i didnt want to post this on rodneys thread below, but the dr is recomending i have back surgery, this is for vertebra numbers 3, 4 and possibley 5, the discs in 3 and 4 are putting a lot of pressure on my spinal colum, [ life long hard work as well as life long farming, trucking, and heavy equipment operator], now my problem with this is i have talked with 13 people who have has this sugery, over the years, i have yet to meet one who actually recovered from it, once i have to have it,the trucking is over and the truck will be sold , as i will not be able to drive it anymore, due to the "fire" running down the back of both legs into my toes this may be soon, so.. have any of you had this sugery,and actually recovered, and gone back to a similer profession? and if not what did you find to do after the sugery, i posted this here because there are a very broad variety of folks on this forum and im trying for maximun information, right now im taking asperin and still "hobby farming" and trucking localy
- Thread starter ericlb
- Start date
Walterdavies
Member
I have known several people who have had back surgery including my daughter. I have only known one who came out better after the surgery. My daughter has a thing that controls the pain that she can raise or lower and its only temporary but she drove out from Nebraska once so I guess it only hurts while standing.
I would get two or three doctors to look at it before I had it. I have had a bad back for years and I control it with exercise. It all depends on what is wrong. But you really need to get more than one doctors opinion on this.
Walt
I would get two or three doctors to look at it before I had it. I have had a bad back for years and I control it with exercise. It all depends on what is wrong. But you really need to get more than one doctors opinion on this.
Walt
I've been told by everyone, including my mother and an uncle, that has had any kind of back surgery to NEVER do it. Even my DR. says to NEVER have back surgery.
Number one rule in my book is NEVER have back surgery.
I guess the answer is to NEVER have it.
Did I mention NEVER?
NEVER-NEVER-NEVER.
I know what pain is. I have Trigeminal Neuralgia. The worst pain know to man. Also known as the "suicide disease". I know that pain is terrible to live with, but I would NEVER have back surgery.
Do you know anyone who has had back surgery and recovered? You probably won't find anyone.
Just to make myself clear DON'T DO IT!
Number one rule in my book is NEVER have back surgery.
I guess the answer is to NEVER have it.
Did I mention NEVER?
NEVER-NEVER-NEVER.
I know what pain is. I have Trigeminal Neuralgia. The worst pain know to man. Also known as the "suicide disease". I know that pain is terrible to live with, but I would NEVER have back surgery.
Do you know anyone who has had back surgery and recovered? You probably won't find anyone.
Just to make myself clear DON'T DO IT!
old
Well-known Member
- Location
- Camdenton Missouri
I would check into a lot of other options first. Inversion for one. That is where they hang up down side up and sort of pull on you to get thing back right.
I had back surgery done 14 years ago on my L-5/S-1 last vertebra in the back and I made the mistake of doing more then what the doctor said I could and it has disabled me for life. But that is another story in its self.
So if you have it done DO ONLY as much as your doctor say you can and nothing more till he says you can do more. But if there is any way in$#$# you can avoid surgery do so because you will not be the same man after and you will be very limited to what you do and may end up like me.
I run a tractor and hour or so then have to walk away from it for an hour or 2 on a good day or walk away form it till tomorrow on a bad day
I had back surgery done 14 years ago on my L-5/S-1 last vertebra in the back and I made the mistake of doing more then what the doctor said I could and it has disabled me for life. But that is another story in its self.
So if you have it done DO ONLY as much as your doctor say you can and nothing more till he says you can do more. But if there is any way in$#$# you can avoid surgery do so because you will not be the same man after and you will be very limited to what you do and may end up like me.
I run a tractor and hour or so then have to walk away from it for an hour or 2 on a good day or walk away form it till tomorrow on a bad day
I hope we're on the same channel here and talking about SURGERY as I am unfamiliar with sugery.
eric, everybody is going to respond to treatment differently, but the common goal is to get better, or at least find some improvement. But if all the folks you talk with are no better....avoid their doctors like a plague.
My back needs fixing, as do my knees. And most of the folks I have been talking too, report nothing but success and wish they had done it a long time ago. My opinion is, technology has never been as good as it currently is. And unless the doctor is damned quack, you should expect to return to most, if not all, of your normal activities.
eric, everybody is going to respond to treatment differently, but the common goal is to get better, or at least find some improvement. But if all the folks you talk with are no better....avoid their doctors like a plague.
