Updates come in small steps Posted: 05-17-08 20:02pm
Had the MRI, confirmed fragment from L4-L5
pressing on left sciatic nerve. Talked to
the neurosurgeon, he said I was a
candidate for surgery, and could schedule
it at will, being very soon or years from
now. It all depended on how satisfied I
was with my quality of life.
To be honest, I am nowhere near the pain
levels of some of you. Sitting hurts,
standing still hurts, lifting heavy
objects hurts. However, climbing ladders
and wiring in ceilings feels good (my
full-time job), walking around a retail
sales floor (one of my part-time jobs)
feels good, and sitting here at this
computer (my other part time job) hurts,
but the pay is great.
For jimare, there was no question.
Surgery or cut off the leg! My quandry is
different. I am really trying to weigh
the pros and cons of having surgery with
its risks, or maintaining my quality of
life as it is. And only I can answer that
question.
My neurosurgeon is Dr Kalia in
Springfield, MA. His resume is great, and
comes highly recommended. I will be
getting a second opinion on Monday when I
see my GP.
Since this is a laser surgery thread, let
me say that by the time I have $30,000 to
spend on surgery, I might as well spend it
on a nice headstone........
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RichT
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Posted: 05-17-08 22:52pm
Hello Everyone,
WOW, "leave" for three days and I'm way
behind. GREAT!!!!
Thanks Mare and Ratter for your thoughts.
Ratter, yep, keeping moving loosens things
up for me too. "I have a new unrelated
problem in that my left hand and fingers
cramp up and start to hurt but when I free
them up the minor pain goes away instantly
and hand and fingers are free again." Now
that sounds very familiar. Many years ago
the joints in the fingers of my one hand
"froze" up to the point I could only
slightly move my fingers. ARTHRITIS was
the problem!!! Voltaren has helped that
problem greatly. (Except for this "bad
weather" day when all my joints are
hurting.) I suspect as your doc told you
that you have that nasty arthritis.
"This getting old sucks" Amen to that!!!
Mare, "getting old is not for sissies" is
a word for word quote from my wife's uncle
when he was in his 90's. DAMM I wish it
wasn't so!!!! AHHHHhh but to cherish the
good days and what we CAN still do and
enjoy as you have so well written.
Glad you got that nice $10K back. Have
you spent it yet? lol
Take care.
RichT
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RichT
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Posted: 05-17-08 23:17pm
Hello Algosdoc,
Nice to "see" you back on this thread!!
Had just about completed a post to you and
then the whole thing went blank
GRRRRRrrr.
Will try again later.
RichT
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Marie B.
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 230 Location: Ohio
A Little Light Laughter is Good Posted: 05-18-08 10:39am
Sciatica Al.
Your mental approach to your spine problem
is very objective and shows a clear
thinking person. Your recognition of the
spine problem and the realization that
only you can decide which way to
go....surgery or no surgery.. is great.
Your decision in regard to the
neurosurgeon is good too.
I was wondering, "Is your neurosurgeon a
spine specialist?"
Neurosurgery, like Orthosurgery are a
specialities in itself, but they also have
specialities within specialities. What
I went looking for was a spine specialist
who did not do other types of surgery
other then on the spine. When you find
the "spine specialist", look for the
number of years, he/she has done this type
of surgery. The longer the number of
years, the greater the experience, the
better for you as a patient. All that I
have just said is logic to the logical
mind.
Listen to the advice of your PCP but do
not bind yourself to just what he tells
you about the neruo doctor because I have
found doctors can refer you to a surgeon,
but they do not always have the time nor
resources to really search for the best
surgeon for you. Of course what can bind
you to one doctor is the insurance that
you have and their rule of "you can only
choose a doctor on our panel." If you are
lucky, you have "off panel" options.
If you believe you can live with the pain
you are now experiencing then I would say,
forget surgery. The only requirement for
re evaluating if surgery is in your future
is age. The older you are, the longer the
recovery.
I am Mare's age. I am 6 months out of a
lot of "stuff" done to my spine.
I am just beginning to be able to carry
out the instructions of "walk,walk, walk."
I do two miles a day, walking at a
medium pace. Believe me when I say, this
old spine, reacted with twinges, spasms
and some jolts of pain to every additional
10 min. I added to my walk. So, if you
can stay away from surgery, I would say
"It's your decision."
Be careful of that computer chair. A lot
of people foul up their spines sitting at
the computer for too long periods of time.
