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| I'm facing more surgery; Advice please anyone? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: 11 May 2010, 02:59 PM (2,286 Views) | |
| dalhousie | 16 Jun 2010, 05:06 PM Post #46 |
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Glad that your consultation went well & that that Mr Sutcliffe had Mr Shackleford's letter to hand. Hopefully you shouldn't have too long to wait before you get a response but I can understand it's a very tense time waiting until you do. I'm not a very patient person myself but I guess trying to keep yourself occupied is the best thing at the moment. |
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2005 Anterior fusion L1/2 with BMP & floating rib removed. 2009 ADR (activ L) L4/5. 2010 Chronic pain from Facet Joints T10-L2 with lots of muscle pain 2013 Attended Walton PM Programme: not much help. 2014 Chronic Pain - Facet Joints L4-S1 2017 Nevro SCS for thoraco-lumbar & lower lumbar facet joint pain | |
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| Alastair | 17 Jun 2010, 07:59 AM Post #47 |
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This all sounds very positive, and I've got to believe that any revision work can be done on a minimal invasive basis. Chin up Alastair
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Founder of this board 24th February 2007 Slow and Steady Wins This Race Over 23 Years experience and research into spine surgery and over 2500 surgeries discussed and recorded ADR L5/S1 Surgery with Dr Zeegers 26th July 2002 in Munich 8 facet joint ablations 28 – 8 – 12 with Dr Baranidharan and Jake Timothy in Leeds Diagnosed Forestiers disease Your Best Asset Is Your Health I live in West Yorkshire aged 81 now Knowledge is power | |
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| Lynda | 17 Jun 2010, 08:18 AM Post #48 |
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Hi Mrs R I hope you hear from Mr Sutcliffe soon and are able to confirm or rule out his theories, discover the cause of your continuing pain, and, more importantly, find a way to improve it. Best wishes Lynda |
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May 2008 onwards - Lumbar facet injections - First post-op ones four years post surgery, have lost count of the number I've had since then but they do help. Pre-op they didn't make much difference- Mr Shackleford, Warrington Feb 2008 - Cervical TDR, (Activ C's) C5/6 & C6/7- Mr Shackleford, Warrington May 2006 - Craniotomy and resection frontal lobe brain tumour - The Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery Feb 2004 - Lumbar TDR, (ProDisc's) L4/5 & L5/S1 - Mr Shackleford, Warrington | |
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| Gilly | 18 Jun 2010, 12:00 AM Post #49 |
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Sending you all my very best wishes too, Mrs R and so sorry that you are having such a terrible time. Let's hope that some of Mr Sutcliffe's answers corroborate what Mr Shackleford has said and that at least your mind can be settled for the time being, and then a good plan can be made for your future treatment. Lots of Love Gilly xxx |
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1990 MRI - disc protrusions levels 4/5 - fusion offered but declined due to poor prognosis. 2007 MRI - disc protrusions Level 4/5 level5/S1 2010 2 level lumbar ADR Mr Ian Shackleford Warrington General 2010 MRI - disc protrusions at levels C4/5 C5/6 2011 27 June 2 level Cervical ADR Mr S at Spire (on NHS) | |
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| Mrs R | 22 Jun 2010, 07:41 PM Post #50 |
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I'm still waiting to hear Mr Sutcliffe's thoughts. I'm hoping to hear from him tomorrow. Today I had my appointment with Dr Al Kaisy at London Bridge. The reflexes in my ankles have disappeared, I always had them before. Dr looked very serious and immediately started talking about spinal cord stimulators in great detail. I dissolved into tears at this point and didn't really recover. Anyway it turns out that Dr Al Kaisy is in charge of the pain clinic at Guys and St Thomas and he says I should be treated there (my GP has recently sent a referral) as the treatment will be very expensive privately and I am not insured for my back problems. But I have got to see Mr Lam again first and make a decision about the surgery, if I don't want it, the pain team will treat me. |
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2004-05 After 12 yrs of serious competitive sport, degeneration and tears L5/S1 and L4/5. 6 wks off work and went back p/t only. Told too young for surgery at 31 and that it probably won't help 2005-09 Dorsal root ganglion/steroid injections, amitriptyline, physio, osteopath, pilates and swimming 4 times per wk, back to working f/t 2009 Pain worse, saw Mr Lam at Guys. MRI: further degeneration in both discs and tear in L4/5. Discogram May 2009 14 Jan 2010 ADR L4/5, fusion L5/S1 by Mr Lam | |
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| ajj1001 | 22 Jun 2010, 09:01 PM Post #51 |
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Sorry it was so stressful, hope you hear from Mr Sutcliffe soon
At least its good news you won't have to pay for pain management treatment.if thats the route you chose. |
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Std Meds Gabapentin, MR Tramadol, Paracetemol, Laxatives 2011 Sept PLIF L4 - S1 2010 May Discogram L2/L3 & L3/L4 both looking ok. 2009 May PLG Fusion L5/S1 Charite in situ April Dismissed 2008 Caudal Epidural failed to work 2007 Deterioration L5/S1 Facet arthritis, Loss of disc height. 2004 Returned to Work 2002 Aug - physio March 2 level ADR Charite L4/5, L5/S1 2000 Broadbased disc prolapses L4/5, L5/S1 | |