My back needs fixing, as do my knees. And most of the folks I have been talking too, report nothing but success and wish they had done it a long time ago. My opinion is, technology has never been as good as it currently is. And unless the doctor is damned quack, you should expect to return to most, if not all, of your normal activities.
appreciate it guys i knew i wasnt spelling it right but yes were talking about the part where they cut on you with a knife lol it is the kind where they go in there and put some kind of metal bracing which looks to be screwed togeather in there, which to me looks like buying a whole lot of trouble for later on in life im not ready yet thats for sure
my son had to have back surgery in late 90s.he had the choice of having the surgery or never walking again.with the surgery he is fine now.the only time he has pain is when he acts like he can lift the world.
back surgery has come along way since the 70s and 80s.
if you want it done right call dr.george,lubbock tx
back surgery has come along way since the 70s and 80s.
if you want it done right call dr.george,lubbock tx
Steve A W
Member
- Location
- Northwest Indiana
Look for a University Hospital.
They are up on the latest and best methods
to take care of you.
Then do what your Doctor tells You. Don"t
get to thinking you "Know your Body" better
than some Doctor.
Good Luck and God Bless!
They are up on the latest and best methods
to take care of you.
Then do what your Doctor tells You. Don"t
get to thinking you "Know your Body" better
than some Doctor.
Good Luck and God Bless!
I have a similar situation. Farming growing up and then plumbing for 30 years. Came up in the era of cast iron bath tubs and pipe. I have little or no disc in my lower back. Between ibuprophen,my chiropractor, and the stretching exercises he has kept me functional with only minor discomfort if I don't over do it. You can strenghten your lower back muscles to help compensate. In my case I was favoring those muscles and they got weaker creating more problems. I do know of a couple buddies who have come through the surgery better than they went in. I am going to delay surgery until the pain gets too bad or I can't function. I have been researching this for years and believe the surgeons and the technology have greatly improved. If possible I will get synthetic discs installed rather than haveing the vertabrae fused. Do alot of research and don't be afraid to travel to another part of the country that has the best surgeons & facilities that regularly do the surgery that you need.
You don't need the home town doc practicing on you.
You don't need the home town doc practicing on you.
fixerupper
Well-known Member
Eric, I really feel for you , having to make this decision. When the doc messes with the spine it's serious business.
Like others said, check out the doctors and don't be afraid to get a second or third opinion.
I haven't had back surgery yet and I'm gonna stall it off as long as I can, but I did go to two surgeons to get opinions. They were on completely different ends of the ball field with their opinions. The first one told me he would use long rods, the second one told me he would never use rods on a person my age cause my spine isn't going to move any more than it has now. Good luck and keep us posted. Jim
Like others said, check out the doctors and don't be afraid to get a second or third opinion.
I haven't had back surgery yet and I'm gonna stall it off as long as I can, but I did go to two surgeons to get opinions. They were on completely different ends of the ball field with their opinions. The first one told me he would use long rods, the second one told me he would never use rods on a person my age cause my spine isn't going to move any more than it has now. Good luck and keep us posted. Jim
Dad had back surgery in 1976. They fused his 4th and 5th vertebre. he was down for about 6 months but fully recovered. After that, his perspective on hard work changed and he became more accepting to Grandpa's addage the 'machines were made to work, man was made to think'. Increasingly more and more 'labor saving' devices began appearing on the farm, especially when I took outside work.
old
Well-known Member
- Location
- Camdenton Missouri
Ya funny how after having back surgery you figure out other ways to do things that in years past you would just walk up and grab and lift them. That is why my Chev truck has 2 winches on it and a swing boom and my shop has 3 chain hoists in it plus I have 3 or 4 tractors with loaders. Plus more small floor jacks laying around then you can shake a stick at
Been fighting back problems since 1967. Had tests all throughout the alphabet and multiple periods of physical therapy. Used various chiropractors, some good, some ineffectual.
My eldest boy, now 53 years, bought an inversion table and claimed it worked for him. I bought one about 6 months ago and started using it for 4 minutes twice a day. Son says he no longer has back problems. I no longer have back problems. Had to stow my inversion table several weeks ago due to visiting relatives. I should get back on it but I still haven"t had any back pain.
Your results may vary but my table cost about $170 and is cheaper than chiropractors and surgery.
