General Chat

I have had another think now. After your results if it were me I would go for the op (if the surgeon agrees to give it a go).

You know what you are facing if you do nothing, the op may just stop any further degeneration and at least prop up the damaged areas so you would be avoid the dreaded wheels.

It can only be your decision, it's all very well for me to waffle on, I refused the spinal fix because of a 40% risk of paralysis BUT after 6 years the spine fused on it's own. That option isn't open to you is it?

Whatever you decide I'll be keeping everything crossed (well those bits that I can cross).

Sue x

I'd say forget odds and concentrate on the benefits. If you are really worried about failure, then talk it over with your GP who should be able to help out with the statistics. I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised to find that those who have failed surgery are rare, or at worst a hell of a lot less than those with successful surgery.

If you know the name of the op, or the condition you need treatment for, why not do a little research online? Thats what I did, and that helped put my mind at rest.

I understand about the independence bit, I really do, but what you need to do is concentrate on what you CAN do rather than what you can't, and the same applies to how much more you will be able to do after surgery.

It's losing my independence Teresa :(

I'm all for "going for it" but (& unfortunately I've got time to think)if I go with an op & it fails...I'll then be wondering..what if I'd waited.

Thata why I was thinking-what odds do you take the risk at? & how the heck do you decide?

The point is Eeyore, what have you really got to lose? If it is inevitable you end up in a wheelchair without surgery, then that alone is worth trying to avoid, even if the only real result is a delay for a few years. That few years can make a whole lot of difference to your life.

I'd say, regardless of the risks, which are present in all surgery, go for it. You'll only regret it if you don't because you won't have tried, you won't know, you'll always ask yourself 'what if?'

It's scary, I know that, but which is scariest? The future with or without the surgery?

Hi Jean,mines lumbar :(
It really is a pain

I would like the option. Dont know whether I would take it without lots of thought. Pain is so severe that I might as well be dead sometimes. Others its not so bad. Gps dont so far consider it would be any help for me to see a specialist, My spine is crumbling in the lumbar region.

Very similar view to mine "Walk or Wheels".........I'd rather walk.

What hasn't helped me with this was the Consultant at the Pain Clinic who's attitude was "You're DOOMED". I know I'm in trouble (pain & then some) it is the wait to find out if anything can be done,what the risk is & if there will be a long term benefit or it will trigger problems elsewhere.
Thank you Teresa your positive attitude is the sort of kick up the bottom I need.
I have no answers until I see the Consultant but this has really started to give me the confidence to be more forthright with him.Thank You

Ok the only op I've ever had was a total hip replacement, The old hip was totally knackered and they made me hang on as long as possible, (longer than most) as I was so young.

There is a risk with every surgery, no matter what it is. Mine wasn't life or death, but certainly I was in a position where I needed to have my quality of life improved.

The surgeon, rightfully and justifyably, brutally pointed out the risks.
1. it could become infected, leaving me with no hip joint at all for a minimum of three months while it was flushed out, therefore confined to a hospital bed.

2. There is a risk of osteoporosis, meaning the joint could collapse, minimal in my case being younger, but still there, leaving me in a wheelchair.

3. They only last 10 years (the official line, as my grandmothers lasted 25 and she walked miles on it), and once he's replaced one replacement, thats it, no more. Wheelchair when replacement no 2 wears out.

4. Dislocation, which could lead to another replacement, if the joint is damaged, leading to wheelchair earlier after 2nd replacement.

The I wieghed up the positives. No more grinding pain, no more waking up every time I moved at night, no more using walking stick and crutches, no more only walking 20ft before stopping, no more strong painkillers like dihydrocodeine and tramadol, no more living on incapacity because I'm unable to work, even in an office.

My God the benefits outwieghed the risks by miles.

Surgeons have to be honest about the risks, brutally so, and that's quite right, but if you look at the statistics, look at the numbers who have had the same operation, and see how many benefited against those who succumbed to the risks.

If your need for improved quality of life doesn't convince you to take the risk, then take a good look at those who had it.

