Back Surgery

[GARYD]

Gary, be careful with the marijuana products. Here in PA, if you are issued a medical marijuana card you forfeit your concealed carry permit and the ability to even buy a firearm.

Good to know. I'll keep that in mind. Thanks

 

[GARYD]

Update on back pain. I saw a spine specialist yesterday. He can't see anything wrong, but thinks it might be a pinched nerve. He said I should have an injection done and if that relieves the pain, then he can burn the nerve. I have no where else to go since I've seen every type of doctor and tried all kinds of pain meds and so far nothing has worked....even a chiropractor and THC gummies.

My question is: has anyone here had either of these two procedures done and did it do any good? Would you do it again?

Thanks

 

[Jack Klarich]

Update on back pain. I saw a spine specialist yesterday. He can't see anything wrong, but thinks it might be a pinched nerve. He said I should have an injection done and if that relieves the pain, then he can burn the nerve. I have no where else to go since I've seen every type of doctor and tried all kinds of pain meds and so far nothing has worked....even a chiropractor and THC gummies.

My question is: has anyone here had either of these two procedures done and did it do any good? Would you do it again?

Thanks

I had injections done twice with moderate success . WE decided against burning the nerve

 

[Papa Zook]

Have you thought about seeing a Chiropractor?

 

[ROAD DOG]

I had two shot's did nothing for me , I go to a chiropractor every week and massage and I take cbd candy bars . I did acupunture for two years then that stopped workin. It sucks but I find ways to deal with it , being self employed makes it worst .

 

[Tazman11]

The story and the process. I’ve been fighting back pain for over a decade and can share my journey. I’ve tried everything, and I mean everything. Surgery is never the first thing recommended because the insurance companies will no allow it. I have 3 fractured verts., 2 torn discs, and 6 bulging discs. Some days I pray that God will just take me. Surgery has been suggested but I did not go that route. I was the first in the country to have PRP spinal injections for a thoracic injury and I’m in Dr. Marco Boders book. Unfortunately, the first worked for about a year, the next 4 made me suffer. I have had the nerve ablation ( burning of the nerves) and that was the most painful thing ever done to me. 6 weeks of intense pain. 3 years ago I had a Medtronic Nerve Stimulator installed in my back. I have a hand held device to program and charge the implant. This removes about 25% of the pain. Lately I have been doing some steroid injections. 6 inch needle through the neck means the have to knock me out so I don’t move. Work well but not permanent. Medical Mary Jane is not allowed in Idaho but I can drive 30 miles to Oregon if needed (driven home by wife.) I have not done this yet but know that it works better than the Oxy that the Doctors give me.

Back pain is life changing and those that have never had it can not relate to the disabling pain it creates. It can ruin your life if you let it. I choose not to and fight it daily. For some reason, God has chosen this path for me. I think he wants to see how tough I am and how much pain I can take. I may not win this battle but I will not give up.

Riding my trike in the mountains causes intense pain after an hour. I’m installing a VTXtreme 6 degree rake this winter. Hopefully the power steering effect allows me to continue riding the trike. If not, I will sell it and ride my Valkyrie bike.

I suggest you see the Doctor, get the MRI imaging and start the process. You can say no to any of their suggestions.

Best wishes in your journey.

 

[k-dog]

i have had back pain forever,it seems to adapt to all treatments.iknow people get of hearing me complain but it consumes your whole life.hope the treatments help . just to let you know that your not the onlyone in theboat.

 

[GARYD]

I've been to every kind of doctor / chiropractor / nerve / neurosurgeon / orthopedic surgeon, etc. I've had 10 different pain meds / PT / vicodin / hydocodine / muscle relaxers / THC / heat pads and cold pads. I've had x-rays / MRI / nerve tests = nothing.

The neurosurgeon said I do not need surgery. I have absolutely no problem/pain riding my bike or sitting or standing - just pain when I bend or twist.

I go to the gym every other day. I do all the resistance machines and different stretches and planks. I am not overweight = all the docs say I'm in pretty good shape for my age.

I'm thinking on just not doing anything and just put up with the pain. Some days it's not so bad but some days it's bad. As long as I'm not doing any damage to anything (as the doc said) I'll just leave it alone.

All I wanted to know was will the injection or burning of the nerve work without any bad aftereffects? All I'm really worried about is doing any damage.

 

[pigfoot63]

Shots and Meloxicam work well for me.

 

[GARYD]

Shots and Meloxicam work well for me.

Thanks, I'll mention that to the doc.

