Big Surgery Decision | Arthritis Information
Hello, my Friends. It's been a while since I've started a topic. I've been confined to bed quite a lot, for the past 6 weeks.
As some of you know I have several severe problems with my spine. My scoliosis has become very bad and I need to decide about having surgery on my entire spine.
But first, the reason I've been down...Last time I wrote, I think I told you about the pain in my groin that all my doctors thought was due to an arthritic hip. (I didn't know that was where the pain was for hip arthritis, but I know some of you knew that). Anyway, I finally got referred to my orthopedic surgeon to see what could be done, as it continued to get worse. After doing his own x-rays (very little arthritis in hip), he sent me for an MRI which showed I have fractures in my pelvis! This may have been from one of my many falls in the past. But all docs were quite surprised. They said they don't need me to get a DEXA scan, as these fractures pretty well indicate osteoporosis. Great way to find out, huh?
The only way to treat this was rest as pain indicated. Hence the bed rest.
In the middle of all this I returned to my spine surgeon. My spine is in such bad shape that the only thing he can do in the way of surgery is put rods and screws the rest of the way up my spine! I already have them, from my fusion, at L4 through S1.
He said this surgery would be 10 times more serious than my last one and I would suffer 10 times the pain during recovery! Recovery time is 6 - 12 months. I am terrified of this very involved and risky surgery! No guarantees of improvement, of course. And many risks. I just need them to get this constant pain in my l. lower back under control. But this is what it would take to possibly help. I now take 8 Methadone and 4 Dilaudid per day for pain management.
Has anyone had anything close to this done? Or anyone have any advice to offer? I just want to be able to have some quality of life again. But with the surgery there is always a chance iof it becoming worse.
I'm going to get a 2nd opinion from a scoliosis specialist whom we have researched in depth. Not on my insurance, but we will pay for a consultation. Every doc that sees my x-rays exclaims about how dreadful my spine is.
Please pray for me if you do that, okay? I need all the help I can get to make a decision. Thank you, my friends
Much love, Nini
dear nini, i will pray for you while you are making some tough decisions. wonderwoman
That's a mighty amount of surgery. It sounds like it's not whether you do it but how to do it best. Prayer on the way. Stay strong!
Nini, you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I'll send some healing, clarifying energy your way. I feel so bad just for you to have to make a decision like this. I have some problems with L4-S1 and C3-C5, but nothing anywhere like what you're saying.
What other options have they given you, if any? Pain pump? Nerve blocks? Anything else? Can they give you any other types of meds, like Lyrica for nerve pain? This surgery is such a drastic step. A second opinion, even a third, would be a good idea. Only you can decide if it's worth it, weighing your quality of life now versus the potential outcome. I wish you the best. . Hugs to all of you.
Inner Glow, the spine surgeon gave me no other options, but I am definately getting more opinions. This is just too big to decide casually. The scoliosis specialist, my husband found by calling the Scoliosis Center (I think), in Texas at Baylor Univ. They recommended him, in our area. I've just got my x-rays from last week so I'll be calling for an appt. soon. It will probably cost 0-0 for an extensive consultation, but it's well worth it for a very informed opinion. I have had nerve blocks, that worked in my c-spine. They did the test injections that they do prior to the blocks in my l-spine and they were not at all effective. Lyrica did not work well for me. Just made my heart race and made me a little crazy. (or crazier
Lin... I'm a little scared of doing too many surgeries. At 60 years old, I don't want to spend too many years in pain from recoveries. Good idea, though. I had a number of other surgeries, too, and I'm just tired.
Again, thank you all, with all my heart. It's so good to have the support I have here. I am fortunate that I also have terrific support at home, too. Don't know what I'd do without my precious husband.
Gentle hugs, and love, Nini
Hi Nini, I reckon you must be Superwoman, I did not know your spine was so bad, I know we all have pain, but come on, don't be so greedy, share it around a bit!!!!! I am very proud of you as you never seem to whinge or carry on about it, and what a decision to have to make, don't worry, have you ever seen the holy verse called "footsteps", I will try to find it online for you and PM it, it is you!!! I will continue to pray for you and light a candle for you and your Drs and of course your precious hubby to help you all decide what to do and how to do it, and to help you recover very quickly. Much love and gentle hugs from Janie.XXX
Nini - you will always be in my thoughts and prayers. Your goodness is a bright light for me. I believe your surgeon is referring to Harrington rods. You have alot to think about, but I know you will make the right decision for you. Take care and gentle hugs across cyberspace ~~ CathyNini, I am so sorry and hope that the second opinion can help with the direction of what to do. It is a lot of surgery and there are a lot of risks. I don't even know what to do or say. Take care of yourself and I will be praying for you!
My dear friend Nini, you have all my thoughts and prayers. You are going through so much but always have time to help all of us on here too. I have never had such surgery and i know you must be anxious but we are all here for you.
Take care
Lisa
Nini
Prayers going up to help you with a very tough decision.
My daugher had scoliosis surgery in 1999 and has the fusion I forget what L to what L but she has the rods, pins and screws all the way up her spine. They were only put there for the purpose of having the fusion to take hold but of course they stay in for life. I'm sure your surgery is something different given the recovery period you were given. Of course she was only 15 so youngsters heal faster. She did remarkably well. I remember being sooooo scared for her to have that back surgery- like you said they are so risky but there was no choice unless we wanted her to progress curvatures by 1 degree yearly for the rest of her life. So the decision was easy- it basically was already made for us.
Hope there will be an alternative for you- best of luck!
I am so sorry, what a difficult decision you face. I will keep you in my thoughts. Love and hugs
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart! You overwhelm me.
Love, Nini
Oh sweetie, you have such difficulict decisions ahead. I will be praying for you and your surgeons. Gentle hugs!
Deb
Dear Nini,
Even though you don't know me (I'm a new poster), please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hiking gal
Nini~I have been so uncomfortable all day due to some back problems that I have myself and reading about your current problems mine seem so, so small. I can only imagine the amount of pain you must suffer daily. My heart goes out to you. I hope whatever you decide it will greatly improve your quality of life.
I'll keep you in my prayers. I wish you comfort.
What a tough tough decision. I don't usually post but thought that in some small way it may help to know that someone is truly thinking of you and wishing you only the very best.
God Bless
Much hugs & prayers.
Dear Nini, All of my thoughts and prayers are going your way. I'm glad that you're getting several consults before you make your decision. This is a big surgery and you need all of the info you can get.
All I can say is that if the doc has perform several of the kind of surgery that you need and the results were good, then go with that doc. Hopefully, you will find the perfect one and everything goes well. Then you will be able to sit and stand w/o pain.
Sending a ton of positive thoughts,
marisa
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