Maybe you can add heat, or ice kept in
place by a binder when you are sitting in
the chair. A pillow located either at the
Lumbar or at the Thoracic region of the
back should help too. For some weird
reason, I need mine at the Thoracic region
even though my surgery was in the Lumbar
region.
And your comparison between spending money
or buying a tombstone was really funny. I
needed a little light laughter today.
Thankyou.
I wish you continued good luck as you
struggle through your pain and decisions.
Marie B.
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Marie B.
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 230 Location: Ohio
Cervical Disc Problems Posted: 05-18-08 10:50am
Most of out posters have been those who
have Lumbar problems. Its been ages since
Dragonfly has posted results of cervical
surgery.
If anyone has had cervical surgery, I wish
they would consider letting us know about
their problem and how it was handled
surgically and their post op recovery.
I just sent a person to my doctor because
the man heard and saw how well I had done
under my spine specialist. His problem is
in the cervical region, but no problem for
my spine specialist because that is in his
lineup of speciality surgical services.
This poor man must have surgery. He has 3
Cervical discs that have pressed so deeply
on the spinal cord, it is half the size
in circumference due to the pressure.
Many symptoms are present including leg
pain. The cord must be relieved from this
pressure because any accident which
involves a jolt, knock, or jerk of the
neck can result in putting him in a wheel
chair for the rest of his life.
Hopefully there is one out there who will
post his experience.
Marie B.
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RichT
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Posted: 05-18-08 14:17pm
Hello Marie,
AHHHhh, so nice to see and read your
posts.
SUPERB thoughts, wisdom and words of
advice to Al. Right ON!!!!
Sure would be nice to see Dragonfly
posting again.
Thanks for sharing the cervical back
problems about the fellow. I hope
Dragonfly and others will respond to your
request for their experiences with
cervical surgery, etc.
Marie, I'm amazed that you can walk two
miles at a good pace. I know you would
put me to shame. Would you give us an
update on how your recovery is going and
how the pain "issues" are doing.
Have a GREAT Day!!!
RichT
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RichT
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Posted: 05-18-08 14:44pm
Hello Algosdoc,
Well, I'll try again. lol
I agree it would be great if the laser
spine centers would share with the public
the information you mention. AND so too
for "traditional" spine surgeons.
Algosdoc, I have gone to 6 spinal
surgeons. Not a single doctor provided me
with the information you mention should
have been provided. NOT ONE!!!
The Oswestry and Roland Morris tests are
new to me. I know of no one who has had
spinal surgery whether at a laser spine
center or at a traditional spine center
who has had these tests.
And regarding the SF36 pain assessment, I
know I have not had one from any of the
spinal surgeons that I have gone to. When
I have an appointment at the traditional
spine institute I go to, each time I am to
write down on a form the level of my pain,
where it is located and any nerve issues.
That is the only thing my spinal surgeon
has ever "looked at". Never has he ever
mentioned the SF36 pain assessment. Same
for the modified MacNab outcome
assessment.
Algosdoc, I will definitely mention these
tests and assessments to my spinal surgeon
the next time I have an appointment with
him. Thanks for the very valuable info.
AND I WILL ALSO ask those two important
questions you recommend that we ask of our
doctors.
Regarding publications - Only one doctor
has openly shared his publications with
the public, and he is in the UK. I have
checked as best I could if any of the 6
docs I have seen has published in the
medical literature. Again, a big zero.
SOOoo in fairness to the doctors at the
laser spine centers, their publishing
record is no worse than the vast majority
of "traditonal" spine surgeons (if I may
be permitted to extrapolate from my
experiences).
Well, had better close before I lose this
post.
RichT
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RichT
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Posted: 05-18-08 15:03pm
Hello Mare,
I'm slowly working my way "backward" on
this thread.
In your 5-16-08 4:38pm post you stated -
"On any studies I have seen comparing
laser spine surgery to open back
surgery...the results were not even
close." First, where did you find the
studies that you refer to? I have tried
to find such information on the web
through the numerous medical journals.
Almost without exception such published
studies were not available to me because I
am not a paying member of any of the
medical journals. Heck, I can't even get
to my past chemical publicatons. lol
Would you be so kind as to expand upon
your statement "the results were not even
close". What were the differences, which
came out on top, and could you give us the
name of the journal publication, name of
journal, volume, etc.? Thanks
I agree, that generally the more invasive
the spine surgery the higher the risks.
