Failed Back Surgery - Fixing Chronic Pain: A Patient Story
Вставка
- Опубліковано 29 кві 2018
- Persistent back pain plagued Missy more than a year after failed back surgery for spinal fusion. She tried dozens of treatments but nothing helped her heal. Then she met Dr. Tollestrup who surgically removed peripheral nerves in her back. Watch her story and how she is back enjoying her life once again.
nevadanervesurgery.org/condit...
Full Transcript:
The reason I want to tell my story is because I think it could help someone else. My life before the surgery was filled with a lot of pain. My day would start with 15 to 20 minutes of stretching. I couldn't even get out of my bed without stretching, and I found myself losing my patience with my family. I couldn't do the things that I wanted to do. I couldn't participate, so I was angry, and not much fun to be around, and I know that that was very difficult.
I went back to my neurosurgeon and he said I did a great job. "Your fusion is solid, and I don't know why you're having pain." And I came and met with Dr. Tollestrup, and he listened, he examined me. My first appointment was about an hour and a half, and I felt real hope.
It's amazing. I have resumed normal activities. I play golf three to four times a week. I walk seven days a week. I weight train twice a week. Before Dr. Tollestrup I couldn't even get on an airplane. I've been to Mexico for the first time in my life. I am so grateful that Dr. Tollestrup ... I feel like he gave me my life back.
About Dr. Tollestrup
Dr. Tollestrup currently runs his own clinic in Las Vegas, Nevada, focusing 100% of his practice on peripheral nerve surgery, which includes issues stemming from such conditions as diabetic neuropathy, compression neuropathies (carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, tarsal tunnel, etc.) nerve trauma, chronic joint pain, chronic groin pain and migraines.
Contact Information
Website: nevadanervesurgery.org/
Facebook: / timtollestrupmd
Call: 702-666-0463 - Наука та технологія
God bless everyone here. My back surgery was the biggest mistake ever... you find out who your true friends family are.. God bless my dog..
I am 37 old and had 3 surgeries on l5-s1, the last one was spinal fusion aprox. a year ago. I had to do these surgeries because of neurological problems manifesting in strength in the leg which was almost gone. Well i got my strength back but got severe chronic pain that sometimes i scream in to the pillow at night. No painkiller helps, even opioids, no IV. Only thing that helps is nerve block injections in to the spine (wound) every month or so. If i knew the outcome i would rather be in a wheelchair. My girl left me because of that and my life is fucked. Barely working 4 hours per day. My advice to anybody reading this....don't let them touch your spine if it is not the last thing left.
I totally understand how you felt! This has been my life the past 8 years and still in pain which is increasing. I need major surgery, total spinal reconstruction but I don’t think it will ever happen. It’s so frustrating and sad that people have to suffer in pain. It ruins your life.
From which spinal level your pain starts ? A surgically induced paralysis just above that level may leave you paraplegic / in wheel chair but no pain
@@truthcantbehidden2165 That's not the case at all!
@@annimack1591 ok , I don't have any bad intention , I just wanted to help those suffering botched surgeries, I'm not handing out this advice anymore. Peace ._.
@@truthcantbehidden2165 I think when your in chronic pain it changes your brain so everything turns negative You just cant understand unless you are going thru the pain
@@johnmitchell8925 hanging around this site responding to old comments is not going to help you! That person suggesting cutting the spinal cord obviously knows nothing about how pain works.
I had a microdiscectomy 2 months ago. Before that I was basically paralyzed and unable to get out of bed. The pain is less now but I feel it coming back in the past week and I'm terrified of it all coming back. I haven't worked in almost a year and I'm so depressed, if it wasn't for my kids I don't know what I'd do. I was doing so good , walking everyday, going to the store, actually sitting on the couch watching a movie with my girls... then out of nowhere that sharp ass pain that jus blinds you ran thru my back and now I'm jus waiting for it to take my whole leg over again. I hope everyone out there living this kind of life finds a way thru it! My depression has been worse and worse and I feel for all yall out there and your families cause this isn't right
How do you feel now?
If your still there just know your not alone
I had a lamenectomy discetomy about 5 years ago. I was days away from killing myself before going in to surgery. The darkness and depression that consumes you when you live in constant pain is indescribable. After the surgery I had some ghost pains where my leg would hurt and I would get really nervous. It eventually went away. My leg is tight and can’t bend or stretch like I could before the surgery but for 5 years the pain was gone. I was able to have my life back so for me I am glad I had the surgery. But, one week ago my back started hurting out of no where, no real leg pain yet but I can feel it faintly in my leg at the end of the day. So here I am trying to find videos of anyone who had to have another surgery after the first one. All I know is I will not wait as long as I did the first time, I don’t think I could handle that again. If your here, keep fighting
I'm so glad your got help I've had 2 surgery and I still have pain on my left buttock area and in my groin.
@Jimmy Neal I'm back out of work. Same reasons. Two fusions but can't sit, extreme hip pain, sharp butt pain, shards in the groin area, spike feeling in top of the foot.
Looking at nerves as the problem shouldn't be rocket science, but evidently it is.
@@TheFrenchPug Its been over a year since this comment but if your in the same situation still, look for a place that will do internal pelvic massages. Their is a good chance your coccyx and surrounding muscles could be tight. I have the hip and butt pain, but with the groin and foot situation you are experiencing there is a good chance that could be the cause.
That's what I am going through now
Si joint get injections
im glad you were able to find a remedy. truly.
I had back surgery in Germany 6 months ago. I now spend my days crying with burning, tingling foot pain. I mean it’s so bad, that I’m now starting to think I just want to die. I also now have a numb left leg and numb and tingling all around my lower back and hips. The burning feet is the worst. I no longer enjoy life. I can’t believe I’m going through this, it’s completely destroying me mentally and physically. God help me, I just want my life back.
