I would be interested in hearing what people have to say about this also. I just had an open lumbar decompression of L4-5, L5-S1 for central canal stenosis and bilateral medial facetectomy at both levels as well as a Microdissection. I was having debilitating nerve pain in my left glute, all the way down my leg to include my ankle, foot and toes with numbness and my skin was so sensitive at times that I couldn’t even touch it. I was not able to stand or walk for more than 30 seconds before the pain became so intense I had to sit or lie down.
2 weeks post surgery, I would say ~90% of the pain is gone. I don’t want to jinx myself, because I know it’s early in the recovery but I am hopeful. Long story, a friend had similar symptoms (maybe not as debilitating) and he had a minimally invasive laminectomy the week before me. I would like to know the specifics around choosing one over the other, the M-A surgery obviously is a less extensive process and quicker recovery.
I think it all depends on the surgeon and the disease process that’s being treated. Surgical practice guidelines are what the doctor must follow and worth a discussion. A scope is less invasive with a shorter healing time vs. an open procedure. After having had open surgery in 1990 if I needed it for my spine again I’d choose the easiest recovery procedure.
I think it all depends on the surgeon and the disease process that’s being treated. Surgical practice guidelines are what the doctor must follow and worth a discussion. A scope is less invasive with a shorter healing time vs. an open procedure. After having had open surgery in 1990 if I needed it for my spine again I’d choose the easiest recovery procedure.
Hi,
Without writing a book {Hopefully,lol} I am new here and need advise; I am considering surgery as living on opiods and not able to function much with the constant Horrific pain! I have other major issues; LCH {Langerhans Cell Histiosis} Fatty Liver {Stage 3} T2 Diabetes w/Insulin Therapy and now a year of Severe Lumbar Stenosis {L5-S1} These are just the major one's ! I want the MILD but surgeon says I am a high risk period, I can't seem to deal with this anymore and if I were not in a relationship with the father son and holy spirit I would end all this myself@!
Any words of knowledge or such would be appreciated as I can no longer deal with this!...btw I see my neuro Friday.
Hi,
Without writing a book {Hopefully,lol} I am new here and need advise; I am considering surgery as living on opiods and not able to function much with the constant Horrific pain! I have other major issues; LCH {Langerhans Cell Histiosis} Fatty Liver {Stage 3} T2 Diabetes w/Insulin Therapy and now a year of Severe Lumbar Stenosis {L5-S1} These are just the major one's ! I want the MILD but surgeon says I am a high risk period, I can't seem to deal with this anymore and if I were not in a relationship with the father son and holy spirit I would end all this myself@!
Any words of knowledge or such would be appreciated as I can no longer deal with this!...btw I see my neuro Friday.
@rockinrene65 you didn’t say what pain meds you’re taking or how long you’ve been on them? No you shouldn’t be in intractable pain. After my 1988 fusion and laminectomy I was put on Tylenol #4 and eventually #3’s for over 10 years. I was switched to morphine pills and after a few years on that I went to a time-release morphine pill. This eventually stopped working sufficiently for my pain relief. I’ve been on buprenorphine patch which provides 24/7 relief. I went from 15mcg patch every 7 days to 20mcg after a 2 week trial. I’ve been on that same dose for about 5 years with good results. But with your comorbid conditions I don’t know if you can use it.
I can totally understand how you feel and why you feel this way. Chronic pain is very debilitating and it takes a lot out of you. I find that stretching, exercise helps my pain relief as does walking which I do every day.
Have you tried acupuncture, Myofascial release, mindfulness therapy? I’m doing all of these because I don’t want to take any breakthrough meds. I also micro dose THC and CBD 3 times a day. You need to investigate a few methods to help yourself be pain free and thinking outside the box helps. I hope the neurologist can help explain thing’s further? You might ask what is stopping them from performing the MILD procedure too,
Hi,
Without writing a book {Hopefully,lol} I am new here and need advise; I am considering surgery as living on opiods and not able to function much with the constant Horrific pain! I have other major issues; LCH {Langerhans Cell Histiosis} Fatty Liver {Stage 3} T2 Diabetes w/Insulin Therapy and now a year of Severe Lumbar Stenosis {L5-S1} These are just the major one's ! I want the MILD but surgeon says I am a high risk period, I can't seem to deal with this anymore and if I were not in a relationship with the father son and holy spirit I would end all this myself@!
Any words of knowledge or such would be appreciated as I can no longer deal with this!...btw I see my neuro Friday.
@rockinrene65 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm sorry your pain is horrific. Sounds exceedingly hard.
