Saw w/c doctor....he got a surprise.

[bagpussinamerica]

Hi everyone. I am in Montana and have had microdiscetomy in Feb for L5-S1. Put at MMI in June. but still had problems and went back to surgeon who discovered that I had herniated same spot probably was there when put at MMI. Back on disability and referred to second opionion by W/C. I went there yesterday and his first statement was that he felt that I had not herniated again, but was something else going on. We went over my symptoms and then he examined me and then went away to look at the MRI's I have had. He came back and said that he was now scratching his head. My MRI's apparently are strange. Didn't say why...just that there is definately something there, but not sure what or when it appeared. He said that there is for sure a second herniation, but can't tell just how large it is since the Tarlovs cyst is tin that area as well. So now going for a mylogram. Not sure how that works, but was wondering if anyone here has had that....and is it painful. He said that they would use a needle that was very very thin....but that doens't make me feel much better.

We also discussed fusion. And that I will be going back to my first surgeon and we could work that out. He did say that if I was his patient he would normally discourage it....but that my circumstances might just warrent it. I am now on Lyrica twice a day. He said that maybe that would work just enough for me to feel like I can go on with that and no surgery. Is that possible? Seems to me that if there is a herniation there it will probably cause some more problems down the line somewhere.

Anyhow....he will report back to W/C and let them know that the first surgeon was correct. And that this case is more complicated than expected.

[AQA]

I have had a mylogram and may have another pending the results of x-rays next week. The mylogram was not pain full to me. The worst part was laying on a cold stainless steel table. The only thing between me and the table was a sheet. Trust me, a sheet is not an insulator.

They will injest a die so they can see the nerves clearer. In my case, they will be looking to see if there is scar tissue binding against the nerve. In your case, they will be looking to see if anything is pressing against the nerve.

I am not sold on the issue that lyrica will heal a herniated disk. Think about it, The disc is herniated. There is no drug, that by itself is going to fix that.

Take Care

[mistreated]

Lyrica has one side effect that I know is there-my husband gaind 30 lbs in 1 year while he was on Lyrica. Rapid weight gain is not good for the back.

[bagpussinamerica]

Ahhh, Interesting about Lyrica. The doctor told me not to read the information pamplet about it, because he said if I did, I would not take it. I am very small. 5' 21/2". I ususally only weigh around 110 lbs, but after surgery I went down to 90lbs. It took me 9 months to gain back what I lost and during that time the pain has been increasing. I did wonder if gaining weight was putting pressure on that area of the back. There is no way I want to gain weight past 113lbs. My frame is too small.

Did your husband gain weight because this stuff made him sleepy and inactive, or did it increase his appetite or what? Would be curious to see if I can head that particular side effect off. I am not convinced that this works anyhow. My legs don't hurt as much, but it has absolutly no effect on the lower area of my back that hurts big time. Maybe its only early days.

About the steel table. Is that something that is necessary? Or are they just insensitive? Laying flat on a cold table is not something I would be able to tolerate.

[AQA]

My little thingy shranck up so much, I thought it was going to come out my back side. I told my wife, "when I go the next time, I am taking a blanket with me, to lay on".

After they inject the die, they will take pictures like they do with an x-ray machine.

[oblivyous]

I have been on Lyrica 200 mg every 3 times daily for 3 yrs now. No weight gain. No side effects noticed.

[bagpussinamerica]

Well, that is good news with regards to the side effects. I am experiencing drowsiness and that good old woozy feeling. I was told that it should go away after three days. I hope so, can't do much with that sort of feeling. Very vivid dreams though......which would be good if I dreamt about only good things!!! Obviously Lyrica is not selective.[/i]

[sparkey]

I was also put on lyrica for my neuropathy. I did not like the way I felt when I woke up. I could barely walk because my hip bones and everywhere ached so bad. This drug was used for my arm/ hand. I also am very sensitive to gaining weight with medication. I ended up with my ankles swollen while on Lyrica and decided I could not take it anymore. My daughter also used Lyrica and had the same problems with her ankles swelling so bad she could not get out of bed and had to eventually go to the ER because she was afraid of a blood clot.

My father passed away from a blood clot that went to his lung when he got up on the doctors exam table. He had MS for 8 yrs and his ankles were so swollen from all the meds he was on. Just note any side effects and notify the doctor if you have any. It does work for a lot of people and like I said, everyone is different.

[Pooh]

I am also on lyrica -- however I take mine just at bedtime. I did not like the way it made me feel during the day. I take 150 mgs a day. So far no weight gain - and has far as side effects none that I really notice.

My rhuemmy told me that some ppl just can't take it because of weight gain and water retention.

[bagpussinamerica]

I am only on 75mg. But on top of that I still have to take Robaxin. The two together pretty much puts me over the edge. Having said that...it seems to work for the leg pain, but not at all for the back pain. It is very difficult getting out of bed in the morning because of the back. The whole thing makes me feel very woozy, but I am still able to get through some things I need to do during the day....with effort of fighting through the fog. I will stick it out for the two weeks trial and see how things go. No weight gain yet.