Bob
My eldest boy, now 53 years, bought an inversion table and claimed it worked for him. I bought one about 6 months ago and started using it for 4 minutes twice a day. Son says he no longer has back problems. I no longer have back problems. Had to stow my inversion table several weeks ago due to visiting relatives. I should get back on it but I still haven"t had any back pain.
Your results may vary but my table cost about $170 and is cheaper than chiropractors and surgery.
Bob
Hi, from what ive seen ,back surgury on dics is hard to get over.It will never be as good as what God gave you but i know what you mean about the pain.I have a few disc issues and i deal with it 1 :by doing the touch your toes exercise to strengthen the lower back and also 2: by putting a crutch under each arm and put my weight on the crutches,it kindof pulls my back apart by lettin the back dangle from the crutch's.I guess ill have some surgury when i cant deal with it anymore.
Goose
Well-known Member
I had a herniated disc operated on 30 years ago. I said afterwards that if I'd known it did that much good, I'd have had it done several years earlier.
I did have a problem with painful nerve spasms, which would last a day or two, for ten years after. Maybe a half dozen total, spread out over ten years.
I became very adept at moving heavy things without actually using my back. My H Farmall with bucket loader gets used regularly.
I NEVER lift something heavy with someone else helping. I'm always afraid they'll screw up and throw it all onto me. Even if my wife offers to help me move something, I'll tell her just leave me alone, I'll putter around and get it moved.
The worst thing I can do to my back is stand still in one spot. The second worst is to be inactive physically.
The best thing I can do if I have a back ache is take a pain pill and keep on trucking. Also, if I have a backache, it helps to walk a mile or so.
Given the same circumstances I was in at the time, I wouldn't hesitate to have it done again.
I did have a problem with painful nerve spasms, which would last a day or two, for ten years after. Maybe a half dozen total, spread out over ten years.
I became very adept at moving heavy things without actually using my back. My H Farmall with bucket loader gets used regularly.
I NEVER lift something heavy with someone else helping. I'm always afraid they'll screw up and throw it all onto me. Even if my wife offers to help me move something, I'll tell her just leave me alone, I'll putter around and get it moved.
The worst thing I can do to my back is stand still in one spot. The second worst is to be inactive physically.
The best thing I can do if I have a back ache is take a pain pill and keep on trucking. Also, if I have a backache, it helps to walk a mile or so.
Given the same circumstances I was in at the time, I wouldn't hesitate to have it done again.
K
Kruse
Guest
I work with a lady who had a couple of vertebra fused together about 5 months ago. She has an office job and the doctor still will not let her back to work. I guess she had to do something though, as the pain was getting pretty bad.
I am 28 years old and bad back problems, slipped disc and vertabrae problems. I went to the chiropractor for visits in groups of 12. First block of visits was for 3 times a week , next was for once a week, the next was every other week and now I am down to once a month. Best money I ever spent. Going to the chiropractor is like strenght training your muscles you have to do it consistently, you cant always expect that popping something into place once will make it stay there. Like I said. I am happy with the results. One more question. Do you have a gut out in front of you? If you do, getting rid of it would vastly improve your condition. I always heard that for one pound out front it puts seven pounds on your back. Hope this helps and good luck
Most of the disks in my back are about gone. Woke up one morning and went to the floor when I got up. Tried the chiropractor thing for awhile but that seemed to make it worse. Doctor told me to take it easy and I might make it till retirement. He didn't think surgery would help. He suggested the inversion table which I haven't used yet and using a back support. That thing really saved me. I can do things again like I could 10 years ago but once it is off, I stiffen right up. I have learned to do things the easier way which has also helped but I would recommend a good support before doing the surgery thing.
I too had my 3-4-5 discs injured playing softball. (1969) Several times it flared up over the years and could hardly walk. A couple of years ago it flared up again...worse than ever. Doctor wanted to cut.... I said no and got a second opinion... tried therapy... sort of helped. Then switched doctors and he recommended traction! I felt better after 1st session...eventually got better after 13 sessions and use of a home traction unit... which I still use from time to time.
Highly recommend it or inversion table before going under the knife... however every case is different.
Good luck
Highly recommend it or inversion table before going under the knife... however every case is different.
Good luck
I am starting to scare 50 and 19 years ago I had some real back nerve issues with pain down the legs. Disk at L5-S1 was deteriorated pretty bad. Went to a bunch of doctors all saying surgery was an option. Started taking a personal survey whenever I met or heard of somebody who had had similar surgery. My non-scientific survey indicated that it was about 50-50 whether or not it helped.