Which surgery did you get? I’ve heard of people going to Germany to get the LP-ESP artificial disc but I’m holding off on any surgery for as long as I can.I might need something eventually as I’m only 39. Failed back surgery syndrome or need for more surgery scares me. My back pain still bothers me some and my sciatica feels like a bee sting in my left butt cheek every now and then. When it’s bad I totally understand how you feel. I’m merely existing but not living.
I had my surgery last week and I'm regretting it now I'm worse off now than before
Hi.how are u now
One week you should still be in pain I believe some doctors do surgery when they shouldn’t but one your going to be in pain
LAST WEEK? It takes a min of one yr to heal from spinal surgery. Of course it depends on what was done. Nerves take a long time to calm down. They will say 6-8 weeks, sure for a minor discectomy even then you might have residual pain.
@@tomvanhoesen9479 I had an ACDF and the post surgical pain only lasted a month and I could do most things at 2 months. At 7 Months my life ended. I started having shooting pain, stabs on my spine and a dull 4-5/10 shoulder ache that only gets worse by even the ligthest excercise and NSAIDs don't touch. Both Gabapentin and Pregabalin cause me joint and muscle pains and Gabapentin especially really drugged me out. I had serotonin syndrome from just taking tramadol and I will never ever risk that with any fancy SNRI or SSRI. Cannabis doesn't deal with the pain at all. Through the endless PTs and sleepless nights of pain I aquired a new hernia that imprints on the spinal cord and that along with the ACDF precludes any further PT or chiro but all doctors care about is how to not give me opioids (lidocaine didn't do anything either). I am 27 and my life is really falling to pieces from this damned surgery.
@@Sketch1994 I found the large vertical muscle next to my spine caused the nerve irritation 8 months after L5/S1 discectomy that wouldnt heal. Using a tennis ball under a lumbar back brace I got at Walgreens pushing on that muscle while I worked provides relief and allows me to walk without the burning/electric shooting pain. Hopefully it helps someone else.
Hi I’m so glad to hear you’re better.
Myself had 3 spinal surgeries c5/c6 but still in pain my surgeon said the surgery went well but nobody can tell me why I am still in pain 😢 I feel so hopeless
Oh my goodness! I hope someone can figure my pain out. Not the same area before fusion a different and worse pain. I'm glad you got relief.
Ive been is screaming bridge worthy pain for 12 years!
I had spinal fusion surgery 08/14/2017 and I am in so much pain from nerves. down to the bottom of my toes, but I can't find a dr. that will diagnose the pain, if it wasn't for my husband and my dog , I think I would just end it.
Shelia, if you would like to figure out wether or not you might have a peripheral nerve problem, simply send an email request to patients@tollestrupmd.com and we can discuss the process of making an appointment with Dr. Tollestrup and see if that’s something that you are interested in pursuing.
shelia nichols-douglas same here. I had mine 12/12/17
I'm in pain after an additional spinal fusion surgery. I understand your pain.
Shelia never give up hope, if i can get better, i know anyone can? My spine Dr is in Sarasota FL, Dr Nguyen.
I know sometimes I want to do the same.
This sounds exactly what I’m going through right now and I’m looking for different opinions about my spinal fusion
How you doing now Voni? Any updates?
Spinal fusion is wrong in most of cases. Don't ever go down that route
Wow, dr Tollestrup sounds wonderful. I had more spinal surgeries then fingers on my hands, the last one was here in St Martin. It helped a lot, but my surgeon has relocated. I have horrible Neuropathy in my legs to the point that I became homebound,unable to drive my car. All I have left now, Its Pain mngmnt doc, have to take Opioid & mega doses of Gabapentin.
I doubt that Dr Tollestrup would even want to touch me.
Congratulations on your success I know what Spinal pain is all about
I would certainly be willing to evaluate you. The process starts with a simple email request to patients@tollestrupmd.com.
Oh I wish I could have him too!! I am in SC!!! I have a failed laminectomy.
After years of abuse from my adopted father, which caused my spinal area to erode faster than normal, I spent the next 15-20 years in extreme pain, it got to the point that I would have to take prescription pain and muscle relaxers just to go to work, let alone make it through the day, at times it was so bad, I would cry, in 2012 I saw a specialist, he ran his tests and said the surgery would be my choice, a year later after complaining about the crippling pain, he ran his tests again, this time he was surprised at how fast my spine had degraded in just one year, I had back surgery in the summer of 2013, it was broken down in 2 parts, the first surgery went well, minimal pain, the second surgery was a disaster, I flatlined twice, had my sciatic nerve near my tail area messed up, and a minor stroke, the pain was literally unbearable, no amount of morphine helped, I was supposed to be in the hospital for 2-3 days but ended up spending almost 2 weeks, I had to learn how to walk again, I never got away from the pain, in fact it was worse, I now have major spams daily, in 2020, I am at the point of barely walking, because it flares up my spasms faster, and now use a wheelchair, but no matter how much pain I am in, I still try to do as much as I can independently.
If the nerve damage was done to the spinal cord or nerve roots, then there is nothing I can do to help you. If you have had damage to the superior cluneal nerves or you have compression of the sciatic nerve due to piriformis syndrome, then I may be able to help you greatly. Send an email to patients@tollestrupmd.com if you would like to try and figure out the source of your pain.
I’m so so sorry
@@TimTollestrupMD please read my comment I posted under your video. I'm in a state of desperation. I pray you read my comment and can reply.
Wow that really sucks I hope your getting some relief somehow
Daughter had magec rod implant early 2022 and left her with flatback-syndrome and post operative permanent neurological deficit.
