In November I had a lumbar laminectomy

Post #359,611 by hnick 6/26/12 4:22:17 PM Reply	In November I had a lumbar laminectomy I had a synovial cyst on my spinal chord (about the same place as yours) that compressed the nerves going to my feet and I couldn't walk properly and the pain was excruciating. Vicodin has absolutely no effect on nerve pain by the way. There was also some stenosis. I was in the OR for 3 hours and went home the same day. When I was still in the medical dodge, a lumbar lam kept the subject in the hospital for several days to a week. It's gotten way better. My results have been excellent. It's only been since November, so I can't speak to long term results. I thought my surgeon was excellent, if you want his name or maybe for a second opinion. You really should have a second opinion. Surgeons are surgeons because they like to cut. Good luck with the pain. It rarely gets better on its own.
Post #359,615 by drook 6/26/12 5:02:12 PM Reply	Yeah, speaking of Vicodin ... Why the hell would anyone take this stuff recreationally? Aside from not doing a damn thing for the nerve pain -- by the way, thanks for confirming that -- I didn't feel anything except possible sleepiness. And maybe some excessively vivid dreams, though with the amount of time I spent drifting in and out of (bad) sleep, it's hard to say what those were from. I'll definitely hit you up for your doc's name for a second opinion if it comes to that. I've been researching, and I see the outpatient endoscopic procedures. I didn't know that existed. Maybe not as much to worry about, with a good chance of relief. -- Drew
Post #359,617 by hnick 6/26/12 5:15:45 PM Reply	cool. let me know. usernameATatt.net
Post #359,654 by mmoffitt 6/27/12 8:10:41 AM Reply	Seconded. I was fortunate in that a fellow pilot had just had the operation himself by the same physician. I was down for about 2 days after the surgery (apparently, I was in much worse shape than my buddy - he got up and walked out post op). Ditto on the Vicodin for me - doubled up the dosage and I still couldn't sit up. But, like I said, I've been virtually pain free ever since. It's a tough call and every case is different. I wouldn't tell you that you should have surgery. It's just that I had a TON of people telling me not to do it and they turned out to be wrong. I guess what I'm trying to say is keep your options open. And definitely get multiple opinions. Good Luck!

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