I opted to do some physical therapy and try to change my lifestyle to accommadate it. So far so good. I do rarely feel some "shooters" down my leg, but they usually pass quickly. Sometimes I need to find a good position to lay in to relieve the pressure and sometimes it is better to take a walk and work things through. I usually tell people I do about 95% of what I ever did and the 5% I am missing I probably should not have been doing anyway.
I am sure 20 years later they probably have new/better techniques so my survey results might be different today.
Good Luck regardless what you decide,
Kirk
I opted to do some physical therapy and try to change my lifestyle to accommadate it. So far so good. I do rarely feel some "shooters" down my leg, but they usually pass quickly. Sometimes I need to find a good position to lay in to relieve the pressure and sometimes it is better to take a walk and work things through. I usually tell people I do about 95% of what I ever did and the 5% I am missing I probably should not have been doing anyway.
I am sure 20 years later they probably have new/better techniques so my survey results might be different today.
Good Luck regardless what you decide,
Kirk
If it's for pain down the leg with numbness, tingling, and/or weakness of the leg or foot,
AND the MRI shows exactly the disc pinching the nerve, the results should be good with surgery. Anything short of that, especially if it's for back pain and not leg pain don't even consider it. Even with the above, you should try epidural steroid injections, and physical therapy for a LONG time first.
AND the MRI shows exactly the disc pinching the nerve, the results should be good with surgery. Anything short of that, especially if it's for back pain and not leg pain don't even consider it. Even with the above, you should try epidural steroid injections, and physical therapy for a LONG time first.
Take a long hard look & be sure that it ia absolutely essential to your life. All surgery is life threatening. An acquaintance, 40's, decided he needed back surgery to alleviate pain caused by some golf swings, lived the rest of his truncated life in a wheel chair.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
I'm not crazy about being cut on, but you shouldn't waste time talking to someone that had the procedure longer than a couple years ago. I've seen documentaries where people went in to day surgery clinics and had the edges trimmed from slipped discs (little more technical than that, but ...) I'd steer away from a doctor that suggests the surgery right away without trying ALL other options.
Dave
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Eric, I have great empathy with what you are going through. The pain can be terrible. I have had 2 back operations, both on L5-S1. The first when I was 23 and the second at 37. I am 49 now and pain free. After my second opperation I got thrown out of the police dept (disabled), I promptly joined the fire dept (different standards) I have no problem passing the annual PT test. Not sure why you think you can't go back to truck driving, I know truck drivers that have gone through it, along with policemen, firefighters, carpenters, nurses, a NFL quarterback, a dirt bike rider, and even a back surgeon that had a back surgery, all went back to work. Much depends on your physical condition going in, and here is my beef with all months of conservative management (PT ect) they but me through before the second surgery. The longer that disc bulge pushes on that nerve the more permanent damage will be done. I knew I was getting worse, my left leg was going dead, I fell several times, my brain sent a message to my leg to move and it didn't. Without an operation I was headed toward a wheelchair. The reflex on the back of my left foot is gone, and the ankle muscle is weak. Also setting around in pain and not working takes a real mental and emotional toll. As for the University Hospitals, remember they are teaching hospitals, you will be assinged a "Opperating Team" or some such words. That team will have a very experienced surgeon. That very experienced surgeon will watch a very inexperienced surgeon preform your operation. Everybody has to start someplace, and for a surgeon the first time is at the University Hospital. Finally, neuro surgeons are way better at this that orthopedic surgeons.
Have you tried the spinal decompression machines ? Basicly kinda like traction and it is to help the disc regenerate. I had thought about trying this before mine gets too bad,but the main ones doing it aren't open evenings or weekends and I hate to take off work for this kinda stuff.
just another old geezer
Member
L4 herniated disk srugury april 2002. Fully recovered, have to watch not to lift too much, and my left foot gets cold first, But I would have to call it a success. The only people I know who have had this type of surgury and not mostly recover are the ones who would not follow doctors orders and went back to work when they felt that they should, not when the doctor felt that they should. 6 months min recover time, NO CHEATING!!!!.
ted regentin
Member
My partner went through back surgery twice. First time didn't work. He was in bad shape aferwards. He had it again, and now we play raquetball regularly. He had a better surgeon the second time. If I faced such a surgery, I would explore all alternative options first.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
You were not very specific about what problem you have. I had spondlyolisthesis. Means the vertebra slide out of place and pinch the spinal cord between the discs. I just couldn't walk more than 100 feet anymore. Couldn't stand up for more than a few minutes. Carried a portable seat everywhere. Had to sit down, couldn't travel because i couldn't walk through airports, Had to quit bird hunting and field trials because I couldn't walk. Couldn't ride a horse. Couldn't dance with my wife. It was making an old man our of me fast. Fought it for 20 years.