Post surgery, surgeon explained the intra operative that the neuromonitoring signal disappeared during lumbar screw implant, daughter's leg stopped moving, but they continued with the surgery until the end of the surgery.
After the surgery, her legs started moving.
We're wondering why they didn't perform the wake up test during the lost of the signal.
Daughter woke up from surgery with leg numbness and swallow legs, leg jerking and shaking, hypersensitivity to touch.
2 months post op, loss of bowel and bladder control and it then recovered after 4 months.
Since she woke up from the surgery, both legs were with electric shocks pain from lower back down to both feet, daily. She described as tingling, stabbing, needles pinched pain 24/7.
It's been 15 months post op now, she's still suffering nerve pain daily. Permanent disability as a result of this outcome. Permanently in wheelchair now.
She's still going back to the original surgeon fevery 8 weeks for magec lengthening procedures.
The surgeon claimed it was a successful surgery and she needed to have more PT to get back to walking.
The question now is how to resolve the Neurological deficit and flatback syndrome issues.
She losses her natural lordosis curvature since the op and not able to bear weight to stand or walk upright.
With the 24/7 tingling and electric shocks on both legs, it is extremely impossible for her to be able to stand straight to walk.
Appreciate any input or advice to help her to get back her life.
that really sucks im older, I can't even imagine having my youth taken away like that, So sorry
franmon678. A lumbar fusion will take away the natural lordosis of the spine and cause "flat back" syndrome. My ninth thoroco-lumbar fusion supposedly helped mine but it's still as flat as it was from fusion number four. Naturally your daughter's surgeon claims it was a successful surgery as he doesn't want to be sued.
I've had to have scoliosis surgery as at 12 yrs old. now as an adult in her late 40s i wish i never had it done. i will never let anyone mess around with my back ever again.
Thats how i feel after two surgeries. In the meantime i just suffer
Right doctor right outcome! Wrong doctor wrong pain!
Exactly and I say get 3 opinions ALWAYS before you let anyone cut on you and go with the 2 that match. I had a surgeon that told me he had to operate on my neck right away or I could be paralyzed, I was scared of coursed and he ordered an expensive next brace and billed my insurance but I made appointments with 2 other surgeons, showed them the CT SCAN on disk that my primary Doctor had ordered, never told one about the other and unlike the first surgeon that wanted to operate immediately, they told me to go to PT and that worked just fine for me. 🙏👍
I’m glad PT worked for you and you got a second opinion. I’m still in PT but not sure if I’ll ever be 100% at this point. I’m like 80-85% better. How long did it take? I know someone that it took 2 years.
I have had 5 lower back surgeries 4 neck surgeries 3 shoulder surgeries 1 knee and 1 foot surgery. I now have Flat Back Syndrome with chronic pain….now I’m told the only way to fix this is another surgery but the correct one 🙏🙏🙏
Dry Tollestrom, I don't know if this message will even reach you but I pray that it does. I cried when I heard this lady's story because it's so similar to mine. Before my spinal fusion, I had a lot of pain but i could walk. Now I can barely walk 50 feet and when I do walk, the pain (especially on my left side) is excruciating. I can do nothing I could do before. The holidays are coming and I can't stand long enough to put up the Christmas tree. I can't cook or clean, exercise... nothing because of the spasms I have in the muscles on either side of the fusion area. You can literally feel the muscles protruding and they stay in this flexed position until I sit back down. I'm on muscle relaxers and have tried them all with no relief, so it may not be the muscles at all. I totally hate my life and have no quality of life. I have not even left my home, except for my monthly pain doctors appointment , to shop, walk (which I love to do) in over a yeas and a half and I used to be so outgoing and personable. I'm basically a shut in. Gardening is out of the question which, aside from my husband and children, was my fuel for joy and time of peace. The area of the fusion hurts equally as bad. I'm nearly 2 years out from when I had my surgery and have visited doctor after doctor (my surgeon is in the Ukraine helping over there). I'm at the end of my rope. I have been for quite some time. I don't want to live like this anymore because it's not living. I just exist and feel like a burden tomy husband who has all the load on him now, plus me now. It's a far cry from the woman who used to walk 6 to 7 miles a day, make the holidays.. everyday.. as meaningful and beautiful for my family as I could. If you do read this, which I pray you or someone does who can help in some way; you will be saving a life and thru saving mine, there are 4 kids, 1 husband, 8 siblings, and a ton of other family and friends who would be eternally grateful. I'll save this video and keep checking back to see if you or anyone else has responded. I can't tell you or any other what it would mean to direct me somewhere in far west Texas, or New Mexico that could help, tell me what could be wrong, tell me anything.... please. I know your not supposed to put contact info in comments, and I normally would never but if you "go to" annette684r and use g mail, I'll hear from you or someone who can help. Others reading this comment; please listen to how serious my plea for help is and I ask you to please not respond unless what you share can help. Again, I hope so much that you read this message and that I have conveyed how serious my situation is. I cannot stand it much longer.
I hope u get better and I pray immensely for u. No one deserves to suffer
Your very lucky to have a family to help you. a lot of us don't. Good luck coming to America to get help. Our healthcare system is so corrupt most doctors, and surgeons are now employed by large chain hospitals. They just want to make a fast dollar and could care less about what happens to you after your fusion ,including how much pain and suffering your going thru
@@johnmitchell8925 I think this woman is in the US. You've been busy with your comments.
I had broke my spinal fusion about a 1 1/2 yrs ago and it was after 5 years of the initial surgery and no doubt the pain can be the worst at most, and currently awaiting surgery for the 2nd time now. Yes when you are at your worst because of the pain you do not want to be around anybody as i am now and have been for a 1 1/2 yrs, it sucks! I sleep on the floor as it is the most comfortable spot me going forward.
