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Posted 3/9/2019 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All, I have another surgery set up for April 1. I just found out I am having this 4 level laminotomy yesterday, when I saw my Neurosurgeon. I have had severe pain in my lower back and surrounding areas (on one side) for a while and it has been really sidelining me from my already limited life. The pain is intolerable. I have been through different steroid treatments, injection, PT, and consults with 2 different Orthos and when surgery for stenosis was suggested I went to my trusted NS for opinion. He set up this surgery for as soon as my insurance allowed. I am not thrilled, as no surgery is welcome. He mentioned many times it would be very painful as it is 4 levels. At least it is not a fusion, right? Any comments? Thanks everybody. So tired of this. The Dr kind of hung his head at my situation, with so many bone spurs and the resulting nerve compression I get and my arthritis. Feels like he is talking about someone else as my mind is not that person.
Posted 3/11/2019 10:37 AM (GMT 0)
Has anybody here had any experience with spinal stenosis surgery?
Posted 3/11/2019 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
Darla, I do not recall anyone here that has had this surgery. I looked in the archives & couldn't find anything either. Sorry.
Posted 3/11/2019 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Oh wow. Great. Thanks.
Posted 3/11/2019 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
Darla:
All things are relative, but I think you will find the laminotomy not too onerous of a procedure.

A laminotomy is less invasive and less disruptive to the vertebral bone architecture as compared to a laminectomy.

A laminotomy is typically an outpatient procedure, with most surgeons employing a minimally invasive surgery technique.

Neurosurgeons, as a medical profession, often see the “worst of the worst” - devastating malignant brain tumors; automobile and motorcycle accidents or other traumatic events with grave spinal cord and head injuries; massive strokes, ruptured aneurysms, cerebral hemorrhage. Painstaking and highly exacting surgeries with the hope to minimize permanent paralysis or cognitive impairments.

A laminotomy should be a straight forward procedure for a neurosurgeon. The effects of anesthesia may be the more troubling aspect for you. General anesthesia can be harder to metabolize and clear as we get older.

I think you will emerge post-surgery A-OK.
Karen
Posted 3/11/2019 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, Karen! I think so as well. This may sound like a stupid question but will I be able to lay on my back during the recovery time? It will be two incisions as there are 4 levels being operated on.
Posted 3/11/2019 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, you will be able to lie on your back.

People with true nerve compression can feel better as they awaken from anesthesia from a laminotomy. Similar to a hip replacement due to bone in bone pain where a person feels “better” even on the first post-op day. There is pain, but not the bone on bone pain. It’s all relative.
Karen
Posted 3/11/2019 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
That is good to hear! The NS kept talking about how painful this surgery would be. He will be contacting the PM Dr to try and work with me after his 7 days are finished. I do well with surgery, I am a very strong-minded person and that has helped me but I am having to dig deep on this one. Nerve pain is really, really unpleasant. I do hope to wake up with the pressure relieved (as I had with my elbow) but due to the way the NS spoke I did not expect that relief right away. Good to hear! He is doing a 'foraminal decompression at L2-3, L-3-4, L4-5 and L5-S1.

Thanks, again Karen!
Posted 3/12/2019 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
The Dr just moved me up to March 25. The original date was to allow for prior auth but thank goodness my insurance is easy to work with. Just putting this out there in case anyone was interested, lol. Thanks.
Posted 3/13/2019 5:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Darla back in January of 2013 I had a foraminotomy from L2 through L5 the neurosurgeon who did the operation after it was over told me he thoroughly checked the disc's with a scope while he was in there and told me my disc At L5 was completely shot but he was not prepared to do a Discectomy and fusion at that time but I could look forward to having to have it done in the future. Well that was six years ago! In June 2014 I had a pain pump implanted infusing morphine into my lower spine. It does an excellent job of controlling my lower back and sciatica pain. As for the foraminotomy surgery, yes it was a very painful surgery! While I was in the hospital right after the surgery they were having a very difficult time controlling my pain until they started giving dexamethasone which is a corticosteroid, that helped as much as anything in relieving the pain from the surgery! Which makes sense because with that type of surgery there is bound to be swelling and inflammation of the nerves and surrounding tissue, which can cause pain. And the corticosteroid prevents the release of substances in the body that causes inflammation. Anyway the surgery did what it was suppose to do and greately relieved the pain in my upper front an inner part of my legs! My neurosurgeon also told me, that for him it was not all that diffcult of a surgery to do, but for the patient it was often a very painful surgery to have and recover from. I will admit It was no picnic but in my opinion it was well worth while having it done!!!

Anyway I wish you well on your up coming surgery! And hopefully you won't have any problems post surgical pain. Good Luck to you Darla!