Had back surgery one year ago, they fused 3 vertebrae together in the lower part of my back.
Now I can stand for hours, and walk as far as my old knees will carry me. The back surgery techniques are really improved over 20 years ago.
I suggest you find a neuro surgeon that has done a lot of the type surgery you need. I'm still 65 but a lot more able to enjoy life than a year ago. Knees next.
Had back surgery one year ago, they fused 3 vertebrae together in the lower part of my back.
Now I can stand for hours, and walk as far as my old knees will carry me. The back surgery techniques are really improved over 20 years ago.
I suggest you find a neuro surgeon that has done a lot of the type surgery you need. I'm still 65 but a lot more able to enjoy life than a year ago. Knees next.
BANDITFARMER
Well-known Member
In 1984 I screwed my back up at work, This was before they had CAT scans or MRIs. After 3 weeks of pure hell and every test they could do, the doctor told me I had to have surgery. I said ok and what are my chances? 40/60 he said, not good I said. Well you have a disk at L4/L5 and L3/L4 that are crushed and herniated and if we dont operate you will be in a wheel chair soon. Well I did not have the surgery and I am still walking, I have to watch what I do and still see the doctors and I work smarter not harder. As long as you can take the pain and keep it in check without hard drugs, dont get operated on. Look into other options, lose some weight, see a physical therapies and learn to stretch and how to build your back up again.DONT GIVE UP ON YOURSELF and give in. Keep positive outlook on things. IT WORKS!! I had a 4 1/2in tumor taken out of my head in 2004 and kept a positive outlook, and went back to work in 4 weeks. No one could believe it. I told the doctor that he had to get this done and me back on my feet because I got beans to cut and wheat to plant. 2 weeks after surgery I was in the cab cutting soy beans (the doctor flipped out) and I got my wheat planted. You got to do what you got to do, dont give up on your self, beat the odds. Bandit
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Hi there,
I wouldn't want somebody else telling mewhat to do, so I won't tell you the same thing. I would tell you that a close relative also had trigeminal neuralgia and did have the surgery at U of MN. Her results were fantastic and have literally made the difference between wanting to live and not.
Best,
Phil
I wouldn't want somebody else telling mewhat to do, so I won't tell you the same thing. I would tell you that a close relative also had trigeminal neuralgia and did have the surgery at U of MN. Her results were fantastic and have literally made the difference between wanting to live and not.
Best,
Phil
I had a fusion in my neck about 4 years ago. The problem was a partially herniated disk, and a bone spur inside the vertibre sp.? It worked for me, just wish I had found out what was wrong before the perminant problems had showed up.
find the best most qualified doc. you can. Don't forget the 2nd and 3rd opinions (Doctors).
Tim in OR
find the best most qualified doc. you can. Don't forget the 2nd and 3rd opinions (Doctors).
Tim in OR
Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
6 years ago the Dr's wanted to fuse my L4 and L5. I refused and changed my life style. Try PT first. I walked on a treadmill that was in a tank they filled with water up to my chest. Walking and sleeping on the floor helped me. I can't ride a motorcycle or a lawn mower without paying the price. Need a tractor with a soft ride. I couldn't lift more than 10# without being in pain and learned that bending over hurts too. Dr told me to get rid of the caddy and drive a SUV or truck. He was right. However, if I had a chipped bone I would have it removed. It will never get better. People who have had fusion tell me that the disk above the fusion are the next to go. DR also told me that your back is like a debit card that you can't add more money to it. When you use it up you have used it up. Epidurals took my pain away until the PT got a hold of me. Make sure the Dr has an x-ray machine to locate your nerves before you get a shot. If he hits a nerve or get into your spinal fluid you are going to wish you were dead! Your head will feal like it's going to explode. Stay off things that jar your spine and stop bending over when you lift things. LOL
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