And then there is the risk factor of the
hospital, and the competency of the
surgeon.
Now to continue backward.
RichT
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RichT
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Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 901
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Posted: 05-18-08 15:37pm
Hello Mare and Algosdoc,
Thanks Mare for your question to Algosdoc
on the Total Facet Arthroplasty System.
What especially caught my eye was that it
offers an alternative to rigid spinal
fusion. Spinal fusion is the MAJOR reason
I'm trying to keep the knife away.
Thanks Algosdoc for your excellent
response on the TFAS. Do you have any
idea when the study will be completed and
the results published? Hope soon.
There is another technique called Total
Posterior Spine system (TOPS) that
Impliant developed. It is currently being
studied for those people who ONLY need to
have two adjacent vertebrae "stabilized".
From my understanding it is placed between
the two vertebrae and permits motion of
the spine at that location, rather than no
motion with the "screws and rods"
technique. I did make application to be
included in the study, however, I did not
qualify because of my need to have two
spinal fusions. I will look forward to
you response on this technique.
RichT
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RichT
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Posted: 05-18-08 16:06pm
Hello SciaticAl,
I read your post with a great deal of
interest. Thanks for sharing the details
of your spinal situation.
You have received SUPERB thoughts, advice
and wisdom from Marie. She has provided
you with excellent "food for thought".
So important that you have had an MRI.
"Quality of life" - Yes, that is a most
important question that most of us have
had to deal with. What compromises in our
life style are we willing to accept that
still gives us an acceptable quality of
life? That is the basic question I dealt
with about a year ago.
Like you, standing in one location makes
the pain level rise very quickly in a
matter of 2-3 minutes. So for me that is
a NO NO. Also, like you, sitting in a
wood chair or just an uncomforatable chair
will take care of my back in short order.
I take my special cushion with me when we
go out to eat, and even then I may need to
get up and walk around during the dinner.
I should add that I've been sitting in my
computer chair for over three hours now
and my back is only now saying I need to
take a break. A break to walk around a
bit, and then to my recliner.
YES, MOVING for me also is the best way to
keep the pain at a minimum level. My
"gardening exercises" are great for that.
I weighed the pros and cons of surgery
just as you are doing. It took me several
months to do the research into the pluses
and the minuses. In the process I sought
out the advice from six spinal surgeons in
my area, and from a surgeon at the Bonati
institute. Three surgeons recommended
surgery, and four did not. It took a lot
of "soul searching" to feel comfortable in
making a decision.
Al, for me, at the time my pain level was
a 2-4. The four docs voting against
having surgery ALL said that surgery
should be the LAST option because of the
risks involved. When I asked one doctor
(recommended to me by Fran's doctor) what
guide I should use to know when I needed
to have surgery, his answer was - "When
you can't walk across your living room."
I also need to add that the epidural
injections (with the corticosteroid
Kenalog) given by my pain management
doctor have made all the difference in the
world for me. I can do many of the things
I could not do last year. Top of the list
is gardening. My pain level now is
generally in the 0-2 range (unless I get
one or two of those "bad weather" days
like now).
SOOOooo Al, give yourself the time you
need to make the right decision for
yourself. Do your research and get the
opinions from several of the best spinal
surgeons you can find in your area.
Determine which compromises to your life
style you will accept and which ones you
will not. AND also understand that
surgery has no guarantee that you will be
pain free after surgery.
For me, I'll stay away from the knife as
long as I can.
I wish you the best.
RichT
|
Marie B.
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 230 Location: Ohio
Talking About Posted: 05-18-08 17:35pm
Hi Everyone,
Talking about "quality of life" and how
much pain I was willing to live with.
When I decided to have surgery, there was
never a time I was at a 0 or 2, even when
being given corticosteriod injections with
Lidocaine. When I look back to that day
and time, I know I could not do what Rich
has done. I had a chiropractor, a neuro
muscular therapist, pills and my recliner.
The recliner became my life.
For the first year, I took 3 Advil and 1
ULtracet. This allowed me to live my
life. But a time arrived when my legs
began to buckle and the pain was unreal
and scared me to death. The recliner was
the only thing that gave me relief. I
couldn't stand for very long let alone
climb steps and lift heavy items and I
hated every minute of the whole
experience. The stenosis in my Lumbar
region extended through 2 vertebrae.
