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| New Member Introductions If you just joined, please introduce yourself here. Please add a signature describing your spinal history (use the "User CP) and ask us how we can help you get started. |
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#1
06-16-2013, 02:04 PM
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New here--Surgery scheduled 8/1
After 5 years of bouncing around between doctors and pain management, I went to Texas Back Institute and saw Dr. Zigler. After talking with me and looking at all my records, including a discogram from last fall showing a grade 3 annular tear at L5-S1, he thinks I am an ideal candidate for disc replacement surgery (prodisc-L). I tried everything that is conservative--multiple rounds of PT, injections, and I have every "back toy" ever made, I think! I even had a stem cell injection into this disc from a local doctor last November that did nothing but make me $5,000 poorer. Last month, I went to a neurosurgeon in the next town, and he said there was nothing left for me but a spinal cord stimulator! I am 53, but in great shape; still the same size I was when I was 16. I enjoying fitness, hiking, snow skiing, and all sorts of adventure. I try to stay busy to distract myself from the constant pain, but it is SO hard. I'm sure the insurance company would rather see me become a drug zombie than pay for any surgery--I have Aetna, and the doctor's office assured me they would pay for this upcoming surgery.
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#2
06-16-2013, 03:31 PM
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Music Maker,
Congratulations on your decision!! It's kind of a no brainer. I'll take feeling better over being a drug zombie for life. At 53, you have many years left. Try and enjoy them as much as possible. Good luck on your surgery!! Gene
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Car Accident 2002 - Small Herniated Disc C3/C4 1998 Larger Herniation and Cervical Fusion C3/C4 2005 Herniation C4/C5 - 40 epidural steroid injections from Oct 2005, - Oct, 2007 2008 - Foraminotomy at C6/C7 on left side Feb, 2010 - Cervical Fusion C4/C5 Dec, 2010 - Lumbar Fusion L3/L5 2013 - Bulge on C5/C6; herniation C6/C7 right side Mar 26, 2013 - Foraminotomy at C6/C7 on right side May 5, 2015 - ADR with Dr Blumenthal of TBI for C5/C6 using Mobi-C
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#3
06-16-2013, 04:37 PM
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Great that insurance will pay! I think you are making the right choice, you have a lot of life left.
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*9/10: Unstable pelvis & SI joint, sore IT band. Chiro care, I would shift out hours to days after adjust *12/10: PT & chiro *4/11 to 11/11: 5 sessions prolo and 3 prolo w/ PRP *12/28/11 ESI L L4/L5 - 1/13/12 ESI R L4/L5 - 1/24/12 L SI joint capsule - 3/8/12 TPI - 3/23/12 L L5/S1 - 4/11/12 ESI caudal - 5/23/12 TPI - 7/10/12 Facet inj L3/L4, L4/L5, L5/S1 *9/12/12: 30 - DRX9000 *12/21/12 schedule. for L4/L5 fusion-CANCELLED 1/7/13 *7/16/2013: 3 level M6(S1-L3) w/ Dr. Bierstedt
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#4
06-20-2013, 09:41 PM
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Hi MusicMaker!
When you can, pls insert a signature, see: http://www.adrsupport.org/forums/f58...-health-11053/ I love music, it was a big part of my healing during my second disability -- and conquering it! Good luck with your next steps. What are you doing to stay fit? Have you taken care of your dental hygiene and any periodontal issues?
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"Harrison" - info (at) adrsupport.org Fell on my ***winter 2003, Canceled fusion April 6 2004 Reborn June 25th, 2004, L5-S1 ADR Charite in Boston Founder & moderator of ADRSupport - 2004 Founder Arthroplasty Patient Foundation a 501(c)(3) - 2006 Creator & producer, Why Am I Still Sick? - 2012 Donate www.arthropatient.org/about/donate
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#5
06-23-2013, 07:47 AM
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Welcome!
Hi Music Maker and welcome to the board. Sorry you have to be here, but you'll find a wonderful resource here of caring, understanding folks.
I too have annular tears, mine are Grade 5 at L3-4, L4-5 and L5-S1. I'm scheduled for surgery with Dr. Blumenthal of TBI on July 2. We are doing a hybrid: ProDisc at L3 and L4 and then fusion at L5. I'm also 53, and tired of living on pain medications. We were also considering the stem cell transplant, but couldn't find enough supporting research. Sorry yours didn't work. I have a lot of confidence in the folks at TBI, and look forward to sharing stories on recovery with you. Take care Deb
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Deb ___________________________ 1988 diagnosed with DDD, bulging 2012 trauma lumbar following yard work Nov 2012 MRI Bulging discs L4,5, S1 Mild stenosis Dec-Jan PT Jan 2013 Discogram Results Level 5 Annular tears L3-4, L4-5 and L5-S1 Need 3 disc fusion Facet Joints injections, March 2013- no relief Transform.., Epidural Injections 4-23-13 Right L2-3 No relief 2nd ESI 5-14-13 L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1 No relief ugh. ADR L3-4, L4-5, Fusion L5-S1 Fusion Dr.Blumenthal TBI July, 2013 Last edited by Grover771; 06-23-2013 at 07:50 AM. Reason: Typos
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