Spine degeneration - what next?

Question

I'm 33 and self employed. About 2 years ago I began having a slight pain down my left leg. A year later a MRI showed that I have degeneration in levels L2 to S1, the worst being L5/S1. Now in the 2nd year I have terrible pain in my left leg and another level showing the same signs my leg did just two years ago L2/L3. I know what to expect, but am scared of what is to come.

I used to be very competitive in triatholons, soccer, etc and now a walk to the mailbox w/o meds is a challenge. It is hard to give up old habits.

With 4 children I have to support, I am in a real pickle. I am real careful with pain meds, I try to go 1-2 days a week w/o them to keep my body from building a large tolerance. The opiates seem to work best, but even with them I have considerable pain.

Not sure where to go. I've seen doctors and everyone has a different opinion. Any suggestions?

I've been surgery shopping the past month now, but it is confusing. Seems that this type of problem has no definite answer.

There is a temporary solution that I am opting towards. It is a new type of disectomy called a endoscopic disectomy. It is a disectomy done arthoscopically (www.sciatic.com >> SED/YESS). This only promises up to 2 years relief, but I hope that a year or two would give me more time to research this and hope for better technology in the med field regarding the spine.

I've seen 3 different surgeons for opinions and have received 3 different opinions. Like I said, very confusing.

My 2nd MRI done last week has not been viewed by my surgeon yet, but by my eyes shows significant changes in theL5/S1, possibly ruptured. Looks like bone on bone there.

The fusion would be a good option, but with so many other problems down there, I want to be careful. Any once you do it there is no turning back.

It I find the answers, I wont forget to post.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Have you checked with a doctor to see if you would benefit from or be a candidate for disk replacement surgery? I have heard of some amazing results with this type of surgery and would much prefer it to spinal fusion, the other alternative.

The drugs are only a temporary solution. Eventually they don't help much at all. It is no way to get by either.

Answer 2

Geez, you sound just like me...
I'm 30 and have went through 3 spinal surgeries already. I had degeneration at every level of my spine. L5/S1 I'm sorry to say will eventually rupture. They'll talk you into getting a lumbar discectomy (don't do it), opt for a spinal fusion (I learned the hard way). They told me that "Oh, you're young, your body will be back to normal", that never happened. I struggled after that surgery only to find out that my neck was messed up also. So I changed Neurosurgeons and went to another guy. He did a fusion in my neck with plates and screws and I have to say that he did an excellent job ( I don't feel anything and it's as if nothing ever happened). On the other hand about 6 weeks ago I went under the knife 16 months later for my L5/S1 and had a lumbar fusion. THE BIGGEST MISTAKE they did with my first surgery was that they didn't do a fusion. My disc reruptured about 3 months later and of course I was ordered to do a less conventional treatment (Steroid shots, physical therapy), while in the mean time I was killing my nerve (S1 nerve root). So now I had this surgery and I am suffering after it only because my nerve was compressed for such a long time and the other neurosurgeon didn't take me seriously. My advice to you is: Go and see a neurosurgeon, (don't waste your time with an orthopedic doctor), get another recent MRI done of your entire spine, (Trust me, if it's degenerating at the L level, odds are your neck is next), and most of all, MAKE SURE your doctor knows what kind of pain you are in, how it affects your daily life, what and what you can't do, if your opiates are not working, tell them to increase the dose and don't suffer. I'm almost sure they have you on Vicodin ES which is 7.5/750 MG, have them prescribe you NORCO 10/325 MG, same family but higher hydrocodone dose with a lower tylenol dose so that you don't destroy your liver in the process. If that doesn't work you might have to change opiates to Percocet. That's where I am today. It is a tough challenge, keep your head up, you'll make it through, but you have to be well informed and don't let those neurosurgeons take you lightly, because once you have irreparable nerve damage (take it from me), you will never be able to function. Be educated, go to www.spineuniverse.com, there are alot of good articles on there. I hope I helped you without scaring the crap out of you. But I only wish that someone was straight forward with me about this.
I wish you luck and a speedy recovery.

Answer 3

A laminetctomy at L-5 helped me tremendously.

If you are seriously considering surgery, do your research, get your opinions, then don't put it off. I developed nerve damage that would have been much less had I had the procedure sooner.

Lami is not a fail safe cure, not everybody gets the same level of relief.

For the residual nerve pain, I have taken a prescription called Lyrica.

Physical therapy is also helpful.

Answer 4

I myself have had a lamenectomy s-1 l-5 it did relieve the pain from sciatica but not my lower back pain. My surgeon said I have arthritis and degenerative disc disease and that I will be back to see him. As far as disc replacement, he suggested in males that are sexually active he would recommend against it in that area because of having to manipulate the sympathetic nerve. I am 47 now and unable to work and they say ineligible for SSD. GOOD LUCK.

Answer 5

I've been there; done that....to both neck and lumbar area. I can only say if you're ANYWHERE NEAR Nashville, Tennessee, go see Dr. Thomas O'Brien at Southern Hills Hospital. He is absolutely the very best surgeon in the world!!!!!!!