Chronic Pain
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Fri, 11/06/2009 - 07:50
THE MRI SCAN in 24 hours
hi folks
sorry i have not been on for a while but i have been out of my mind with worry ,,its not so much the scan ..but the results ..and because my wife will be away when i get my results and i don't have anyone to go with this is going to be a scary time for me ..{i don't do well on my own at the best of times } i am a bit agoraphobic since the last operation not only have i got abit institutionalised and don't like leaving my home i think that this scan is going to be bad news ,,i want to take this opportunity to thank all the kind people that still PM me to ask how i am ..thanks for that as it it helps to know that there are others that do care ..like most people with chronic pain i don't have any friend /work friends have long gone and i have no social life due to illness ..so being contacted by my friends on here is very kind as i know that you are all going through hell yourselves.anyway not long now
tony x
_____________
first operation {1996} laminectomy L4/L5 .second operation [2007] bilateral discectomy S1 and redo or L4/L5 laminectomy to relive scar tissue.[2009] facet joint hypertrophy at L3/L4/L5 and S1 ./.i was diagnosed with TOS in 2005 {i have the extra rib and the pain is mainly down my right arm and hand as yet no surgery for the TOS {i hope that i never have to have surgery on it!}i have been in pain for many years now .i take oxycontin and oxynorm for pain control and also use the ACTICARE {TENS} {NEW after a recent trip to the surgeons 2009 i was told that there could be no more surgery on my back due to the extent of degeneration and the only possibly operation maybe ADR i am waiting for a fresh MRI scan SCS and morphine pumps are also out of the equation as they would not be of any use to my medical problems and would cause even more problems contact me on skype under straker1999 ,.i am married to my lovely red head kath [the nurse }for nearly as many years as i have been in pain... !{}
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Please come to your friends here with your results! We are here for you Tony. You already know that your back is a mess, so prepare for the bad news that you know will come. You know it's gonna be ugly! My MRI's are ALWAYS bad news too, I really feel for you friend. Maybe your results will open a door for the Dr. to find a way to help you! I'm praying for you Tony.
Faith M
L4/5 discectomy 11/98,disc decompression surgery 10/01 (failed),C5/6 fusion 2/02,L4/5&L5/S1 discectomy 4/02,C6/7 fusion 4/04, L4/5 discectomy 4/05(failed)diagnosed with permanent nerve damage,2 level lumbar fusion 1/08,C4/5 fusion 1/09 and too many epidurhal/ nerve blocks to count. Surgeon said I have 2 more fusions in my future.
Dear Tony,
We will absolutely be here for you and we are anxious to hear your MRI results.
You have been waiting for this time to come and it's almost here. Big relief... the waiting part is just about over.
Hang tight... and take lots of deep breaths.
You'll be in my thoughts, Tony.
Tammy
11/08: Fell 8 feet from daughter's playhouse. Suffered multiple compression fractures, T2 through T10. Unstable dislocation fractures to T11-T12. Surgeon performed posterior thoracolumbar wire fixation with hardware fusion (pedicle screws, rods and harvested bone grafting). Confined to TLSO brace for 3 1/2 months. No BLT or above the head reaching until spinal re-evaluation in 2010.
Prescribed: Oxycontin, Percocet and Lyrica and a host of other medications. Self-help measures: Daily heating treatments with Platinum Infrared heating pad, lots of stretching, daily walks, low impact dance exercises and I have created my own anti-inflammatory diet.
I am 42 years old and married to my "hunka hunka burnin' love" hubby Mike (51). We have three awesome kids... Nikki (9), Zach (15) and Michael (21).
I sent you a PM.
You have many friends here, let us know how things go for you. Its a small world with the internet and even though you are in the UK and I am in the US I am here for you for support....its a small world after all...
Lisa
Please keep us informed, Use us since your wife will not be around.
Have you talked to your docs, or a psychiatrist about some help with the agoraphobia? Man, trust me, there is no shame in crying uncle! Been there still do that. My shrink is without a doubt more on top of me being functional than my other docs.
Not sure how it works over there, have you requested a sedative type med for the MRI? Over here all you got to do is ask and they give you valium. It makes all the difference in the world for me, being in that stupid noisy tube..
