vasudeva       07-06-2008, 09:03 am

Jesus fuck, I think I've just seen the inside of Wotak's butt.

government_death_robot       07-06-2008, 10:54 am

i think i need a medical degree, because this is what i thought was wrong:

government_death_robot       07-06-2008, 10:56 am

seriously. what am i looking for?

nurgleming       07-06-2008, 11:22 am

:doubletakes:

this is exactly what my wief had/has, even down to which disc was popping. she spent time on valium /codeine/ibuprofen which did nothing, was sent to physio which did nothing (possibly fucked it up more though).

took just over 1 yr from the 1st day to get an mri and diagnosed properly, then was told to get rid off pregnancy if she didnt want to lose the use of her legs by some incompetent doc. the op to sort it out was postponed until after the birth, so a second mri was scheduled, in which it was found the disc had kinda sorted itself out during the pregancy and birth due to muscles shifting and relaxing. now she just gets sciatica pain, which as you know is bad enough.

wotak       07-06-2008, 01:52 pm

GDR: "seriously. what am i looking for?"

The white discs near the center should all be symmetrical. The ones that aren't, are fucked up and bulging out of the spinal column. This puts pressure on one or more of the group of five to six nerves that come together in a bundle to make up the sciatic nerve that runs down the back of your legs.

These cross-sections are in the lumbar area. I think the L1 and L2 are fucked but won't know for sure until I sit down to get all the bad news in an official, clinical, your fucked and you need surgery - discussion. That should be next week.

I'll update then.

johnlenin       07-06-2008, 02:10 pm

Is it wrong that I was hoping this was cancer related?

nurgleming       07-06-2008, 03:13 pm

as well as the missus having ongoing back/hip pain, someone who works for my dad had a ruptured/slipped disc, she had the op to sort it, for couple weeks after she couldnt move, bed ridden, catheterized, general immobility degrading stuff. still months later she cant stand for long periods of time and still has alot of pain and on meds for it. also got an infection.

genuinely good luck with everything.

MstrLance       07-07-2008, 02:34 pm

This is obviously a result of too much pelvic thrusting. You're going to have to lay off the buttsex for a while.

wrecker       07-08-2008, 07:10 am

Tell them you want nothing less than titanium. It's what they make the space shuttle out of, you know. Well that, and that stupid foam that always ends up breaking shit...


I was kinda rooting for cancer too. :|

truenative       07-08-2008, 02:48 pm

Really sorry to hear this man, Back Pain is some of the worst pain there is.

Careful of the drugz....

nurgleming       07-08-2008, 03:12 pm

overall response from the swarm, go get your cancer on.

InfectionConnection       07-08-2008, 05:45 pm

http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article1678.html

DeJeR       07-08-2008, 08:28 pm

I haven't commented on much over the last view months, yet when expertise is needed I come. I come hard.

[credentials]I do research in total disc replacement and other such spinal medical devices. Also my dad and sister have been part of the spinal medical device world since the first device passed through the FDA (SpineTech BAK Interbody Fusion Device) [/credentials]

Things to know when going in for this:

1) DO NOT GET A "360"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot stress this enough. Doctors are paid according to how many operations are performed while you're under. A "360" is when they take an anterior (front) AND posterior . This is completely worthless from a functional standpoint and increases your recovery time; plus the doctor makes mad amounts of bank off this.

2) There are an extremely limited number of disc arthroplasty (repair as opposed to fusion) systems on the market that have been approved by the FDA. Most motion preserving methods are just devices that are advertised as fusion cages and are approved as such, but they are being used for motion preservation---generally not a good thing.

3) Shop around and look at the statistics on any number of devices.

4) Don't be afraid of a late stage clinical trial. They have more invested in the product and for your to recover perfectly.

5) Unlike what was mentioned earlier, Titanium is not always the best option. PEEK (a very dense polymer) is used in almost all spinal implants now, and is used because it is radiotranslucent (the doctor can see through it on X-ray). This will allow them to more accurately place the device and also decide exactly how much bone graft is necessary.

Let me know if you have more questions. What area are you in?

-DeJeR

johnlenin       07-09-2008, 12:03 am

This is a great moment to point out an example of my "signing a post on the internet when your handle is already visible" rule to irc faggots. Shit is tried and true.

mundhra       07-09-2008, 12:43 am

guitarjohn, shut the fuck up.

