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My back surgery was done by William J. Shaughnessy at The Mayo Clinic. T10 to L5 was fused. @bernese53

I was 14 when I had my surgery.  My rib cage had fallen down onto my hip bone and if I wasn't in my brace it was painful.  That was when they told my parents I needed surgery right away.  They told us it would take 20 yrs off my life if untreated.  I'm
not saying I never have pain because at 56 the pain was horrible.   You see my rod was fused into my spine and over the years and has made it a solid bone.  I was told i was in pain because the rest of my body was over compensating for what my back couldn't
do.  I was put on Wellbutrin and it has completely taken the pain away. In a good note, she said I will never have osteoporosis because my spine cannot compress.   I guess that is a good thing. 
 I could talk all day about this.  I find it very interesting that the human body  can do so many things.  I wish you the best of luck.  I know pain can make for a miserable day.

Do you have any experience with Dr. Nassr? He is the orthopedist I saw at Mayo. I have scoliosis, spinal stenosis, two badly herniated lumbar discs with nerve enfringement, and issues with some cervical discs. He has recommended surgery but I am pretty scared. My pain right now is manageable but I am a diabetic and he has recommended surgery sooner rather than later....I am 64. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I have wondered about getting a second opinion but he IS a Mayo Clinic surgeon.

I met with Dr. Nassr a couple of times for all of the same problems that you are having. He is not warm and friendly though - common for surgeons - and I ended up switching to another Mayo doctor. I have not had surgery yet but we are watching my situation carefully, I am 58 and realize that surgery at a "younger age" is often safer than waiting.....best wishes.

I would definitely seek a second opinion that is not at the Mayo Clinic before I decided to do surgery. In my opinion, once you do surgery at the Mayo Clinic, it is hard to get other doctors to even consider you as a patient. In my experience, other doctors would not see me because the Mayo is so well known and my back surgery was preformed at the Mayo Clinic. After I was moved from Pediatrics to adult, I chose to see Dr. Fogelson, a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic. My surgery was preformed when I was still in Pediatrics -- Not by Dr. Fogelson. I love Dr. Fogelson. Dr. Fogelson is kind, caring, and honest. Keep in mind an Orthopedist focuses on bones. A neurosurgeon focuses on the spinal cord, spinal canal, and nerves. I would avoid surgery if I could. After my spinal surgery, I am in constant pain. I have coccyx pain, a purple and cold left foot, costochondritis, nerve like pain in my ischial tuberosities, ridicculopathy at L3 and constant back pain. Dr. Nassr comes highly recommended by other staff and doctors at Mayo. Dr. Fogelson comes highly recommended by patients. I would ask you to think about everything a surgery can effect. What are the pros and cons? A surgery is permanent. A spine is very delicate and is connected to many things. Each part of your body is connected and wired to other parts of your body. Have you tried less invasive methods like Physical Therapy or Massage? I will also say that the Mayo has often figured out things that Nowhere else can. @bernese53

Thank you both for your responses. I have tried physical therapy but there is only so much that PT can do....it will not correct the scoliosis or the degenerative changes in my spine. I agree that Dr. Nassr is not particularly warm and friendly but I had the impression that it is difficult to change from one doctor to the other at Mayo. If you don't mind, Vickie, who did your surgery?

Thanks - I needed to read this. I appreciate your insight. Best wishes...

I had surgery in 2005 with Dr. Dudley at Mayo and he has since retired. I now see Dr. Yazemski and he has amazing credentials and a caring personality. My situation needs a full fusion and the chance of increased mobility and decreased pain is low, so I am trying Rolfing, Structural Body Integration, Acupuncture, Physical Therapy, etc to reduce my pain levels. I use a small electric scooter, a Luggie, as walking any distance is almost impossible due to pain.

Don't know your age but I'm 70and had 7 fusions from L-1 to t-11 and am six months past surgery and was on fentynol and hydrocodone to exist and now am painkiller free

Hi I saw dr Jeremy fogelson at Mayo Rochester and he did my surgery and after 6 months I see him again to hopefullly get released to activitys again(golf) any way I had all the things you listed and had 7 fusions and after about 5 yrs of ppiates and fentynol patches I'm painkiller free hope you have as much success