I also have a moderate stenosis in my
Thoracic region, but that doesn't seem to
give me much trouble. I do get tired
between the shoulders, but that's where
massage, physical therapy, ice, warm moist
heat etc. helps the tiredness. That
tiredness does not happen often.
After surgery, the Recliner was a chair to
look at longingly. With Fusion, I had
instructions to forget about that chair
forever....too much stress on the Lumbar
region that was fused. I now use on an
upright chair, pillow behind my back and
one at my feet when I sit. I do this not
because I have pain, but I have been told
by the occupational therapist from the
hospital where I had my surgery to
"protect my Fusion." Since I have had
Fusion Insitu at the L4 & L5 I will
have to be watchful that I don't stress
the location. I have learned, for some
people, it may take an entire year before
Fusion is complete. My last visit to my
surgeon the X-Ray he took showed
everything was still in place and doing
O.K.
I am surprised that I do have as much
flexibility as I do. I know this is a
concern for many. But I will never bend
down again and touch my toes. Couldn't do
that before surgery either.
Giving up the recliner was not a bad thing
for me. Between pills, warm moist heat,
& blankie it would not be too long
before I would fall asleep in front of the
TV. I ended up with an aching neck. Now
I do upper body exercises with 2 lb
dumbells and walk a lot.
Rich, I used to walk a lot during my 30's
and 40's but at this time of life it is
like a new form of living. Every muscle
in my body was out of shape because of the
length of time I would stay in a recliner.
There was no way I could keep in shape.
Now, I am having to re-educate those
muscles in my legs, arms, and back as well
as those tendons and muscles that were
manipulated during surgery.
Now when I look back at my post op time, I
felt fine the first three days, but it was
almost 2 weeks post op before pain
diminished completely.
Now 6 months later I feel the tugs and
pulls of muscles and tendons of the back
that are being re-educated through my
exercises. I'm moving muscles that I had
neglected for a long time. They must have
liked to just hang there and now they
protest as I insist they become more
mobile. The pain, which is not the best
word, I feel now is more like soreness and
stiffness. that doesn't last very long
after my workouts.
I will feel this for awhile as I continue
to increase the time and distance and
speed with which I walk. Because of the
Fusion, I will never jog nor run. No
jarring of the spine! The two
laminectomies still do not permit me to
wear anything tight around my waist.
That's O.K. I don't have that girlish
figure anymore and I don't need to flaunt
anything.
Luckily for me, I didn't have to give up
that glass of wine. That's the best thing
for muscle relaxation and warmth. My
muscles begin to feel like melted butter.
That's almost as good as a massage.
Hope I have given you an update on things
at this post op. point, Rich.
Marie B.
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RichT
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 901
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Posted: 05-19-08 10:30am
Hello Marie,
Thank you for your excellent "update".
I am in awe of your determination and
dedication to follow your doctor's
recommendations during your recovery.
BRAVO!!!!!
Oh yes, what would I do without my
recliner and my heating pad. I would
really be hurting without them.
"I had instructions to forget about that
chair forever....too much stress on the
Lumbar region that was fused." - Thanks
Marie for including that very important
piece of information.
I'm glad that all is in place and doing
well for you. AND that you have more
flexibility than you expected.
WOW your walking and the exercising with
those 2 lb dumpbells should get your
muscles back in shape.
I had a bit of a chuckle when I read about
"flaunting". AHHHhhh my good lady I'll
bet you certainly did so in your younger
days. Your husband noticed! lol
GREAT!!! that you have not had to give up
that precious glass of wine. I couldn't
agree more that it is a great muscle and
mind relaxer.
Thanks again for your very informative
update. I wish you the very VERY best as
you continue on your recovery. You are a
SUPERB model for all of us spinys on
following ones doctor's recommendations.
Have a most enjoyable day!!!
RichT
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jimare
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 43 Location: ,
open back surgery vs. laser Posted: 05-20-08 22:05pm
RichT
All the info I compiled on independent
studies comparing different types of spine
surgeries was sent to the Min. of Health
last summer when I was attempting to get
out-of-prov. health ins. coverage. My
data required by the Ministry was
considerable, including specialist lists,
hospital data, health centers etc. in
order to prove that the surgery wasn't
done in Canada. It was after this that I
lost my HD and all my info so I am unable
to tell you what sites I went to for the
info. Some we're listed in the other
spine forum we talked on...others we're
quite excellent including side by side
graphics. The statistics on success rates
for laser spine surgeries were somewhere
in the area of 70-90% where open-back it
was listed as in the 10-15% rate. Of
course there is no way of proving if these
statistics are accurate or not. However
it is unfortune I have lost these links.
