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Posted 5/9/2014 11:50 AM (GMT -5)
I finally got to see my main PM Dr. yesterday. They had me seeing a nurse practioner monthly because I really just needed refills. I started complaining of constant pain several months ago and she finally lets me see my main Dr.

I really had to do my own detective work on what was causing my own pain. The culprit was my back. The MRI was bad and it looks like I need surgery. The PM Dr. wanted to try epidural block right away but I am on blood thinners so he couldn't. One problem is that he is concerned it might be too dangerious to take me off them. I get pulmonary clots that can kill you. The other issue is its just a temporary fix to my problem, plus it might not work to relieve my pain if I get an epidural block.

I have heard to many bad stories about injections. I know it's better to try the least invasive first before surgery. I over heard another Dr. Say I need surgery. My main Dr. Didn't bring it up because he wanted me to do the injection first. He showed me the MRI and its not going to be fixed unless I have surgery.

If I need surgery then why stop my Coumadin twice and put me in more danger. I see those epidural as money making thing that people have to have them over and over. I really don't trust my PM Dr.

I have an appointment on May 30th to see a surgeon that fixed my neck. I want to get his opinion. Then something tells me maybe you should try the block before you see the surgeon to see if it helps. I am so confused what to do. I did get some muscle relaxants from him. I
passed out last night from them. I don't want them again, unless I am in bed.

Thanks for the ear!

Post Edited (ak angel) : 5/9/2014 10:54:21 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/9/2014 1:21 PM (GMT -5)
What was the diagnosis? You just said the MRI was bad. I definitely would try other things before I would have back surgery...just my personal opinion. I posted to you on your other thread. I wouldn't try chiropractors. Not a good idea with a really bad back.

My spine has two curvatures plus I have a disease of the spine where it could possibly fuse together so I couldn't bend or twist. I use ibuprofen with food and the muscle relaxer for that. I use Robaxin. It's generic and I only take half what the doctor prescribed. It works great and I'm not dizzy, groggy, sleepy....kind of sounds like the 7 Dwarves! LOL

Back in the 1980's I took Robaxin the way the doctor prescribed and I knew the first dose would put me to sleep within moments so I got prepared to sleep. But the doses after that didn't cause that problem at all. Maybe this would happen with the muscle relaxer you have.

I would try everything else to get the pain under control and maybe you won't need surgery. It depends on what your problem is, though. My father had open heart surgery years ago and had to take Coumadin the rest of his life. Well, he had two more surgeries after that, was taken off the Coumdin temporarily, and had no problems. But I'm not sure if he would have gotten a pulmonary embolism. I just know he need to keep his blood thinned.

Do let us know what you find out because we care about you.

Sherrine
Posted 5/9/2014 7:49 PM (GMT -5)
Glad you will seek other opinions...wish i could take muscle relaxers...i used to chop them into tiny slivers..but could not tolerate any level of it..i tried half and could not move the next day.

I sometimes pray my way to appointments that the docs will be clear minded to help.i think with chronic illness we tend not to trust ..
Posted 5/9/2014 9:06 PM (GMT -5)
Tough call, and So sorry you are suffering so much. I'm glad ur getting another opinion. Also need to delve into details of how he will do the surgery and maybe ask whether people do it in some other ways. Get his wheels turning.
I used to watch this University of Washington TV channel, and they would come up with really novel ideas for surgeries and hardware, in the quest for better results. Thank goodness they've now been doing back surgeries for so many years.

Im sorry I don't know what the right thing to do would be. I wish I could be of some help.
Posted 5/9/2014 9:21 PM (GMT -5)
I think I am skittish is because they did several injections for my neck injury and next thing I knew my arm had paralysis. Then I had emergency surgery for spinal cord compression. So I just want to see what the surgeon says. Thanks for the advice on the muscle relaxant.
Posted 5/12/2014 8:49 AM (GMT -5)
I agree that a second opinion is a good idea. Also, have you checked with your insurance company? Sometimes they require injections be tried before surgery.

I've had both multiple steroid epidurals and two back surgeries. Unfortunately, the epidurals didn't work for me, but they were much easier on me than the surgeries.

What is your diagnosis? Have you tried physical therapy?
Posted 5/12/2014 10:47 PM (GMT -5)
Austen- thanks for mentioning about insurance. I was diagnoses with stenosis really significant in two places. Squeezing a nerve they say. Multiple level facet hypertrophy. Disc protrusion and mild multilevel denegerative disease. I have an order for therapy, but I am going to see what the surgeon says before I make any plans.

Why did you have 2 surgeries?
Posted 5/13/2014 7:54 PM (GMT -5)
Angel. 4 years ago I was in hospital with multiple DVTs and PEs all the same time. Then came cancer, with several procedures requiring me to stop Coumadin. As soon as they knew I was ok, they ran heparin in the lines. They will watch you closely.
I also have lumbar issues, no way is anybody ever going to stick a needle in there. No chiros either! They can mess you up bad! Me, I'm holding out for surgery. My feeling is, it's broke, fix it!
Posted 5/13/2014 9:53 PM (GMT -5)
Angel- I had two surgeries for ruptured discs. Actually, I had to have surgery on the same disc twice, several years apart. Both times, the sciatic pain was so bad that I could hardly walk.

I have stenosis, sacroilliitis, and another bulging disc now, but the pain is manageable at the moment. I'm sorry you are having to make these decisions. Deciding to have back surgery is never an easy choice. I hope the second opinion can help you get some clarity.
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