How are you doing now. So sorry to hear about what happened to you...I do understand. My back surgery went wrong.. Hope you have family and friends.. Take it easy and hope you feel better. Keep safe..
My Fusion like yours moved and broke and it's five six years after it finally I'm going to a major Hospital they're going to redo the whole deal
I sure hope you were able to get some relief, But if your like me probably not
I had a laminectomy L4 L5 and a fusion on L5S1 The doctor told me the same thing he did everything right and now I am passing out frequently and my pain is worse have no social life
send me an email request to patients@tollestrupmd.com and maybe I can help you.
It's a shame your in NV and I'm stuck in MO. My story:
I'm 39yro I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was 13yro (1994) had major back surgery and had Harrington rods placed to support my spine. For years there really was no major issues. Well not until I was 26 (2007). As soon as I saw eye surgeon it was automatically we need to go in and correct the issue with surgery. Worried about something going wrong I chose other options trying to stay away from having more surgeries. Now I'm 39 it's (2020) more issues started popping up couldn't stand or walk for more than 15-20 minutes without my right leg giving out I would have severe pain threw out my back and down both of my legs but my right leg was more painful went in for more test the doctor showed me where my L 4 and L5 had slipped forward and was pinching off my nerves & spinal cord. Well being a single mother with 3 children 2 of them still young and of course living at home being told if I don't have surgery to correct the issues eventually I would be paralyzed. They said that I needed to get in as soon as possible and they weren't kidding. My surgery was scheduled a week later. I never met the surgeon until the day of surgery. The doctor that I had been discussed all the issues with and who had been testing me was the surgeons intern that worked beside him. I did not meet the actual surgeon until the morning of my surgery. He assured me that everything was going to be fine I would be in the hospital for at least a week to recover ect. When I woke up course I was in pain I just had gone through major back surgery from what I was told what they did was put rods support my L4 and L5 and anchored them to my hip. I did quite well in recovery apparently too well according to the hospital and Medicaid they sent me home with in 4 days even though I was still in pain. About 3 to 4 days later I went in to see the doctor to have my Staples removed but unfortunately I was in so much pain I could not even walk up to my doctor's office and had to be pushed in a wheelchair. so they put me back in the hospital for another 4 days while I was there I was very sluggish and tired. Whenever I had to get up or shift it was tremendously painful. They did a blood test and came back and told me that I needed a blood transfusion since my blood count was way to low. When I got back home the pain was still there and would only slightly get better after each dose of pain medication which was not very much. About a week ago I was outside fell (Darn armadillo hole) pain went from my right side n now it's all in my left. Yet much worse then the prior pain that was in my right side. I have had 6 MRI's and just this past Friday I had X-Rays done. Went to pick up my prescription and the doctors had lowered the dosage I spoke with the nurse told her that the pain was worse than ever and that thing I can do is sit down in a recliner lean back in the recliner and get up and walk to the bathroom yet in extreme pain that the medication dosage was not going to be enough for me to deal with this pain she of course stated that I was able to take more of my pain medication just know that if I ran out sooner than my prescription date I would pretty much be SOL. I really messed up part about this is that every time I have an MRI or x-ray and the doctor gets the results back I am just told by his intern that the surgery went well there's no sign of damage and they have no idea why I am in so much pain. Now I had my surgery done August 20th it's almost been 2 month and I swear to God I am in worse pain now then I was prior to surgery. I regret having the surgery every single time I have to move. I have cried more these two past months then I probably cried in 4 years. I have decided clearly it is time to get a second opinion from a different doctor in hopes that I can find out what exactly is going on and can it be corrected and hopefully without surgery.
Maybe I can find a decent back surgeon in Joplin one who isn't affiliated with Mercy Hospital if by chance you know anyone that has a great surgeon in Missouri please send me a message.
Thank You
You should send me an email request to patients@tollestrupmd.com. I don’t take Medicaid but maybe I can help to rule out a peripheral nerve problem as rather source of your pain. That might allow a pain management doctor to give you more effective pain relief.
I’m really sorry you are experiencing so much pain, I fractured my lower lumbar, they replaced an entire vertebrae,
And the other two were able to heal by fusing with l2/L4 (L3 became a spacer, like a little shock absorber. I fell asleep
Driving while going to pick up my wife at the airport. Anyway, Chronic pain is now my best friend, a reminder I am here
For my wife, family, friends, and 4 dogs. I survived combat in Iraq, by a definite miracle , I mean Miracles.
I left my Career as an Art Director in advertising to re-enlist after my training in Germany from 81-84.
I was born Again in Shreveport,La. in 84. My trust in God has proven itself, over, and over, and over , etc...again.
People that don’t know God always ask why God allows suffering, it wasn’t in the plan, the devil brought it to existence,
So when your hurting, scream...f.u satan, I hate you. Take it out on him, he’s to blame, not God, he was backstabbed first,
Then he went after his perfect creation. Didn’t mean to get into this, I really was going to write and ask you if you have heard of
The (Intracept Procedure) where they oblate the nerves. Check UA-cam. Unfortunately it didn’t work for me, it works for some,
It might work for you. Well, wether your a believer or not, it doesn’t change his truth, and my knowledge that he hears me when I say,
May God Bless you and help you find help for your pain.
Hye Dr. Tim... I had my TLIF surgery on 7th of April recently now i still have alot of bone pain in L5S1 area and right leg is in pain too.. Bone pain - standing and walking is painful, sitting is the worst... lying flat on bed also make my right leg painful...
