Marshall Said:

About to have back surgery what can I expect?

We Answered:

I was in a car accident whilst travelling home from work in April last year and I had horrible sciatic pain in my left leg and chiro/gym/cortesone injections etc didn't help.

So, I had a laminectomy at the L5/S1 level in July last year and since the operation, I have had pain in BOTH legs now. I have also lost 3 jobs in the last year due to time off work and now I'm on worker's compensation so my employer's insurance company are paying for my time off work.

I'm not too sure if it's the same in your country, but here in Australia we can either go through a third party claim (this is the insurance company of the person who hit you) or as you were travelling home from work, you can go through your worker's compensation insurer.

Unfortunately I can't tell you if your operation will be a success because it's different with everyone. I can say however that it helped the sciatic pain (shooting pain down the 1 leg) but now I have rotten pain in both legs plus pain at the operation site so alas, it wasn't good for me.

I wish you all the best!

Julie Said:

What are some pain relief options for a detereorating disk in the back(other than surgery no insurance)?

We Answered:

She can try the following:
Liquid aleve caplets as directed (great anti-inflammatory)
Alternate heat/ice packs (a bag of frozen veggies make a great ice pack)
REST as much as possible
Some stretching, as tolerated, as described above
An over the counter product called "Thermacare" is a great way to get to the core of the pain- It is like a heating pad without an electric cord and lasts up to 8 hours
Deep Massage Therapy

Hope this helped a bit. Good luck and take care! I commend you for caring so much for your mom in law! It is criminal how all people cannot have insurance!

Hilda Said:

Back Surgery? Best Options?

We Answered:

cundy_pi.

He should see a neurosurgeon. He should not allow an orthopedic surgeon anywhere near his spinal cord.

The spinal cord houses most of the autonomic nervous system and is very delicate.

Neurosurgeon only and soon!.

Carrie Said:

My dog has a lump on her back just above her tail the vet said an ingrown hair and suggested surgery. Options?

We Answered:

its like people dont even read your full question the vet said it was an ingrown hair not an absess.

i had an ingrown hair once i had to cut it open with a blade then plucked it out with tweezers if thats all the vet is gonna do it shouldnt hurt too bed

Victoria Said:

Options after back surgery?

We Answered:

First of all it is your doctors responsibility to maintain your pain. That doesn't get done alot with back pain patients.
But I gotta ask, have you been doing everything that you are supposed to to strengthen your back? After my discectomy I was told (and did) get up and start walking as soon as I could, which I did that night, and never stopped. If you are still just pampering your back and laying down alot you are not gonna feel any better. Your doctor should also be evaluating your nerve pain, to see if any nerves where damaged. Common, in the lower back. My surgery was supposed to remove disc between L4/L5, when they got in there it burst, so I had been in pretty bad pain before my surgery and was down on my back for 2 months before, so I had alot of muscle to get back. This could be your situation as well. You should have also been referred to a physical therapist, by now.

If you don't get any relief from your doctor, ask him to refer you to a pain management clinic and they will get you on track.
Good Luck and I hope you get relief soon!!

Catherine Said:

Is back surgery avoidable? Are there other treatment options?

We Answered:

At times it isn't but if you feel that you should try other methods then maybe its worth trying,i injured my spine when younger i was in pain for just over two years, then was offered spinal fusion surgery,by that point i was sick of the pain and desperate so agreed to it,it went well really and now i have a harrington rod holding me together,

but surgery needs to be thought out before deciding,if offered a fusion remember it leaves your back stiff i still get pain but nothing like it was before,this is what most surgeons suggest as it holds the spine in place so reduces pains,i am glad to have had it done i just couldn't go on the way i was,i had a dislocated back and damaged vertebra's unsure of level but its near between the shoulder blades,it has as a result caused my spine to curve and twist,

swimming helps to build back muscles too,so that may be an option but not sure of how much it would help you as your pain sounds quite bad,a year is a long time to put up with such pains and i am sure you have noticed it get worse in that space of time,as injuries to the spine often do, as you get wear and tear on top of injury and it can lead to problems later in life, arthritis being one of them,

so as should you take time off exploring other options it depends,how much pain will you get by trying other things as sometimes other methods can agravate an injury so its a tough choice,i have never regretted my surgery it was the right choice for me as its less painfull now,but i did experience complications two days after it,but recovered well,

not sure if i have been of any help to you,hope you feel better soon.

Laurie Said:

Do you think my ovarian cysts have come back after surgery to remove them?

We Answered:

Yes, it is possible to have ovarian cyst even on the OC pills. It is first line of therapy but not always curative.
Syptoms you described are suggestive of cyst. You should see physician and get sonogram done.
If pain increases, you experience nausea, vomiting or fever visit ER. You want to avoid having torsion of ovary.

Other medications are available if OC pills consistantly fail to help you.