
I would hope they still consider this a maladative post op effect. You really can't create a dural tear from your own healing treatments, It was likely a surgical (lazer) error. Of course they will likely still make you pay for their mistake.
The financial hardships of spine injuries is like any other disease. They will bankrupt all but the most affluent of us
Tim
The financial hardships of spine injuries is like any other disease. They will bankrupt all but the most affluent of us
Tim
Report This| Share this:L5-S1I would hope they still consider this a maladative post op effect. You really can't create a dural tear from your own healing treatments, It was likely a surgical (lazer) error. Of course they will likely still make you pay for their mistake.<br /> <br />The financial hardships of spine injuries is like any other disease. They will bankrupt all but the most affluent of us <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/frown.gif" align="top" border="0"><br /> <br />Tim
TRS1960 responded:
Also keep in mind that a 50% of people with pathology that shows compressed discs have no pain. There's really no obvious answers to these things. Everyone is unique and many people that suffer great pain with and have no pathalogy that supports it. It's a big mystery that requires much work to deal with.
Tim
Tim
Report This| Share this:L5-S1Also keep in mind that a 50% of people with pathology that shows compressed discs have no pain. There's really no obvious answers to these things. Everyone is unique and many people that suffer great pain with and have no pathalogy that supports it. It's a big mystery that requires much work to deal with.<br /> <br />Tim
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