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1. 

   HealthyBack
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   Annette

   Apr 24, 2010 - 5:55PM

   Quote Reply
   Laminectomy

   Has anyone had a laminectomy,my doctor states that it will help with my pain and enable me to walk normally again. I am in a lot of pain and now having a hard time using the bathroom.

   Please respond, Thanks
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   Ann

   May 4, 2010 - 3:45PM

   Quote Reply
   Re: Laminectomy

   Hi Annette,

   I did not have to have back surgery in the end. so I cannot give you any personal experience on that. Hopefully others may read this who can.

   Did your Doctor/specialist say that it is essential/urgent that you have surgery or ?

   What other treatments have you tried?

   If considering surgery that you ask detailed questions about it. If you havent asked these may be useful to have answers to

   What is the prognosis if i do not have surgery?

   What happens if the surgery doesn't work?

   Could I be worse off/more pain after the surgery?

   What are the short and long term risks/ consequences?

   How long will I be in recovery afterwards?

   Will I need to do any maintenance? If so what?

   What would you consider a successful outcome from this surgery for me?

   Are there any less invasive treatments I could try?Or do I need the surgery now?

   Take care and do your research/ask questions
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   Jina

   May 29, 2010 - 12:49PM

   Quote Reply
   Re: Laminectomy

   I read your post about having a lamenectomy and would like to respond. I required a lamenectomy, along with vertebrae fusion due to bulging disks and spinal stenosis (for the lamenctomy - narrowing of the spine.) My result is not typical, because the fusion has not healed in 9 months, but the pain I went in for is gone. So, consequently, I'm left with more severe pain, but from the two surgeons and orthopedic specialist I've seen point of view, it is because of the fusion, not the lamenectomy. That part of the surgery was successful. So, if you have no complicating issues and only need the lamenectomy, I would say, yes, ask all the right questions (as the other post I read under yours suggested) and if your pain is so severe and nothing else has helped, then move forward.

   Whatever you decide, I wish you well.

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   Linda

   Jun 7, 2010 - 3:26PM

   Quote Reply
   Re: Laminectomy

   Hi Annette

   Having had this and two other procedures done in one surgery session, 6 months in back brace during after- surgery recuperation, 8 weeks 'more' of rehab, surgery was a "success"!
   Surgery: August 2004
   Ortho Release: March 2005
   Results: FABULOUS PAIN RELIEF (personal experience)
   Surgery went "south" (bad bad return plus more problems): February 2006

   I experienced excruciating, debilitating, and "permanent" pain one morning when I woke up. Took me almost a year through "traditional" medicine, rehab, narcotics just to get to a place where I could walk (with walkers, canes, wheelchairs, etc.).

   Up to date? Pray that Healthy Back Institute is the Final Answer to MY problems even AFTER surgery!
   If this works - wish I had found this 25 years ago!!!! AND Pray this program/s work for EVERYONE who "clicks" on the website!

   Special prayer to you in making YOUR best decision!

   Sincerely
   Linda
   Email Lepecp@msn.com Lepecp@aol.com Lepecp53@yahoo.com
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   Annette Sutton

   Jun 7, 2010 - 3:32PM

   Quote Reply
   Re: Laminectomy

   Hi Linda,

   Thank you for responding to my post. I don't know when or if I am going to have the surgery. I am out on Workers comp. and they have to approve it, I got a call today from my orthro. and the comp. doctor is reviewing my case.

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   Linda

   Jun 7, 2010 - 9:37PM

   Quote Reply
   Re: Laminectomy

   Annette,

   My neighbor is going through the same thing. His ortho surgeon REALLY doesn't want to do surgery - so NOW WC has to approve. Surgeon doesn't want to do because he is too young (what happens to a young man with a wife and 4 children do if it goes "south" like mine and MANY others did?). Young family. NO insurance.
   If my neighbor says he doesn't want surgery "right now", WC will settle case now and he's s*($@&&^d for ANY compensation now or ever. It's a scary decision to have to make JUST because they NEED help with medical and living expenses that if WC 'denies claim', they may have to pay it all back? Or what IF he really doesn't need the surgery and gets the surgery done JUST for compensation approval?

   I just got the book, and my free bottle of "Heal-n-Sooth. I updated my credit card info for my first "paid for" refill!!! I definitely feel TOTAL body pain relief, mental capacities improving, using LESS O2, WHOLE LOT LESS sleeping meds, some expensive suppliments replaced , LESS narcotic drugs!!!!! All in the month since I first found my Life Savers - Stop the Back Pain.

   Very Special Prayers STILL shooting your way, dear!!!

   Linda
   Email Lepecp@msn.com Lepecp@aol.com Lepecp53@yahoo.com
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   Paula

   Jun 17, 2010 - 8:25AM

   Quote Reply
   Re: Laminectomy

   Hi Annette -- I had a lumbar microdiscectomy for sciatica (is that the same as a laminectomy?) 7 weeks ago.

   Did you have an MRI? I was in a terrible state and 2 epidurals did not work. I had an MRI and it said significant bulging disc on sciatic nerve. I really had no choice.

   I would say the procedure was a success in that the acute pain from the disc pressing on the nerve is gone. My remaining problem is still discomfort and throbbing in the bridge of my foot, tenderness in the calf, and I still don't have the same range of motion in my lower left leg as before (still can't put my socks on so great). I am getting better with physical therapy, acupuncture, massage and core exercises but it is a long haul. Slowly the inflammation in the surgery site, hip joint area is going away. I was not one of the ones that bounces back 48 hours later. Many of my long-standing issues (22 years) are still there (like periformis syndrome, flat back) but finally being intensely dealt with. I am looking forward to seeing what Posturology and the use of magnets can do for me, especially for my neck too.

