I know several people Patti, who have had back surgery and it has been extremely for them. I need back surgery too, but have put it off and put it off because every time I've had surgery I've ended up with staph infection. I'm just so afraid.

Tell Denny to go first, then if it's alright I might do it.
Just kidding. I hope if he goes through with it, it will alleviate his pain.

Linda

I had back surgery (laminectomy) in 2000. I chose a neurosurgeon over an orthopedic surgeon because I felt that was a better choice. The disk was pinching a nerve that went all the way down my leg and into my foot. It got so bad that the doctor said if I didn't have surgery, there would be permanent nerve damage. The surgery was successful, and I haven't had further problems in that area. I was unable to ride in a car for 6 weeks, could not bend over and couldn't sit in a chair except to eat. DH moved my recliner in front of my desk so I could play computer. The pain from the surgery was not bad at all--I didn't even need pain pills. I followed doctor's orders to the letter because I didn't want to do anything that would necessitate further surgery.

It was inconvenient. I'm independent, and hated to have DH put my socks on for me, dress my incision, go to the grocery store or get take-out, do the laundry, etc. But he's a prince and was happy to help. I'm glad I had the surgery, and my only regret is that I suffered horribly for almost a year before the surgery--going through therapy, exercises, treatments, injections, etc., to try to avoid the surgery. After all I had gone through, the surgery was easy in comparison.

I'm sending good thoughts and prayers for Denny, and I hope his experience is as successful as mine.

Patti,
I know people who have had great luck with back surgeries. It really has been greatly improved over the last 8 - 10 years.

What kind of surgery does he need? Has he tried any things such as physical therapy, epidural injections, etc.?
I avoided back surgery 20 years ago by having epidural injections, and a short course of steroids.

It's best to research what is wrong with this back, and to research the type of surgery needed.
Good luck to him.

I really don't know what is wrong or if surgery is needed...But he avoids even going to see because he thinks that will be the answer. I think one doctor told him that once. But he doesn't even see that doctor anymore.

patti

DH's best friend's mother had back surgery some years ago. I think she had some protruding discs fixed. She always said it was the best thing she could have done and it gave her a whole new lease on life.

Patti, have him see the neurosurgeon and go over all his options. He could start with the epidural inj. and see if he gets any relief, and see what is causing them.
I do know a gal from church who's had back surgery. She was down for a while (no steps, flat on her back etc.), but she seems to be doing well now.

Leslie

I am a (lower) back surgery success story, after suffering horribly for about 6 years, off and on, often having absolutely no quality of life. Life was centered around pain management, and what I 'had' to do, and that was it. I was in and out of Dr's offices, chiropractors, emergency rooms, and physical therapy. The bulging disc that was causing the problem, finally bursted, sending that jel like substance into the spinal canal. That threw me to the floor, where I stayed for 2 weeks except to go to the Dr, the hospital for the MRI, and finally the meeting with the surgeon. She specialized in just backs and brains, and I had only heard wonderful stories of all the surgeries she had done and the people she had helped. Just a week ago, I ran across a friend who told me she had 'fixed' his back also, years ago, and he has been pain free ever since.
She did micro surgery, and the scar is about 1 - 1 1/2 " long. I was fairly pain free, and up and walking just a few hours after the surgery. I lived alone, and was able to take care of myself totally once I came home the next day....just limited lifting, no twisting, no driving for a week I think, and sitting time was limited. I was encouraged to walk and was to be up to 2 miles a day within 2 weeks. I was walking 6 miles a day shortly after that...on a treadmill.

I am ever mindful now of taking care of my back, not overdoing things, and never twisting it.

If he can find a good surgeon, someone he feels he can trust, I feel certain he will someday be able to be pain free. The last 2 weeks b4 my surgery (after the disc had bursted and I could nothing but lay on the floor), I really did not care if I lived or died...I had no quality of life, and didn't see if as worth living if it was just going to be in such horrid pain.

Sue

DH has had 3 back surgeries and he is doing fine. I don't think the last 2 would have happened if he would remember he isn't a young man anymore. He still thinks he can bench press a bull. LOL

Linda

DH had one several years ago. One foot was totally numb and the other nearly that way. He couldn't walk more than about 20 feet without falling on his face without warning and was in ferocious pain. He tried 3 epidurals. The first one helped for a couple of months, the second one a few weeks, and the third one didn't help at all. His neurosurgeon was terrific. A couple of hours after surgery, DH walked the full length of the large hospital and down a couple of floors to eat at the McDonald's there. He went home within a day, a three hour ride home. After he was barely home, he drove 30 miles round trip to go to his bank. He was back playing softball after waiting the 4 1/2 months the doctor ordered. It was like a miracle.

anyone else have any to add? I'm going to copy all of this and send it to his computer when it's done.

Thanks for all the encouraging words

patti

no help but I want to follow his progress. eric has a herrniated disk but currently isn't a canidate for surgery. Guess they are waiting until it gets so bad he cannot work or anything. Right now we just worry about it and try to take things easy- next move should be interesting!

Will be sending good thoguths and good luck getting him to listen!

He needs to see his MD first and have a MRI, then get a referral to a specialist. Insurance always makes you do it this way.

