Lumbar disc bulges from L1 to L5. Insertion LUMBAR CAGE??

Posted by jeannid @jeannid, Jun 29, 2021

Anyone else who had total lumbar CAGE? I've heard good & bad. I won't take opioids. All mgmt has failed so far. I'm sick of 24-7 pain.

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Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jun 30, 2021

@jeannid Welcome to Connect. I am a spine surgery patient too, but not for a lumbar surgery. Hopefully more members will join the conversation soon. Can you tell us your experience with spine treatments you have had and what you are considering?

jeannid | @jeannid | Jun 30, 2021

Hi Jennifer. I've had back issues for 11 yrs. Started with steroid injections in L5-S1. It stopped working. Went on to spinal fusion. Worked for a few yrs then pain returned. Did nerve ablation, worked for a yr maybe. More steroids. Tried Toradol shots too. Ugh. It's getting worse and worse. Also have severe DDD. Entire lumbar spine is shot basically. And scoliosis too. HELP.

newstimwaveuser | @newstimwaveuser | Jul 1, 2021

Are you eligible for spinal cord stimulation? It helps me. Also my brother who has had severe back problems.

michaud5366 | @michaud5366 | Jul 2, 2021

In reply to @newstimwaveuser "Are you eligible for spinal cord stimulation? It helps me. Also my brother who has had..." + (show)

I did that about 10 years ago but not recently.

gcranor | @gcranor | Jul 2, 2021

In reply to @newstimwaveuser "Are you eligible for spinal cord stimulation? It helps me. Also my brother who has had..." + (show)

What Manufacter did you get

gcranor | @gcranor | Jul 2, 2021

I have cages and unfortunately they were put in crookedly and now I have 8 additional fusion up to the T level. I have a metronic drug pump which helps with pain not nerve damage continuing to spread. Plus the long term drug in the pump is now causing shallow breathing (lungs are now working less than 50%), being Fatigued is awful, other muscles having increased weakness. So the moral of my story I wish research would really find away to treat back injuries early and not for profit!!!!

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jul 2, 2021

In reply to @jeannid "Hi Jennifer. I've had back issues for 11 yrs. Started with steroid injections in L5-S1. It..." + (show)

@jeannid You have been through a lot, and I would think that the scoliosis complicates things a lot. Have your spine surgeons been specialists in spine deformity? Usually these highly skilled surgeons take the more complicated cases. What spine surgeries did you have and at what levels?

bear338 | @bear338 | Jul 2, 2021

I do have a pump had it now for 21 years but I tried the stimulator did not work for me maybe lucky in 07 needed to have a pacemaker so if I had the stimulator they would have to remove it I can’t even use a tennis unit because of it. The pump is very good at what it does but there are things that go with having one a lot more surgery and don’t forget the refills every three months but it’s all been worth it . It made such a difference in my life just make sure that you have people that you trust with your life not trying to scare you off because I would do again even knowing everything that’s comes with it .