The different studies basically showed how
laser surgery resulted in less scar
tissue, less time to recover, no muscles
being cut, less bleeding, usually smaller
incision....lots of pluses, but generally
stating the obvious that the less invasive
a surgery is, the better chance of
positive outcomes.
And no I haven't spent the $10K...actually
I returned most of it to my sister who
paid the lion's share of the surgery,
bless her. She feels so bad that my
outcome wasn't like hers, and she is still
doing great...out walking nearly every day
(I am so glad for her, but jealous too!
ha ha!)
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Marie B.
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 230 Location: Ohio
Walking Sister Posted: 05-21-08 08:18am
Mare, you mentioned in your last post
about your sister walking almost every
day.
Are you able to get out and walk at all or
maybe just even a little bit?
Rich, I just went to my PCP and he took a
fit when I told him that I was walking an
hour every day. He backed me down to no
more then 20 min. every other day. My
surgeon had told me to do what was
"tolerated."
When the sun is out, which it is rarely in
this area of Ohio, I love to get out and
walk, smell the grass, feel the warmth of
the sun, hear the birds singing. I'm
really a sunflower. I can almost forget
that I have back problems when I am
walking.
Mare, when I read what you had to do to
get surgery in regard to your Canadian
health care, my hair grows even greyer
when I think that here in the states,
Hillary and Obama would like us to have
that kind of care.
Lord save us all from what you had to go
through.
Marie B.
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Marie B.
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 230 Location: Ohio
What happened? Posted: 05-21-08 08:20am
Rich, Fran hasn't posted for awhile.
Do you or anyone know if the last
injection that she had was a success or
did she have to go back in for another
tune-upon the back from that accident?
Marie B.
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littleonefb
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 11 Aug 2007 Posts: 207 Location: ,
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Re: What happened? Posted: 05-21-08 14:28pm
Marie B.
wrote:
Rich, Fran hasn't posted
for awhile.
Do you or anyone know if the last
injection that she had was a success or
did she have to go back in for another
tune-upon the back from that accident?
Marie B.
Marie, and All,
I'm here, just a very, very busy time of
year and not much time on here. I've done
some reading and need to catch up on all
the posts since I posted last.
Daughter just graduated with her masters
degree in educational sciences and best
friends daughter just graduated with her
bachelors, both from Brandeis on Sunday.
Being that they see each other and "big
and little sister" they are having a joint
party to celebrate this Sunday.
Just finished the shower favors and
wedding favors for my daughter's best
friend that is getting married in 2
months, that was 95 for one and 150 for
the other.
Have 800 containers of seedlings outside
in the back of my house, annuals ,
perennials, veggies and herbs that need to
get planted over about 1/2 acre of garden
beds and the weather does not cooperate
much this spring in New England.
And to top it all off the back is doing
very poorly from the accident. Finally
the selective nerve block has warn off
enough for me to have an MRI done this
Friday and I will see my spine surgeon on
June 2, with results and a plan of action
for surgery.
I have muscles sore all over the place,
both from working in the gardens and from
walking poorly with my left leg. So it is
difficult to determine if the pain on the
right side, where surgery was done for in
June 2006 is from the new problem from the
accident or something else with the prior
surgical area.
The MRI will tell the story and I will
need surgery for that, but the doc is
betting that it is disc compression, due
to the accident and nothing terribly
serious. He has to be sure though, as he
says "I am not G-d and I am not superman
with x-ray vision. So I need an MRI to
see something inside and then see how I
can match the symptoms to what is going on
with the MRI."
I trust him with my life, so what he says
goes and what he says needs to be done,
will be done. No need for more opinions,
had enough of those done before my first
surgery.
Besides, I was fine from the first surgery
until I had a run in with the "little old
lady from Pasadena", the lovely lady that
stole the car, couldn't see to drive and
had 1 too many at the local bar.
So for now, my rest is over and it's back
to the gardens to do more work. Slowly,
but steadily it will get done and get done
before I face the next step with my
spine.
