Sciatica, Leg Pain, Radiculopathy
Welcome to Spine-health’s Sciatica, Leg Pain and Radiculopathy patient community. You can also read doctor approved Sciatica and Leg Pain Articles and watch Sciatica Videos.
Sun, 11/08/2009 - 04:24
Ostrich or Scaredy Cat?
The short version-could I possibly be doing irreprable damage by refusing to act on this stuff?
Long version
I had my most recent MRI at the end of September. My GP wanted me to see a surgeon immediately-one I'd already had a bad run in with 3 years ago regarding him wanting to do surgery on me within 15 minutes of seeing me (after reading my mri report and taking a few x-rays) and me wanting to try non surgical methods first. He told me there was nothing he could do for me if I wouldn't go the surgery route, I asked about pain management, he refused.
I went on my way for awhile, but after the first year I was in major pain and nothing I did on my own helped, so I went to my GP to see if he could do something. He's been helping me with pain management-at first vicodin and skelaxin, now with vicoprophen and flexeral, which seem to help more than the first 2. He's offered percocet but that did absolutely nothing other than occasionally making me sick.
My knee doc requested a copy of the most recent mri and said I need to see PM if I won't do anything else and that the results explain the pain and problems walking/standing that I'm having. He thinks I need to have the rest of my back looked at as well since the numbness and burning I'm getting in my hands and arms and the clicky feeling in my neck might be related to my back.
So, am I being stupid by trying to bury my head in the sand because I'm afraid? Is it possible that I could do permanent damage to my back by Not having surgery?
I know the medical opinion... even if I don't want to hear it. What I'm looking for is opinions from people who have a lot worse problems than I do now... would you consider surgery, even tho' it's likely to fail? Is it possible for me to get some relief without doing something drastic? Would an epidural shot be possible if, during previous surgery they were unable to do an epidural because there wasn't enough room to get the needles in (they tried 8 times ;( ) ?
Surgery scares me for a lot of reasons, not least that I am my mother's primary caregiver...I can't just take to my bed for weeks or months, I work full time, tho' it's getting harder and harder not to miss too many days... every time I think or hear the word surgery I shut down.
I am afraid of what I'll hear if I follow up on this... but I'm also afraid that I am fast getting close to the morning where I just won't be able to get out of bed. The back and leg pain are getting worse... my walking is getting worse, it seems that the only thing I can think about lately is my pain... which makes me a pretty dull friend and family member I guess.... 
any suggestions on how to get my mind around this? how to motivate myself to actually do something....anything to move this along?
_____________
mri 9/30/09
1. lumbar levoscoliosis
2. moderate degree of discogenic disease, spondylosis and diffuse posterior disc bulges from T11-T12 through L1-L2 and a severe degree at L2-L3 and a moderate degree from L3-L4 through L5-S1.
3. At L3-L4, there is exuberant endplate osteitis secondary to chronic discovertebrall trauma and there is a markedly hypertrophied right facet joint impressing on the right lateral aspect of the thecal sac and the right L4 nerve root as it exits the thecal sac. There is a severe degree of right anterior recess stenosis and a moderate degree of right neural foraminal stenosis.
4. At L2-L3, there is a moderate degree of central canal spinal stenosis and a mild degree of right anterior recess stenosis.
5. At L1-L2, there is a right lateral HNP with surrounding osteophyte. There is a moderate defree of right anterior recess stenosis.
6. At L4-L5, there is a moderate defree of central canal spinal stenosis.
Diagnosed with epiphysitis of the vertebrae and osteochondriris (knees) at 7. Knees already determined to need replacing.
Partial tear Rotator cuff
...and a partridge in a pear tree 
User login
advertisement
New forum topics
Top Clinical Trials
Quick Find
Who's online
There are currently 5 users and 784 guests online.
I believe your reaction is normal to the idea of surgery. No one should openly want it or the are just ignorant to the possible outcomes of it but with that said you have to approach your situation with the highest chance to improve your quality of life. Yes easier said than done.
It would seem to me aleady several docs said you must have surgery. I would try and find a doc you really trust and feels has your best interest in mind. Than really listen. Most docs to not immediately go to surgery and will try all means to do it non-invasive.
I think you have to ask yourself honestly has life gotten better or worse in the last 6 mos? Do you see any signs of recovery? What are you doing to help it? Than maybe sit down with your family and see what you should do. You can not always be the martyr.
I think you need to step back, breath and really look at your situation and than make a plan of action and try your best to follow through with it.
-js