Back Pain Support Group

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. In fact, about 3 in 4 adults will experience back pain during their lifetime! The term back pain includes pain affecting the neck, midback and low back. Acute back pain may begin suddenly with intense pain but typically lasts fewer than three months. Usually, chronic back pain is persistent, steady, and...

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/ Back Pain Support Group

Seeing my surgeon and scared.

ReginaPhalange
ReginaPhalange
Hi I don't post here very much but thought someone may be able to help me.

3 months ago I had an operation that left me with nerve damage in my spine and spinal cord compression. They decided it wasn't bad enough to operate and have been looking for other causes. I have had countless nerve conduction studies, CT and MRI scans and now I'm scared.

Ever since this happened I have not been able to move my left leg, I've been getting around on crutches and with a wheelchair.

Today I go back to see my surgeon. I'm scared of what he's going to say. He's discussed some operations that may benefit me but may also make me worse in the long run.

What sort of things should I be asking him? What information do I need before I decide on surgery?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I'm sorry things are so bad for you, I can't imagine how you must feel right now. I usually ask my doctor things like. " What would you do if it were you're back" or " what surgery would you go with if it were you".

Sounds like a crap shoot with surgery, and that stinks. If something may help you out, go for it, everything seems to have risks. If the ulternative is some surgery or not being able to move, speaking for myself, I'd likely take the surgery.

I'm not you tho, but you have a lot to think about. Discuss everything in depth with your doctor and whom ever else you can talk to before you decide. I hope things work out for you.

Kim
deleted_user
deleted_user
Don't you feel angry about an operation leaving you with such a serious problem? I'm thinking about your 2 yr statute of limitations for medical malpractice! Have you gotten another opinion? I hope you let us know how things went!
carried
carried
Easily understandable why you are scared, considering what you went thru with the last surgery. If this is the same surgeon, you have reason to be even more scared. I echo Bewitched in suggesting a second opinion. I have seen an orthopedic surgeon, am seeing a spinal specialist Tues. and plan to ask my PCP for a referral to a neurosurgeon I've heard great things about, and also a pain specialist who did some sort of electric deadening (ablation-sp?) of the nerve on a friend of mine. Also like jitterygirl, I go in with a list of questions, and make sure I understand what is discussed. I also ask the empathy provoking questions, but usually say it like, "If I was your mother (or sister depending on the age) what would you suggest she have done?" That usually gets them out of their heads and into their hearts. Good luck and keep us posted!