Glad you've connected with @jenatsky. Hoping others in this discussion will also have ideas for you on how to manage the pain short- and long-term, such as @cjr14 and @marietter. If you've not already met @jenniferhunter, I'd like for you to meet her, too.
A couple of other support groups on Mayo Clinic Connect you may consider following, due to the conditions you have and mentioned, are:
When you said you are seeing your neuro Friday, I believe you are talking about a neurosurgeon, but you also could be talking about a neurologist? Will you let us know? Do you have some questions written down that you want to ask him or her at that appointment?
@rockinrene65 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm sorry your pain is horrific. Sounds exceedingly hard.
Glad you've connected with @jenatsky. Hoping others in this discussion will also have ideas for you on how to manage the pain short- and long-term, such as @cjr14 and @marietter. If you've not already met @jenniferhunter, I'd like for you to meet her, too.
A couple of other support groups on Mayo Clinic Connect you may consider following, due to the conditions you have and mentioned, are:
When you said you are seeing your neuro Friday, I believe you are talking about a neurosurgeon, but you also could be talking about a neurologist? Will you let us know? Do you have some questions written down that you want to ask him or her at that appointment?
Hi,
Without writing a book {Hopefully,lol} I am new here and need advise; I am considering surgery as living on opiods and not able to function much with the constant Horrific pain! I have other major issues; LCH {Langerhans Cell Histiosis} Fatty Liver {Stage 3} T2 Diabetes w/Insulin Therapy and now a year of Severe Lumbar Stenosis {L5-S1} These are just the major one's ! I want the MILD but surgeon says I am a high risk period, I can't seem to deal with this anymore and if I were not in a relationship with the father son and holy spirit I would end all this myself@!
Any words of knowledge or such would be appreciated as I can no longer deal with this!...btw I see my neuro Friday.
@rockinrene65 I am a cervical spine surgery patient. I had done a lot of research prior to my surgery. Surgeons say that the L5 S1 is a difficult level to fuse because it is bearing most of the body weight. That of course influences what approach a surgeon needs to take if that level needs stabilizing. Sometimes that requires the surgeon to be able to access and visualize larger areas than a minimally invasive surgery would allow.
Do you have a list of questions for your neurosurgery consultation? I recommend writing down your questions since your mind can go blank when you are discussing surgery with a surgeon. Even when you have an idea of what may be next, it can be shocking to hear it and realize you are on a path to surgery. It is a big choice to make and you need to make an educated choice. It is usually best to get several medical opinions when you have this choice to make. You will live with the outcome of the surgery and it can’t be undone. Do your diligence in researching the best expert surgeon you can find who has an interest in your spine issues. Expect a long recovery and rehab work. I am told that lumbar surgery is more painful than cervical surgery and many members have shared that experience. You need to be your own advocate and make sure you understand as best you can what the risks are as well as benefits of any surgical procedure. Your experience will be different from others and your other health issues can affect your outcome. Make sure to ask how this affects an outcome for a person with your conditions.
Hello...
I read all comments & concerns & im potentially or in all likelihood going 2 nd a lumbar fusion 2...I hope down the road bc im a newly diagnosed myasthenia gravis pt & surgery makes it worse. Getting back 2 my original thought & question, have you tried conservative measures 2 deal w/ your L5-S1 pathology?
I was in absolutely excruciating pain 4 the last 3 wks of Feb until i waved the white flag & went 2 the ER, then I finally got an MRI & an L4-5 epidural inj & have started PT. Thank my Lord 🙏I finally got 75% relief & am holding steady @ every 8 hrs dose of 1 gm of Tylenol & either 1 or 2 Ultram/day. My rt foot is still numb, but im trying 2 by time & do my research.
Not 2 scare you, but I am an RN who used 2 work in pain mgmt & I saw many folks w/ failed back surgery...it can happen...my advice check up on your surgeon's reviews on health grades, yelp etc & pls make sure they are board certified & even better teaching @ a prestigious medical school & published in medical journals, if possible. Just some advice from some 1 who has been a victim of bad surgery (not back surgery as im trying 2 avoid it!)
Good luck & God bless U on your journey, michelle
@rockinrene65 I am a cervical spine surgery patient. I had done a lot of research prior to my surgery. Surgeons say that the L5 S1 is a difficult level to fuse because it is bearing most of the body weight. That of course influences what approach a surgeon needs to take if that level needs stabilizing. Sometimes that requires the surgeon to be able to access and visualize larger areas than a minimally invasive surgery would allow.
