Let me start from the beginning. I saw my ortho in July and found out that I herniated a disc between L4-L5. I had 3 steriod injections to see if those would help with the symptoms at all (and they didnt) so I went for follow up yesterday with my surgeon to discuss other treatment options.
I will start by saying that I am kinda frustrated with his PA's because they are kinda off their game right now. They (there are 3 of them) all thought my herniated disc was something else and that it would spontaneously resolve itself. One of them came in yesterday and just wanted to leave it for awhile longer while I can barely function. I have seen the physical SIGNS of curve progression that I noticed on myself before the first surgery so I asked about an x ray (which I had not had since May so didnt think it was totally unreasonable) and he finally went and got the doctor. He didnt think I needed it because i "looked symmetrical" but did one anyways because I felt that I needed it, and sure enough my curve had gone from 20* to 30* below the fusion.
It is now clear that there is narrowed disc space on the right (the side of the herniation) and that the only option is surgery for both the curve and the hernitation. He wants to extend my fusion that stops now at L2 down to L4 doing a complete discectomy at the L2-3 levels and L3-4 levels and a partial discectomy between L4-5.
My biggest fear is being a college student and the amount of time recovery takes. My last surgery was a hardware removal and the recovery was really short. I was able to drive to school where I lived in the dorms and go back to bed and rest after each class. This year I transfered to a different school that takes me an hour to get to and then there is the length of the class itself. With my first surgery I had some complications and wasnt able to go back to school for 2 months (and even then it was only half time). I want to wait this out till next summer, but dont know that I can live with the pain that long. If I do it at christmas I face not being ready to go back to school and totally burning out.
I am totally overwhelmed right now. I was honestly expecting another surgery as the day got near (I knew the pain feeling all too well) but did not want to admit it and would try anything to avoid it. In the meantime I am going to begin taking Celebrex along with the Norco I am already taking and see if that is able to control the pain while working my way down the Norco. My doctor is also giving me a brace to wear so that I can keep the symptoms under control as long as possible. Now the hard part is getting my insurance to pay for it.
Sorry for ranting. I know this is kinda long. Any thoughts on timing or past experiences would be great. I dont want to put my education on hold, it is the most important thing and is what i schedule around.
Mandy
I will start by saying that I am kinda frustrated with his PA's because they are kinda off their game right now. They (there are 3 of them) all thought my herniated disc was something else and that it would spontaneously resolve itself. One of them came in yesterday and just wanted to leave it for awhile longer while I can barely function. I have seen the physical SIGNS of curve progression that I noticed on myself before the first surgery so I asked about an x ray (which I had not had since May so didnt think it was totally unreasonable) and he finally went and got the doctor. He didnt think I needed it because i "looked symmetrical" but did one anyways because I felt that I needed it, and sure enough my curve had gone from 20* to 30* below the fusion.
It is now clear that there is narrowed disc space on the right (the side of the herniation) and that the only option is surgery for both the curve and the hernitation. He wants to extend my fusion that stops now at L2 down to L4 doing a complete discectomy at the L2-3 levels and L3-4 levels and a partial discectomy between L4-5.
My biggest fear is being a college student and the amount of time recovery takes. My last surgery was a hardware removal and the recovery was really short. I was able to drive to school where I lived in the dorms and go back to bed and rest after each class. This year I transfered to a different school that takes me an hour to get to and then there is the length of the class itself. With my first surgery I had some complications and wasnt able to go back to school for 2 months (and even then it was only half time). I want to wait this out till next summer, but dont know that I can live with the pain that long. If I do it at christmas I face not being ready to go back to school and totally burning out.
I am totally overwhelmed right now. I was honestly expecting another surgery as the day got near (I knew the pain feeling all too well) but did not want to admit it and would try anything to avoid it. In the meantime I am going to begin taking Celebrex along with the Norco I am already taking and see if that is able to control the pain while working my way down the Norco. My doctor is also giving me a brace to wear so that I can keep the symptoms under control as long as possible. Now the hard part is getting my insurance to pay for it.
Sorry for ranting. I know this is kinda long. Any thoughts on timing or past experiences would be great. I dont want to put my education on hold, it is the most important thing and is what i schedule around.
Mandy
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