back problems

[Is it October YET?]

Does anyone know a good Neurosugeon around Baton Rouge or New Orleans area? Mine is awesome but he said that my only option is a fusion and I want to get a second opinion. I'm only 31 and here that a fusion can damage your good discs over time thus needing more fusions. I'm in extreme pain 24/7 so I need to do something. I apprecaite any opinions and help.

[2ndamendment]

Suggestion.....Go to Houston Tx for your second opinion.

[Ray]

I went to Houston due to the diagnosis I got in Lake Charles.
I had surgery and was back to work in 2 months.
I went to a Dr. Lee Ansell at a spine hospital on the West 610 Loop.

[FF_T_Warren]

a friend of mine just had some lumbar/sacral area discs fused and rods put in a few months back. He was in pain just like you are. He's doing alot better now. the surgery was a beast. I know he was in a ton of pain right afterwards but he seems to be doing pretty good now. I know the constant pain is gone. I havent really seen him too much since the surgery but everytime I ask him, he says its fine

[Is it October YET?]

Originally Posted by Deadly D

Good luck I have had 2 of them and I wont have another one until I am crawling on the floor and cant walk. I have good days and days I cant even hardly move. I can tell you when ever the weather is going to change

Why did you have two of them and why not another? How long ago did you have them? I can't take it any more. I am in outside sales so I drive around all day. By noon I have to go home and lay down. And that is with taking 15mg of precocets every two hours.

[Is it October YET?]

Originally Posted by FF_T_Warren

a friend of mine just had some lumbar/sacral area discs fused and rods put in a few months back. He was in pain just like you are. He's doing alot better now. the surgery was a beast. I know he was in a ton of pain right afterwards but he seems to be doing pretty good now. I know the constant pain is gone. I havent really seen him too much since the surgery but everytime I ask him, he says its fine

Can you find out who his doctor was? I would be very thankful.

[Ray]

I feel some pain when I first get up in the morning and if I have to stand up too long.
But I couldn't fish or hunt for close to 5 years before the surgery.
They didn't fuse mine. They removed part of the disc and sucked the soft stuff out of it and said the scar tissue will fill in what was taken out and be stronger than before.

[FF_T_Warren]

just asked him and this was his exact reply--"I was very pleased with Dr. Kevin McCarthy! He did a procedure on me called Axial Lift. They say he is one of the best and he helped me. That procedure is less invasive and u have less down time."

[FF_T_Warren]

He also said he is at the bone and joint clinic at the end of Hennessey. He said his pain is basically gone, but he is still on the heal.

[Finfeatherfur]

I have C-5 / C-6 fused in my neck and it was done in Lafayette by Dr. Munshi. I know that the neck and back are two totally different animals, but I have no regrets. Till this day, people ask me and I tell them it was the best decision I ever made. He was awesome, the surgery went well, no more pain, and I was driving in 4 days but don't tell him! Best damn neurosurgeon I ever met!

[Is it October YET?]

Originally Posted by Ray

I feel some pain when I first get up in the morning and if I have to stand up too long.
But I couldn't fish or hunt for close to 5 years before the surgery.
They didn't fuse mine. They removed part of the disc and sucked the soft stuff out of it and said the scar tissue will fill in what was taken out and be stronger than before.

Been there and done that last May. Scar tissue didn't form now I have arthritis and possible nerve damage. I am told that a fusion is my ony option now. I just know that some drs are out to help and most are just trying to get paid and could care less in your health. Just looking for one that cares because all I know is that it is a good thing I am married with a kid because the depression is REALLY BAD at times.

[Ray]

I was going to get a fusion in Lake Charles. I got a second opinion in Houston.
I am glad I did or I wouldn't be able to work or fish.

[FF_T_Warren]

hey man go get the surgery. dont even think like that. thats a permanent solution to a temporary problem. If u in the pain you say your in, get the surgery. what ya got to lose? My buddy says his doctor is really good. also my dad had his disk in his neck fused when he was 18 and he is fine. a few years back he ended up having to get shots above and below and had to get out of the painting business. but ever since then and him not having to look up towards the ceilings and stuff with work, he is fine. very rarely does he have any problems and usually they come about when he wants to be hard headed and do things that he knows he shouldnt

[Salty]

I have 4 herniated discs in my lumbar along with arthritis, bone spurs and sciatica. I was told that the only thing that would help would be to put a steel rod through all my vertebra and cage each disc, individually. This procedure was not recommended, however, by my surgeon. He told me that I would lose all mobility in my back and that, without the shock absorbers (discs), the next thing to go would be my knees. I am currently going to a chiropractor twice a week. The disc decompression table has really helped the sciatic nerve problem tremendously. Good luck bro...I know what you're dealing with. PM if I can help.

