Where do I go from here?

[jayne]

he built a metal one....but we all get together and we can blow it to ozzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Still in Limbo]

Lost, I had the Microdiscectomy at L5/S1, and I was Actually feeling Some Relief, until the Scar Tissue took Over. And now, because it was at the last Disc on My Spine, with four above all Dried Up, I now have a Herniation in the Half of a Disc I have Left!!! It hasn't gone Well for Me, but it has gone Well for Many. I think the Procedure is a Personal Call, after All of the Info. is Read. Best of Luck on whatever You Decide!!

[FeelingLost]

Still in Limbo Wrote:Lost, I had the Microdiscectomy at L5/S1, and I was Actually feeling Some Relief, until the Scar Tissue took Over. And now, because it was at the last Disc on My Spine, with four above all Dried Up, I now have a Herniation in the Half of a Disc I have Left!!! It hasn't gone Well for Me, but it has gone Well for Many. I think the Procedure is a Personal Call, after All of the Info. is Read. Best of Luck on whatever You Decide!!

Thank you for this. Nice to have the details. It helps when trying to make a decision. I called the Mayo last night and got put on hold. It was enough to give me cold feet for that moment so I hung up. I read where they can operate without using anesthesia, just numbing up the area they're working on, which appeals to me as I react poorly to anesthesia...I wake up with people slapping my face trying to get me back to consciousness. Then I have memory problems more severe than when I went in.

But, again, this morning, trying to get out of bed being the hardest part of the day, I know I need to at least call them, set up an appt for a third opinion. I'd choose the Bonati Institute mainly for their claims that they can work on scar tissue with their laser, and no anesthesia, specialized patented surgical equipment, etc...but w/c will not approve of a clinic or doctor out of the state. (How would we manage follow-up, etc?).

My own insurance is an EPO so it covers only local hospitals. So when people don't rush right out and get something done, there's a reason.

I often think I'll just let this surgery idea go, and just depend on the TENS unit to keep me sane...(which I can't wear at night because I toss and turn, it ends up coming apart and I get jolted out of what sleep I'm getting). But then comes the times when I get lab reports of my liver enzymes being sky high, realize I'm playing with fire taking all these pain meds, and feel I need to trust that surgery might be the answer. So, back to finding the right place to have it done.

I will sure let you know how things progress. Now I'm leaving for a week on the road, packed up with plenty of electrodes and battery charger...lol... I used to take my shiatsu massager, but it's all too much checking in and out of motels all week. This is when I pray the most, hoping to get by without having another incontinent episode, hoping the arms don't go numb while I'm about to stick someone. So far my successful stick rate is above the 97% required, so it gives me that feeling I'm good for something yet. I do realize lots of people work with pain, but no one will ever have to explain twice to me if they decide they just can't do their job anymore. Dealing with pain is a full time job in itself, and we need to support people who are at that point. It's downright scary, as it changes your whole life.

Hopefully I'll find a motel computer during the week I can use, but if not, may we know that God is for us, therefore it doesn't matter who might be against us. (Except that it makes the situation that much more difficult).

[Still in Limbo]

My Operation for the Microdiscectomy was done Under Full Anesthesia, I Surely would not have wanted to Have that Operation while Awake, they Open your Back up to the Spine, and Use a Laser to Remove the Disc Portion, and Usually a Laminectomy May be Involved, such as what had to Happen in My case! Now I'm not Sure what the Bonati has with Working with the Laser for Scar Tissue, but when Mine Developed, I went to a Total of 8 (Both Ortho. and Neuro.) Surgeons, and with My Scar Tissue Wrapped around the Nerve Root as it is, I'm In-Operable, that's what is actually causing My Total disability. But I'm Sure My Issue is Different than Yours, and I Hope they can Help You!!Please Keep Me Informed, if You don't Mind, and I Hope All Goes Well!!

[FeelingLost]

[quote=Still in Limbo]
My Operation for the Microdiscectomy was done Under Full Anesthesia, I Surely would not have wanted to Have that Operation while Awake, they Open your Back up to the Spine, and Use a Laser to Remove the Disc Portion, and Usually a Laminectomy May be Involved, such as what had to Happen in My case! Now I'm not Sure what the Bonati has with Working with the Laser for Scar Tissue, but when Mine Developed, I went to a Total of 8 (Both Ortho. and Neuro.) Surgeons, and with My Scar Tissue Wrapped around the Nerve Root as it is, I'm In-Operable, that's what is actually causing My Total disability. But I'm Sure My Issue is Different than Yours, and I Hope they can Help You!!Please Keep Me Informed, if You don't Mind, and I Hope All Goes Well!!
[/quote

The reason I called Bonati was their offer of a free assessment. Then I started looking at their procedure versus what has been offered to me so far, which was the placement of a titanium plate to fuse C5-6, using screws, etc., with the approach through the front of the neck, moving the vocal chords out of the way, under full anesthesia. According to Bonati Institue, the ONLY thing they work on is the spine. They have 5 neurosurgeons on staff, and they deal with everything to do with the spine, even failed surgeries and scar tissue. The founder has developed his own specialized surgical tools and is able to operate under local anesthesia because the cuts are so tiny, muscle is preserved, etc.