White Beard
Posted 3/13/2019 10:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Whitebeard and thank you for your comments! I am so glad to hear from somebody else who has had a similar procedure though I wish you had said it was not painful of course! They moved the surgery up a week and I am ready to get this behind me. I hope it stops or decreases the pain I am having in the lower back-like somebody is sticking an ice pick in my SI joint. I have nerve pain in the buttocks, hip, etc. as there are 4 levels involved...L2/3-L5-S1. I am so glad to hear that you are glad you had it even though it is bad. I am realistic I think and not expecting miracles but the pain I have with this is intolerable so...
Good to know about the steroid! I will mention this.

We were planning a trip to Alaska this Spring but had to cancel that. I think of you with the Alaska stuff! Thanks again and be well.
Posted 3/13/2019 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Darla,

I'm so sorry to hear you're going to have to go through this surgery.

Reading this thread made me go back and look at the report of my 2012 discectomy - still haven't gotten back the report of my 2018 one, though I've requested it - and apparently I had a foraminectomy and foraminotomy at L4-L5 at that time. (I have known this at various times but it keeps going in and out of my brain like everything else...along with the understanding of what the procedure actually is.)

My surgeon never really talked about it at all, in fact I didn't even know it had been done till I read the report! But then, that surgeon is best left not spoken about - -

I know this isn't exactly the same surgery you're looking at, but maybe similar in how it's felt? As far as pain afterwards, I had plenty (still do, as I've mentioned before) but I have no way of knowing how much was caused by the discectomy and how much the bone removal. Sorry I can't be of more help!

In a way, it's probably good that you don't have too long a time to think about it before it'll all be over with, right? And hopefully you'll feel a lot better on the other side...

Best of luck!

Debbie
Posted 3/13/2019 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Debbie and thank you for posting. I'm going to reply more fully tomorrow just wanted to thank you for commenting. Even with grim stories it makes me feel less alone. I'm in terrible pain now but my anxiety has me in as much if a prep mode as possible. And I had to stop my autoimmune meds to prepare so I'm struggling with those issues. It's definitely good it is moved sooner. Remind me I said that, lol. Have a good night!
Posted 3/14/2019 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Darla, I hope after your surgery and you get all healed up, that you do get the chance to visit Alaska! I loved it up there! I spent 2 years in Anchorage at Elmendorf AFB in the mid 70's and then 10 years later in the mid 80's I spent 4 years just outside of Fairbanks at Eielson AFB. I don't think I would want to go back and visit in the winter time now, but I sure would like to return for a visit in the summer months!

Just be gentle with your self Darla and take it slow and easy after your surgery and I'm sure everything will work out just fine for you!
Peace be with You!
White Beard
Posted 3/14/2019 11:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Whitebeard! Thanks for the good wishes and friendship. My husband and I try and get away once a year with an easy type of vacation, like a cruise. We never do anything but medical appts all year and I do this for him, though it is hard on me. Last year we went right before my 4 level ACDF and it was hard! But worth it. We are trying to go back to Alaska and hopefully we will make it but now I can't even sit without terrible pain. I am dreading this surgery due to the pain and no promised miracles but I am hopeful it will be worth it. I cannot stay like I am, this is intolerable and has responded to nothing. Nerve pain is bad!

It is great to hear from you. Hope you are doing OK?
Posted 3/14/2019 11:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Debbie! I think the surgeries we are talking about must be similar. I am not having any fusion. I am having the foraminectomy (sp?) on L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1. I had a laminectomy done on the other side for one disc about 10 yrs ago. I am glad there is a reason I am in so much pain with this and I am glad they can do something to alleviate it. I am not glad for the extra pain ahead but have to believe it will not last and I will be better.

When is your daughter's wedding? My son came over yesterday to see the diamond I want to give him for his girlfriend's ring. He is so nervous!
Posted 3/18/2019 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
Darla,

Yes, it sounds like your surgery will be quite similar to mine. "Only" one more week to go! Of course, a week feels like forever when you're in serious pain.

Is there anything that helps at all? For me (aside from meds, of course) it's a cold gel ice pack...and I'm someone who hates the cold! I practically had one perpetually attached to me before my 2 lumbar surgeries. I still need it several times a day, especially when I lie down. The cold-burning of the ice pack seems to merge with the hot-burning I'm already feeling, and eventually make it fade into the background enough to let me fall asleep.

As far as the wedding - all we know is, sometime in the next year and a half. They're both in school, and don't know where they'll be living a year from now. Kind of frustrating, especially for her, but that's how it goes.

Did your son like the diamond? And did he propose yet? Heady times!

Debbie
Posted 3/18/2019 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Debbie and thank you for your post! Yes, ice does help. I have a big professional ice pack I bought at PT years ago (great investment) and if I push back against the lumbar area while lying down it really does give some relief. I appreciate you thinking of me a week out! I have been pushing myself to get everything ready for the recovery time while I am less mobile. I am so exhausted I can't wait to check in, lol. And the intense pain of doing normal type things confirms the need for this surgery all the time. I am trying to stay busy to not let my nerves get too nervy.

