Jennifer, thank you very much for taking the time to read the full article and to "interpret" it for the rest of us. I hadn't searched for that full article because I'm not currently considering surgery at all; I bookmarked it as something I might want to read at a later time, and thought Jeanne might find it useful for her situation.
Interesting about the exclusion criteria. I have one of them: lumbar scoliosis. I don't know if ALL scoliosis patients were excluded, or only those with a certain degree of curve, but no matter because, as I said, I'm not currently considering surgery.
I'm particularly moved by your discussion of fear and of making choices.....and the fact that you took 2 years to overcome your fear and to recognize that you were being given a choice between disability or getting a valuable benefit. My doctor today assured me that I'm not "3 hours away from paralysis" (when I say I'm given to catastrophic thinking, I'm not kidding!), but he did give me a balanced, if sobering, assessment of my likely future. That assessment combined with your thoughtful remarks encourages me to continue with PT for the present but also continue to educate myself on possible surgical choices for the future WHILE developing a meditation practice. I've just completed the 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program, so am still quite the amateur meditator. I hope I'll get better at it, so if the time does come for me to have surgery I'll be much better prepared mentally/emotionally for it. What a vision: to go calmly into the future. Thanks so much for your wise words. Pat
@pat75 Thanks, Pat. Even if you're not ready for surgery, you might be interested in this discussion I started about how to face fear of medical procedures. At the beginning is a video I did for a podcast and we talked about some of this. For me, this was a very important life lesson that could only be learned when the time was right. I knew I needed surgery and I kept seeing surgeons who didn't want to help me (not at Mayo), and I was always anxious every time I was meeting a new surgeon about what my outcome would be. I had skyrocketing anxiety every morning for 4 months when I thought about having spine surgery. It was real.... and necessary because my spinal cord was compressed so I knew I couldn't escape, and I couldn't let my fear make this decision. The day that I began to turn things around was the day I asked myself why I was doing this to myself? As I sought an answer to that mystery, I began to unravel and understand and make friends with my fears. The day I had spine surgery, I asked my surgeon to see me before the procedure because I wanted to thank him for helping me, which he did. Gratitude chases away fear, and I was even curious and looked around in the operating room. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-can-i-defeat-my-anxiety-about-medical-tests-and-surgery/
What did you learn in your mindfulness program that has helped you?
I had a tubal ligation and they said I have two fishy clips tho I had the laser surgery..but I thought the sealed my tubes with the lasers.... But my back hurts worse than pregnancy contractions but I don't know what to do ...any suggestions
I’ve had excellent results following the Gokhale Primal Posture method. Crowdsourced evaluations are exceptional and after training and practicing the method for a few months my spinal stenosis (severe L4-L5) pain has been virtually eliminated without surgery.
What level of stenosis did you have. Doctors keep saying my L5 disc is too deflated and due to the location of my disc bulge,
I need fusion. I don't want to be fused.
What level of stenosis did you have. Doctors keep saying my L5 disc is too deflated and due to the location of my disc bulge,
I need fusion. I don't want to be fused.
Severe L4/L5. Obviously ever case is unique. I was getting severe sciatica shooting pains which are gone since I started following the method and did a one day posture training class with Esther. I’m now active hiking and skiing without surgery.
What level of stenosis did you have. Doctors keep saying my L5 disc is too deflated and due to the location of my disc bulge,
I need fusion. I don't want to be fused.
Hello I wanted to post Re disc degeneration disease , bulging disks
I was diagnosed with it at 17 years old cervical and then later spinal nerve root compression. Mine was due to trauma rather than “ wear & tear” or age growing up I did all I could to swim and strengthen muscles to take pressure off bones. Lower back it’s so have slipped disc , L3/4 nerve compressed in older now. Been in servere pain but I have lost core strength so I’m doing planks now.
From what I’ve read about fusion it can work for some but can change stability of the spine and put pressure on other vertebrae. I agree the D thing sounds a lot safer and I think it’s micro surgery
Severe L4/L5. Obviously ever case is unique. I was getting severe sciatica shooting pains which are gone since I started following the method and did a one day posture training class with Esther. I’m now active hiking and skiing without surgery.