I've shared my xray picture on the support group on FB, then a surgeon told me that half of my fusion cage went into my L5 vertebrae (subsided) ... then i emailed my hosp, send my xray photo too... and one of the Doctor contacted me on the next day, told me, yes, half of the cage went into my L5 bone... I am going for an appointment this coming week, n repeat XRay again...
From all of your experience Dr. Tim, what should the patients do?, who r having this type of case, with the cage that went in the L5 bone... Should i wait, or the Doctors should fix it immediately..
If the bone pain wont go away n need a fix, i should not waste my time, waiting.. right??
Will it go away by itself?
Thank You in advance...
I had spinal fusion on 4 levels and a decompression 17 months ago unfortunately it was not a success I now have to walk with crutches because I have lost almost all power in one leg ,i am in a lot of pain in my back and now develop crps in my leg, my surgen said it is because I was left to long on the waiting list 10 years ,prayers to all who are in pain and have to go through this
Hey I am 27 had back pain for over 6 years I had a l4/l5 disectomy and I’m I’m so much pain it’s been 13 weeks got leg pain now on top of 100 times more back pain please help my surgeon said it’s prolapsed could that cause my back to hurt so much can only walk 30 min max and 3 times a day I wish I never don’t this surgery before this I just had a sore back and learnt to live with it I’m so broken from this
I have also had spinal fusion surgery and had to have it redone 3 weeks later because the hardware came out of place. Tht was in November 2022 and now in February 2023 the pain is getting progressively worse. I am almost hopeless. Where is Dr Tollestrupp?
After 7 back surgeries I developed cauda equina syndrome. In 2018 I went through two separate fusion surgeries. The first an XLIF, the second two months later a PLIF. It's now two and a half years later and the nerve pain is worse than ever. I'm fused from S1 to T9 and my surgeon says I'm fine. I'm in pain 24/7, have saddle paresthesia and nerve pain running from my mid back across both buttocks and down both legs. I cannot sit or walk now. I'm not fine at all, however for a couple of months after the PLIF I was better and walking over a mile a day. It didn't take long for all the symptoms to return with a vengeance. No one wants to help me now. I've asked for the 6 levels of metal to be removed but my surgeon won't do that either, though told me he could do that after two years. No quality of life whatsoever. Death seems to be the only option now!
Hi Anni. If your pain is due to an ongoing problem at the spine level, then I can’t help you. XLIF procedures should be banned and they expose the patient to a very high risk of damage to lumbosacral plexus nerve very close to the spine which cannot be fixed. However, given all the surgeries you have had, you are also at very high risk of having peripheral nerve damage that can be fixed. If you would like me to try and figure this out for you, send an email request to patients@tollestrupmd.com.
@@TimTollestrupMD Thank you for your answer doctor. The XLIF procedure was absolutely hideous, even causing a pleural effusion. I have continuing pain in the left side from the "minimally invasive" 7 inch cut! Unfortunately I'm not in the US so I guess I cannot take advantage of your expertise. Do you know of anyone in Australia that could help me?
@@annimack1591 Unfortunately Anni there is no one in Australia who does this kind of surgery, or any other country but the US for that matter.
@@TimTollestrupMD Thank you for taking the time to let me know. I figured that there'd be no one here who could help me.
@@annimack1591 Hi Anne 👋
There's nothing which cannot be fixed or atleast make better. I read your comment you are fused from T9 , there is one way to get rid of pain . Surgically induced paralysis from T9 which will make you paraplegic/ in wheelchair but I guess no pain , no meds. You may talk about this with your doctor. If you find it helpful please let me know
I have been dealing with my failed fusion since 1997. 2003 hardware taken out pedicle screw was in my spinal cord now I have four more herniated disc two above my fusion and two in middle of my back. The pain can get unbearable. I see a pain doctor. Workers comp is delaying me to see a surgeon and my pain doctor said he can't treat me anymore if I don't get into seeing a surgeon. Also he cut me back on my pain medicine without telling me. Was taken three hydrocodone a day now two for break through. What happened to do no harm on their ethics. God help us. He is getting me through this. The pain can get so bad.
Ive been cut off completely from my local doctor.2 a day now i have to travel 80 miles to see a pain specialist Im 62 and ive had neck and lower back fused 7 years ago
My mother underwent microdisectomy for her pinched nerve L4 L5 exactly a month before. But just after 6 days of getting discharged from hospital, she started having acute pain , and we gave her strong pain killers, normal pain killers do not work for her.
She is still in pain , hardly she stoods up twice a day and goes bathroom.
Iam really scared if her surgery went wrong. But surgeon assured us operation was successful.
I don't know if it is normal for mom to have acute pain even after a month of microdisectomy.
Your Fusion looks just like mine in the case that it moved and my doctor didn't correct it six years later I'm going to get it redone they always say you're fine it's fused cuz they don't care
Surgeons saying people's lifestyle and anatomy is the reason for failure, dude that's why ur a surgeon ur supposed to fix the damn problem
I read he is a Hand Surgeon by training, and he has a fair number of one star reviews that are worth reading before you take a leap of faith.
Some one please help me out I went out through herinated disc surgery 3 weeks later I use to get sharp pain near coccyx tail to my leg after many MRI every thing is normal but no one help me out this pain
Why is this stuff always such a dam mystery. It’s science why can’t they all get on same page and help everyone
I hurt my back January 1 of 2024 helping my brother get out of bed and I pulled on him and I’ve had pain ever since I have screws and bolts in my L4 L5 and one cage fusion and then 2000 I had a back surgery with two cages and I did wonderful with that. But I think my body is rejecting, the screws in the bolts and the back so excruciating that I can’t imagine living my life like this anymore. You could only take so much and my L3 is bad Scott , spinal stenosis, and now I have to see another specialist. If they tell me, I gotta learn to live with this, I’d like to see them live with this pain every single day of their life. They would probably try to kill themselves. I’m not thinking of doing that, but mine doesn’t doesn’t cross my mind. You can only take so much pain in your lifetime and what keeps me going is my brother needs in a nursing home?
