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#11
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I saw my neurosurgeon again this morning to review the latest MRI from the 9th. There hasn't been much change in the past year. He's encouraging me to go get more opinions but said in his mind, until I'm nearly disabled from this (i.e. no longer able to work, problems walking, etc.), to hold off on ANY surgery including ADR. While I appreciate that honesty, my fear is not being a candidate for ADR at some point because of the disease progression (L5-S1 is basically bone-to-bone now) and I really don't want to start down the fusion path at my age (40). Surgery is probably inevitable at some point given my family history of DDD and several members who have had to have at least 2 levels fused. In fact, the Dr told me this morning that it's probably inevitable unless I can "stick it out" until my 70s by which point L5-S1 will probably auto-fuse anyway.
While I certainly agree that I'm not disabled per se, being in some level of pain daily along with numbness and tingling isn't pleasant and at times it does affect me mentally/emotionally...it's draining. I'm still having a dilemma of trying to determine when it's "time" I guess. Being in any one position for too long makes things worse which means my sleep is disrupted almost nightly. That causes me to have to get up, stretch and many nights take some narcotics just to get relief so I can go back to sleep. Then I have trouble getting up and going in the morning because I'm in a "drug coma". Luckily I work from home when I'm not traveling for work so right now, that's manageable. The Dr has suggested going back to my gym routine (my "routine" right now consists of only walking) and if it hurts, stop. ??? Seems a little risky but perhaps better than nothing at all and maybe that will force a decision. Ha! Has anyone else been in this situation of not being completely incapacitated by symptoms but still faced with trying to decide if they should just proceed with the ADR? I'm scared to do it but also scared to not do anything if it means I can't go the ADR route later due to DDD progression. ![]()
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DDD at L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1 L5-S1 extrusion/protrusion w. annular fissure contact w. S1 nerve root No surgery to date 39 yr old male Last edited by Harrison; 04-23-2012 at 07:54 PM. Reason: changed format -- font was crazy small |
#12
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Kurt, it sounds like where I was in 2003 and 2004! I hope we can help you. If you can't afford the DVD that addresses many of these topics for pre-surgical patients, I'll send you a copy.
Good luck with your next steps, we are here for you. ![]()
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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 |
#13
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DDD at L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1 L5-S1 extrusion/protrusion w. annular fissure contact w. S1 nerve root No surgery to date 39 yr old male |
#14
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Because there are so many variables that go into when and which surgery to have, unless one is incapacitated, it can be very difficult to know if or which surgery to have. Of all three of my surgeries the decision was easy. For the first one, my symptoms were probably much like what you're currently describing, but the MRI showed the spinal cord compressed to half its normal diameter. I have a quadriplegic in the family and another member that is disabled from waiting to long to have surgery, so the doctor didn't have to work hard to convince me that surgery was warranted. Loosing the use of my right arm prompted the second surgery, and then being incapacitated in pain prompted the third. This looks like a very good time to get all of your research done into the various treatments and what your insurance will cover. If you become incapacitated suddenly, like I was, the decisions will already be made and you'll be ready to move. Good luck, Jeff
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C4/5 - ACDF in 2000 C5/6 - ACDF in 2002 C3/4 & C6/7 - M6 ADR, Nov 2009, Barcelona Conceded defeat to a manifestly disingenuous BCBS-TX in my quest for reimbursement, Jan 2011 |
#15
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I hope you are doing well now. Kurt
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DDD at L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1 L5-S1 extrusion/protrusion w. annular fissure contact w. S1 nerve root No surgery to date 39 yr old male |
#16
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Kurt,
I can most definitely sympathize with your situation regarding the question of just how "bad" of condition / pain do I need to be in to decide to make the jump into surgery. I wish I had an answer or a helpful suggestion. I am sadly stuck in the same situation as to the confusion on what to do. I am fairly medically-ignorant, and feel so even more when I read how much so many others on these boards seem to know and understand about their own condition(s). I finally began my short-term plan of at least prepping for the possibility of surgery for me - quit smoking since Jan 13th 2012 and started getting some professional psychological help. Best of luck in whatever decision you ultimately make. If you find there is something specific which really helps direct your thoughts one way or the other, let me know huh? In the meantime, know that you are certainly not alone in struggling with this decision. Jeff
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DDD diagnosed ~99 Chronic Pain since Aug 2006 Failed L4 Microdisctectomy Apr 2007 2008-Positive Disco (L4/L5&L5/S1 annular tears) Herniated discs at L4/L5/S1, bulging T12 Began constant/severe neck & upper back pain 11/09 Jan 10-Cervical/Thoracic MRI:bone spurs+new disc probs Cervical Spine issues causing terrible pain beginning in July 2021 - scheduled for 2 level C-Spine ADR on Oct 19th 2021 now!! Part of Clinical Trial so unsure if Mobi-C or Baguera C will be implanted .... |
#17
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Hi,
Sorry to have to join in the welcome to the site ![]() I too have DDD. I do have a medical background, not sure how helpful that was to be honest. I did NOT want surgery, I had EVERY available treatment at least once, including an IDET. i had 3 surgeons, 1 neuro, 2 ortho all suggesting ADR due to the DDD and the potential for adjacent level disease that would occur with fusion. My only regret looking back is that I spent soooo much time trying to avoid the surgery. No one answer is the right one for everyone. However, I feel like a new woman. I am 6 weeks postop, I am walking 3 to 4 miles a day in ome mile segments, no problems. All the presurgical pain and numbness is gone and was since I opened my eyes after surgery. I unlike many on this site am just now finishing weaning off mynpain meds, but still could mot be happier. Whatever you choose the good news is you do have some options. On a negative Nellie, I also have UHC and they denied all the way through outside party arbitration. Still the best money I ever spent. Good luck on the search, read until you are comfortable and at some point I just took a leap of faith. Laurie
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50 y.o. WW athlete- triathlete, runner, tennis 2008-0nset of pain..MRI-DDD L4-L5 annular tear. Pain labeled discogenic with radiation to unilateral hip, no radiculopathy 2009-facet inj, radiograph ablation, SI joint injections, cryoablation stubborn no relief 2010-retired d/t pain. more injections 2011-IDET of L3-L5. Pain unchanged, up 50 lbs! 2011-Lumbar ADR recommended by Ortho and 2 neuros. In appeals w/ins. May choose Europe for M6 Need to lose lbs ![]() |
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