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Spinal Stenosis & Spobndylolisthesis - Surgeons vs Pain doctors

Posted by lizann45 @lizann45, Oct 30, 2022

Hi, I have gotten 2 opinions for spinal surgeons and they both are saying decompression & fusion. I am trying to avoid major surgery. I have seen 2 pain doctors. One wanted to do Vertiflex but that will not help the slippage I have. I also have osteo of my spine. The 2nd pain doctor is suggesting the Minute Man procedure (which will help the slippage) or the Mild procedure. Has anyone had luck with either one of the procedures? Surgeons always say "thumbs down" on these non invasive procedures.
thanks, Linda K.

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tony1946 | @tony1946 | May 26 12:16pm
In reply to @bebold "I believe I read about MILD. I think that's another specialty thing invented by pain doctors..." + (show)
@bebold

I believe I read about MILD. I think that's another specialty thing invented by pain doctors tgat insurance sees as too experimental to cover. The local pain clinic tells people medicare pays but find out after they pd the doctor not the ER, anesthesia, radiology etc. Always call your ibsurance compsny itself and make sure ALL of it is covered. Ekk financial despair would definitely throw mr iver the sui edge I think.

Things can get worse. Deep debt being another. Beware pie in the sky procedures by a dr who just met you and can just never see you again if it goes badly. You are stuck and they are gone on to their next victim in some cases. There is never a shortage of people in pain hoping for a miracle and unconventional drs saying they've got the cure. We still have MDs that sell snake oil.

Sorry to sound so negatI've. I'm having to stay in reality right now that I can't walk again and cant get a dr to even diagnose it? They just want to inject Somewhere, ANYWHERE! Tell me what's wrong first and why your injection has at least a 90% chance of helping.

I don't take pain meds except LDN and I'm torifol 4x/year when I need a painfree day to reset. My kidneys and liver are paying the price for years of meds. Local injections of cortisone affect kidneys, livers etc. We need to always remember its the same with anesthesia. It takes a toll on our organs too. Dialysis will make my life even harder to not want to go. Right now, wanting to live is my major fight. Thanks. I know this was hard to read. Always look at the bottom line.

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Thank you. A lot of common sense and Wisdom.
I am cancelling the mild appointment.
Tony

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tony1946 | @tony1946 | May 26 2:54pm
In reply to @jenatsky "@tony1946 Tony just wanted to point out that the longer your unstable back continues to move..." + (show)
@jenatsky

@tony1946 Tony just wanted to point out that the longer your unstable back continues to move the more damage is occurring to your spine. You most likely already have a bit of damage historically and the decision weighs on your ability to withstand the pain. I was injured in 1988, fusion stainless steel plates & screws L4-S1 w/L5 laminectomy surgery 1992. No at age 72 with spinal stenosis, chronic pain syndrome, PN all 4 limbs and OA. I walk 2 miles daily and follow my physical therapy exercise regime twice a day.

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Jenatsky thank you
Good points.
You are an excellent example of why I am seeking the decompression hemilamanotomy only without fusion.
Back surgery’s seem to have on going stories, revisions and follow up procedures. Not a lot of one and done. Back pain of some sort seems the norm.
I guess I’m thinking at 78 yo my active sports days are clearly lessening although I’ve always been a fitness gym rat type, mostly balanced between resistance and aerobics. For legs and lungs. Golf is over but more gentle skiing once or twice a year out west would be a great way to go into the sunset . I had a wonderful and exciting ski life
Just not ready to stop yet. Thanks so much for your sage insight.
Tony

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