Surgery delayed AGAIN

[Murrmurr]

My back surgeon talked me out of surgery again yesterday. He wants me to try injections ....again. The kind he's talking about is where they shove a huge needle up into your tailbone, then shove a slightly smaller, flexible one up through it, and all the while they're watching a monitor to make sure that one goes exactly where they want it to before they pump the chemicals through it; a cocktail of anesthesia and steroid = nerve number and anti-inflammatory.

I've had that done already. It didn't work the first time, and when I went back for a second try the nurse said there was practically zero chance it would ever work because I've had spinal fusion down there - the chemicals can't get up above that point. But my surgeon said he'll talk to them about a more direct approach. I have a feeling that'll be a no-go.

I know the surgeon is super busy right now. He recently joined a research team, plus he's lecturing a lot, and he's preparing to do some new types of pediatric spinal surgeries. (Correcting spinal deformities in children is his particular specialty.) But he forgets that I've already done the huge needle up the yingyang thing, plus a few other alternatives he suggested as well. I mean, I don't mind avoiding surgery, but I'll take surgery over sitting around on my behind all day. And I've avoided it for over a year now. I'm really bummed.

For now I'm just going to ask my doctor to increase my pain med dose or prescribe something stronger. It could be several months before the spine doc and Pain Management figure out the best course of action. Honestly, I hope it's surgery, finally.

 

[Blessed]

Nope, you have tried to do it that way. I would insist on the surgery, the other method has been tried and failed. How long are you supposded to suffer. I know the surgery has no guarantee but you already know the shots do not work. I have found a lot of this is caused by insurance, they don't want to pay for the surgery so they throw everything out there first even when they know the surgery is the best option. I hate insurance companies.

 

[Alligatorob]

Hope you can get surgery, and that it works.

In my experience (shoulder, knees, and hand but not back) even when the injections work they are only temporary, usually for a few months at best. This one doesn't sound like something you want to do too often.

Best of luck with it.

 

[mike4lorie]

That's a drag, having to wait... Hope you get it done soon and feel much better...

 

[Moon Rat]

My back surgeon talked me out of surgery again yesterday. He wants me to try injections ....again. The kind he's talking about is where they shove a huge needle up into your tailbone, then shove a slightly smaller, flexible one up through it, and all the while they're watching a monitor to make sure that one goes exactly where they want it to before they pump the chemicals through it; a cocktail of anesthesia and steroid = nerve number and anti-inflammatory.

I've had that done already. It didn't work the first time, and when I went back for a second try the nurse said there was practically zero chance it would ever work because I've had spinal fusion down there - the chemicals can't get up above that point. But my surgeon said he'll talk to them about a more direct approach. I have a feeling that'll be a no-go.

I know the surgeon is super busy right now. He recently joined a research team, plus he's lecturing a lot, and he's preparing to do some new types of pediatric spinal surgeries. (Correcting spinal deformities in children is his particular specialty.) But he forgets that I've already done the huge needle up the yingyang thing, plus a few other alternatives he suggested as well. I mean, I don't mind avoiding surgery, but I'll take surgery over sitting around on my behind all day. And I've avoided it for over a year now. I'm really bummed.

For now I'm just going to ask my doctor to increase my pain med dose or prescribe something stronger. It could be several months before the spine doc and Pain Management figure out the best course of action. Honestly, I hope it's surgery, finally.

Murrmurr: I think I may be able to help you. I had a horrible accident awhile back where a damn KW about ran over top of my vehicle. If you read my post, you saw a picture of what was left of my SUV.​

​

I had hellish back pains and numerous surgeries out the gazoo. Finally, a new device was developed by Boston Scientific, the same company that manufactures stents. By running a wire (kind of an electrode) up along my spine which is inserted by a neurologist using a fluoroscope, and then attaching the wire to a transmitter. It blocks the pain neurotransmitter in the brain. End result is no more pain and no more pills. It's called a Spinal Cord Stimulator or and SCS. I wish I could share my copy of the DVD with you, but this forum does not allow it. Better yet, have a look at the video available below and on YouTube. There are more videos for you to look out by typing in "Boston Scientific SCS" I think if you give this a try, you will thank me. Before I could have my electrode inserted, I had to be examined by a Psychiatrist that your Neurologist will connect you with. Check it out. You also get a 7-day trail that is mounted on the outside of your skin to see if it helps before having it inserted under the skin. You will also get a remote control to allow you to turn on more or less power as your pain requires. This is NOT a tens unit or anything like that. Take the 3 minutes to watch the video.​

Boston Scientific SCS

 

[Murrmurr]

Murrmurr: I think I may be able to help you. I had a horrible accident awhile back where a damn KW about ran over top of my vehicle. If you read my post, you saw a picture of what was left of my SUV.​