Do you have a list of questions for your neurosurgery consultation? I recommend writing down your questions since your mind can go blank when you are discussing surgery with a surgeon. Even when you have an idea of what may be next, it can be shocking to hear it and realize you are on a path to surgery. It is a big choice to make and you need to make an educated choice. It is usually best to get several medical opinions when you have this choice to make. You will live with the outcome of the surgery and it can’t be undone. Do your diligence in researching the best expert surgeon you can find who has an interest in your spine issues. Expect a long recovery and rehab work. I am told that lumbar surgery is more painful than cervical surgery and many members have shared that experience. You need to be your own advocate and make sure you understand as best you can what the risks are as well as benefits of any surgical procedure. Your experience will be different from others and your other health issues can affect your outcome. Make sure to ask how this affects an outcome for a person with your conditions.
Hello...
I read all comments & concerns & im potentially or in all likelihood going 2 nd a lumbar fusion 2...I hope down the road bc im a newly diagnosed myasthenia gravis pt & surgery makes it worse. Getting back 2 my original thought & question, have you tried conservative measures 2 deal w/ your L5-S1 pathology?
I was in absolutely excruciating pain 4 the last 3 wks of Feb until i waved the white flag & went 2 the ER, then I finally got an MRI & an L4-5 epidural inj & have started PT. Thank my Lord 🙏I finally got 75% relief & am holding steady @ every 8 hrs dose of 1 gm of Tylenol & either 1 or 2 Ultram/day. My rt foot is still numb, but im trying 2 by time & do my research.
Not 2 scare you, but I am an RN who used 2 work in pain mgmt & I saw many folks w/ failed back surgery...it can happen...my advice check up on your surgeon's reviews on health grades, yelp etc & pls make sure they are board certified & even better teaching @ a prestigious medical school & published in medical journals, if possible. Just some advice from some 1 who has been a victim of bad surgery (not back surgery as im trying 2 avoid it!)
Good luck & God bless U on your journey, michelle
Thank You, I have done some homework and surgery is the last resort, the longer I wait the worse the damage, they All say... I have been on Norco 5mg {Hydrocodone} w/325mg Tyl for a full year now - Started these after many Injections and PT, Took 1 every 6 hrs then 2 every 6 hrs. Now 2 Every 5 hrs. Along with ice packs ...No matter what I wake in agony, scream cry for 20 minutes till the meds kick in, then I am able to move. Walking is most fun... I could go on but I need to rest.
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I would be interested in hearing what people have to say about this also. I just had an open lumbar decompression of L4-5, L5-S1 for central canal stenosis and bilateral medial facetectomy at both levels as well as a Microdissection. I was having debilitating nerve pain in my left glute, all the way down my leg to include my ankle, foot and toes with numbness and my skin was so sensitive at times that I couldn’t even touch it. I was not able to stand or walk for more than 30 seconds before the pain became so intense I had to sit or lie down.
2 weeks post surgery, I would say ~90% of the pain is gone. I don’t want to jinx myself, because I know it’s early in the recovery but I am hopeful. Long story, a friend had similar symptoms (maybe not as debilitating) and he had a minimally invasive laminectomy the week before me. I would like to know the specifics around choosing one over the other, the M-A surgery obviously is a less extensive process and quicker recovery.
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1 ReactionI think it all depends on the surgeon and the disease process that’s being treated. Surgical practice guidelines are what the doctor must follow and worth a discussion. A scope is less invasive with a shorter healing time vs. an open procedure. After having had open surgery in 1990 if I needed it for my spine again I’d choose the easiest recovery procedure.
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3 Reactions@jenatsky
Hi,
Without writing a book {Hopefully,lol} I am new here and need advise; I am considering surgery as living on opiods and not able to function much with the constant Horrific pain! I have other major issues; LCH {Langerhans Cell Histiosis} Fatty Liver {Stage 3} T2 Diabetes w/Insulin Therapy and now a year of Severe Lumbar Stenosis {L5-S1} These are just the major one's ! I want the MILD but surgeon says I am a high risk period, I can't seem to deal with this anymore and if I were not in a relationship with the father son and holy spirit I would end all this myself@!
Any words of knowledge or such would be appreciated as I can no longer deal with this!...btw I see my neuro Friday.
Thanks gby
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Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@rockinrene65 you didn’t say what pain meds you’re taking or how long you’ve been on them? No you shouldn’t be in intractable pain. After my 1988 fusion and laminectomy I was put on Tylenol #4 and eventually #3’s for over 10 years. I was switched to morphine pills and after a few years on that I went to a time-release morphine pill. This eventually stopped working sufficiently for my pain relief. I’ve been on buprenorphine patch which provides 24/7 relief. I went from 15mcg patch every 7 days to 20mcg after a 2 week trial. I’ve been on that same dose for about 5 years with good results. But with your comorbid conditions I don’t know if you can use it.