There are lots of possibilities for what is causing his pain, but a MRI is the best way for a diagnosis. A Xray won't show a lot of things.

DH has 3 herniated discs, instead of surgery he was sent to therapy. The insurance also made him do that first too.

There's no reason to avoid seeking treatment, no one is ever going to force" him have a surgery. There are lots of treatment options from anti inflamatory meds to a tens machine, therapy or even a brace of some sort.

I sure hope Denny seeks a work up at least, and can find some relief from his pain. Kathy

I don't know the age of Denny but my doc told me at my age, (68) life is about quality, not quantity.
He is right but ultimately it is Denny's decision.
Please keep us updated and know that he is in my thoughts and prayers.

I almost had back surgery 20 years ago, but got relief from less drastic measures. I'm a candidate for spinal fusion, but I'm not ready to take that step. I had a minor outpatient back surgery in January, and even that took a lot of recovery. I have known many people with successful back surgeries, but it is not something to take lightly. If one researches their condition, then they will better understand the diagnosis and proposed treatment. Good luck to him.

Patti -

My mom, who turned 70 this past February, had major back surgery last October. My mom has had back problems for probably 30 years. During that time, she's worn a tinge unit, had I don't know how many pain shots and a whole host of other pain management treatments. She was diagnosed with spinal stenosis and the doctors told her years ago that the day would come when the pain management would stop working and she'd have to either live on heavy duty pain pills for the rest of her life or have surgery. She went for a pain shot in August 2007 and said she knew when she left the doctor's office that it wasn't working because in every case before, she had instant relief. She ended up having surgery the first part of October. I'm not going to tell you that it was easy for her - it wasn't. Mother is overweight which is a strike against her right there, but I will have to say that she did better than I EVER thought she would. My stepdad is a gem and was right by her side the entire time. She had a brace that she had to wear every single time she got up, even if it was in the middle of the night and she had to go to the bathroom - she had to put it on, and she had to do that until April. She said she has no regrets at all about having it done and her quality of life is so much better. We were at their house a few Saturdays ago for dinner and I saw her bend completely over to pour clean water in her dog's bowl - she didn't even flinch.

I honestly think if my mother can do it, almost anyone can. I hope Denny decides to go through with it. Yes, it's hard at first, but once you get through those first few weeks, it gets better. And I will say that I was against mother having the surgery because I'd heard all the horror stories of back surgery from years ago.

I have another friend that I use to work with - she's my mother's age, and she had the exact same surgery 2 years ago. She said it was the best thing she's ever done - she had hers done in October and the following April went on an around the world cruise.

Good luck with the decision. Please keep us posted.

I had a laminectomy in 2003 or '04. I had no choice - the pain was intense and never-ending. I couldn't sit, couldn't lay, couldn't stand. The only thing I could do was walk. And a person can't walk 24-7! I had bulging discs that pressed on the sciatic nerve running down my left leg. I used an orthopedic surgeon.

They had me up and going to the bathroom within about 4 hours, for a walk down the hospital hallway within 24 hours. I went home the 3rd day and SIT UP IN THE CAR for the 1 1/2 hour trip home! What luxury to be able to sit!!! I was back at work in 4 weeks, driving in 6.

I'm supposed to walk at least 1 mile every day for the rest of my life, but I don't always. I'm not supposed to ever lift more than 10 pounds, and I try not to.

Well, I am glad everyone has had good results, because I am living on the periphery of a bad result.
About 7 weeks ago, dh started having some back pain. Tried his chiropractor twice with no relief.

He uses the VA for his medical care, so sought care there. He got a couple of injections for pain relief, and was supposed to be scheduled for a myelogram. Cant have an mri, he has a pacemaker.

The VA never scheduled the myelogram despite frequent calls to request it. There is no VA hospital in our city, closest one is Shreveport, about 70 miles from here. They wanted us to go for an xray first. Local neurosurgeon wont give him an appointment without a referral. VA doesnt refer to outside providers.

In the meantime, dh is in extreme pain. Cant walk more than a couple of steps at a time.
Before his scheduled xray date at the VA, we end up in a local ER. ER doc scheduled a myelogram, then we have to fight to get the local neurosurgeon to evaluate him.

Finally we see the neurosurgeon. DH is scheduled for laminectomy at L 2-3, and L 4-5. Surgery goes as planned, and he walks 3 times on the same day. Next day, not as good, but he is still able to walk. Gets discharged on day 2 postop, a Saturday.

On Tuesday, his pain is unbearable, and he gets readmitted to the hospital for pain management. He shows some improvement, and wants to go home. Gets discharged Friday, and by Saturday night (yesterday) he is again hurting too bad to stand it. Back to the ER, readmitted. So, now what?

The medical bills from this will be horrendous, 4 ER visits, 4 hospital stays, surgery, and still we are not through.

I hate to post all of this, it is so negative. But I think you wanted a truthful look at what the possibilities are. Best of luck to your dh. If anyone reading this prays, we will appreciate you remembering us.

anette

Was his surgery done at a VA hospital?

We refuse to go to one of those...been there done that.Never again.

patti

no, surgery was at a civilian hospital. he sees the va for his cardiac stuff, they have been excellent.