Esther is located in Palo Alto, in CA Bay area. My class was in Scottsdale, AZ. Classes are held worldwide including by her certified teachers. Schedule should be on the Gokhale Method website.
Severe L4/L5. Obviously ever case is unique. I was getting severe sciatica shooting pains which are gone since I started following the method and did a one day posture training class with Esther. I’m now active hiking and skiing without surgery.
So who is Esther and where is the class ? I don't know if that can help me. I have no disc left between L4-5 and others starting to go. I was also told I need fusion but also warned that problems could occur above and below the fused area (by the same surgeon who suggested fusion) but my pain is bad after I walk and especially going up and down stairs. It seems like it's getting worse only on my left side. So what can I do ? My problem is because of the disc degeneration more than bulging discs I think. It's hard to sort everything out. Advice appreciated.
'
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@pat75 Thanks, Pat. Even if you're not ready for surgery, you might be interested in this discussion I started about how to face fear of medical procedures. At the beginning is a video I did for a podcast and we talked about some of this. For me, this was a very important life lesson that could only be learned when the time was right. I knew I needed surgery and I kept seeing surgeons who didn't want to help me (not at Mayo), and I was always anxious every time I was meeting a new surgeon about what my outcome would be. I had skyrocketing anxiety every morning for 4 months when I thought about having spine surgery. It was real.... and necessary because my spinal cord was compressed so I knew I couldn't escape, and I couldn't let my fear make this decision. The day that I began to turn things around was the day I asked myself why I was doing this to myself? As I sought an answer to that mystery, I began to unravel and understand and make friends with my fears. The day I had spine surgery, I asked my surgeon to see me before the procedure because I wanted to thank him for helping me, which he did. Gratitude chases away fear, and I was even curious and looked around in the operating room.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-can-i-defeat-my-anxiety-about-medical-tests-and-surgery/
What did you learn in your mindfulness program that has helped you?
I had a tubal ligation and they said I have two fishy clips tho I had the laser surgery..but I thought the sealed my tubes with the lasers.... But my back hurts worse than pregnancy contractions but I don't know what to do ...any suggestions
What level of stenosis did you have. Doctors keep saying my L5 disc is too deflated and due to the location of my disc bulge,
I need fusion. I don't want to be fused.
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Hug
1 ReactionSevere L4/L5. Obviously ever case is unique. I was getting severe sciatica shooting pains which are gone since I started following the method and did a one day posture training class with Esther. I’m now active hiking and skiing without surgery.
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Hug
2 ReactionsI had L5/S1 fused 10 years ago and have had pain ever since. Don't do it. See if you can get a Disectomy to remove the bulge.
Hello I wanted to post Re disc degeneration disease , bulging disks
I was diagnosed with it at 17 years old cervical and then later spinal nerve root compression. Mine was due to trauma rather than “ wear & tear” or age growing up I did all I could to swim and strengthen muscles to take pressure off bones. Lower back it’s so have slipped disc , L3/4 nerve compressed in older now. Been in servere pain but I have lost core strength so I’m doing planks now.
From what I’ve read about fusion it can work for some but can change stability of the spine and put pressure on other vertebrae. I agree the D thing sounds a lot safer and I think it’s micro surgery
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionDo you do the class online? Where is Esther located?
Esther is located in Palo Alto, in CA Bay area. My class was in Scottsdale, AZ. Classes are held worldwide including by her certified teachers. Schedule should be on the Gokhale Method website.
So who is Esther and where is the class ? I don't know if that can help me. I have no disc left between L4-5 and others starting to go. I was also told I need fusion but also warned that problems could occur above and below the fused area (by the same surgeon who suggested fusion) but my pain is bad after I walk and especially going up and down stairs. It seems like it's getting worse only on my left side. So what can I do ? My problem is because of the disc degeneration more than bulging discs I think. It's hard to sort everything out. Advice appreciated.
'
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction