In Reply to: Re: cervical disc fusion posted by Dr. Gary Smith on September 13, 1997 at 10:35:39:
Dear Doc Gary,
This note should be addressed to someone else since I do not have such a problem.
However, from the chiropractors who have worked with me in our office, I certainly agree with what you are saying. I appreciate your input.
I wonder, however, if you ever recommend to your patients that they learn an effective skilled relaxation technique &
practice it at least 20 minutes twice a day? In our multidisciplinary centre, we found that all ajustments "held" a lot longer (& did more good at the time) if the person practiced skilled relaxation on a regular basis.
Doc Walt
In Reply to: Re: Spinal Fusion, Vicodin and CMO posted by Wayne Adolf on September 07, 1997 at 19:51:52:
Dear Robert
I had two fussions and a disk replaced in 1994. Due to several nerve damage prior to the surgery I now find the need to take something to releif the pain. About 1 year ago my doctor pres. Ultram for me. I had been on several different pain meds. but found I was unable to function at normal levels during the day. Ultram was just enough to make the pain bearable and I can function on a normal level during the day on the med.
God Bless and I hope you find relief. :)
R. Lancaster
In Reply to: Re: cervical disc fusion posted by Walt Stoll on August 29, 1997 at 12:10:56:
I have had two cervical fusions with bone implants. C56,C67. Now they tell me I need to have C34, C45, with the possibility of C23. I had a nurosuroon suggest a morphine pump to relieve the pain. While this is not a cure I really got no relief from the C56,C67. What would you suggesgt I really don't know what to due after the first two surgries and the end result being pain I really am not convinced that this nex5t surgery with a possible second one to follow would be better than a morphine pump.
Please Help I anm desperate
In Reply to: Re: cervical disc fusion posted by Frank Stoffels on October 04, 1997 at 18:56:46:
Dear Frank,
What part of the country do you live in? The solution to your pain problem is a COMPETENT Pain & Stress Treatment Center. I know the best ones in the country &, personally, would go to no other.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: cervical disc fusion posted by Walt Stoll on August 29, 1997 at 12:10:56:
I HAVE A BULGING DISC, AROUND MY 3RD VIRTEBRATE.
IM AM GOING THROUGH SEVERE DIZZINESS TO THE POINT OF FEELING WEEK AND NUMB.
ALMOST PARALYSED.I NEED BLOOD TO MY BRAIN OR OXYGEN ... I TRY USING ICE ON MY NECK, OR I HAVE A DEEP MASSAGE.
THESE HELPFULL USES WORK BUT, THEN IM STILL FEELING TREMENDOUS PRESSURE.
I WAS WONDERING WHAT WOULD BE BETTER.....NECK SURGURY OR AN EPIDERAL?
I DONT WANT TO SUFFER LIVING LIKE THIS. I NEED INFORMATION A.S.A.P.!!!!!
THANKS,
LILY
In Reply to: Re: Epstien Barr Virus posted by Shanon on October 06, 1997 at 13:29:44:
Dear Shannon,
You need to read a copy of My book and one other: "Health at the Crossroads" by Dean Black, PhD. For mine see the link on this page & for Dean's call (800) 333-4290.
THEN, when you have that under your belt, write again here on the BB & your getting well will be a good example of the solution to this for others with similar fears & confusion.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: cervical disc fusion posted by les on October 07, 1997 at 00:05:44:
Dear Les,
Please read the note I left under this topic yesterday. Once I have that information, I will know what to tell you to start.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: cervical disc fusion posted by Dr. Gary Smith on September 13, 1997 at 10:35:39:
Part Examined: MRI of the cervical spine
Findings: T1 & T2 weighted images were obtained in the sagittal plane. T2 weighted axial images were also obtained from the C2 through the T1 vertebral levels
Available scans @ the C4-5 level show central bulging of the disc without cord compression. No signicant foriminal stenosis is noted.
At the C5-6 level there is a combination of a soft & hard disc posterioly & on the left with obliteration of the anterior subarachnoid space although there is no MR evidence to suggest cord compression Compression of the ipsilaterial nerve root sleeve cannot be excluded. Mild narrowing of the C5-6 neural foramina is noted bilaterally. Narrowing of the C5-6 disc is also noted.
No intramedullary lesion is noted & specifically, there is no MR evidencew to suggest ischemic change within the cord
The visualized boney marrow had a normal MR appearence. The cerebellar tonsils are at the level of the foramen magnum in satisfactory position.
IMPRESSION: Cervical spondylosis at the C5-6 level with narrowing of the disc space & mild narrowing of the neural foramina. Combination of a soft & hard disc posteriorly & on the left with obliteration of the anterior subarachnoid space, although there is no MR evidence to suggest cord compression. Compression of the ipsilateral nerve root sleeve cannot be excluded.
Central bulging of the C4-5 disc without cord compression.
I am a 54 yr.old man who has been in construction all my life. I have never had any injury to my neck or back. I feel from a ladder & was diagnoised with a torn rotator cuff (R) which has been repaired. I have been having very bad headaches with severe pain in my neck & shoulder with numbness & tingling in both hands & severe pain in my neck & shoulders I was sent to a orthopedic surgeon for evaluation & was told I have a herniated disc @ C4-5 with arthritis on top of it I have been fitted with a soft cervical coller with 800mgs. of Motrin 3x's daily for 2wks. upon which I will return for anothher evaluation Is
this something that will need surgery to repair for long-term releif or is there another method for long-term releif. I am very confused
In Reply to: Re: cervical disc fusion posted by Les on October 07, 1997 at 10:45:40:
I had a herniated disk (c-7) in Dec. '96 with surgery
in Feb. '97 - bone fusion that took and a titanium plate
inplant. Since this whole incident, I
do not go a day without a pain somewhere along the same
exact route of pain when the disk rupture was at its worse,
a shock sensation up and down my spine, tingling in my left
leg almost like "pick up leg, put leg down" to just walk,
pain shoots up both sides of my neck, up my nose to the top
of my head. Now understand, I'm not going to buy the age
thing, nor the arthitis - same age and didn't have it then.
The main thing here is, my doctor will veify, I'm not a
sick, get attention type person, much less, one that would
ever cop out on life with pain pills. My doctor has
seriously advised me to take my medicine when it is needed,
which I do and not nacortics. I use relaxtion techniques,
I get massages and long baths and rest. I try with all I do
do to walk 2 to 3 miles every other day. Did not know of
he
rniated disks until mine, wasn't in an accident except
for 30 years prior, been in really good health, physically
and mentally. Now I even feel for those that want "backache"
as an excuse. I just want to know from someone else, if
these sysmptoms are permanent, signal of something else or
nerve damage due to the bone that was one the root nerve, or
the plate touching possibly nerves or my spinal cord. All
want me to be fine and encourage me, excited that the fusion
surgery was successful. Have a clue? If so, please inform.
I'd be very appreciative.
In Reply to: Re: cervical disc fusion posted by Les on October 09, 1997 at 08:28:17:
Dear Les,
I am not competent to give you an expert opinion about the MRI report which is why I did not make any comment in my note. Dr Podobnikar IS & will be interested in not only seeing the report but examining the actual prints from the MRI as well. These kind of results can only be fully appreciated when combined with a thorough history & physical by the attending physician anyhow.
Tell Ivan I said hello.
Thanks, Walt
In Reply to: Re: cervical disc fusion posted by Walt Stoll on October 09, 1997 at 09:10:00:
Walt, I have tried to find the phone number for the clinic you referred me to & have also tried to find a listing for the doctor you mentioned NO LUCK They have no listing for either one HELP!!!!!
In Reply to: Re: cervical disc fusion posted by Les on October 09, 1997 at 11:27:43:
Dear Les,
Boy! I really am sorry to hear that his wonderful center did not survive his retirement (the only thing that can explain his absence from what I know of this professional's commitment to helping people--he must be about 85 now).
My next resource for you is the first (and still best) pain and stress treatment center in the world. Dr. Podobnikar learned his craft from Dr Shealy following his own personal experience there as a chronic spinal pain patient. It is still directed by the center's founder and founding president of the Americal Holistic medical Association: Norman Shealy. MD., PhD, 1328 East Evergreen, Springfield, MO. 65803, (417) 865-5940. At the very least, they would be able to tell you who is competent close to you. However, if it were me, I would go to the horse's mouth.
Let us know what you learn.
Walt
In Reply to: L5-S1 spinal fusion posted by Kari Cross on October 14, 1997 at 15:18:23:
Have you tried Chiropractic Care? It would make sense to me to try a natural form of pain relief prior to surgery.
Good Luck.
In Reply to: Re: cervical disc fusion posted by Lily on October 05, 1997 at 23:58:00:
I URGE YOU TO TRY GOOD CHIROPRACTIC CARE. SURGERY AND DRUGS ARE NO OPTION. THAT IS NOT HEALTH CARE BUT DEATH CARE.
NUMBING YOUR BODY WITH DRUGS AND EPIDURALS ARE VERY DANGEROUS AND WILL ONLY PROLONGE YOUR HEALING PROCESS.
