Back Surgery

GARYD said:

I'm not looking for advice on getting an operation.......I'll let my doctor do that.

My question was - anybody out there have had back surgery and how are you doing afterwards and was it worth it? What is the approximate recovery time?

Thanks again for all your input

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That question can not be answered. There are way too many types of surgery. I have 3 spacers in my back to stop Spinal stenosis. Microscopic surgery done as an out patient. My problems went away with no knife involved. Surperieron by Vertiflex. Think of it as a spring rubber in a race car.

I had surgery 12-28-2020. Back to work 4-1 -2021. Numbness and pain gone. I also tried a chiropractor which I think made my herniated disc worse. I would do it again. Be Safe BK

cavie said:

That question can not be answered. There are way too many types of surgery. I have 3 spacers in my back to stop Spinal stenosis. Microscopic surgery done as an out patient. My problems went away with no knife involved. Surperieron by Vertiflex. Think of it as a spring rubber in a race car.

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Sure it can. The last 15 posts answered my question.

I went to the doc Wednesday. He looked my my older x-rays and said it's probably arthritis because he doesn't see any bone issues. He's referred me to a neurosurgeon. Also I should talk to a physical therapist to see if there are any different exercises I could try and maybe look into trying marijuana.

I have an appointment next Friday to see the neurosurgeon. I am also going to give pot a try :jumpy: it can't hurt.

GARYD said:

Sure it can. The last 15 posts answered my question.

I went to the doc Wednesday. He looked my my older x-rays and said it's probably arthritis because he doesn't see any bone issues. He's referred me to a neurosurgeon. Also I should talk to a physical therapist to see if there are any different exercises I could try and maybe look into trying marijuana.

I have an appointment next Friday to see the neurosurgeon. I am also going to give pot a try :jumpy: it can't hurt.

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Arthritis? I would have thought he would have referred you to a rheumatologist.

Keep us informed.. many folks our age have back issues and looking for as much hands-on info as we can gather.

Going to the neurosurgeon later today. I went to a marijuana dealer Wednesday and got some gummies and salve(recommended by the sales person). Not sure yet if any of it works. I first tried 1/4 piece = nothing. Thursday tried 1/2 piece = pain seems a little less. Will try another 1/2 today and see.

After the neurosurgeon, if needed, I'll make an appointment with PT Dept. and see if there is an exercise that I don't do at the gym that will help.

Sure hope there is some kind of relief out there.

pain management is a thing, but it won't take away the pain

I'm on synthetic THC for some nerve issues in my back (L4 and L5 slipped disc), tried this as suggestion to avoid surgery. It doesn't get me high, but I know when I run out, because the pain is pretty bad. I've not been on my trike in 8 months for more than half an hour because much longer than that an I'm laid out for two days. I had a spinal cord stimulator for another unrelated reason, and they ran another lead from that to my lower back, and that helps on bad days, but I still have issues bending down and walking more than five or ten minutes.

I have VA benefits, and they outsourced me due to covid (this started just at the start of all that), so this is a civilian prescription because the VA doesn't normally use THC. . Thing is, with the VA, I have to go through every suggestion at least once, or they tend to remember what I didn't do, and make things a lot more complicated. This prescription, some nerve blocks and a nerve ablation are the last ones before they'll operate.

I'm going to have surgery to correct it as soon as they can schedule it. I've been going to doctors for this since it started, and I have to say I think I'm better off now than I was when this all started. Not close to 100%, but I'm taking any improvement I can get.

My point is, THC and CBD do help, but they're not a cure-all. I use CBD for other chronic pain and it works fine, but for this, surgery is going to be the best option. Only YOU and a Dr. together can decided what's best for you.

Well, the good news is, I don't need an operation. So far both doctors have indicated a form of arthritis. The neurosurgeon said I could try a muscle relaxant.

I'm feeling pretty good tonight, but don't know what's working. I took half a gummy and the muscle relaxant but not any ibuprofen. The THC/CBD salve hasn't done a thing.......that I can tell.

Tomorrow I'll leave out the pot and just use the muscle relaxant and go from there.

Sure glad an operation is not needed. I wonder what would happen if I take a whole gummy???

Thankfully this issue does not hamper my riding at all. I have done a couple 2000 mile trips and a Saddlesore 1000 with no issues.

Back problems

Try the physical therapy it’s worked wonders for my back. Over the counter and muscle relaxants stopped working for me.Since going to PT have not needed either. Good luck.

MyraC

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.

P O T

ol' school said:

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.

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YIKES…….think I’ll stay here in OREGON…….

ol' school said:

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.

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

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

GARYD said:

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

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

Have you thought about seeing a Chiropractor?

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 .

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.

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.

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.

Shots and Meloxicam work well for me.

pigfoot63 said:

Shots and Meloxicam work well for me.

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Thanks, I'll mention that to the doc.