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| Lynda | 23 Jun 2010, 02:42 PM Post #52 |
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Mr R, I so feel for you as you seek the cause of your continuing pain; you are putting all the pieces together and, in an effort to be positive, there are options to help you...difficult to choose options but there are options. Absent ankle reflexes can indicate L5 nerve compression and is something to discuss with the surgeons you are seeing. Would a spinal cord stimulator be the answer? I don't know. Would fusing your facets? I don't know. Would a more invasive decompression surgery? Hopefully. What about the theories of a possible fracture or the L3/4 involvement? Perhaps this needs further investigation. So many questions without answers. Thankfully you are en route to finding the answers, albeit a painful experience, financially as well as physically. How are you? Are you getting any sleep or is the pain still bad? Next week you see Mr Lam, you will hopefully have had Mr Surcliffes recommendations and will be able to discuus all options with Mr Lam and decide which way to proceed. Its got to be tough for you but keep hopeful that at the end of all this you will be better. Thinking of you, hang in there. (Doesn't help I know) Lynda xx |
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May 2008 onwards - Lumbar facet injections - First post-op ones four years post surgery, have lost count of the number I've had since then but they do help. Pre-op they didn't make much difference- Mr Shackleford, Warrington Feb 2008 - Cervical TDR, (Activ C's) C5/6 & C6/7- Mr Shackleford, Warrington May 2006 - Craniotomy and resection frontal lobe brain tumour - The Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery Feb 2004 - Lumbar TDR, (ProDisc's) L4/5 & L5/S1 - Mr Shackleford, Warrington | |
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| Gilly | 24 Jun 2010, 12:31 PM Post #53 |
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So sorry to hear of even more problems, I do so hope Mr Sutcliffe comes up with something positive for you, Mrs R. Gilly xx |
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1990 MRI - disc protrusions levels 4/5 - fusion offered but declined due to poor prognosis. 2007 MRI - disc protrusions Level 4/5 level5/S1 2010 2 level lumbar ADR Mr Ian Shackleford Warrington General 2010 MRI - disc protrusions at levels C4/5 C5/6 2011 27 June 2 level Cervical ADR Mr S at Spire (on NHS) | |
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| Mrs R | 3 Aug 2010, 05:25 PM Post #54 |
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Well folks I now have a surgery date booked at the end of September for facet joint screws at L5, posterior fusion, with Mr Lam. Still not certain whether to go ahead as the pain consultants I have seen are very negative about more surgery and I have a diagnosis of complex chronic pain syndrome from them. I have truly been through hell in the past few months and almost can't really believe I am contemplating going under the knife again, but there we go. I had facet joint blocks at L5 last week and they did decrease the pain for as long as the local anaesthetic lasted, which is encouraging. I also had x rays today done in flexion and extension and Mr Lam could tell that there is a small amount of movement at the facet joints. The facet blocks were done by a pain consultant whom Mr Sutcliffe referred me to, called Dr Mark Alexander Williams at Chelmsford Medical Centre. I was really impressed with Dr Alexander Williams, he listened to me thoroughly and explained everything fully and in great detail. He also changed my medication from Gabapentin to Pregabalin when other doctors I've seen said it wasn't worth bothering as they are the same thing. Well they're not exactly the same and I feel much better on Pregabalin, much less tired and doped up. If anyone needs a pain consultant in the Essex area I would definitely recommend Dr Alexander Williams, he is the best I have come across and I have tried a few. I hope that helps somebody. |
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2004-05 After 12 yrs of serious competitive sport, degeneration and tears L5/S1 and L4/5. 6 wks off work and went back p/t only. Told too young for surgery at 31 and that it probably won't help 2005-09 Dorsal root ganglion/steroid injections, amitriptyline, physio, osteopath, pilates and swimming 4 times per wk, back to working f/t 2009 Pain worse, saw Mr Lam at Guys. MRI: further degeneration in both discs and tear in L4/5. Discogram May 2009 14 Jan 2010 ADR L4/5, fusion L5/S1 by Mr Lam | |
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| Lynda | 3 Aug 2010, 07:21 PM Post #55 |
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Thanks for the update Mrs R, I've been wondering how you were. I am glad you have come to a decision regarding your future. I hope facet screws will do the job...... stop the movement and reduce your pain. I can understand your indecisivness, especially if the pain management docs have put doubt in your mind but its surely got to be worth trying. Wishing you the best possible outcome Lynda xxx |
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May 2008 onwards - Lumbar facet injections - First post-op ones four years post surgery, have lost count of the number I've had since then but they do help. Pre-op they didn't make much difference- Mr Shackleford, Warrington Feb 2008 - Cervical TDR, (Activ C's) C5/6 & C6/7- Mr Shackleford, Warrington May 2006 - Craniotomy and resection frontal lobe brain tumour - The Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery Feb 2004 - Lumbar TDR, (ProDisc's) L4/5 & L5/S1 - Mr Shackleford, Warrington | |
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| Gilly | 4 Aug 2010, 07:26 PM Post #56 |