I can totally understand how you feel and why you feel this way. Chronic pain is very debilitating and it takes a lot out of you. I find that stretching, exercise helps my pain relief as does walking which I do every day.
Have you tried acupuncture, Myofascial release, mindfulness therapy? I’m doing all of these because I don’t want to take any breakthrough meds. I also micro dose THC and CBD 3 times a day. You need to investigate a few methods to help yourself be pain free and thinking outside the box helps. I hope the neurologist can help explain thing’s further? You might ask what is stopping them from performing the MILD procedure too,
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 Reactions@rockinrene65 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm sorry your pain is horrific. Sounds exceedingly hard.
Glad you've connected with @jenatsky. Hoping others in this discussion will also have ideas for you on how to manage the pain short- and long-term, such as @cjr14 and @marietter. If you've not already met @jenniferhunter, I'd like for you to meet her, too.
A couple of other support groups on Mayo Clinic Connect you may consider following, due to the conditions you have and mentioned, are:
- Blood Cancers & Disorders Support Group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/blood-cancers-disorders/, and especially this discussion in that group:
- Adult Langerhans cell Histiocytosis and CMML https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/adult-langerhans-cell-histiocytosis-and-cmml/
- Diabetes & Endocrine System Support Group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/diabetes-and-endocrine-problems/
When you said you are seeing your neuro Friday, I believe you are talking about a neurosurgeon, but you also could be talking about a neurologist? Will you let us know? Do you have some questions written down that you want to ask him or her at that appointment?
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Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@lisalucier
Thank You!!!
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1 Reaction@rockinrene65 I am a cervical spine surgery patient. I had done a lot of research prior to my surgery. Surgeons say that the L5 S1 is a difficult level to fuse because it is bearing most of the body weight. That of course influences what approach a surgeon needs to take if that level needs stabilizing. Sometimes that requires the surgeon to be able to access and visualize larger areas than a minimally invasive surgery would allow.
Do you have a list of questions for your neurosurgery consultation? I recommend writing down your questions since your mind can go blank when you are discussing surgery with a surgeon. Even when you have an idea of what may be next, it can be shocking to hear it and realize you are on a path to surgery. It is a big choice to make and you need to make an educated choice. It is usually best to get several medical opinions when you have this choice to make. You will live with the outcome of the surgery and it can’t be undone. Do your diligence in researching the best expert surgeon you can find who has an interest in your spine issues. Expect a long recovery and rehab work. I am told that lumbar surgery is more painful than cervical surgery and many members have shared that experience. You need to be your own advocate and make sure you understand as best you can what the risks are as well as benefits of any surgical procedure. Your experience will be different from others and your other health issues can affect your outcome. Make sure to ask how this affects an outcome for a person with your conditions.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsHello...
I read all comments & concerns & im potentially or in all likelihood going 2 nd a lumbar fusion 2...I hope down the road bc im a newly diagnosed myasthenia gravis pt & surgery makes it worse. Getting back 2 my original thought & question, have you tried conservative measures 2 deal w/ your L5-S1 pathology?
I was in absolutely excruciating pain 4 the last 3 wks of Feb until i waved the white flag & went 2 the ER, then I finally got an MRI & an L4-5 epidural inj & have started PT. Thank my Lord 🙏I finally got 75% relief & am holding steady @ every 8 hrs dose of 1 gm of Tylenol & either 1 or 2 Ultram/day. My rt foot is still numb, but im trying 2 by time & do my research.
Not 2 scare you, but I am an RN who used 2 work in pain mgmt & I saw many folks w/ failed back surgery...it can happen...my advice check up on your surgeon's reviews on health grades, yelp etc & pls make sure they are board certified & even better teaching @ a prestigious medical school & published in medical journals, if possible. Just some advice from some 1 who has been a victim of bad surgery (not back surgery as im trying 2 avoid it!)
Good luck & God bless U on your journey, michelle
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3 Reactions@jenniferhunter
Thank You!
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1 Reaction@mkk0124
Thank You, I have done some homework and surgery is the last resort, the longer I wait the worse the damage, they All say... I have been on Norco 5mg {Hydrocodone} w/325mg Tyl for a full year now - Started these after many Injections and PT, Took 1 every 6 hrs then 2 every 6 hrs. Now 2 Every 5 hrs. Along with ice packs ...No matter what I wake in agony, scream cry for 20 minutes till the meds kick in, then I am able to move. Walking is most fun... I could go on but I need to rest.
Thanks again for your input
God Bless you!