An Update for those who have been following my back problems

i hope everything works out for you! hopefully you will not have to go through with the surgery.

Good luck! I will continue to keep yohu in my prayers. =)

Thank you so much Amy and Kim! I appreciate the support, and I am hoping that I do not have to have surgery...it is not looking like it will go in my favor though!

Good luck, I hope you don't have to have the surgery too. Blessings

I wish you well

Hope things turn out well when you go to the doctor. Maybe you won't have to go through surgery. I will keep you in my prayers!!!!

I would not only speak to the same surgeon, but also get a second opinion from another surgeon before you have this serious surgery, Tess! I speak from experience - every doctor I've seen (orthopedic surgeons) have all immediately wanted to do surgery on my neck, and each time I have found alternative, more conservative ways to deal with the pain and dysfunction. Don't just agree to everything - challenge it! Do some online research as well! Good luck to you, Tess. I hope whatever you choose, that it is absolutely the best thing for you.

Still in my prayers Tess. Thanks for the update.

You'll be in my thoughts!

IF you trust the surgeon, abide by what he says. If NOT, then please get a 2nd opinion. Whatever route you have to take, I wish the best for you.

hi Tess... you are in my thoughts and prayers... i'm sorry for your pain...

Prayers and best wishes winging your way, Tess. Good luck.

Hope you don't have to have surgery. At least now, they know where the issue is. Sending you good thoughts from Connecticut.

I am sorry to hear of your troubles with your back. I hope your get good news at the surgeon's office. I agree with everyone about the second opinion.

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I hope your surgeon can find a way to help you that is less invasive than surgery. Whatever happens, I wish you the best.

I will be praying for you! Back problems are no fun and surgery is scary. Sorry you're having to go through this!

God bless you Tess. I am praying for you. Here is a (((HUG))).

You are all so wonderful! Thank you so much for caring...all of you!

Nancy, you have some very good advice. I recently spoke to a client of mine and she gave me a business card to a very highly respected doctor to check out. I will see what my current surgeon has to say and then decide if I need to be seeking another opinion. I am hoping that there is something to alleviate my pain without having to have surgery and/or spend tons more money going to several more doctors!

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Tess, I feel your pain, mainly because I have been there and in a way I am still there! I have had three surgeries on my lumbar spine with the last one being fusion of L3-L4, L4-L5 ans L5-S1. It seem to have helped but I think I will always have pain there in some way or another. I can say though that it is much better than it was pre-surgery. My problem is a bit different than yours but I have done some research on the tears. A good Ortho/Neuri surgeon can do wonders with tears these days. I would get second and maybe even third opinions if at all possible if I were you. There are some fantastic ortho surgeons out ther though. The best I have ever seen is named Douglass Wright. He pieced my leg together after my accident and the fact that three other trauma doctors said that I was definitely going to lose it. He is now praticing out of Maryland, near Baltimore. I don't know if that is feasible for you in any way, but if it is I would go for it if I were you. Tell him Bob Comstock recommended you. 10 years after my accident I contacted him and he said to me "your case was so horrific of course I remember you". He is the best I have ever seen!

I also feel for you on that Discogram (sounds like something out of Saturday Night Fever but sure as heck doesn't feel that way) as I had one also. The pressure and pain is unbelivable on your spine when they do that test. If you made it through that I think you are strong enough to make it through whatever else comes your way on this!

Good luck and you will be in my thoughts!

I'd also get a second and even third opinion if I possibly could. My wife is in pain all the time, from needing a hip replacement, but she's still walking. Others that we've seen that have had similar surgeries aren't doing any better than she is right now - though she did a couple years back (when she had insurance) get a cortisone shot in her hip that helped a great deal. Good luck and keep on with the updates.
-- Mark

Our thoughts are with you!

Oh Tess, please be careful and always get a second opinion. I have had four spinal surgeries one was a fusion and now I am suffering again.
You're in my thoughts and prayers!

Can't hurt for more opinions, but living in pain really stinks and if no other options get the surgery. I know people that are way better off because of it, and another that it didn't help much. None that say it made it worse...? Get well, and I wish you all the best.

I don;t mean to scare you but my husband has seen dozens if back docs over the years...he has various back injuries from being in the military and jumping out fo airplanes for 20 years... ALL docs told us surgery should be the very last resort and even then it rarely works and lot of times you come out worse.

are you sure surgery is your last resort?

I did not think they could do anything for a tear,as I have the same thing wrong with me I would like more info so let me know.
I'm not sure that surgery is the answer.

Tess best of luck...feel better as much as you can

I am so grateful for all of the advice and concern. I have my appointment in the morning. I will let you all know what happens once I have all the details.

Thanks again to everyone!

I am late on this, sorry! I am so glad that you are going to do it! I will be sending my happy and healing thoughts your way!