I know you're worried about the results, remember, the condition is there, no matter whether we know about it or not. It is hard to hear, My wife and both freaked when we saw my collarbone xrays at 2 weeks post accident, it was like 4 pieces and all out of alignment. Breath in through the nose and out through the mouth, take it one minute at a time.
I know you like Pink Floyd, headphones and crank it up when you get worried. I saw a video of a knock off band at Albert hall, on public TV over here, it is AWESOME! They have the pig with glowing red eyes and everything. I so want to get my hands on that video! I have 7.1 surround setup in my livingroom, killer...I had forgotten all about that video, got to go look for it NOW!
Have you ever heard KORN do The wall? It has a real hard edge to it. I know it is blasphemy, but I kind of prefer it to Floyds..Still the original is the original!
Man I wish I could come help you.
"Make a life plan, if you don't, you'll end up following someone elses"
NOTICE: This guy ain't no doctor. Please consult a real DOCTOR before doing anything that may hurt yourself or others! All advice is intended to relate this guys thoughts on the matter only. These thoughts may be under the influence of meds of various natures! Please be careful!
Medtronic SCS Placed May 4, 2009. Cervical, for chronic right shoulder, upper arm pain.
Take some deep breaths during the MRI. We're all wishing you well and we're here for you. Take care and sending you healing thoughts. Charry
My 2nd MRI showed no herniated disc and no stenosis. Mild loss of signal intensity in intervertebral discs L1-S1 and mild loss of height from L1-L4. Mild DDD throughout the lumber spine. Still have back pain and some leg tingling, numbness though. 3rd opinion Neurosurgeon Oct. 6, 2009.
1st report last year Feb. 2008.
L5-S1 herniated disc with annular tear with disc material in contact with L5 exiting nerve, arthropy facet joints L4-L5. 5 Epidurals. Facet joint injections and 64 trigger point injections. Off work 21 months due to back and leg pain. Not a surgical candidate x 2 Ortho opinions. (history C5-7 osteoarthritis and DDD)
Infrared Platinum heating pad 4x/day and while sitting.
MS Contin 120mg, Cymbalta 60mg, lasix 20mg, Diovan for B/P . oxazepam 30mg for sleep. Excercise ball, recumbent stationary bicycle 30 mins. day, posture-pump for lower back. Tried PT, accupuncture, traction. Pool therapy Oct. 27/2009
http://www.livestrong.com/article/14700-self-affirmations/
Charry
I know this is very scary, but we're here for you and please let us know what the MRI finds.
I'm sorry your wife won't be with you, but we're here for you.
Good luck with the MRI and I'm saying a prayer that it goes well and the results aren't as bad as you're afraid they will be.
Cath
October 21, 2008 - ACDF, 3-level (C4/5, 5/6 6/7), with hardware and eight screws. C4/5 and 5/6 fused, still movement at C6/7.
February 2009 - Lower back pain and sciatic pain.
January 6, 2010 - Scheduled for TLIF at L4/5.
----------------------------
Each forward step we take we leave some phantom of ourselves behind. ~John Lancaster Spalding
----------------------------
I am in no way affiliated with the medical profession. Any recommendations I make are based on my personal experiences only, so do not take my comments as medical rules.
Oh boy, did that bring back memories! I was in 5th grade when the Wall was released. Loved it, but really had no clue what it all meant until I was a bit older, LOL.
Music is wonderful to calm us, or keep our thoughts from making us crazy. So, crank it up and get some solace from your music. We are all here for you Tony.