If I get my way, I won't be in a wheelchair before I'm 80, and by then I'll either be pushing up daisies or in a care home anyway. I'll damn well walk there though. I can walk for miles now, with just a minor niggling ache at the beginning of the walk, which goes off.

This Surgeon did do an emergency op on it 6yrs ago...to quote him..."I operate now or in 24 hours you will feel nothing from the waist down".Even though it was a helluva shock it made "The Choice" a lot easier.
If I could have the same happen I would be a lot happier.(On those odds Dizzi I'd take it.)
I agree Kitty they don't waste money on anything it's always cost-v-benefit...but the waiting is really horrible :(
Catch the Cat there are no alternatives which makes it really harsh,however,there's always the worry it's been left too long,I know several people who've had that happen as well....so I'd be off to the "human scrapyard"!(& more painkillers-I rattle when I walk already)
If this was my son I'm sure I could get a clearer perspective of what are the best options & I really do appreciate what people are adding 'cause it makes me take a step back & think.........hang on a minute,valid point...... & I am taking everything on board.Thank You.

Don't know how I really feel, such a difficult situation, my dad aged 56 went to hospital for what he was told a minor operation, we did not dream it would be life affecting, he died two days after the op. He was told it was a minor operation a small cut two inches long into his chest and they would spray in a glue like substance his lung would be inflated and stick to his ribs and this glue. The sight of him after this operation was unbelievable he looked like he had been pumped up at a service station.

I am very lucky to have never been in that situation, but I believe life is for living and if an operation is offered that can improve quality of life, that chance should be taken.

No surgeon would offer a procedure with risks attached to it unless they deemed it worth taking.

I would trust the expertise of the surgeon and go for it if my pain was unbearable and the chance to remove it was offered.

Edit....Footie, as you have been told (presumably be the doctor) that an operation is too risky for you that takes away any dilemna you have about choosing to have it or not.

I KNOW A GUY WHO WAS DUE TO BE OPERATED ON SIX MONTHS AGO,BUT DELAYED BECAUSE OF SHADOWS ON HIS LUNG,
HIS ODDS ARE 30% GOOD 70% CHANCE OF WHEELCHAIR
BUT BCAUSE OF CONSTANT PAIN IS GRABBING THE ODDS
HE HAS TO HAVE CLEAR ,NO SHADOWS FOR SIX MONTHS
THEN THEY WILL OPERATE XXXXXXXX

glad yu did Eeyore I think I'd rather not have my op x

Thats why I've put this thread up Footie 'cause you can drive yourself to distraction trying to work out "what & if".
I would like to say a big "thank you" to everyone who's been on,it really helps to hear other people's experiences & opinions.

I've bin told the op I need is too risky for me yet my quality of life would be better once I had it rite now I'm exhausted with it all but I don't think the risk is worth it so will plod along as I am x

Thats the thing Uzzi,way too many pro's & cons.
I did ask how advanced they were in building artificial spines (or bits of)-optimistically about 80 years!

To be fair this Surgeon has "rebuilt" it before & isnt one to give out "false hope"
but 50/50 would be nice.
It's knowing when to say"no more"................& walk (hopefully) away.

I had the big egyptian heart man poking around, but it all went pear-shaped and life has never been the same since.
He offered me a second go, but I turned him down.

My father at the age of 81 needed an aneurysm by pass. The chance of surviving the op was 50/50 without the op he was dead in 6mths.

Choices ???

edit to say the survival rate was actually less in his favour but 50/50 sounded nice see he had a dodgy heart which wouldn';t take well to surgery, but ..

it really does depend, my nephew a few years ago was offered a possibilty to walk again, the down side was if it didn't work he would be a quadraplegic instead of a tetraplegic ..he turned it down saying at the age of 18 he had time for them to perfect it. He is 35 now and they haven't perfected it. so he is still a tetraplegic with hope. But better that than a quadraplegicwith no hope.

Eeeyore what people would risk really does relate to what they would lose otherwise.

Thanks Mac.
I need all the positive input I can get :/