So great hearing about your daughter! Sensible to wait until they finish school but great they know they have found their people. Thanks for asking, my son did like the diamond! He has absolutely no idea what makes any diamond good or not good, lol, but he doesn't have to pay for it and it has been passed down in our family so he loves those things. He is proposing in Nov when they take a big trip.

Thanks again! I am so glad to hear from you, a bold survivor!
Posted 3/19/2019 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
I had my pain mgt visit today...the monthly visit for chronic pain meds and the pre-op pain mgt visit...I thought. They offered me the same meds I always take. That is it. I think the PM Dr agreed that it is not reasonable to manage acute post-op pain (they release you from hospitals very soon these days but the pain is still very fresh) with the same meds I have been on for years but that is what I got. Previously my PM Dr. (previous one) managed all of my pain needs. I think now it is incumbent on the surgeon to manage post-op pain. The PM Dr said he messaged my NS to let him know he would not be doing any extra meds. My surgery is Monday, the 25th. Seems a lot of trust is needed here and not sure I feel it.
Posted 3/24/2019 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
I hear you!

The same thing happened to me the last time! I think I raised the question of additional meds briefly, but the surgeon's attitude was that the pain would be taken care of by what I was already on ("you'll be fine!") They also said they flood the tissues with a numbing substance before they close you back up so that would help for a few days, too.

And I wasn't too bad off afterwards.

Good luck, Darla! I'll be sending good thoughts to you tomorrow. Here's to being on the other side smile

Debbie
Posted 3/24/2019 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
Debbie, Thank you so much for sharing your experience, your empathy and good wishes. I really do appreciate you! I am definitely ready to be on the other side of this. I should be starting Remicade infusions which were just approved so hopefully I will be improving in general.

Thank you!!
Posted 3/28/2019 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thinking of you, Darla - wondering how you're recovering...

Hopefully, well!

Debbie
Posted 3/28/2019 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Debbie and thank you for thinking of me! I think I am doing pretty well but not doing much yet. I am pretty inflamed in general (my inflammatory issues take a while to recover from surgery...I am sure you are familiar with that) and I am making sure I get up and walk and do what I can. The pain has been manageable, barely. My Surgeon and PM Dr really never fully communicated with each other in spite of my best efforts and at discharge my 'Hospitalist' could not give me the medication the PM Dr thought I should have. Then the Pharmacy only filled half of the week prescription because they decided that was enough, lol. They did not even know what I had done. But, I am not stressing over that. I did not expect any different and I am making do.

Thank you, again! It means a lot. I hope you are doing ok?
Posted 3/30/2019 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
Darla,

Well, it sounds like a mixed bag - not great pain control but could be worse - ? Maybe that's all we can hope for these days...and it shouldn't be that way!! But since it is, you're right - we have to make do because we can't change the way things are sad

It does seem beyond the pale, though, that the pharmacy wouldn't give you the whole amount the prescription dictated. I really don't get that one! I didn't know they could do that.

Did the surgeon say he thought the surgery was a success? I always get frustrated that they don't tell you more....

I'm not doing too badly here except that I kicked an empty aluminum pan along the rug for a few feet to get it to someone who could pick it up for me (to avoid hurting myself by using my reacher to lift it) and now my Sciatic pain is all fired up and both feet are giving me painful cramps. In other words, same old!

Have a good night.

Debbie
Posted 3/30/2019 1:05 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, Debbie, ouch! Sounds like those too-frequent things we do and then regret but it is too late. I hope your nerves calm soon. That pain can be debilitating.

I am doing pretty well. I see recovery and improvement each day. The swelling is going down and I am starting to feel more like myself. I am all caught up on TV shows, lol!

I am trying my hardest not to have real expectations or be disappointed with the medical world. We will see how long that lasts. The PM dr did not want to write the post-op script but said he thought I should be on a specific med. He said for me to tell my surgeon and he would also message the surgeon. The surgeon agreed but delegated writing it to the gp he works with. the gp said he was not licensed to but picked something he could write and the pharmacist said he did not have any in stock and would check around. He called about 5 minutes later and said he had a 4 day dose not the 7 or 8 days I was prescribed but that would be all I need. How would he know? He decided what I needed in spite of the three DRs involved that knew my surgery etc. The discharge papers said I could ask the pharmacy to transfer the rx but as a chronic pain pt the worst thing I could do, in my opinion, is start making a fuss and involving other pharms. And of course I did not want to wait days for the meds.

So, like all of us, I am making the best of it. I take half and stretch it over more days.

Debbie, thank you so much for the post! I am so sorry you are in a bad position now. It sounds like you have a lot you have to handle each day. I hope you take it easy and let your body do its best. I hope people are helping you? Take care!
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