Lisa
LETS YOU BRING A CD so dark side of the moon will be playing and my wonderful doctor has given me a large amount of diazepam to take the edge off the scan .so i should be ok and a BIG thanks to all the support me
tony x
first operation {1996} laminectomy L4/L5 .second operation [2007] bilateral discectomy S1 and redo or L4/L5 laminectomy to relive scar tissue.[2009] facet joint hypertrophy at L3/L4/L5 and S1 ./.i was diagnosed with TOS in 2005 {i have the extra rib and the pain is mainly down my right arm and hand as yet no surgery for the TOS {i hope that i never have to have surgery on it!}i have been in pain for many years now .i take oxycontin and oxynorm for pain control and also use the ACTICARE {TENS} {NEW after a recent trip to the surgeons 2009 i was told that there could be no more surgery on my back due to the extent of degeneration and the only possibly operation maybe ADR i am waiting for a fresh MRI scan SCS and morphine pumps are also out of the equation as they would not be of any use to my medical problems and would cause even more problems contact me on skype under straker1999 ,.i am married to my lovely red head kath [the nurse }for nearly as many years as i have been in pain... !{}
be thinking of you. I bet that most of us can relate to the anti social lifestyle and how much not working makes it very difficult to even have people to talk to other than our family. I know that I sure can. Sounds like you are well set up to be nice and relaxed during the scan. Please do let us know the results as soon as you are able. Good luck!
I am in no way associated with the medical field. Anything that I post comes from personal experience only.
DDD, Facet Arthropathy, DJD,Collapsed Disc, Sleep Apnea
PT, Epidurals, Facet Blocks,Medial Branch Block, Rhizotomy,Discogram,Annular Tare L3/L4 Endoscopic MicroD and PLDD,
Methadone, Percocet, Baclofen, Welbutrin
Good luck Tony, and you have my e-mail, if you need to talk!! Kep us posted on how everything goes!!!
Kelly
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anterior Foraminotomy in April 09 for:
stenosis C4/C5, protruding disc at C5/C6 with osteophyte complex, herniated disc at C6/C7
OA in neck, hip, knees
PTSD and Anxiety Disorder
**A Proud Canadian Soldier**
BUT NOT A DOCTOR!!! My thoughts are just that... my thoughts based solely on my experiences, so take them for what they're worth (and sometimes they may not be worth much)
Good luck with the MRI, Tony. You know we are all here for you whenever you need us. Glad to hear the radiologist will be playing some Floyd for you while you're having the scan - I always find David Gilmour's guitar playing soothing! Let us know how it goes.
Severe lumbar stenosis, lumbosacral spondylosis, myelopathy, facet arthropathy, several herniated and bulging discs with nerve compression, bone spurs, polyneuropathy and radiculopathy. Degeneration throughout lumbar spine, especially L3/4/5-S1, with severe collapse at L5-S1. Lumbar laminectomy in 1995, currently in pain management and considering further surgery.
Pink Floyd, The Wall brings back memories. The Gentleman whose voice says "If you don't eat your meat you can't have any pudding tonight" was actually a friend of my Dad's. I was a kid then, so of course I didn't believe him until he proved it by introducing an older British man who did the voice for us, along with autographed album jackets. I had my 15 minutes of fame in high school, how cool was that. Boy, do I feel old. You're probably shaking your head wondering what the hell is she talking about? Took your mind off it for a moment, right?
We are all here for you, my friend. And I understand the feeling of not belonging anywhere anymore since I had to leave work last year. Thank God for this site, I feel like I am making a whole new group of friends. I am usually not a computer person, but I'll be checking every day to see how you are doing. Hang in there and I'm sure your wife will be there in spirit with you.
Take care,
Donna
it was a large scanner and they let me go in feet first so with my diazepam it was not too bad ..the worst bit is waiting 3 weeks for the results ..until then i am in limbo
thanks again for all your support
tonyx
first operation {1996} laminectomy L4/L5 .second operation [2007] bilateral discectomy S1 and redo or L4/L5 laminectomy to relive scar tissue.[2009] facet joint hypertrophy at L3/L4/L5 and S1 ./.i was diagnosed with TOS in 2005 {i have the extra rib and the pain is mainly down my right arm and hand as yet no surgery for the TOS {i hope that i never have to have surgery on it!}i have been in pain for many years now .i take oxycontin and oxynorm for pain control and also use the ACTICARE {TENS} {NEW after a recent trip to the surgeons 2009 i was told that there could be no more surgery on my back due to the extent of degeneration and the only possibly operation maybe ADR i am waiting for a fresh MRI scan SCS and morphine pumps are also out of the equation as they would not be of any use to my medical problems and would cause even more problems contact me on skype under straker1999 ,.i am married to my lovely red head kath [the nurse }for nearly as many years as i have been in pain... !{}
Tony, I know you are going through an extremely rough time physically and emotionally. I think of you several times a week and always offer a pray for strength & healing in all areas of you life for you ♥
Ms. Humpty Dumpty Took a great fall and all the Drs and surgeons could not put her back together again.