He is an amazing surgeon. Gave me my life back after 27 years of being crippled by CRPS. He doesn’t give up on his patients. If the source of your pain can be found, Dr. T will find it and deal with it. Love this doctor.
I was offered a spinal cord stimulator, but there are so many horror stories about them that I declined. Dr T was the only one that offered another approach.
Would you be willing to talk on the phone?
Give me a number and a time. I can call you. Anytime after 1 PM.
Also see: CRPS Pain Gone After 27 years
@@sundaysommers1476 214-763-1020
I had a micro- disectomy in April for a bulging disc and was pain free for 3 months. December 2nd I had a spinal fusion on L5 - S1 for degenerated disc disease and spinal stenosis. I used to have siadic pain in my lower back, hamstring and the way down my back of my leg on my left foot which is half pins and needles always. The siadic pain is now on my thigh and with a burning sensation. I know it's only been 3 weeks but the pain is getting worse! Please any help. Plus I had a heart attack in June not my year!!!
Hi Todd. If your burning pain involves the front/outside of your thigh, then you may have developed a compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, a condition known as meralgia paresthetica. It really depends on exactly where this burning sensation is located. An injection around the nerve with local anesthetic and steroid may calm things down and make the pain go away.
@Tim Tollestrup MD I had multiple surgeries laminectomys on the left side I am almost paralyzed on that.side.. I will be contacting you on Monday I had Laser disc surgery with doctor Deuke and viera he fixed my discs but he did nothing for the left side.
[27M] I had a fusion 7 months ago on L4-5 TLIF due to severe backpain. The diagnosis was L4-5 disc degeneration and bulging disc pressing the thecal sac. I was in so much pain for more than a year so I go ahead with the surgery. However after the surgery my backpain got progressively worse and now I can’t function normally. Severe pain has taken my ability to walk/sit/stand more than 10min. I did xray, CT, MRI, blood test but nothing could be found. I’m from Asia. Doc can you help me in way even if with the diagnosis? What the Drs here are missing…
Did you got any treatment after ?
Curious what the surgery is called that fixed you exactly? surgically removed peripheral nerves in her back?
Doctor help me
I'm in italy had spinal fusion last year. In bad pain leg goes numbs, walking hurts so much. I really need help
If your spine surgeon has ruled out the cause of your remaining pain as coming from the spine, then you most likely have a peripheral nerve problem that can be figured out and fixed. I can try and give you some guidance in figuring our the problem if you send me an email to patients@tollestrupmd.com. There is no charge for this.
My father had surgery in 2017,,,,my father had spinal fusion surgery l4 l5 l6 but my father cannot sleep during the night bcs of this pain,,, he has severe burning sensation in his legs and he feels like electric shok,,, he can't even sleep help pls
I had two back surgery I hate myself sometimes, none of them work's now they're telling me about a third one I'm doing the injection no help , I'm in pain every single day
I had spinal fusion surgery and I'm having the worse pain down my back I can't sleep I've been to e.r had MRI,x-rays and they found nothing yet here I am cnt even lower my neck without the pain shooting across my spine the pain is worse then what sent me for spinal fusion my life sucks now wish I never had the surgery
I had 8 fusions at once .4 surguries one after another .The pain is so bad now for 8 yrs .Out of control .Sometimes you feel your body giving up
Don't give up
I bet most of us are saying that now. But too late they got us
I’ve never had back surgery even though my L5 is herniated and sciatica flares up at times But cervical fusion!!! I had my 1st in 1996 ,accident was in 10/95 so 1/96 I had it done C3-4 front.Was told C4-5 needed as well, that was in the back of neck 10 months each recovery time.sent back to work started complaining I guess it was too much bouncing (county transit bus) well found out fusion broke & titanium screws dangling in neck so IMMEDIATE SURGERY.1,2,3rd time wore some kind of halo thing that made knocking sounds.its 2020 still in excruciating pain.walking ,sitting standing too long oxy &trams have become my friends.not addicted but quality of life requires them. If you can relate feel free to vent with me.
Keep judgement comments to yourself I’ve heard all of them since 1997.But I will accept your PRAYERS 🙏🏽It’s a part of my life as well.Thanks for listening ✌🏽
Evelyn Baker Are you interested in seeing if some or all of your pain at this point could be due to a peripheral nerve problem rather than your spine? If so, send a request to patients@tollestrupmd.com. If you’re managing well on pain medication and you’re happy with that, then I would continue.
Your lucky you can get pain meds I live in a one-horse town in Arkansas im 62 been suffering for 7 years since neck and back fusion and you have to drive for hrs to get anyone to look at you.None of the doctors in my town will even look at a chronic pain patient
@@johnmitchell8925 You're a ray of sunshine - it's taken to you a long time to arrive on this site!
I just had surgery two weeks ago my leg pain has doubled I hope and pray it goes away soon
Joey Rogers What type of surgery did you have? What was the original problem?
@@TimTollestrupMD fusion l5 s1 pain in Lower back pain legs mainly left leg
OK. Sometimes this type of surgery can exacerbate the pain. Two weeks is certainly too early in the post-op course to make any judgements about efficacy of surgery, etc. If your pain does not go away, however, you will need your spine surgeon to review the fusion and make sure everything was done technically correct. If that’s the case, then you should consider a peripheral nerve problem as the possible source of the ongoing pain. I have seen many patients who have had spine surgery for what was in fact a peripheral nerve problem. Not saying that’s what has happened in your case. Just something to keep in the back of your mind if your leg pain does nor resolve in an expected timeframe.
