Hello again advise please

jilly

Hello I don't think many will remember me, Dreamdaisy and Stickywicket do which is really nice.
I have had 2 knees and a hip replaced which I am so happy with but my shoulders , feet , neck , hands ,spine all drive me mad, over the last 2 years my back has been getting worse to the point I struggle to walk. .
Anyway to get back to the reason I am posting I have had an MRI and it seems I have stenosis and spondylitis ,plus a couple of bulging Disks so in all there are 4 disks with problems. I have seen 2 doctors since but they don't tell you much. The last one said he will send me to see someone if he can find someone that is brave enough to operate on my back . I know there will be someone that has got the same and can give me some advise about an operation is it worth having one or not . thanks in advance x

Babsb

Hi Jilly. I have spinal stenosis and bulging discs. Had about ten years now. I had the option to operate but was told I would go straight to a wheelchair so I refused. Probably a lot of new developments since then. A friend of mine is due an op. She asked a lot of questions before deciding to go ahead. I would suggest you do the same. As the saying goes you want to know the thread from the needle. Hope all goes well for you. Just ask the questions and then decide what is best for you.
babsb

dreamdaisy

Hello again jilly - I'm afraid I can't help because my spine is, so far, unaffected but I do feel for you: as if you haven't had enough to deal with, yes? Blasted disease. :x DD

Airwave!

Hi Jilly, I'm in a similar position so it'll be interesting what comes up on here. I have no idea what the future holds so good luck with your tale.

It's a smile, honest!

barbara12

Hi Jilly
I have a stenosis and have been offered surgery..I had both hips replaced, but the back is the one that I really do need to think about after doing my homework..must say the physio was the one that helped me
There is a forum on back pain I will look it up for you

jilly

Thanks for your help, I don't know what to do the last consultant made me think saying he didn't really think he could find anyone to operate on me, as you say I need to think about this. I have been reading as much as I can but cant say it is helping. thanks again Jilly

jilly

Barbara. if you find the site I would be grateful . x

Airwave. I don't know about you but I haven't found a lot of people on here with the problem so I am looking at other sites to see what I can find out .x

Babsb .It sounds like we have very similar problems, I will carry on looking and see what they say thanks x

jennand

Jilly, where in your spine are the bulging discs? I had long standing problems with a lumbar disc ( over 30 yrs). After many injections, physio, osteopath ( clutched at many straws) I ended up with a condition called Claudia equine which was an emergency. I had to have a discectomy which is basically trimming the bulge from the disc. Now this gave immediate relief. It was like a cloud lifting. BUT, it left me with only a thin layer of disc. I got 7 yrs relief from it and then I started to have big problems agin. I was in a lot of pain and struggled to work. At that point I was offered a total disc replacement but the risks were so great that i held off for 2 yrs.Eventually I went ahead because frankly II was so miserable, in so much pain and I couldn’t work effectively ( Nursing) They operated through my abdomen ( not from the back) and was warned that the recovery was 2 yrs so I finished work. It has left me with a few residual symptoms, BUT, the end result is amazing. I don’t have back pain any more, no stiffness or spasms. No spending days in bed and as long as my RA is in remission, I can walk for miles. I wish I had been braver & had the new disc earlier. However, when anyone asks me if I recommend this , I always say, it worked for me but everyone must make their own decision. This was 9 yrs ago and medical science is evolving all the time so I’m sure there will be something that can be offered to you. Do your research and then evaluate. Good luck.

Airwave!

Phew! I have just written to my gp asking for help, we'll see what happens, sounds like you put your life on hold for a new disc? I have osteoporosis as well, I wonder if that would overcomplicate surgery?

Keep this page going, we'll see what happens?

casandra

Hi I have spondylosis in my back too. The spinal specialist says there severe arthritis from top to bottom of spine and nothing to be done. Did ask about surgery but he said he would need to replace the whole spine so not much hope there. I can only walk so far without the pain becoming so bad I have to stop. Am now considering electric wheelchair for when I go out for the day with my daughter or go with her on dog walks because I can't do the distance!! The operation you are asking about does have risks but if you discuss all outcomes with your specialist then you can make the right decision. Hope you get some answers soon. Hugs Carol

jilly

thanks everyone for your help, I still haven't got to see anyone so gives me time to think a little longer . At the minute my arthritis is driving me mad just about everywhere. So typing is not easy so I will come back tomorrow and finish my post x

jennand

Airwave, osteoporosis may complicate matters. My surgeon did inform me that he couldn’t put a titanium disc in if there was any osteoporosis in my spine. I had a dexa scan which was OK. It might be that although you do have osteoporosis, it may not be in your spine. Best to check it out

Airwave!

Ha, that knocks me out of the equation, do they do V8 wheelchairs? Sounds a bit more fun!

I'm in my Churchillian mood at mo so I'll keep buggering on for now.