This is the best surgeon in southeast Louisiana...if you're interested.

http://www.spine-health.com/doctor/o...gan-lacombe-la

[jchief]

Ok. I had an ACDF of C5-6-7 done in Houston in October 1998. The C6-7 failed and had another suregery in Lake Charles. Waited to long and have permanent spinal cord damage at the 6-7 level. In 05, I think, I had C3-4 fused and then in 07 had 2-3 fused. Doc says that the discs above and below will eventually wear out because of previous fusions. Currently have a bulging disc at L4-5. I am in pain most of the time and have headaches daily. BUT it is far less pain than before the fusions. I am 50 and don't look forward to growing old as I know it will do nothing but get worse.

I have a friend in BR area and I can get a name or 2 if you wish. He is a fire chief over there and used to work for Acadian and knows many people in the medical field.

I beleive that the surgeries have come a long way since I had my frst and last fusions.

Are you eligible for an artificial disc?

Good luck. PM me if you want to talk and I will be glad to send you my contact info and just talk if you want.

Fought the depression, and still do, but not as bad as it was. BE VERY CAREFUL OF MEDICINES FOR DEPRESSION. I got on some and it was way worse than not being on it. There are also several meds that may affect nerve pain and MAY help. Look back on here and there is thread me, Salty and some others were discussing this.

[jchief]

Originally Posted by Salty

I have 4 herniated discs in my lumbar along with arthritis, bone spurs and sciatica. I was told that the only thing that would help would be to put a steel rod through all my vertebra and cage each disc, individually. This procedure was not recommended, however, by my surgeon. He told me that I would lose all mobility in my back and that, without the shock absorbers (discs), the next thing to go would be my knees. I am currently going to a chiropractor twice a week. The disc decompression table has really helped the sciatic nerve problem tremendously. Good luck bro...I know what you're dealing with. PM if I can help.

This is the best surgeon in southeast Louisiana...if you're interested.

http://www.spine-health.com/doctor/o...gan-lacombe-la

Don't know this doc, but I would trust Salty on this 100%.

Dammit lost my train of thought (percocet daily). The above web site has a ton of info on it.
The chripractor helped me immensley for a while, but eventually it did not help.

[Salty]

Originally Posted by Is it October YET?

Why did you have two of them and why not another? How long ago did you have them? I can't take it any more. I am in outside sales so I drive around all day. By noon I have to go home and lay down. And that is with taking 15mg of precocets every two hours.

Man, I'm gonna lay it out for ya. If you're having to take that amount of oxy just to cope...then you probably won't be any worse off with surgery. Get ya another opinion, if that's what it takes, and geaux for it. Good luck.

[Is it October YET?]

I greatly appreciate all of ya'll info. I may go see several drs and see which I like and each has to say. My new insurance won't cover my existing condition until June so I have time to shop around. I thank all of you VERY much!!!

[Salty]

Originally Posted by Is it October YET?

I greatly appreciate all of ya'll info. I may go see several drs and see which I like and each has to say. My new insurance won't cover my existing condition until June so I have time to shop around. I thank all of you VERY much!!!

Good luck.

[mikedatiger]

Wow, I was about to post on the same dang thing. I am 32 and I am facing Spinal Fusion as we speak. Just finished up my MRI about an hour ago. Procedure definitely sucks, but I am running out of options and the pain is becoming unbearable. Over a 2 years of Chiro treatment, and nothing. Only 2 options are spinal injection or surgery. I am going to have the surgery, but only after several opinions and after having more time to think - can't work for 6 weeks (at least).

My b-in-law is an ortho surgeon in BR. Shoot me a PM and I will get you the name of his spinal guy, whom he highly recommends. My b-in-law is one of the best in the business for foot/ankle and I definitely trust his opinion on docs.

Keep me posted on what you hear, and I will do the same. I would go to BR to get cut on, but I don't think it will work with regards to rehab/etc. as I live in Houston.

Doc was talking about a front/back procedure and that ain't fun. SUX, but so does living in pain...