   That is my experience. Basically I would ask what does your MRI say?

   I hope you get relief ... I know it's horrible.

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   Posted 1 year ago #
2. 

   Brittney
   guest

   I had a laminectomy in June of 2006 and all I can say about it is that I am in more pain today than I was 4 years ago. I am 22 and most days feel like I am 90, I guess that its diffrent for each person, but its very painful. During surgery my doctor hit my lowest disk and at the beginning of this year it blew, so that pain is horrible. I have had 2 rounds of epidural shots and nothing takes the pain away, like I said its diffrent for each person, but I would really consider everything before you have surgery because once you have it done there is no going back. I have permanent nerve damage and I am numb on the lower half of my back, I am not trying to scare you I just want you to be aware of what can happen bwcause no one told me what the outcome could be. After my surgery I was on bed rest for 4 months because of spinal fluid leaking and thats another big possibility of happening too. I wish you the best of luck and if surgery is the only option I hope you have a better outcome than I did.

   Posted 1 year ago #
3. 

   Dr L D Howe
   guest

   I had an L5-S1 laminectomy in 2000 at the age of 55. The problem had originally been caused by all my thoracic and lumber joints seizing up putting all the strain on L5-S1. I had the op performed by a neurosurgeon using key-hole surgery. I was out of bed the next day and home after six days, with instructions to walk at least three times a day and do exercises to reduce scar tissue. The operation was a complete success and I was able to continue riding my large motorcycle, playing table tennis, swimming and hiking. I also carry out daily exercises using weights.

   I came to the back pain programme because I damaged my left abdominus oblique one morning when performing squats with weights. Jesse’s advice is to wait until you have been up for an hour or two and had a hot shower. I wish I had known that beforehand. The result of the damage was that all the muscles in my back went into spasm, resulting in several knots. This has put pressure on L4-L5. The programme has identified what I already knew, (but had not realised the significance) that I have a forward head and shoulders syndrome. I have now started the exercises to reduce the problem. I have had to give up other exercising at the moment, but I had a gentle swim yesterday. I have also been able to go for short hikes and do some gardening. I will be trying table tennis again soon, being careful to control the amount of reaching and stretching.

   Posted 1 year ago #
4. 

   Laurence Howe
   guest

   I would just like to add a comment to the post I made yesterday. My wife worked for the health service and inquired who would be the best person for me to see. She was given the name of an eminent neurosurgeon. Another piece of advice we were given at the time was “Never let an orthopod near your back”. It seems there’re really good for hips and bones, but, if you need a laminectomy, always use a good neurosurgeon.

   Posted 1 year ago #
5. 

   Lindsey
   guest

   Hi Annette,

   I personally haven't had a laminectomy but my husband has infact it was a double thoracic laminectomy.All i would advise is don't let your hopes get too high- we thought everything was going to be fine after the surgery and it was to say the least a disappointment.We had a consultation with the neurosurgeon (as someone above said don't let a ortho anywhere near your back!)just from what i heard the prognosis wasn't looking good- basically if he didn't have the op he'd be in wheel chair within 12 months and if he did well they give you the "well sometimes there are complications" speech.To cut along story short he had several spurs crushing his spinal cord and there looked like there "could" be nerve damage.The surgery went ok he was in and out within 3 days and literally on his feet within hours after having it.He was tottering about and was beeter than i had ever seen him until he came home and the morphine was stopped and then reality set in.The pain was back,the walking spasticity started and lack of feeling in his legs was back.Now he's in constant pain practically never leaves our home ,lost his business and house and not to mention can't even drive due to the lack of feeling in his legs- he lives like a recluse.He's miserable and depressed bites my head off at the slightest thing and to be honest he feels he'd be better of dead than exist in this way.He has been to see doctors ,they don't want to touch him with a barge pole,months later we're still no further along with another MRI scan and truthfully they don't want to know it's like they have already wrote him off.We are now 2 years on and this is where we are. I hope this helps you in your decision we didn't really have any choice i'm sure for some it's a miracle cure but sadly not for us

   best of luck Lindsey

   Posted 1 year ago #
6. 

   sherrie kunkel
   guest

   I had the surgery lanieactomy yep it works but it takes a good year and physical therpy
   you must strengthen your stomich muscle to pick up for the back muscles. I had the fusion with it, I went back to work early 2 monthes later, but thats not every one. Now i wish they had fixed my right side, cant even walk now but i know what I need. OH and the pain pills try to curve off them they actually increase pain try it youll see a difference,

   Posted 1 year ago #
7. 

   phil
   guest

   Had terrible sciatica on left side w/o any back pain. Tried P.T. & epideral injections to no avail. Microdiscectomy L5/S1 and it did relieve left side sciatica! I was a perfect patient and it felt great to resume activities.However, within weeks sciatica started on other side, lower leg and came on sporadically. Now I have sciatica again daily. Very frustrating! Surgeon seems indifferent to what has developed. Acupuncture & P.T. do not help. Thank goodness I can still do things but not as much and my sleep is impacted by the sciatica too. However, some people have been more fortunate than me.
   Maybe the most annoying,frustrating aspect is the false promises you always hear about.

   Posted 1 year ago #

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