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Post by radio on Mar 9, 2017 17:40:13 GMT -5
TENS units have no effect on my back/leg pain, so the DR discussed the implants with me today. Do any of you know anyone who currently has them, or has had these? If I opted for surgery, they would have to remove the existing rods and screws and install new hardware encompassing one, possibly two more vertebra with about 8 hours on the table. Not something I want to consider at my age.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2017 17:51:48 GMT -5
Hi Arlen
I hope u find a solution. Sorry i have nothing to add but friendship.
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Post by radio on Mar 9, 2017 18:00:49 GMT -5
Hi Arlen I hope u find a solution. Sorry i have nothing to add but friendship. Thank you Scott! It's hurry up and wait at this point
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2017 18:04:28 GMT -5
Hi Arlen I hope u find a solution. Sorry i have nothing to add but friendship. Thank you Scott! It's hurry up and wait at this point All the best. Your situation sucks buttermilk and the like button wasn't an option. X-missus is a physical therapist will ask her for opinion.
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Post by Pat on Mar 9, 2017 18:29:35 GMT -5
Oh, my. Best wishes to you! Don't know anybody in your situation.
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 9, 2017 19:53:14 GMT -5
Sorry, I can't help. I just want to add that that has to be a really tough decision. How long do you have to think about it? Did the dr offer any resources for more information? There is a site called Inspire.com that has boards for all types of medical issues. It is a good place to get person to person advice from people with experience. You might want to check it out and find the appropriate board, then use the search engine- or post your question there. I go there for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. I have found a lot of very good information and helpful advice. eta: I just went and plugged in the spinal cord thing and got a bunch of promising hits. You should sign up and check it out. www.inspire.com/search/?group_id=&query=Spinal+cord+Neurostimulator
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Post by vegasjames on Mar 9, 2017 20:18:51 GMT -5
Look in to the amino acid DL-phenylalanine (DLPA). It is a precursor for dopamine, which is what decreases pain. Takes about 2 weeks to build up but as long term effects once it kicks in. Best taken three times a day on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before meals.
If you want you can PM me with more details on what is going on and I may be able to give you more suggestions. For example is this from stenosis or disc compression.
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Post by spiceman on Mar 9, 2017 20:26:44 GMT -5
No answers from me about the surgery. That's a surgery that I have never dealt with. But.... Live for today not for tomorrow. Meaning if you wait for something better to come out to help the problem, something better may never get here.
Ask the Doc for a name of someone to talk to that has had that surgery. You will find the answer to your questions, somewhere. Never give up.
Have a good day.
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Post by radio on Mar 10, 2017 17:28:10 GMT -5
Thanks all. Dr wanted x rays of a different angle before my next visit and just got the message from the radiologist about the results. Seems the twist and force of my fall fractured the vertebra where one of the screws was implanted back in 2000. The rods and screws from that surgery pretty much immobilize my low back, so something had to give I suppose. Gonna be interesting to see what the Neurosurgeon has to say next month, but I'm betting the stimulators are now off the table.
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Erich
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2015
Posts: 411
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Post by Erich on Mar 10, 2017 22:27:37 GMT -5
Sorry, I just saw this thread. Last April I had a spinal cord stimulator (St Jude variety)w/electrodes implanted in my lower back. The electrodes go up through to my thoracic spine and everything is controlled by an Iphone - 7 different programs each with up to 26 levels of strength. I had a triple laminectomy and fusion with instrumentation at L4-L5 in Sept of 2014 due to spinal stenosis and several bad discs. The surgery worked to cure the stenosis but after 12 months or so the other bad discs started to cause too much pain. Since I've gotten the stimulator, life is much better. Rarely in any serious pain anymore - off of all pain medication as well. You say the rods and screws would need to be removed to have the stimulator implanted, for me the implant went well to the left of my spine so had no proximity to the fusion area and as mentioned the electrodes were placed up in my thoracic area. I'm glad I had the surgery! PM me if you would like to discuss the stimulator. Good luck in whatever you decide!
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Post by radio on Mar 11, 2017 9:17:32 GMT -5
Sorry, I just saw this thread. Last April I had a spinal cord stimulator (St Jude variety)w/electrodes implanted in my lower back. The electrodes go up through to my thoracic spine and everything is controlled by an Iphone - 7 different programs each with up to 26 levels of strength. I had a triple laminectomy and fusion with instrumentation at L4-L5 in Sept of 2014 due to spinal stenosis and several bad discs. The surgery worked to cure the stenosis but after 12 months or so the other bad discs started to cause too much pain. Since I've gotten the stimulator, life is much better. Rarely in any serious pain anymore - off of all pain medication as well. You say the rods and screws would need to be removed to have the stimulator implanted, for me the implant went well to the left of my spine so had no proximity to the fusion area and as mentioned the electrodes were placed up in my thoracic area. I'm glad I had the surgery! PM me if you would like to discuss the stimulator. Good luck in whatever you decide! Thanks for posting your experience with them! The hardware would not have to be removed for the stimulators. If another surgery to stabilize the now bad L3 were done, then the existing L4-L5-S1 hardware would have to be removed and new installed. Since discovering my L5 vertebra is fractured where the left screw is implanted, that opens a whole new can of worms. I see the Neurosurgeon April 3rd, so hopefully can get some answers and formulate a plan.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,687
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 11, 2017 14:54:19 GMT -5
Feel for ya' buddy!!!!!!! Had spinal decompression surgery on my back (9 hours) about 14 years ago,they removed the back bones off L3 - L4 - L5...No hardware...Took a few years to heal up,still have manageable pain,but they took the worst pain away..... A surgery that I wouldn't wish on anyone!! I had several spinal shots,none worked,refuse them anymore! Hope you find a happy medium,so you can live a comfortable life....
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