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Spinal Stenosis

Posted by matthewpreston @matthewpreston, Apr 30 11:40am

Have my first appointment coming up in Rochester in mid may. Being a Paramedic I research medical procedures extensively and most doctors don't like it when I question them. I'm trying Mayo as they are supposed to be the best of the best. I'm from Des Moines, IA and it seems all the docs around here just want to fuse the C-Spine.
I'm trying to avoid that if I can, kind of seems barbaric. In researching I've found several doctors that will use Ultrasonic scalpels to remove bone growth, thus relieving pain! (reducing recovery time) and installing new pads in between the joints. Has anyone been to Mayo to have this done? I've spoken to others that have had the fusion and they are doing fine but reading this group I hear alot of issues people are having after fusion.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

Phil, Alumni Mentor | @upstatephil | May 2 1:54pm
In reply to @sherri1720 "I am on the same journey as you. My first appt is on the 14th. This..." + (show)
@sherri1720

I am on the same journey as you. My first appt is on the 14th. This will be my second surgical consult and I am hoping for better news. The first one I seen wants to do a fusion on one day, let me rest for the next day and then back in surgery to place 6 pins in my back. To say the least I was mortified!!! You want to do what???
Good luck at your appt.

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@sherri1720 - I had my lumbar work done over two surgeries separated by one day. The docs don’t want you under general anesthesia for too long…so they often split a big surgery into two parts.

No need to be mortified, I think. That surgical schedule is pretty normal.

What else can we spine surgery veterans help you with?

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1 reply
matthewpreston | @matthewpreston | May 3 10:46am
In reply to @sherri1720 "I am on the same journey as you. My first appt is on the 14th. This..." + (show)
@sherri1720

I am on the same journey as you. My first appt is on the 14th. This will be my second surgical consult and I am hoping for better news. The first one I seen wants to do a fusion on one day, let me rest for the next day and then back in surgery to place 6 pins in my back. To say the least I was mortified!!! You want to do what???
Good luck at your appt.

Jump to this post

Same to you, yeah that seems kinda odd to me too.

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sherri1720 | @sherri1720 | May 7 8:22am
In reply to @upstatephil "@sherri1720 - I had my lumbar work done over two surgeries separated by one day. The..." + (show)
@upstatephil

@sherri1720 - I had my lumbar work done over two surgeries separated by one day. The docs don’t want you under general anesthesia for too long…so they often split a big surgery into two parts.

No need to be mortified, I think. That surgical schedule is pretty normal.

What else can we spine surgery veterans help you with?

Jump to this post

@upstatephil Being under anesthesia twice really does have me concerned because I have stomach issues that do not like it! I had foot surgery and ended up back in the hospital from pain meds and anesthesia did a number on my stomach. I have never been in so much pain in my life. Needless to say I have surgery ptsd lol.
This is where the mortified feelings came from. My BIGGEST FEAR is how am going to manage that type of pain. I heard it is quite a painful surgery.

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Phil, Alumni Mentor | @upstatephil | May 7 6:36pm

@sherri1720 - Let's see if I can provide some perspectives and ideas that might help you...I'll try.

Let me start at the end - You are right...These are big surgeries requiring patience, fortitude, good pre-surgery prep, and even a little bit of luck. Anyone suggesting lumbar work is a breeze is one in a million. So my advice is don't do the surgery until you're certain that's the next best choice for you. You have to balance concerns over the surgery vs concerns about deferring the surgery which could (could) result in permanent nerve damage. For both choices - you have to make that tough decision without perfect information. That's asking a lot and you're 100% normal to feel anxiety over what to do...

As for your negative reactions to meds and anesthesia...at least you know you have that sensitivity. I get it. I managed with only a few days on opioids and the negative anesthesia issues came and went fairly fast. With that foreknowledge, your docs can plan for your issues. So don't let that fear block you from getting the treatment you need. I'm not sure I mentioned it before - but have you consulted with a physiatrist (pain doc, essentially)?

BTW - I'm 100% convinced surgical PTSD is a real thing!

How else can I support you in working through this big decision?

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