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Carrie
Nov 6, 2008 - 8:09PM
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Surgery Decision *Help me*
Hi -
I am a 26 year old female who is in desparate need of advice!! Just about a year ago, I was having serious back pain, and was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, which has resulted in having a herniated and ruptured disc in my lower back. I had a set of epidural injections, which temporarily helped, but the pain returned a month after the last injection. Since it is too soon for another complete set of three injections, my Dr. did just did one more and would like to see me in a few weeks to discuss surgery. How do I know that surgery is the right option?! My sister had the same problem start at my age as well, and after two years of injections finally decided on surgery, which as worked very well for her. It is a very scary decision, and while I've pretty much given up everything I love to do, and dread standing anywhere for more than 5 minutes, I'm so afraid that my pain isn't bad enough to have surgery.
My doctor says it's a 'quality of life' decision, which doesn't make it any easier! I know I've become very inactive just to avoid the pain, but at least I can still put my own pants on every day!
Has anyone else had this happen, and how did you make your decision?
Please help!! Carrie :)
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Paul
Nov 6, 2008 - 8:47PM
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Re: Surgery Decision *Help me*
Carrie-
If you are functional then there is a resolution for you. We all have become conditioned in having Doctors fix us, but ultimately it is our backs that must be taken care of by us.
If you get the disc out then your anatomy is altered forever and you still have not addressed the imbalances that caused the disc injury in the first place. I would suggest you talk to Dave Hutchinson. Sometimes it takes time to see results but when you get them your liklihood of reinjury is small whereas with surgery there is a chance of reinjury and pain.
Please look up the book "HEaling BAck Pain NAturally" by Dr. Art Brownstein. He is a 20 yr chronic pain sufferer and cured himself as well as countless others.
The rule of thumb is to have surgery if you go numb....lose control of your bowels or are in unbearable pain for 3 months or more.....
Good luck
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Weight Training Paul
Nov 7, 2008 - 2:25PM
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Re: Surgery Decision *Help me*
Hi Carrie
Sound advice there from Paul
Seach Dave Hutchinson on this site, there's lots to learn
I've ordered that book by Dr. Art Brownstein, it's been mentioned on here a few times, if your from the UK you'll have to buy through a " seller " though on Amazon
Have you tried LTBP and Egoscue
Totally imperative you give them a go if you can
Keep us updated on what you do
Paul
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Izabel
Nov 7, 2008 - 3:56PM
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Re: Surgery Decision *Help me*
Hi, Paul:
I also ordered the book from Amazon, the book is 30 cents and the shipping $3.99. I wanted to order 3 more for friends, but they would only let me get one!
There are over 40 glowing reviews, we shall compare results here, OK?
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Larry Lyons
Nov 8, 2008 - 11:13AM
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Re: Surgery Decision *Help me*
Hi Carrie,
I'm much older but also have had degenerated discs and arthritis for 40 years causing off and on bouts of back pain and sciatica. Most events last about 6 weeks but my latest one that I'm just now getting over (excrutiating sciatica where I couldn't put my own pants on!) lasted 7 months. Over the years I've followed a number of people that underwent back surgery for disc problems, stenosis, arthritis, etc. and the big majority saw only temporary or no relief. Once you have surgery you'll never be completely the same and there's no going back. Considering the low success rate I've witnessed I'm not sure I could consider surgery an option.
I'm new to the Lose The Back Pain program but it brought me out of my months of sciatica in just a couple weeks. The program will surely be a part of my life from now on. For me the key is to keep the weight off, watch my posture and stay active and in shape. When I fail to do so I suffer the consequences. Please give therapy and physical conditioning a truly honest try (not just a few weeks but months and years) before going to the knife. I wish you the best of luck.
Larry
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Weight Training Paul
Nov 8, 2008 - 6:20PM
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Re: Surgery Decision *Help me*
Hi Izabel
I paid £ 10.66 with postage for my copy
There's also another book by him with the same name but was printed in Mar 2000, it's one year older, I nearly order that, the wrong one basically
The one I've ordered is (25 Jun 2001)
How come there's another one in mar 2000
I'll start a new thread for a review because this is Carrie's thread
Cheers
Paul
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Beth Morton
Mar 5, 2009 - 7:49PM
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Re: Surgery Decision *Help me*
Don't do it unless you are where you can't move. If you can move, you can fight your way back. Get into a pool & swim. This takes time & patience.
Beth
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Mark R
Mar 6, 2009 - 10:28AM
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Re: Surgery Decision *Help me*
Carrie,
I had back surgery when I was 21 and I can tell you that you are never the same. I've been pretty active for the past 30 years, but I stay in very, very good shape to do so. Not a bad thing to be in great shape, but I wouldn't do it again unless I couldn't move, lost control of bladder or bowels, or had a foot drop.
The research I've seen is the besides the structural weakness that results from back surgery, it doesn't always cure the pain. Discectomies generally have better success curing pain that extends down the leg, not necessarily low back pain.
I know its bad when you have back pain, but keep researching. A lot of people on this site seem to pushing LTBP and some other methods. That's fine, and you should fully explore them. But you are in control of your recovery. Its imperative that you bring all of your resources to bear on your health. Again: you are in control, not some doctor or expert.
I am recovering from a disc herniation now, and I'm not considering surgery. I'll probably check out the LTBP method (I've received a direct email about the method already from Dave H. a few days ago), although I'm currently under other treatment at this time.
Hope you feel better,
Mark
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Brenda Wood
Mar 6, 2009 - 1:30PM
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Re: Surgery Decision *Help me*
Hi Carrie,
I have ddd also, bulging discs at L4-5, L5-S1. Have seen several PTs, and orthopedists. After the first ortho suggested surgery I went to see an ortho my husband knows in another town. He said he would NOT recommend surgery for this because it puts the load on the discs above and below and you would be right back in the same situation in several years. He said he had the same condition to the point of paralyses about 20 years ago. He tried all the PT exercises and nothing was working. Someone suggested he try yoga and he said within 6 months he was better. I'm not suggesting you try yoga, because I tried it at his suggestion and some of the moves really made it worse, but the point is, keep moving and try to improve your muscles and strength. He was an old school ortho, so I think he's not as apt to jump on the surgery band wagon as many of the younger ones. Good luck.
Brenda