-mundhra

bobacus       07-09-2008, 12:44 am

I had the same thing happen to me. I Eventually went against docs orders and got out of bed and forced my body to strengthen and compensate. Then one day I sneezed and it all mostly lined up, exercise is beginning to correct the rest.Flexeril and Vicodin are fucking miserable. I was on my back for almost 2 years. Good luck, and go easy on yourself. I got the impression that you have the capacity to go tough on yourself physically. Your line of work, I figure had something to do with it. Like a die change.
Anyhoo,I cringe in memory. This next round is in your honor, Wotak.........

wotak       07-09-2008, 08:04 am

DeJer"Things to know when going in for this:

1) DO NOT GET A "360"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot stress this enough. Doctors are paid according to how many operations are performed while you're under. A "360" is when they take an anterior (front) AND posterior . This is completely worthless from a functional standpoint and increases your recovery time; plus the doctor makes mad amounts of bank off this.

2) There are an extremely limited number of disc arthroplasty (repair as opposed to fusion) systems on the market that have been approved by the FDA. Most motion preserving methods are just devices that are advertised as fusion cages and are approved as such, but they are being used for motion preservation---generally not a good thing.

3) Shop around and look at the statistics on any number of devices.

4) Don't be afraid of a late stage clinical trial. They have more invested in the product and for your to recover perfectly.

5) Unlike what was mentioned earlier, Titanium is not always the best option. PEEK (a very dense polymer) is used in almost all spinal implants now, and is used because it is radiotranslucent (the doctor can see through it on X-ray). This will allow them to more accurately place the device and also decide exactly how much bone graft is necessary.

Let me know if you have more questions. What area are you in?"

Thanks for this info, man. I should be hearing the final results for the MRI today. It was delayed because of the holiday. I'll post an update after I know exactly what;s going on.

I'm in the Detroit area. 45 minutes north, actually. Marine City. I would opt for any critical surgery at the University of Michigan Hospital.

I'm hoping that won't be needed but my gut - and my fucking aching leg- tell me that something is going to get sliced before this is fixed.

Anyway, thanks for the info.

(for the record, I'm still hoping for cancer)

steel       07-09-2008, 08:13 am

If the surgery doesn't work out can I have your spine? I will make a lamp for my mantle.



SpinaLamp

wotak       07-09-2008, 10:32 am

Done. I'll need a forwarding address, telephone number, and at least one major credit card to set it up though.

wotak       07-09-2008, 12:07 pm

Official MRI report shows herniated disk in L-5.

End of transmission.

DeJeR       07-09-2008, 01:50 pm

Official MRI report shows herniated disk in L-5.

That's pretty standard. L-5 has the highest about of "lordosis" or "angle between vertebrae" and therefor the highest force concentration. If you had a higher herniation then I would say to have them "shave" it off and see if you can do well without an implant; but alas, a low herniation usually means implants.

UMich seems to have a good program, you'll probably end up with Dr. Ammanath who seems to have good credentials Work in scoliosis generally means the doctor is very determined and careful.

With the herniation where it is, you'll probably end up with an anterior or transverse approach. A transverse operation is when they come in from the "side" (about 60° away from straight posterior/back). Either way, they'll be able to approach the herniation from the front. Again, this is when the Dr. is going to want to do a "360" (front and back approach) in order to place a bunch of temporary screws and rods in the posterior side of the spine--do not let him do this. Devices are good enough these days that you can allow for some instability and it will heal just fine.

If you're freaking out about the surgery, or if you're just curious, check out OR Live in order to watch some procedures. They usually have a spine surgery available on that site. (Shit, I think I'll swarm that link...).

After everything I said I should probably put in a disclaimer that I'm not a doctor, I am an engineer, and that makes me cynical and angry at stupid people (e.g. Doctors) especially stupid people who are being paid by orthopedic companies to sell their products (e.g. Surgeons). The best thing to do is to consult *many* doctors so that you can slowly filter out the bullshit.

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*Insert Signature Line Here....whores*
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PS - In reference to the spine lamp: I have a leg from a 1950's Indian man (dot, not feather). An orthopedic surgeon gave it to me after his girlfriend's dog chewed on it for a while. I should make it into a scepter or something... Door knocker? Door stop?

wotak       07-10-2008, 04:31 pm

DeJeR: " The best thing to do is to consult *many* doctors so that you can slowly filter out the bullshit."

I'm an engineer as well and I firmly believe in the above quote. I would never trust the opinion of one Dr. when it comes to how to fix something like this.

I really appreciate your comments and input. I'm not freaked out by the surgery at all. I've been through much worse (did I mention that I once flew through a windshield from the inside, out?)

My boss and I are keeping this whole thing on the front burner at work. He's willing to allow me to stay on salary and work from home during my recovery. I can accomplish 90% of my work via internet/telephone anyway. I have two guys at the plant that can pick up any of the physical slack that I'll leave, so this is good news. Especially with the wife due to deliver *WOTAK NUMBER 4* in Feb-09.