@@TimTollestrupMD Dr Tollestrup thank you for the info.
Anytime.
But what did she do that helped her?
Dr. !!! My father had surgery(microdisectomy) for disc herniation at L5-S1 6 months ago. He is sometimes very fine but sometimes he is in extreme telling me that he is having pain nearby hip area, sometimes pain is in the back. Can you please tell me what could be the reason for this and what should I do to get him out from this discomfort.
Same condition
If you've had a fusion you need a minimum of one yr to fully recover. My 360 -degree fusion took two full years before I was in decent shape. Also, you MUST exercise and get the abdominals stronger weak abs = problems. Get your weight as low as you can also. You cannot carry weight and expect a good outcome.
This is a true statement only if the source of your pain is due to some kind of lingering damage to the spinal cord or one of the nerve roots due to disc compression or whatever the original problem was. Unfortunately, many patient’s low back pain or ‘sciatica’ is due to a peripheral nerve problem and not a spinal problem. In many other patients, they can have both a spine and a peripheral nerve problem at the same time. In still other patients, they can develop a peripheral nerve complication as a result of their spine surgery. If you are three months out from spine surgery and still having sever pain, especially if there has been no improvement from the spine surgery, then a much better option rather than waiting two years to realize that your pain hasn’t gone away is to get a comprehensive peripheral nerve examination to rule in or rule out the presence of peripheral nerve pathology. If you don’t have any, then you can be much more confident that your pain is some kind of lingering issue as a result of the spine pathology. If you do have peripheral nerve issues than they can be corrected and you can be pain free.
@@TimTollestrupMD What is involved in a get a comprehensive peripheral nerve examination? Can you explain that to me?
It's also called adjacent segment disease. I can't sit or be in the same position more then 20 minutes without having to adjust my position
Surgeons don't tell you that adjacent segment syndrome can occur some time after fusion surgery. They've known about this for years but don't enlighten the patient.
I have multiple problems with my spine. I’ll never allow a surgeon to do a fusion. They just don’t seem to be the answer to spine problems
Where is he from? I need help and my surgeon isn't listening to me.
Doctor tim is ur clinic offers free surgery...
I just saw my surgeon and he told me not to do the back surgery its painful and most cases do not work.so I guess I put up with pain
Shahram Sareminouri Hi. Where do you live?
Smart move
Cause in most cases fusion does't help with pain or makes it worse
Its strange but when you burn the nerves they come back
How do you remove nerves? Don't you lose motion or sensitivity?
It all depends on which nerves you are talking about. Most of the time, nerves that need to be disconnected are sensory only so no motor function is compromised. Sometimes, the trade-off for getting rid of the pain is accepting some skin numbness in a certain location and sometimes there is no real side-effect to disconnecting the sensory nerves at all. It’s very situation specific but overall, most patients are more than willing to trade pain for numbness which they will soon get used to and quite thinking about all together.
When sensory nerves are disconnected the pain is relieved, but that doesn’t affect function. There can be numbness of the skin, which is something you get used to. I’m happy to make that trade off! It was the difference between being crippled and living a normal life.
Please help me. I cannot take this pain. My spinal fusion didn’t work and now I have a spinal stimulator that barely helps. I’m too young to be in this much pain. 😭
Im too old to be in this much pain 🤥
Where is this Doctor located at I had a fusion three months ago and I’m still in so much pain
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Me too
Normal , takes a full year if the nerve got impinged for a long time.
no tech info, only saying he had REMOVED SOME NERVES???
Desperate people will believe anything. And these doctors know it...
Yeah what does this mean? What was the procedure?
@@jumanjiwarlord Exactly
How can I get an appointment with you?
Doctor I had l5-s1 fusion surgery ,discectomy surgery . Still I have pain from hip to thigh caused by a nerve root compression. Is there any exercise I could do to alleviate the pain until I can go for physical checkup post covid 19.
shrestha pathak Does the pain involve the front and outside of your thigh?
Tim Tollestrup, MD how would I be able to schedule an appointment with you? I have the same type of surgery in July 2020. I’ve had steriod injections since surgery. The pain is unbearable and especially with sitting. Any type of sitting position, my legs go completely numb to my feet. I’ve had pain in my lower back that has not improved and will radiate from the back of my leg down
@@Adrienne009 Send me an email request to patients@tollestrupmd.com and my staff will guide you through the process.
It could be your SIJs, lumbar fusion many times causes SIJ degeneration. I'm the opposite, SIJ fusion is causing my s1/L5 degeneration. I had a stem cell treatment and it seems like it was a joke. Now I have to sit in pain for 6 months being told to be patient..... 3 months out no change in pain.
My mom who is 80 years old just had her OLIF surgery done last Friday, now she’s experiencing leg pain and not able to sleep at all due to the pain. After some online investigation, I figured that her nerves might have been damaged during the surgery. Can physiotherapy help her release the pain? Thank you
If she had nerves damaged during surgery and there is no improvement in 2-3 months, then physiotherapy is not going to fix it most likely because the nerves have been compressed or seriously injured.
Tim Tollestrup, MD Thank you for the reply. We’ll wait to see how she is doing in the next couple of months.
7 weeks out on fustion back surgery leg pain still so bad.cant walk
I'm 6 weeks in recovery from my second back surgery this time i had a fusion and my leg pain has went away but my feet are numb and my lower back and hip hurt so bad and the Surgeon is trying to take me off the pain medication. I dont want to go through another surgery 😫 its going on a year and a half since i haven't worked. Been basically living in my bedroom for a hole year only getting out of bed to go to the restroom ...