After my fall I started to fall apart. L1-L2-L3-L4 - S1 & S2 gone. ( full herniation )Spinal stenosis, spinal arthritis, degenerative disk, scoliosis.
The spacers in your back are gone/going, spinal nerve damage.
Spinal spurs. Both knee caps & both hips have degenerative bone disease, arthritis and bone spurs.
No surgeries as Drs. don't think it will help and may make things worse.
Age 47 - Here to find & offer support.
and just as its finishing the radiographer came out {she did not even help me off the 8l0047 thing so i was forced to struggle off it on my own ..but the biggest
p1553r was when i asked her ...well what did you see?? she just gave me that blank look ..why do they do that //she has just seen the inner workings of my back and has seen enough to give an educated response but no not a 8l00dy
word ..so i now have 20 days to wait ..and i not do waiting very well ..and she would not do me a copy nor would she send a copy of the radiographers report to my home or doctors ..my doctor will get a brief note giving him the main points ...its madness. i was treated well by the student nurse {a young Scottish lad} the the battle ship the dealt with me showed no mercy !
tony x
first operation {1996} laminectomy L4/L5 .second operation [2007] bilateral discectomy S1 and redo or L4/L5 laminectomy to relive scar tissue.[2009] facet joint hypertrophy at L3/L4/L5 and S1 ./.i was diagnosed with TOS in 2005 {i have the extra rib and the pain is mainly down my right arm and hand as yet no surgery for the TOS {i hope that i never have to have surgery on it!}i have been in pain for many years now .i take oxycontin and oxynorm for pain control and also use the ACTICARE {TENS} {NEW after a recent trip to the surgeons 2009 i was told that there could be no more surgery on my back due to the extent of degeneration and the only possibly operation maybe ADR i am waiting for a fresh MRI scan SCS and morphine pumps are also out of the equation as they would not be of any use to my medical problems and would cause even more problems contact me on skype under straker1999 ,.i am married to my lovely red head kath [the nurse }for nearly as many years as i have been in pain... !{}
I also was one that could never wait for my results. My appointment for follow-up after MRI was always too far away. I would call the hospital and ask for a copy after about a week. I was then able to get it. I hope the news on your MRI isnt bad news and you finally can get the much deserved help.
Good luck
Susan
what you are saying about how the tech could have told you something but they are not allowed. The radiologist is the only one that is supposed to read it and give results. I have had a few techs that would at least indicate how bad it was but really they were not supposed to. 3 weeks seems like an awful long time though. That would drive me nuts.
I am in no way associated with the medical field. Anything that I post comes from personal experience only.
DDD, Facet Arthropathy, DJD,Collapsed Disc, Sleep Apnea
PT, Epidurals, Facet Blocks,Medial Branch Block, Rhizotomy,Discogram,Annular Tare L3/L4 Endoscopic MicroD and PLDD,
Methadone, Percocet, Baclofen, Welbutrin
Hang Tight straker. It's tough but hopefully the time will go by fast for you since the holidays are upon us. Take care
-laminectomy L4-5 6/2006
-MRI-7/16/2008
-disc desiccation @ L3-4 through L5-S1
-L4-5 broad-based central subligamentous disc protrusion
-L5-S1 small central subligamentous disc protrusion causing
slight effacement of the ventral aspect of the thecal sac
-disc desiccation and posterior element degenerative changes
-loads of pain, left leg weak and very painful and gives out(so far I have not fallen)
-currently in PT
-under care of very good neuro for PM since 2003
I'm glad you made it through the MRI ok. It seems once we become trapped inside due to our pain it's scary to leave the comfort of our home due to the possibility of increased pain and what if we have a flare up? I'm glad they gave you something to relax and I love that they let you bring your own CD. I listened to Green Day thru my last MRI. I can't imagine waiting 3wks for the results. Things are so slow over there when it comes to medical stuff. The place I go gives you a disk of your MRI and you get the written report in a couple of days if you want it.
