My son in law had something similiar, not as evasive, but his Dr. recomended the neurosugeon. Are you near a large hospital? like Mayo, John Hopkings etc. Also you can ask the nurses from your Dr. You might get a couple or different opinions. The burning in the legs may or may not be related. Yes, you will need help, but again you should arrange for help before the surgery. You might go to rehab for awhile before you come home etc. He is still having problems, and always will, but some are work related. Yes he still takes pain pills as needed.

In December 1999, I ruptured a disk in my back. The pain was in my right leg--it went the whole length of my leg, into my foot. It was absolutely the worst pain I had ever experienced. I went to various doctors; tried physical therapy for 11 months. Finally, my neurosurgeon said I needed surgery to avoid permanent nerve damage. In November 2000, I had an L3-4 laminectomy with diskectomy. I spent one night in the hospital. My DH is disabled, so he wasn't able to provide extensive help to me--but I didn't need it.

I could not sit for more than a few minutes (mainly for meals)--I was to be in bed, walking/standing, or in a recliner. I put the recliner in front of my desk, and my KT friends helped me mentally survive the recuperation. I could not ride in a car for 6 weeks.

I took moderate pain killers for a couple of days; then Advil as needed for pain. The after-surgery pain was minor, compared to the pain before the surgery. I followed doctor's orders, did the exercises he recommended, and my recuperation was complete and uneventful.

The surgery was far less painful than I had anticipated. I felt better the day after surgery than I did the day before! I am glad I had it done (I really didn't have much choice); and I am glad I chose to have it done by a neurosurgeon (I initially went to an orthopedic surgeon, but felt more comfortable with using a neurosurgeon).

I wish you the best, and if you have questions, you can email me through my page here. Good Luck!!

I was in severe back pain with a bulging disc for 4 years, that I was housebound. My husband had to wait on me literally hand and foot. He had to put on my shoes and make all my meals. All I could do was sit in a chair and do minimal movement, since the pain was so severe. I couldn't even do exercises from rehab because the pain was so severe. Pain killers did not help me at all. Doctors kept sending me from one specialist to another with no results, except greater pain after each visit to each doctor.

I was at my last resort. Life seem to hold no future for me. Then I read a book by John Sarno who had an idea about back pain.

Below is the web site devoted to his ideas about back pain and many people healed by his concepts without surgery. The web site is free. Try the free 42 day structured education program that is listed on the left in the blue box. This site does not sell anything and doesn't even ask you for your e-mail address to get junk. The people and their stories will amaze you on the healing of back pain with hopeless cases.

If you decide to have the surgery, I wish you the best of luck. I am not pushing anything, but I wish someone had told me about this site, so I did not suffer for 4 years.

The end of my story is that I am completely normal now living a full life. I cook, clean, and mow and trim grass now. I never thought that I would ever get better. I practiced the ideas and Dr. Sarno got me well with his ideas.

Here is a link that might be useful: TMS John Sarno

Dmickey, I remember the actress Anne Bancroft praising John Sarno, saying he changed her life.

well what an interesting concept...and maybe how true it can be...the mind sure can do strange things...

I am going through a similar situation as Phoggie and Wanda. I've seen surgeons, and rhuematologists, have done various therapies, including 15 years of water aerobics, have had CT scans, and two series of spinal injections at the Pain Management Clinic. I've had both knees replaced and now I'm going through a third series of injections at the PMC. the first two, '05 and '09, helped significantly, but this time it has not helped, and has caused terrific pain; so the third of the series of three injections has been canceled and the doctor is recommending surgery.

The '09 scan shows mild stenosis, mild scoliosis and several bulging discs.

That is where I am now; trying to make a decision. Any pain meds make me sick, including Tramadol which this PM doctor gave me a Rx for. It is helping some with the pain, but still causes nausea and regurgitation.

I know this is TMI, but I am looking for experiences, outcomes, and recommendations from those who have been through this.

Many thanks in advance.

Sue

After suffering off and on for 6 years I finally had lumbar surgery and got immediate relief. I had been in and out of emergency rooms in severe pain, and had physical therapy, was on pain meds and muscle relaxers, and my quality of life often was not good at all. The tipping point for me was when the problem disc finally ruptured, sending the gel like material (as I understood it from my surgeon) into the spinal canal, sending me into excruciating pain....with 'no' quality of life.

I got immediate relief following the surgery. The evening/night in the hospital following the surgery, I was pretty pain free and was up and walking. I went home the next day and did not need any assistance here at home with anything. I was sent home with pages of exercises that I was to do. They slowly got progressively 'involved or intense' with more repetitions. I was told to walk and to be walking at least 2 miles a day at the end of 2 weeks.

Before surgery I got a treadmill set up as I was to be walking on level ground and that way I could walk any time of the day or night, regardless of the weather. I was up to 6 miles a day within the 2 weeks and my back healed fabulously.

I wish anyone and everyone luck at getting 'fixed' and always warn friends and even strangers to take care of their back...as it has to last a lifetime.

Sue

I would have the surgery - my uncle did (and I had 2 mini Dachshunds - I know - dogs) - but both my uncle and my dogs seemed to have the same symptoms. All surgeries were performed by Neurosurgeons. But not everyone has the same outcome, that is the kicker. Some people who go in to surgery with better prospects than others do not do as well etc. I would most definitely be looking for a surgeon who has done a lot of this type of surgery and get a good idea of the success stats. And follow the post operative instructions to a T. I really hope you come out of this in good shape - it is my greatest fear. And, yes, my uncle did have burning in his legs - and both my uncle and my dogs both had leakage from the discs.