​

I had hellish back pains and numerous surgeries out the gazoo. Finally, a new device was developed by Boston Scientific, the same company that manufactures stents. By running a wire (kind of an electrode) up along my spine which is inserted by a neurologist using a fluoroscope, and then attaching the wire to a transmitter. It blocks the pain neurotransmitter in the brain. End result is no more pain and no more pills. It's called a Spinal Cord Stimulator or and SCS. I wish I could share my copy of the DVD with you, but this forum does not allow it. Better yet, have a look at the video available below and on YouTube. There are more videos for you to look out by typing in "Boston Scientific SCS" I think if you give this a try, you will thank me. Before I could have my electrode inserted, I had to be examined by a Psychiatrist that your Neurologist will connect you with. Check it out. You also get a 7-day trail that is mounted on the outside of your skin to see if it helps before having it inserted under the skin. You will also get a remote control to allow you to turn on more or less power as your pain requires. This is NOT a tens unit or anything like that. Take the 3 minutes to watch the video.​

Boston Scientific SCS

I'll ask the surgeon about that. Thanks!

My spine is collapsing - there's right-to-left scoliosis happening in the thoracic and a left-to-right bend in the lumbar area, just above the rods in my lower lumbar. My spine was much straighter a few years ago. But the electrodes are flexible so that shouldn't be a problem (I'm assuming). The lumbar is bent pretty acutely, and the surgeon wants to put another set of rods in there when or if there is another surgery. I wonder if he could do that at the same time. Not that it matters much, probably.

The 2 bone-density studies I had recently showed no problems with density and strength, so I'm 97% certain the collapse is from carrying my foster son around and lifting him into his car-seat, the tub, and his highchair and all that. I did that several times a day, every day, for 2 1/2 years, and then on weekends for another year or so....and this was after my most recent surgery in 2017.

Anyway, thanks!

 

[Pepper]

Quod me nutrit me destruit: 'What nourishes me, destroys me'
Christopher Marlowe

 

[Tish]

@Murrmurr that sounds so very painful.

 

[Murrmurr]

Nope, you have tried to do it that way. I would insist on the surgery, the other method has been tried and failed. How long are you supposded to suffer. I know the surgery has no guarantee but you already know the shots do not work. I have found a lot of this is caused by insurance, they don't want to pay for the surgery so they throw everything out there first even when they know the surgery is the best option. I hate insurance companies.

If my Pain Management guy can get the chemicals directly to where I need them, then surgery can come later (like, next year) and I'll be comfortable in the meantime. But if they can't do it more directly, then I'll be more insistent about scheduling surgery.

 

[Murrmurr]

Quod me nutrit me destruit: 'What nourishes me, destroys me'
Christopher Marlowe

If you're referring to Paxton, you are correct.

 

[Murrmurr]

@Murrmurr that sounds so very painful.

The metal hose up the ying-yang procedure? It was! They don't anesthetize you, for some reason. Or maybe they did butt I still felt it. Believe me, I breathed a sigh of relief when that nurse told me a second probe would be a waste of time.

 

[Blessed]

If my Pain Management guy can get the chemicals directly to where I need them, then surgery can come later (like, next year) and I'll be comfortable in the meantime. But if they can't do it more directly, then I'll be more insistent about scheduling surgery.

I am more concerned about the procedure, painful and does not help Heck No

 

[Murrmurr]

I am more concerned about the procedure, painful and does not help Heck No

Yeah, I'm not gonna do that again without a guarantee, and they never guarantee anything.

The surgeon is gonna see if the chemicals can be delivered above the spinal fusion, so not up through the tailbone. I doubt it can, but there's a similar procedure that's just direct injections with a small-ish needle. I've had that one 3 or 4 times. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. No need to gamble; I'm done with those.

 

[Blessed]

Yeah, I'm not gonna do that again without a guarantee, and they never guarantee anything.

The surgeon is gonna see if the chemicals can be delivered above the spinal fusion, so not up through the tailbone. I doubt it can, but there's a similar procedure that's just direct injections with a small-ish needle. I've had that one 3 or 4 times. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. No need to gamble; I'm done with those.

That is the part I hate the most, well we can't guarantee it will work. I have faced this regarding injections/pain control for my migraines. The cost is ridiculous, the pain of the procedure and all can be for no relief. I have passed at this point. I just take botox all over my head every 3 months, anti nausea medication, Xanax. I get by somehow.

 

[Jules]

No advice, such sending hugs. Living with pain is miserable.

 

[Remy]

I'm so very sorry to hear of this. You don't deserve to be in pain and have to wait. I can't even imagine what you are going through.

 

[Murrmurr]

I'm so very sorry to hear of this. You don't deserve to be in pain and have to wait. I can't even imagine what you are going through.

It's just really frustrating.

I promised myself that I'll either get the pain meds increased, or get surgery scheduled, and I always keep my promises (to myself ).

 

[Nathan]

@Murrmurr , I can't imagine the horror show you're going through, just hoping that you can attain a pain free future.

 

[dseag2]

Keep us posted @Murrmurr. I hope things work out for you. I have a close friend who had back issues, and she had the injections. It did lessen the pain. There has to be a long-term solution to rid you of your pain.

