Hi,
Has anyone else been told they can not have surgery due to other health issues?
I had Polio as a baby and now have Post-Polio Syndrome and am unable to have general anethesia and due to having diabetes I am not a candidate for the stereiod injections.
I have been told that my stenosis is what will most like take my life. Do any of you experience with other treatments or tried alternative medicine?
Thanks,
Linda
Linda,
What type of doctor have you seen to DX your stenosis? where is the stenosis located, ie what level of your spine?
You need to get another opionion ASAP and I would suggest that you get more than one more opinion.
You need to see either a neurosurgeon that specializes in spines only or an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in spines.
As for diabetics not being able to have steroid injections, I’m surprised to hear that. I have several friends who are diabetic, 2 of them take insulin and they have had steroid injections for stenosis prior to having surgery.
I would also question the problems with anesthesia as well. some surgery can be done with more of a local and sedation type anesthesia and not use general.
You really need to get more than one opinion, several other opinions before totally giving up on any help for your stenosis.
Fran
Linda,
There is no reason besides being too young to have surgery. I am 37 years old and want me to try it all before surgery is even acceptable. First I have done Epidurals, Cortisone’s shots they lasted for awhile, but the pain has come back. I have tried Physical Therapy that has helped some, but you have to exterisze everyday and stretch and now I am going to an O.M.T Doctors who do a little of everything I have Arthritis in my neck and shoulder in my right side so I can be in a lot of pain at times and I am on my feet always doing something during the day I am housekeeper at a hospital. Anyway what the O.M.T doctors do is massage out you knots in your back adjust your back like a Chiropractor and stretch you too. It is helping slowly but surely. I hope this has helped some, if this does not work they will try yet something else, but I have not been there to know yet, when I do hear the next option I will let you know. Good luck on managing you pain,
you can write anytime.
Lori
----- Original Message ----
From: Linda spinal-stenosis-cpt8819@lists.careplace.com
To: lorisimmons09@yahoo.com
Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2008 9:47:48 PM
Subject: [spinal-stenosis] Can’t Have Surgery?
yes, not me personally but a good homeopathic person can help, (if you
listen)
my nephew has led many people to health if it has not gone beyond years of
health.
----- Original Message -----
From: “Linda” spinal-stenosis-cpt8819@lists.careplace.com
To: chicknjo@alltel.net
Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2008 10:47 PM
Subject: [spinal-stenosis] Can’t Have Surgery?
Hi Everyone,
I want to thank everyone for their responses to my posting. Please allow me to answer to some of everyone’s questions and/or statements in one posting.
I have seen the following type of doctors concerning my condition: Neurosurgeon (highly regarded spinal specialist), Dr. G my ortho surgeon, my pulmonary doctor, and my Sport Medicine physician and my Endocrinologist, along with my P.T.
My pulmonary doctor did capacity tests along with other breathing tests focusing on the fact I had bulbar polio and do have breathing problems and depend on a
Bi-Pap machine, and I have experienced worsening reaction to the anesthesia during my last 3 surgeries. And his decision was no surgeries that require general anesthesia. I trust this man with my life.
My endocrinologist advised that I can not do the injections due to my diabetes, because the chances 99% that my diabetes will go out of control and I may never be able to control it again even with insulin. That is not a chance I am willing to take.
Dr B., my sports doctor, my P.T. and myself are a total team in controlling and managing my pain. Like many Polio Survivors I am accustom to dealing with chronic pain, so I only on Ultram ER once a day, and 5-mg hydrocodone (sp) up to 3 x daily and up to 3 motrin a day to control my inflammation. I also use 5-mg diazepam up to 4 x daily to control the muscle spasms that are caused by Post-Polio Syndrome and the muscle weakness and atrophy. I also have Lidoderm 5-mg Patches available to me for pain and I use them at night prn.
I have seen 3 different doctors concerning my spinal problems and at least 10 full spine MRIs. All 3 of them agreed that I do have a severe case. It is present in 3 regions of my spine. Much of this is easing to explain considering that polio left (after 17 corrective) surgeries still needing to use 1 leg brace and crutches. Our arms are not meant to be ask to behave as legs and it took it’s toll on my upper spine.
Polio really changes a lot about a person’s body especially their nervous system and parts of the brain. A lot of people think it is a muscular disease but the paralysis and muscular system is the outward evidence of what the virus did to our bodies.
When my spinal problems were at their worse was when woke up one morning and had lost all use of my right shoulder and arm. Not the mention that the pain was unbearable! I have since educated myself on my condition and have not blindly accepted what the doctors said about things such as the effect the steroids would have on me. I can tell you that good nutrition and supplements, along with physical therapy I have the use of arm back. Not only that but I have been able to stop the progression in the past three years. I again did my research and take the best supplements available. I use Vitamin E Complex, a Calcium and a water-wash soy daily along with omegas. This has keep my muscles and nerves as healthy as possible along with helping to control the spasms which reduce the pain. Oh the supplements above are in addition to the other Vitamins etc that I take daily.
Oh I also need to mention that my physical therapy is passive since my muscle weakness is so pronounced any exercise outside of daily living needs is not possible. I am what the medical community calls a partial quad, meaning besides my legs now being totally paralyzed my upper body is extremely weak.
I know that dealing with and trying to understand the way not only the initial Polio illness but now Post-Polio Syndrome can be very difficult at times. So I would like to include the address of Polio Survivors of Oklahoma Association’s address for you. Check it out when you have time and please feel free to pass it on to other Polio Survivors and/or those that love and care for them.
God bless you all and thank you for your concern and advise.
Linda