Now, MY problem is that I do not have regular insurance to cover any surgery outside of Minnesota, and the w/c adjustor has said for me to look only in Minnesota, also. You'd think I'd be happy to go to the Mayo clinic, as they also have some micro-surgery procedures for the spine, and have said they can work using only local anesthesia. But you can't help but be drawn to a place that does hundreds of these spinal surgeries on people from all over the world with a 90% success rate or better. And that's counting people who have had many other surgeries without success hoping the Bonati Institute can finally fix them up.

I got a call from Bonati yesterday and my cervical MRI disk arrived in Florida damaged, so again, waiting for my local hospital to send another.
The reason I'm following through with Bonati, even though my chances of having surgery down there in Florida are slim to none, is that I want to see what they WOULD do, or if there is anything they'd suggest that I have done, other than continued physical therapy (which I do on my own now that I have a traction unit, weights, and a list of exercises to follow), and continued pain meds with all the side effects. The TENS is a must, even more so than those pain meds, because it has no side effects other than being cumbersome.

I ended up traveling Sunday night 150 miles to be ready for Monday's early bloodmobile, but I got a call after midnight that my husband's mother had died. This was a little unexpected, but I'm glad for her sake that she didn't linger. So, now I'm home planning a funeral.
I've put my back on hold until we get through this, though as we all know, our backs don't like being put on hold, and it's been acting up more than usual. Of course...that might have something to do with these 25 below temps.

Yes I will keep you informed, Limbo, but it really pains me to think there's nothing more that could be done for you....though, is there any chance you could gather all your studies...MRI's, CT's, EMG's, etc.....and send the originals to Bonati? They don't even want the reports...just the original films, which it seems are put on disks and they read them off a computer. You never know what new procedure might have been developed that might help.
Thanks for explaining your situation. I realize we're all dealing with something unique to us, but the common thread is being disabled enough to make our lives much more difficult in some way.
God's Peace to you and all of us as we keep trying to get better.

[Still in Limbo]

Feeling, I'm So Sorry to Hear of You and Your Husbands Loss, You have My Prayers and Sympathies. As far as My Scar Tissue, and where it's located, it's going to be Near Impossible to have a Surgery to Remove it, especially with the chance of it coming back Stronger, which Most Scar Tissue Removals do. If it were to come back Stronger, My Chances of being paralyzed becomes even More Real than the Fact that it could happen to Me Soon Enough! You Seem to be in a Much Better Situation than Me, and I Pray for You that they can give You Some Relief! Be Well, and Rest Your Back as much as You can through this Ordeal, and Please give Your Husband my Best!!

[FeelingLost]

Limbo: Many thanks for your kind thoughts. We had many good days with Gran, and she was clear headed right up to the end at 93. I doubt I'll be in such good shape at all, mentally or physically, if I should get close even to 80, but Gran, being old-school, was self-disciplined about everything...prayer, food, social ties, though not too much exercise. She was easy to take care of.
But I am high maintenance in every way...lol...and this last challenge with the upper back pain is something I need to be as careful as I can about not complaining tooo much. (I'm an emotional roller-coaster). But still, we all need to be as proactive as possible to improve our condition.

I totally understand your not wanting any more surgery, especially after your explanation, Limbo. I think that's what I'm trying to avoid...the scar tissue side-effect. But now, I've pretty much made up my mind to pursue the microdisk surgery. I can apply for an appointment on-line..but still need the ok from w/c after I get it. I'm sure the Mayo Clinic has dealt with this before and will tell me what I have to do.

I've been reading some of the threads on here and I know I truly am in better shape than most. I will keep you all in my prayers.
God's Blessings and Guidance as we move through this day.

[1171]

I think you mentioned you were in minnesota.
If you need to know more about your rights and benefits under those comp laws go here
http://www.doli.state.mn.us/workcomp.html

[FeelingLost]

1171 Wrote:I think you mentioned you were in minnesota.
If you need to know more about your rights and benefits under those comp laws go here
http://www.doli.state.mn.us/workcomp.html

Thanks so much, #1171. I put it in my favorites for quick reference. I've been hoping to avoid lawyers, though the w/c sites that are referenced on these threads almost come right out and say I owe it to myself to have one. The first lawyer I talked with, for free, used to work as an adjustor and said with my late filing and having the 2nd neurosurgeon 'think out loud' that the area of my pain is not connected to the bulging disc (though he did not put that in his report)...that I should probably go out of my way to 'get better' and be on my way.

Of course I'd certainly like to do that. The idea that my pain and the area of injury are not connected has been laughed off by my PT, who said nerve pain can manifest anywhere along their path. All of this makes me jumpy...I certainly couldn't pay back the medical bills that have been paid on my behalf.

Anyway, once I get a chance at having a 3rd opinion, and present that to the w/c adjustor for approval, I will let you know.
There's such a ton of stuff to read, I can see why people would like to have a lawyer.

Thanks very much for the link!!