 

[Murrmurr]

@Murrmurr , I can't imagine the horror show you're going through, just hoping that you can attain a pain free future.

Keep us posted @Murrmurr. I hope things work out for you. I have a close friend who had back issues, and she had the injections. It did lessen the pain. There has to be a long-term solution to rid you of your pain.

Thanks. I'm so freaking sick of hurting I'm tempted to just give up, so I made an appt with my PCP. I'll ask her to increase my Norco dosage or give me something stronger, at least for the time being. I haven't been doing my morning exercise routine, haven't been for a walk or even done my yoga for 4 or 5 months now. And I'm getting way too accustomed to just sitting in my recliner for hours and hours....which is what giving up looks like. So I need to work on my mental attitude, too. I've never been in *this place* before. I keep telling myself it's just a phase, get your ass up, you gotta do this. But the more you sit, the more you want to sit. It's kind of brutal.

Anyway, I'm working on myself.

 

[win231]

Nope, you have tried to do it that way. I would insist on the surgery, the other method has been tried and failed. How long are you supposded to suffer. I know the surgery has no guarantee but you already know the shots do not work. I have found a lot of this is caused by insurance, they don't want to pay for the surgery so they throw everything out there first even when they know the surgery is the best option. I hate insurance companies.

^^^ Pretty much nailed it. Today's "medicine" has little to do with patient care; it's all business. Of course no doctor will admit it, so they'll always come up with BS reasons to make it appear it's for patient benefit.

 

[RadishRose]

Thanks. I'm so freaking sick of hurting I'm tempted to just give up, so I made an appt with my PCP. I'll ask her to increase my Norco dosage or give me something stronger, at least for the time being. I haven't been doing my morning exercise routine, haven't been for a walk or even done my yoga for 4 or 5 months now. And I'm getting way too accustomed to just sitting in my recliner for hours and hours....which is what giving up looks like. So I need to work on my mental attitude, too. I've never been in *this place* before. I keep telling myself it's just a phase, get your ass up, you gotta do this. But the more you sit, the more you want to sit. It's kind of brutal.

Anyway, I'm working on myself.

You know what to do, my friend. We're rooting for you!

 

[Seren]

@Murrmurr I'm sorry to hear about your back pain issues.

I had a fall some years ago, head over heels down some stairs, fractured two fingers on one hand, thumb and wrist on the other, did some damage to an ankle. Back was literally black and blue for weeks and only ached during that time - the pain kicked in later and never left. Doctor just keeps prescribing pills but they don't work, nor do over-the-counter painkillers. I've never had proper investigations and unlikely now with the way things are here in our health care system these days, so I live with chronic pain and restricted mobility it causes.

Your experience(s) sound dreadful and I hope @Moon Rat's recommendation offers/provides a solution for you.

 

[RadishRose]

@Murrmurr I'm sorry to hear about your back pain issues.

I had a fall some years ago, head over heels down some stairs, fractured two fingers on one hand, thumb and wrist on the other, did some damage to an ankle. Back was literally black and blue for weeks and only ached during that time - the pain kicked in later and never left. Doctor just keeps prescribing pills but they don't work, nor do over-the-counter painkillers. I've never had proper investigations and unlikely now with the way things are here in our health care system these days, so I live with chronic pain and restricted mobility it causes.

Your experience(s) sound dreadful and I hope @Moon Rat's recommendation offers/provides a solution for you.

So sorry about your fall, @Seren !

 

[Ladybj]

My back surgeon talked me out of surgery again yesterday. He wants me to try injections ....again. The kind he's talking about is where they shove a huge needle up into your tailbone, then shove a slightly smaller, flexible one up through it, and all the while they're watching a monitor to make sure that one goes exactly where they want it to before they pump the chemicals through it; a cocktail of anesthesia and steroid = nerve number and anti-inflammatory.

I've had that done already. It didn't work the first time, and when I went back for a second try the nurse said there was practically zero chance it would ever work because I've had spinal fusion down there - the chemicals can't get up above that point. But my surgeon said he'll talk to them about a more direct approach. I have a feeling that'll be a no-go.

I know the surgeon is super busy right now. He recently joined a research team, plus he's lecturing a lot, and he's preparing to do some new types of pediatric spinal surgeries. (Correcting spinal deformities in children is his particular specialty.) But he forgets that I've already done the huge needle up the yingyang thing, plus a few other alternatives he suggested as well. I mean, I don't mind avoiding surgery, but I'll take surgery over sitting around on my behind all day. And I've avoided it for over a year now. I'm really bummed.

For now I'm just going to ask my doctor to increase my pain med dose or prescribe something stronger. It could be several months before the spine doc and Pain Management figure out the best course of action. Honestly, I hope it's surgery, finally.

I understand to some degree why he talked you out of surgery. I am praying you can get relief without surgery. However, I am not in your shoes and you do what is best for you. Sending you hugs and Positive Energy.