With this latest diagnosis, my family doc has pulled me from all the "what if" meds and put me on low doses of Vicodin just to help me suck it up and limp through to the surgery. It seems to be working. I'm a bit drowsy before my second cup of coffee but after that the pain tends to level off to a bearable throb.

Anyway, I'll leave this entry as is until I have real news. I see a specialist on the 25th and I'll get the first opinion then.

-smokestack

magicchex       07-11-2008, 10:11 am

At least you've got the UofM hospital. Every serious hospital visit I've had I spent there and I've always been pleased.

Doob       07-13-2008, 11:26 am

Had something very close to this in me back in '85. no MRi was done, just spinal tap, and showed that a peice of laminae had broken off and was wedged in the spinal canal basicly making the left leg useless. daggers ripping hip to ankle sensations,and such. went through the laminectomy surgery and came through having extreme muscle spasms during recovery. come to find out that the surgeon himself had let some underling of his do the closing sutures and he had accidentally gotten one through a nerve so that every attempt to stand upright resulted in in an instant drop facedown to the floor screaming. kinda embarrasing when your backside is bared to the world in the hallway and your caterwauling like a 2 year old welp. laid in bed a full 10 days before the doc came in to remove the sutures. immediately got up, got dressed and left, that moment.

I wish you all the luck in the world with your knifery, Wotak, and hope you get a more competent butch..er surgeon.

Heather       07-13-2008, 12:07 pm

How are you propagating more Wotaks with a busted back? 4 kids...e-gads

Dumbskull       07-17-2008, 05:44 pm

Good gawd my back hurt just looking at the pictures of your backache.

Dragonstaff       07-18-2008, 04:02 am

Propogating Wotaks is how he threw his back out in the first place.

wotak       07-26-2008, 10:38 am

I've talked to 3 Surgeons and all have given me the same diagnosis: I have to go under the knife.

All suggested a microdiscectomy to remove the herniated portion of the disc. There are no implant options for this injury. The only alternatives are fusing, which all 3 doctors said was a poor option or shots and steroids to help me live with the pain. All 3 said it would not heal on it's own and all 3 said that it would most likely continue to worsen with time.

This is the procedure I will undergo. It is the most common type of back injury (and corrective action) and all the professionals I spoke to gave me a 90% (or better) chance of a full recovery from this procedure.

I go in for Pre-Op labs on Monday morning and I get cut on Wednesday afternoon, July 30th.

The Surgeon I chose is a specialist in this particular surgery.

The recovery time is 3 to 6 weeks.

That is all for now.

Dumbskull       07-26-2008, 01:03 pm

Cam phone from the OR!

wotak       07-26-2008, 02:49 pm

Will do, you sexay thang.

tantrum       07-27-2008, 03:59 pm

www.chaotictruth.com

johnlenin       07-27-2008, 04:11 pm

find it here.

wotak       07-31-2008, 12:41 pm

Well, the procedure went well and I was home last night by about 8:30. I slept well and with almost no pain. The numbness in my leg is gone and the nerve pain I was experiencing has disappeared completely. My body actually feels symmetrical again. I'm not leaning over and favoring one leg over the other.

The best part is the fact that I can actually sit down for more than 2 minutes without having to get up and walk around to alleviate the pain and pressure. I feel a lot less irritable without the constant pain and I'm sure my family will appreciate my not being a grumpy bastard every day.

I have a little pain in my lower back and the Doc tells me that it is due to swelling from the procedure and the actual incision. He reported zero complications and gave me an excellent prognosis for a quick recovery. I just have to take it easy for a while. No bending or twisting my abdomen. No lifting or pelvic thrusting for a while. Mrs. Wotak will be happy to not have me chasing her around the bedroom for a week or two...

All my blood work showed a healthy liver and kidneys. EKG showed a healthy heart and chest x-rays showed a healthy set of lungs. Except for a stiff back, I'm 100% healthy and should be wrestling with the 3 year old again in no time at all. This is great considering there's a little brother or sister monkeypigeon on it's way and Momma Wotak is going to need more and more help as the newest member of the family gets ready to pop out and join us.

I haven't seen the incision yet but when I do, I'll get a pic for you knuckleheads.

All is well.

Thanks for the support.

Dumbskull       07-31-2008, 04:03 pm

Taking up the ass is not going to hurt as much, go forth and enjoy your life on the down lo.

Heather       07-31-2008, 06:54 pm

That was fast! I'm very relieved you're ok.