In Reply to: Re: Spinal Fusion, Vicodin and CMO posted by Walt Stoll on September 08, 1997 at 10:42:34:
What do people do when you are in so much pain that you almost would do anything to get out of it. I had a 4 disk fusion and a laminectome I am not eaven sure how to spell it , I can tell when its going to rain . Im not addicted to pain killers , but I sure am addiced to not having pain . And that drug called Ultram ,Its not the greatest . I am taking Vicodin and thay don't work because you build a tolarance to them I take The 10/500 Vicodin ES and Im still in pain. What do you do ?
In Reply to: Re: cervical disc fusion posted by Walt Stoll on October 06, 1997 at 13:36:03:
Do you have a recommendation for a pain treatment center in Los Angeles? Like one of the other bulletin board participants, I have a problem with 3 discs in my cervical spine that show damage in discogram, mri and ct scan.
In Reply to: Re: Spinal Fusion, Vicodin and CMO posted by Tom on October 27, 1997 at 01:19:24:
Dear Tom,
This is a resolvable problem. The first step is for you to become an expert in the causes of your problem. Toward that end, I would first suggest you read a copy of my book since it is designed to get someone like you started (see link at the bottom of this page).
I know that you need to get "started" since you have had surgery & do not know how to even spell what was done to you. I do not mention this as a criticism but to get you thinking how much work you are going to have to put into this to resolve it. So long as you believe, as the medical monopoly has urged us to believe, that we can pay someone enough to have them do our thinking for us you will never resolve this problem.
Once you have the information in my little book under your belt, I would be happy to work with you here on the BB to finally get this resolved.
THEN, as you become pain free, I would hope you would share your experiences with us here on the BB. Others deserve to know that they do not have to suffer as you ha ve.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: cervical disc fusion posted by michael on October 27, 1997 at 02:42:16:
Dear Michael,
The only one I would personally go to is in Springfield, MO.
However, if you are willing to consider others, call Julian Whitaker, MD at (714) 851-1550 and ask who they would recommend closer.
Let us know how you do.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: L5-S1 spinal fusion posted by Walt Stoll on October 28, 1997 at 09:53:32:
Dear Dr. Stoll i have an aunt who has had chronic back pain for 1.5 years. she has had microdisctomy L4-L5 and is still experiencing pain. latest dianosis is to have L5-S1 fusion done. you have mentioned that you have had back pain and have had no surgery. Please give me all the information that he can on how he has done this.
In Reply to: Re: L5-S1 spinal fusion posted by Craig Maksud on November 05, 1997 at 21:36:44:
Dear Craig,
She needs a competent Pain & Stress Treatment Center. There is only one I would entrust myself to right now. It is in MO. If your mother has suffered enough to be willling to learn something and go that far, she will come home free of pain.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: cervical disc fusion posted by Les on October 09, 1997 at 08:28:17:
i am getting ready to have back surgery i am getting 2 fusions with instumentation.Will i return to be able to do running exercise,and will i be limited on lifting and mobility.
In Reply to: Re: cervical disc fusion posted by curt doverspike on November 09, 1997 at 19:04:44:
Dear Curt,
You better get a complete answer to this from your surgeon
BEFORE having the surgery. I have rarely seen surgery to be a permanent solution to your problem whereas I have seen lots of post surgical patients be a lot worse.
Unless you have an emergency, I would recommend your seeing a competent Pain & Stress Treatment Center in consultation first. There is only one in the country that I, personally, would consider going to. I HAD your exact situation 20 years ago & resolved it by these methods. I have had no pain since then.
Let me know if you are open to learning something new & practicing whatever are found to be your options. If you are, I would be happy to help get you moving in the right direction. If not, we both would be wasting our time to discuss it.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Spinal Fusion, Vicodin and CMO posted by Walt Stoll on September 08, 1997 at 10:42:34:
5 weeks ago today I had a very badly ruptured disc at L5-S1
So painful had to have surgery. It's been 4 weeks now and
60% of the pain is gone. But I have had a 2nd MRI, and it
shows still a little bulge protruding. Doctor says he might
want to go back in. I don't know if I want him to. Slight
excercise and walking seem to help it. But it does not seem
to want to go away. Is there a solution?
Thanks
In Reply to: Re: Spinal Fusion, Vicodin and CMO posted by James G on November 11, 1997 at 23:40:08:
Dear James,
See my many responses to similar subjects over the past week or so, here on the BB, about Pain & Stress Treatment Centers.
Then, if you have more questions, write again.
Walt