Re: My Discectomy

jsmithdfw — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:10:46 -0000

Hi Andrew,

I'm sorry that you've been through this world of back pain, and especially that your 2 discectomies alone were not successful. I know your pain!

As a result of a bizarre swimming pool accident, I had to have anterior cervical discectomies with fusion and instrumentation at C4-C6 in 2005 (ACD), then anterior lumbar discectomies with interbody fusion and posterior fixation at L3-L5 (ALIF);laminectomies were also performed. The back pain and sciatica continued following my ALIF, so in 2007 I underwent surgical removal of the fixation hardware in my lumbar spine (5 pedicle screws and 2 rods).

Regrettably, my back pain and sciatica continued. At my 6 month post-op following hardware removal, I asked my my spine surgeon for a referral to a neurologist to help identify the underlying pathology responsible for my continued pain. At that time, he informed me that he believed I was just one of the unlucky patients who had developed post-laminectomy syndrome, aka, failed back surgery syndrome. So, instead, he referred me to a pain management specialist... that was in February of 2007.

Between February 2007 and December 2008, I endured 13 surgical procedures for pain management. Nine entries into my spinal canal for lysis of adhesions (destruction of scar tissue) attached to my spinal cord and exiting nerve roots (Neurolysis of Adhesions via Caudal Catheter); bilateral medial branch nerve blocks L2-S1; and bilateral radio frequency ablation (RFA) of medial branch nerves L2-S1. All the while, I was taking an escalating amount of daily opiates and nerve pain medications to keep me sane -- bedridden, but sane. And then my gallbladder died.

In February of this year, I became very, very sick. At first I thought I had picked up a GI bug... then I suspected food poisoning. On the 3rd day of high fever, chills, diarrhea, nausea, and feeling as though a cow had stepped on my solar plexus with one hoof, I used WebMD's symptom Checker. Among the many possibilities listed: pancreatitis. I was sure that I didn't have that, so I dismissed the idea. When I awoke on the 4th day feeling so weak that I might lose consciousness, I decided to call Blue Cross Blue Shield's Nurse Line. I told the nurse all of my symptoms, and she told me to have someone drive me to the nearest ER ASAP. That woke me up a bit! I asked her why... "pancreatitis." In a very sickened state, and disbelief, I received the diagnosis of pancreatitis caused by a very sick gallbladder on Friday the 13th of February. I later learned that long-term morphine use can render the gallbladder non-functional, and that a sick gallbladder can lead to pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and a host of other undesirable illnesses. So, lots of medication, 2 rounds of hospitalization, and I had my gallbladder removed (Open Cholecystectomy) April 13, 2009.

And still I have debilitating back pain and sciatica!!! UGH!!!

Last week's MRI showed a bulging disc at L5-S1, so I am now considering my options, as are you. By contrast, I have had 17 major surgeries (not counting the 13 pain management procedures), but spine surgery is a world of its own, as you well know, and this is a very tough decision, no matter what the individual's history may be. So, may God bless you with His guidance and peace, and with the support of others. Julie

Disqus - Latest Comments for jsmithdfw

Re: My Discectomy