Josh arellano If you had a nerve root compression at the spine level for more than a year, it can take some time for the results of the spine surgery to work. You could also easily have a peripheral nerve problem that was coexisting with your spine issue. This is a very common occurrence. As long as you are not getting worse, I would probably give it 3-6 months recovery time before considering looking for a peripheral nerve problem like piriformis syndrome or some other peripheral nerve compression. You can look at my website nevadanervesurgery.org for more information. If you are not any better in 3 months from now and would like me to look into your situation further, send me an email to patients@tollestrupmd.com in three months.
@@TimTollestrupMD Thank you so much I really appreciate it . The herniation was on both sides of the spine sitting on the nerve. They Doctor's keep looking at me like im making shit up but when I walk now it feel like I'm walking in puddles of water like the floor is always wet ? It doesn't matter if i have shoes on or socks or just bare foot the feeling in my feet is either completely numb or wet ????
Josh arellano When nerve are involved, you can literally experience any kind of sensation imaginable - this goes from feeling like you are walking in water to feeling like you are walking over hot coals. Again, if the herniated disc was compressing bilateral spinal nerves for a year+ before you had surgery to correct things, it could take a while to really achieve full recovery. Are you experiencing any significant weakness in your legs - like a foot drop for example?
@@TimTollestrupMD yes I am definitely experiencing weakness in my legs and my toes are drooping there two on each foot hanging down . The herniation happened in July 2019 I had the first surgery in October 2019 it was just to cut the herniation out cus it was sitting on the nerve on the right side of my spine . A month after the surgery it herniated even worse then before this time both sides of the spine sitting on both nerves i finally had the fusion July 10th 2020 so it been a year.
Josh arellano OK. Understood. I would wait the three months and then if nothing has improved, send me an email request to the address above and I can look into it further.
Does anyone have more information on Dr. Tolestrup? I know he doesn’t take insurance. How do you pay?
He is a Hand Surgeon by training, and I highly recommend you read his one star reviews. Best of luck!
Nice story sincere but beware people with FBBS expectations after fusion and in response to question by "Lou Fuddrucker"
Answer by surgeon: "It was the superior cluneal nerves which were damaged and causing the pain all along. It was not the spine"
Is this Dr. still around?
had spinal surgery l5 s1 with hardware.. I’m 28 and I feel worst then before surgery 😔😔it’s only been about 90 days!!! It’s not easy😔 life sucks
I am in the same situation! I’m almost 28. I feel sooooo much worse and now have had injections in my spine
You could easily have an undiagnosed peripheral nerve problem which your spine surgeon will never diagnose. They will just tell you to keep waiting and things will get better. Once a year or 18 months have passed and you are not better, they will send you to pain management for a spinal cord stimulator which will not work for a peripheral nerve problem either. Send me an email to patients@tollestrupmd.com and I can try and help you figure out if the pain is coming from the spine or a peripheral nerve issue.
Ive had two lower back surgeries, and 4 disc fused in my cervical area, with bone ,from a bone bank, metal, and screws, one you have had surgery, you will always have ongoing issues, thanks to a drunk driver…
Which nerves got removed
Lou Fuddrucker It was the superior cluneal nerves which were damaged and causing the pain all along. It was not the spine.
What did he said was wrong.
Sorry, I don’t understand what you are trying to say.
Do you think spinal fusion should be banned? I have c6-c7 and really IMO they should have just done a microdiscectomy. I had complete loss of strength in my arms. The fusion is horrific and I have constant neck pain apparently forever now. Really fantastic that they do this to people, then blame the patient for not being 'tough enough'. The spinal surgery field is pathetic considering now data is coming out that 3rd world countries have better outcomes with no surgery over a longer period of time. Pretty much a corrupt scam to make money off of people. Its hilarious though that many surgeons have talked themselves into believing it actually works, when statistically it does not. A pain level of anything is unacceptable, that is reality for most people.
im 62 ive had my neck and lower back fused 7 years ago I was getting 2= 7.5mg hydros from my local doctor and 1 sleep aid to knock me out at night. Out of nowhere, she was gone just left the practice Now im completely cut off no pain meds no sleep aid
@@johnmitchell8925 That's quite a low dose of pain meds.
Sir can I have your email.i have some queries
I need help with a go fund me page. I am a disabled veteran receiving horrible care with no orthopedic spine neck doctors. I’m trying so hard...
so she never actually needed the spinal fusion to begin with?
I had 11 surgeries and i was pain free after 10 surgeries, but then i was in a bad auto accident. I did all the MRI, CAT SCANS AND BONE SCAN. Every thing came back normal. I did therapy for 2 months and thats how i figured out it was broke at L4 facet joint; im fused from L5 to L2, my surgeon didnt want to do anything, cause all test were normal. Well i went to another spine surgeon and he listen to everything i said, then he said he would remove all hardware and check every level, he said as soon as he open me up, it was clearly broke at L4 , im doing great at 7 weeks, its still healing, but im 85% better. Fusion take 3 to 6 months to set and 12 months to get hard! Dr Lam Nguyen in Sarasota FL did my surgery im very happy with him, he has hope and faith he can help but no guarantee, well i would hear when it was clear on the MRI! To the fellow back suffer, never give up!
James Soho That’s great James. Glad you are doing well. That kind of a problem is a spine problem, one you need a spine surgeon for. I deal with the peripheral nervous system which is a completely different anatomic system and one that spine surgeons know very little about.
Nice to be rich.
And pain-free 😉
Who wants to be rich? I'd prefer to be free of pain.
Where is he from? I need help and my surgeon isn't listening to me.