 

[Tazman11]

I've been to every kind of doctor / chiropractor / nerve / neurosurgeon / orthopedic surgeon, etc. I've had 10 different pain meds / PT / vicodin / hydocodine / muscle relaxers / THC / heat pads and cold pads. I've had x-rays / MRI / nerve tests = nothing.

The neurosurgeon said I do not need surgery. I have absolutely no problem/pain riding my bike or sitting or standing - just pain when I bend or twist.

I go to the gym every other day. I do all the resistance machines and different stretches and planks. I am not overweight = all the docs say I'm in pretty good shape for my age.

I'm thinking on just not doing anything and just put up with the pain. Some days it's not so bad but some days it's bad. As long as I'm not doing any damage to anything (as the doc said) I'll just leave it alone.

All I wanted to know was will the injection or burning of the nerve work without any bad aftereffects? All I'm really worried about is doing any damage.

Most injections (my experience only. I’m not a doctor) were/are steroids. If they are repairing damaged tissue PRP. Nerve ablation is typically done by a pain doctor. They just burn up the nerves using an ablation technique. Over time the nerves do grow back. For me, the pain lasted 6 weeks and felt like a burn. Didn’t work for me but does for others. The key is having a GOOD / YOUNG pain doctor. Many communities don’t offer much choice or selection. I have been very lucky in this respect.

 

[short final]

GaryD. We do much the same workout, resistance tubes, stretching, elliptical, with about same result, mixed but overall good.



11 ribs broken off backbone left side, collapsed left lung, shattered pelvis, yada yada. For my situation doc said surgery was high risk and PT would provide equal odds chance of optimum recovery.

She also said that getting old wasn't for the faint-hearted, if I wanted pain manageable mobility that'd I'd have to work at it most every day rest of my life.

I use CBD 20:1 and vaporize pot extract resin rather than smoke.

Several decades later at 72 I'm aging well, full left knee replacement few years back but did the knee PT then eventually back to standard workout, about 1 hr/day.

You're a vet and understand pain for gain trade-off, stay the course, not losing ground for lack of exercise discipline and getting into the wind can continue for many more enjoyable riding years.

Every morning when I take my resistance tubes off the hook I feel like I'm upgrading my "inner harley".

YMMV. best luck, Jim.

 

[GARYD]

GaryD. We do much the same workout, resistance tubes, stretching, elliptical, with about same result, mixed but overall good.



11 ribs broken off backbone left side, collapsed left lung, shattered pelvis, yada yada. For my situation doc said surgery was high risk and PT would provide equal odds chance of optimum recovery.

She also said that getting old wasn't for the faint-hearted, if I wanted pain manageable mobility that'd I'd have to work at it most every day rest of my life.

I use CBD 20:1 and vaporize pot extract resin rather than smoke.

Several decades later at 72 I'm aging well, full left knee replacement few years back but did the knee PT then eventually back to standard workout, about 1 hr/day.

You're a vet and understand pain for gain trade-off, stay the course, not losing ground for lack of exercise discipline and getting into the wind can continue for many more enjoyable riding years.

Every morning when I take my resistance tubes off the hook I feel like I'm upgrading my "inner harley".

YMMV. best luck, Jim.

Thanks Jim. I finally went to the pain doctor a few weeks ago and had the injections = absolutely nothing. Like you I even tried pot gummies 20mg = absolutely nothing, not even a buzz. $85 down the drain. Last doctor I saw (overall I saw about 5 different doc's in different fields) told me there's nothing more can be done, it's simply old age. I turn 78 next month. At least my back doesn't hurt when I'm sitting or lying down, just when I bend, so riding the TG is not a problem.

I've had my right hip replaced and left shoulder repaired. Broke my neck 3 years ago on my way to the Tail of the Dragon, so I'm kinda used to pain.

Your doc is right, and I still go to the gym (for about 3 hours total) every other day. Maybe if I drink a lot more booze, haven't tried that yet. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:As long as I can still ride, I'm happy.......hopefully for a least another 10 years. epper: (Yes)

 

[bear1953]

in my 68 years of doing many stupid things Im a veteran of back surgeries....back in the early 80s everybody had disc surgery

fast forward to today and I can hardly stand or walk BUT im going in next week for MILD back surgery (google it) mildy invasive lumbar something another

but it opens up the narrowing of the spinal column to take pressure off nerves... its actually outpatient and u in and out in less than 2hrs they say----my hopes are high for good results as the doc says 75% see almost instant results !

Ive had to fight my insurance co for 8 months to get this approved !

Stay tuned !

 

[ol' school]

Best of luck Wayne!