Fran
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jimare
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 43 Location: ,
Walking Sister Posted: 05-21-08 19:51pm
Marie
I do go out and walk about 2 lots over and
back again, enjoying the wild flowers
growing in the marsh, and the beautiful
sunny sky and fresh wind blowing in my
face. I return to my chaise lounge chair
for a while...then later I walk down to
the dock to sit and watch the sunset on
the lake. While doing odd jobs around the
house I walk up and down stairs and for
the most part can get the meals etc but
often have to sit down every 15 min or so.
For some reason something clicked in my
back yesterday and my back kept going in
to spasm. I woke up at 5am with cramping
and knotting in my legs and feet which
wouldn't let up. I couldn't bend the feet
to get them flat on the floor to walk for
at least a couple of hours. The knots were
so painful I got sick to my stomach. i
got the heat on my back, then around my
legs, then tried icing them, then tried
massage all to no avail. It continued on
till the afternoon while I rolled around
in agony. I finally tried an ativan, then
we headed to the hospital. They gave me
another ativan, which relieved me quite a
lot. They did blood work and found I had
low potassium so the Dr. wants me to try
potassium pills to see if that stops the
cramping in the legs. I usually have some
cramping and lots of nerves jumping around
but NEVER like this before. Has anyone
out there had any problem like this happen
to them?
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Marie B.
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 230 Location: Ohio
Mare, Before my surgery Posted: 05-22-08 08:09am
In the days when my back was just
beginning to cause me aches and pains and
spasms, I went to a chiropractor and neuro
muscular therapist.
During discussions I learned that the two
occupations had a difference of opinion in
regard to which needed care first...the
bones or the muscles.
The muscule therapist believed that if you
kept the tendones/muscles warm, exercised,
and relaxed with the blood flowing freely
through them a person would not experience
as much pain from pulling on the bones.
She would demonstrate that using rubber
bands on bone models.
Now the chiropractor believed that if the
bones were readjusted or "subluxated" that
would relieve the tendons and muscle
causing pain, stiffness etc to go away.
Now to get to your potassium question,
Mare.
Lack of K can create havoc in the body.
Blood clotting factors change,
muscles/tendons contract and sometimes
very painfully. That can occur anywhere
from head to toe. If no other serious
factor can be found for the muscle pain
and the blood test shows low potassium
that can point to the cause of the muscle
spasms.
I don't know how many children you have
had, but leg cramps are very common in
pregnant women and doctors usually up
their intake of foods that have potassium.
The same things occur in those who are
extremely active and sweat alot while on
the athletic field. In fact, just working
hard in the sun and sweating can cause
loss of water and with the loss of water
goes the potassium. That's why you see
Gatorade and such products on athletic
fields. The eloctrolyte balance in the
body becomes disturbed and you can have
dizziness and other such difficulties.
I take a blood pressure pill with a
diuretic and my doctor watches my blood
tests regularly to make sure my blood
chemistry is O.K.
With that combination, he added a
potassium pill.
I use to look at the previous generation
when I was young and found it hard to
believe how often they visited the doctor.
They did have various health problems
like blood pressure, but then they also
lived to the ripe old age of 92 through
98. So if the doc thinks you need
potassium, take it and see if those muscle
spasms go away. If they continue, then
you must make the doctor to look
elsewhere.
Marie B.
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Marie B.
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 230 Location: Ohio
Busy Lady Fran. Posted: 05-22-08 08:17am
Hi Fran, I love all of the things you say
and have said, and how many times I have
told you that you and I agree and think so
much alike on these surgeons and spines
that we have.
I was hoping you would not have to face
another surgery, but when I read your
message, and your satisfaction with you
doctor, a song popped into my head. The
one from South Pacific. "Some Enchanted
Evening". It ends with the words, "once
you have found him, never let him go.
Once you have found him, never let him
gooooooo!"
Stay in touch and let me know if you go on
to that "jackson table" again.
Marie B.
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jimare
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 43 Location: ,
low potassium Posted: 05-22-08 12:29pm
Marie B.
I think you might be right on re the
potassium problem. I take the water pill
and Norvasc so probably getting
potassium-depleted. ...I took a pill
yesterday and had very little cramping in
my legs this morning. My legs hurt from
top to bottom due to the knots I had
yesterday...as if I did a lot of jogging
with no stretching and they were full of
lactic acid or something. I will be
taking potassium pills for a while, along
with drinking OJ and more water. My back
still feels like it is "out" so I am
stepping VERY carefully. Hard to imagine
that a little area of 2-3 inches can
control your whole body...control your
whole life-style. Gotta talk to myself
about this whining.