Keep us posted on the results and I hope this trip to get your MRI didn't set your pain level higher than usual.
God Bless All My Spiney Friends!
Michele
I am in no way a medical professional and my posts are based on my own personal experience and/or opinions.
*7/1/08 L5-S1 anterior discectomy and fusion with interbody carbon fiber spacers, anterior plate and cancellous screws
*3/24/09 diagnosed by new neurosurgeon with pseudoarthrosis (failed fusion) and hardware failure (2 screws have stress fractures). Got info from doc regarding SCS and he's advised me to do some research on it.
*3/28/09 started bone growth stimulator 4hrs/day for 9 months
*6/2009 received tens unit and use frequently, new MRI w/ and w/o contrast and bone density test (was told everything was ok with both tests)
*See pain mgmt doc once a month
*ESI scheduled for 12/7/09
*Current meds: MsContinER 30mg 2x's day, Zanaflex 4mg 4x's day, Norco 7.5/325 for break thru 1-3/day, buspiron 75mg 2x's day, Cymbalta 60mgs, Klonopin .5mgs before bed, daily vitamin.
Sorry to hear that, Tony. It's an unfortunate attitude for a doctor. I know you are supposed to wait for the next appointment with your specialist to discuss the MRI in detail, but she could have at least said something to you. When I had my scan last year, the radiologist was so concerned by what she saw that she called the neurologist down to look at it immediately, and they spent a good 15-20 minutes discussing it with me, immediately after the scan. It's a pity doctors everywhere aren't as considerate. Sometimes they just don't seem to have a clue what we are going through.
Severe lumbar stenosis, lumbosacral spondylosis, myelopathy, facet arthropathy, several herniated and bulging discs with nerve compression, bone spurs, polyneuropathy and radiculopathy. Degeneration throughout lumbar spine, especially L3/4/5-S1, with severe collapse at L5-S1. Lumbar laminectomy in 1995, currently in pain management and considering further surgery.
it means a lot to me that you all genuinely care .the last tech at the last MRI was nice she took me in the room and took me through the scan .so i don't see why this jobsworth could not have done the same thing .any way its the 26 at 3 pm i see the consultant {he is not the ADR consultant } he is a normal neurosurgeon} the consultant i want to see is in a different hospital and i don't get to see him until next year
tony x
first operation {1996} laminectomy L4/L5 .second operation [2007] bilateral discectomy S1 and redo or L4/L5 laminectomy to relive scar tissue.[2009] facet joint hypertrophy at L3/L4/L5 and S1 ./.i was diagnosed with TOS in 2005 {i have the extra rib and the pain is mainly down my right arm and hand as yet no surgery for the TOS {i hope that i never have to have surgery on it!}i have been in pain for many years now .i take oxycontin and oxynorm for pain control and also use the ACTICARE {TENS} {NEW after a recent trip to the surgeons 2009 i was told that there could be no more surgery on my back due to the extent of degeneration and the only possibly operation maybe ADR i am waiting for a fresh MRI scan SCS and morphine pumps are also out of the equation as they would not be of any use to my medical problems and would cause even more problems contact me on skype under straker1999 ,.i am married to my lovely red head kath [the nurse }for nearly as many years as i have been in pain... !{}
Thinking of you and still praying for you Tony! I hope the next 3 weeks go quickly for you. If only we could speed up time when we need to! Hang in there Tony, only time will tell...
Faith M
L4/5 discectomy 11/98,disc decompression surgery 10/01 (failed),C5/6 fusion 2/02,L4/5&L5/S1 discectomy 4/02,C6/7 fusion 4/04, L4/5 discectomy 4/05(failed)diagnosed with permanent nerve damage,2 level lumbar fusion 1/08,C4/5 fusion 1/09 and too many epidurhal/ nerve blocks to count. Surgeon said I have 2 more fusions in my future.
Tony,
I've been wondering how you're doing but haven't been on the site much the last week or two. Just saw this thread and have been getting caught up.
You're halfway there. The scan may have scared you the most but waiting for the results is probably turning out to be more stressful. I'll be looking for your report on what they find. Whatever it is, you have lots of friends here pulling for you--but you already knew that!