Oh my, chemocurl....I am amazed with your progress! Wow...6 miles in 2 weeks!!!
It is the walking that I miss....and I have gained so much weight just sitting around the house.....and I used to love to walk and dance. Did you have poor balance also? I stagger like drunk. I keep saying that I hope I never get stopped because I certainly can not walk a straight line .

eccentric...how can I find out success rate for surgeons?

It seems like everyone so far has had neurosurgeons rather than orthopedic.

Sue-va...it sure sounds like we have very similar issues...certainly no fun!

I hope more will chime in if they have had lumbar surgery and thanks to those who have written.

Advice from a retired RN. Please have your surgery performed by a neurosurgeon. Anytime you have surgery on an area such as your spine, it is immensely important that your surgeon is trained in maintaining the integrity and function of your nerves. A good orthopod should only be used to set broken bones or replace joints. Best of luck.

Put my name on chemocurl's post - my experience was just the same. The worst pain I have ever had was the back-of-the-leg pain prior to surgery. I was literally at the end of my rope and was ready to have my leg surgically removed. MUCH worse than childbirth.

I had a laminectomy for a bulging disc done by an orthopedic surgeon. He was brilliant (not a good bedside manner, but he did know his stuff) and I felt 110% better as soon as I woke up from surgery.

They had me up walking about 4 hours after the surgery. I stayed one night and then went home with instructions to walk at least a block a day immediately. Gradually increasing to 2 miles a day.

That surgery was a life-saver for me. I literally could not function. All I could do was stand or lay flat. 24-7. And I was still in severe pain.

My surgery was about 10 years ago. I am careful not to lift anything heavy so I don't aggravate anything, but I am 95% cured.

Good responses and help here.

First, you have convinced me to have a neurosurgeon, if I decide to have the surgery. The PM doctor mentioned the name of a doctor that he is well acquainted with and worked with when he was doing his residency. Problem there is he is not local, maybe 50 miles away. After your surgery did you need to go back to see your surgeon? I'm thinking that riding that distance could be a problem.

Also, did you have MRIs before the surgery, or were CT scans sufficient? I have to admit my wimpiness here, because I don't like the idea of the MRI, and have never had one. I think I would feel claustrophobic. I know they use sedation, and the PM doctor said he would suggest Valium. I have never had Valium for anything.

Hi, chemocurl, aka the other Sue. Your description of the disc bursting is how the PM doctor described it to me. He demonstrated it by putting his thumb and finger together and slowly tightening it. The idea of a treadmill is good especially considering bad weather.

Wanda, when the problem hit me this time, the pain was like you said, worse than childbirth. I realized I had a problem one day when I was trying to get into a line of traffic from a parking lot, and I could not move my foot from the brake to the gas pedal. I had to wait it out til I finally got it done, and went straight home. Haven't driven since that day. (That was a "revolting development!") Haven't been able to walk much since then either. The odd thing though was that pain was in my right hip.

It seems like all of you have had good results, and that is encouraging. I'm really "tough" when it comes to surgeries, which I've had several of, and have never needed help at home afterwards. I think the MRI thing is the problem I need to work on.

Thanks to all of you. Any more suggestions will be welcome.

(this) Sue

Yes, I had MRI's before surgery. I too am claustrophobic. The only way I could do it was to close my eyes before entering the machine and not opening them again until I was out. If I had opened my eyes while inside I know I would have freaked out.

(this) Sue....oh my, a MRI is nothing!...just lay still and close your eyes. I have had so many of them and no worse for the wear~~ I have had two hips replaced, a knee replaced, and cervical fusions, but this lumbar surgery has me very frightened. I guess my severe reaction to the general and pain meds bother me most....I get deathly sick and nothing they try seems to settle me down....I was starting to go into shock with the last surgery and that is a scary thing to do~~
But Sue.....relax about the MRI...if you are "tough" with surgeries, you will have no problem :-) I would not want any surgeon cutting on me with just a scan....you need a MRI...they are so much more exact.

You can also have an Open MRI. I've had a few of these. I tried to
to do a regular MRI but couldn't . You might suggest it to your Dr.

I agree that a scan is not sufficient for surgery, but I doubt that I could keep my eyes closed long enough, which raises the question, how long does the MRI take?

Our hospital doesn't have an open MRI. Recently they got a larger (wider) one. In the PM doctor's office I noticed they have wider chairs for the patients to sit in while talking to the doctor. I guess that says something about the general population, doesn't it?

At this point, I know I need, and want, to have the surgery, but I have a lot of thinking to do, and more questions to ask the doctor. He mentioned Valium for the MRI, but all those meds make me sick.

Thanks again for your help. I'll be back later, no doubt.

Sue

Our hospital doesn't have a open MRI either. I went to a outside
Facility to have them done. Good Luck,whatever you should decide.

I've had three lumbar surgeries. Living near Boston I was able to go to a top neurologist and, after examining my mri concluded that he could do a double laminectomy discectomy via micro surgery and come home the same day. My experience was very positive. I was stiff as a board after but I walked (verrrry slowly) to my car and got home with the help of my husband. I spent most of the first few days icing my back several times a day to avoid taking the pain meds. I used enteric coated naproxin. My dr. also gave me steroids to keep the inflammation down. I could walk and sit slowly and go to the bathroom and on the third day I showered. For therapy he told me to walk two miles a day, working up from half a mile which I did. Later in life I had another similar surgery, both gave me great relief and now, when my other issues with my back rear their ugly heads, I do my John Sarno mantra on and off all day and feel 80% relief. I do have some risidual nerve damage to my leg but, what the heck, I can't feel it lol. It was caused by the years of compression on the nerves. You'll do just fine. As for the mri, I'm a coward, freaked out five minutes into it so they took me out and gave me a sedative, since then I always take one. I put a mask on so I won't be tempted to open my eyes. I've had six of them easily with those conditions. Good luck.