Doc recommends spinal fusion from T12 - S1.

I am a 74 year old male faced with nearly the exact same symptoms, spine issues, and my neurosurgeon wanting to fuse the same T12 through S1 section of my spine. I am in considerable pain and would like to hear what other group members have to say about this, or similar surgeries. I am extremely reluctant to have so much of the most flexible and much needed to be flexible portion of my spine surgically made immobile. I can only imagine the impact upon my life from here forward if I go through with it. Yet, what are my choices when the pain becomes intolerable???

Hi, so it has been almost a year since the post you responded to. I hear you ...it is daunting to consider a lifestyle with significant mobility restrictions. Even more so, because I am quite active, social, still work part time. For myself, I have continued to deteriorate in abilities and pain is now restricting my life to the tipping point. I am scheduling a fusion from T 12 - S2.

I have been trying diagnostic nerve blocks and epidurals ( no more steroids...do not work and cause significant hair shedding). I did not find any temporary relief.

I have consulted other orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons and looked into lesser remedies. I wish I was a candidate for lesser fusions, disc replacement etc., but have decided that the long healing time, a chance of other nearby segments being destabilized from surgery (I will face more surgery in the future), I am scheduling this fusion for hopefully December if we can secure a surgical room or in January.

I am finding good advice on what to expect and how to set up my home to function best with the "new me"! I have gone through my home room by room, drawer by drawer. NO ONE pretends this is a cake walk and will require patience and persistence for a year or more. I have decided when one door closes another can open. I am finally going to spend time with painting classes and other pursuits.

I am finding very specific advice for how to set up my home, what to take to hospital, on a facebook spine group. Most are having surgery soon or have recently had surgery.

Please feel free to reach out to inquiry on my progress. I will try to post down the road as well.
What I know for sure, if I am not alone in this journey and am grateful each and every post I read here! Tamra

@sassytwo Hi Tamra! My surgery is scheduled for December 11 so I will definitely be checking on your progress.

If possible mine will be December 10th! :). However it is looking more like mid January now.
Wishing you the best -- keep the faith and please reach out. Tamra

@sassytwo @jenniferhunter
Earlier in this thread I discussed my similarity to the @sassytwo case. I have had a significant change in my condition, and have seen two surgeons since then. My spine surgeon who did my L5-S1 19 months ago, now recommends an L5-T11 decompression and fusion to replace the original surgery. I sought out a second opinion from a well known and respected spine surgeon in our area, whom I shared my MRI with. He said "you don't want that surgery." He himself is 50 yrs old and has already had two back surgeries. He suggested I get back to my prior exercise and stretching routine, and lose some weight (I am slightly overweight but by no means obese). How could two surgeons have completely opposite recommendations? Are there approaches to surgery in the spine medical community that are that divergent? I could have been left in a quandary with these opposite recommendations, EXCEPT that, at about the same time, my pain was receding, and within the span of about 48 hours was easily down to a pain level of zero to 1. This was after about 8 weeks of pain (levels up to about a 7), with relief only when sitting down. I came to the conclusion that I would be a fool to subject myself to surgery with all its risks and possible complications at this point. Of course I know it could return at any time, and there is no guarantee on how long my relief will last. Had I not gotten the unexpected relief, no doubt I'd be going for a THIRD opinion. For all I know, maybe there is regular debate in neurological medical circles on when to pull the trigger on surgery.

@gliebisch01 @sassytwo @jenniferhunter Survivors!
I've had the L1-5 fused & caged 13 mos back. Now the L5-S1 joint has deteriorated, so leg weaknesses, groin and low back muscles ALL constantly tight. One Ortho Surgeon says I should fuse the L5-S1.I think not as would greatly limit flexibility. Another thinks I should looķ into a permanently implanted Estim 'zapper'...
Qs
1) You agree do NOT fuse L5-S1 unless absolutely needed as will limit flexibility?
2) Anyone done the implanted Estim? Effectiveness and side-affects?
3) I'm on original Medicare, with a Supplemental plan F, not an Advantage. What's approx cost for an opinion from Mayo if Medicare won't pay?

@gregda I'm sorry to hear you have further spinal deterioration. The decision on procedures for your L5 S1 must be made only between you and your surgeon. This level must support most of your body weight on your spine and is extremely important. If you have vertebrae slipping at this level, it causes a lot of disability and mobility issues. I think you are beginning to experience some of that.

With Medicare coverage for surgery at Mayo, Mayo will need to answer about costs. Costs also depend on if there is any new imaging or testing required beyond what is current for you. I think that you would only be granted a consult at Mayo if you have insurance that they will accept, and that may be different at the different Mayo campuses. It's good that you have original Medicare. Mayo doesn't accept a lot of the "Advantage" plans, but they have to answer for what insurance they do accept. Your best bet is to call the Mayo department of Insurance and Billing and ask. Here is a link to their office.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/billing-insurance

yikes... SAD to read that the diff Mayo campuses accept diff insurance. Would be GOOD if all accepted the same. - tho must say, I've talked w/ 2 St Pete Cardiologist who say they are NOT impressed with the 'quality' of opinions they've seen from Mayo-Jacksonville FL. They said they'e prefer opins from Vanderbilt or Duke, not Mayo-FL.