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What an awful dilemma for you, it must be so difficult to come to a decision but I also think it must be worth a try and then you know you have tried it though I know it is such a lot to go through. Hope you are able to get some pain relief with this and it may be an end to such an awful time for you. I do so feel for you as we had our ops around the same time and you should be making progress like me instead of going the opposite way. Thinking of you, Gilly xx |
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1990 MRI - disc protrusions levels 4/5 - fusion offered but declined due to poor prognosis. 2007 MRI - disc protrusions Level 4/5 level5/S1 2010 2 level lumbar ADR Mr Ian Shackleford Warrington General 2010 MRI - disc protrusions at levels C4/5 C5/6 2011 27 June 2 level Cervical ADR Mr S at Spire (on NHS) | |
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| Mrs R | 5 Aug 2010, 06:02 PM Post #57 |
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Thanks Gilly and Lynda. Stop press I may be having facet joint denervation first in case that can give me some benefit. Pain consultant has a serious point when he says it is worth trying first as so much less risky than surgery, and I had some pain relief though not total from facet joint medial branch blocks which indicates it is worth trying. It is not without its own risks however. What is confusing to the doctors is that people with facet joint problems I am told usually have back pain, and I have no back pain whatsoever. My back has never felt better! All the pain is in my legs, began as classic sciatic pain and has spread everywhere else in my legs and feet which they say is complex chronic pain. It's so difficult to know what to do and I'm so tired of all this :angry: |
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2004-05 After 12 yrs of serious competitive sport, degeneration and tears L5/S1 and L4/5. 6 wks off work and went back p/t only. Told too young for surgery at 31 and that it probably won't help 2005-09 Dorsal root ganglion/steroid injections, amitriptyline, physio, osteopath, pilates and swimming 4 times per wk, back to working f/t 2009 Pain worse, saw Mr Lam at Guys. MRI: further degeneration in both discs and tear in L4/5. Discogram May 2009 14 Jan 2010 ADR L4/5, fusion L5/S1 by Mr Lam | |
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| ajj1001 | 5 Aug 2010, 09:18 PM Post #58 |
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That sounds like a really good idea, at least you will have tried everything as another op is a huge thing to undertake.
I had badly deteriorated facets on the level that I had fused and had very little back pain, mine has always been buttock/thigh/leg pain. People look very confused when you say you have a bad back but no back pain. |
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Std Meds Gabapentin, MR Tramadol, Paracetemol, Laxatives 2011 Sept PLIF L4 - S1 2010 May Discogram L2/L3 & L3/L4 both looking ok. 2009 May PLG Fusion L5/S1 Charite in situ April Dismissed 2008 Caudal Epidural failed to work 2007 Deterioration L5/S1 Facet arthritis, Loss of disc height. 2004 Returned to Work 2002 Aug - physio March 2 level ADR Charite L4/5, L5/S1 2000 Broadbased disc prolapses L4/5, L5/S1 | |
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| Mrs R | 6 Aug 2010, 09:07 AM Post #59 |
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That's interesting to know Alison thanks. On the MRI my facet joints look like there's some fluid in them which is apparantly a sign of imflammation, but they supposedly don't look dire. Mr Lam thinks it is just the fact that they are moving that is causing nerve irritation. I wish there was some way of really finding out but there isn't. It's odd to be in so much pain like this, as you would never know from looking at me. My movement is totally unrestricted and I look completely fine. But feels like all the nerves in my legs are screaming. |
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2004-05 After 12 yrs of serious competitive sport, degeneration and tears L5/S1 and L4/5. 6 wks off work and went back p/t only. Told too young for surgery at 31 and that it probably won't help 2005-09 Dorsal root ganglion/steroid injections, amitriptyline, physio, osteopath, pilates and swimming 4 times per wk, back to working f/t 2009 Pain worse, saw Mr Lam at Guys. MRI: further degeneration in both discs and tear in L4/5. Discogram May 2009 14 Jan 2010 ADR L4/5, fusion L5/S1 by Mr Lam | |
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| Lynda | 6 Aug 2010, 09:44 AM Post #60 |
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Mrs R Just wondered if you are taking anti-inflammatories? If not they may be worth considering especially as the mri detected signs of inflammation. I find Voltarol very effective, which I know you have tried in the past, if are you are not currently taking it may be helpful. Nerve pain truly is horrible and I'm sorry you are suffering like this. Do you have a date for the denervation? I'll be very interested to see how yu get on as it is something I've been offered but as the facet blocks are very helpful I'm holding off for now. Laura has recently had benefit from the procedure. Regards Lynda
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May 2008 onwards - Lumbar facet injections - First post-op ones four years post surgery, have lost count of the number I've had since then but they do help. Pre-op they didn't make much difference- Mr Shackleford, Warrington Feb 2008 - Cervical TDR, (Activ C's) C5/6 & C6/7- Mr Shackleford, Warrington May 2006 - Craniotomy and resection frontal lobe brain tumour - The Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery Feb 2004 - Lumbar TDR, (ProDisc's) L4/5 & L5/S1 - Mr Shackleford, Warrington | |
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