Posts by Jamie Clark74

@goga

I’ve been following your husband’s situation for two years now.

He had surgery... but you haven't mentioned when or what kind. There are several different types—some are minimally invasive while others are much more intensive, like
a laminectomy. You didn't specify if he had a fusion or not either.

Regarding your question about the disc, the gel, and the shifting:
Since the whole point of the surgery is to remove whatever part of the disc is pressing on the nerve, that material is actually removed, not just shifted around.

You didn't mention anything about seeing a specialist or what happened during that appointment. What did the doctor actually say?

To get any real answers here, we're going to need a few more details.

If there's a language barrier with the English, my advice is to stop guessing at the medical terms. Find a translator through the hospital or the clinic; they are legally required to help you understand everything clearly.

👋

Always check the potential side effects before jumping into any "extreme diet." You truly never know how your body will react!

😂 😂 😂 🙂

@placidfox55 said:Narcotics aren't the answer. They might seem like a perfect fix, but they end up destroying a person in the long run.
Living with pain is incredibly hard, but there are ways to adapt and find relief. Addiction to narcotics is still addiction. [/B]

I misspoke. What I meant was that American
health institutions—specifically pain management clinics—would be very
interested in what placidfox55 is suggesting. If we knew "which way" this method was, it would reduce
costs and help so many people... currently, about 30% of patients
don't experience any pain relief at all.

We’ve all gone through those 3-6 month rehab programs and
classes on "how to live with family while managing chronic pain."
I’m actually part of the group that gets screened based on their medical history from childhood... because
little kids and doctors often can't tell when a child is actually in pain.

It’s the same for someone who worked full-time while in constant pain,
whereas most don't work anymore... In my rehab sessions, I talked
about how I lived day-to-day, what I used just to
keep working, and how much it impacted my family life.

Regardless, placidfox55, you mentioned having "unsuccessful surgeries"... Laminectomy,
so do you truly know from your own experience what this pain is like and how to handle it?

Do you know what it's like when you can't even lean over the sink to
brush your teeth without pain? Or after using the bathroom, when you can't even
wipe yourself without sharp pain and spasms?
And you can barely walk more than 50 to 250 feet before you have to sit down, just to get going again?

😉 😎

placidfox55 said:Narcotics aren't the answer. They might seem like a perfect fix at first, but they end up destroying a person in the long run.
Living with constant pain is incredibly tough, but there are ways to adapt and find relief. Addiction is addiction, plain and simple.

I’m actually writing a book about my experience—basically "when help seems out of reach and how to live with chronic pain"—in collaboration with a pain management center. I suspect an American health clinic would be quite interested?
We're talking about realistic, neurological pain here.

For me, it doesn't matter; I've been living with a 5 or 6 out of 10 for thirty-five years.😁

🙂 😉 😎

darkhawk14 said:I’d appreciate it if we could get back to the main point—how on earth did my hernia shift from the center-right to the center-left right when I was having surgery?

😕

It’s 3:35 AM here, so I really need to get some sleep.

What specifically did the specialist tell you?
Do you have any actual paperwork, like a CT scan, an MRI, or just the doctor's report?

=======
If the disc was pressing on the nerve in your right leg before the surgery... and now the pain is gone... then everything is fine. Where are you getting this idea about the hernia moving?
🙄

@urbantinker11/">@@urbantinker11
If I have this right, you worked with asbestos back in the day (before '87), you were a smoker, and you were carrying an extra 20 pounds?
Did you realize then what was happening—that it was a "this or that" situation where you had to quit smoking and lose the weight, yet you still ended up stuck with these health issues regardless?

========
Yes, I worked with asbestos, just like many others who passed away in their mid-50s or later. And no, I wasn't 20 pounds overweight back then; I actually gained weight after I quit smoking, then lost it later. As for asbestosis, you don't even know you have it until 20 or 30 years after exposure. In my case, I didn't find out until 1997 during a spinal checkup.
Bottom line is, you don't really have a clue... about anything regarding illnesses outside of your "cellular nutrition." What do you actually know about metabolism or other vital functions? Or the consequences of steroids and excessive pill consumption?
I'm done talking with you about this.
============

And please, don't disrespect doctors. It's easy to treat minor issues, but unfortunately, I'm a complicated case with a lot of problems. I'm just lucky there are specialists out there doing their best to help.
The difference is, I found out what was making me sick, whereas in your case, people end up dying because they find out too late.
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urbantinker11 said:PS: Jamie Clark74, try not to get worked up. It isn't good for your heart (especially considering your health profile).

a/ First off, my blood pressure is under control; I've maintained a steady 130/75 for years now.

b/ My cholesterol level is 4.2.

c/ My kidneys, liver, circulation, and heart are all in great shape.

d/ I have some issues from smoking/atheroma, but it’s managed. I quit smoking when I was 45.

e/ Sleep apnea—I use a CPAP machine. Just a side note: breathing issues aren't strictly tied to weight.

f/ Asbestosis... not many people know much about it, and I've actually written a whole thread on it.

g/ I have other issues, too, but they're all under control.

The rest is covered in another thread... and honestly, I take about 25 pills a day if you don't count my pain meds, so we're looking at over 30 tablets daily.

ASBESTOSIS

🙂 😉 😎

urbantinker11 said:Actually, I’d argue the opposite—people have turned medicine into a religion. They tend to put more faith in doctors than in God. 🙂 😁

The real trick is trusting your own logic. But that’s the catch, isn't it? It’s always easier to follow someone else than to actually sit down and think for yourself. 😉 😁

Eighty years ago, life expectancy was only around 55 to 65. Natural remedies weren't cutting it back then. We didn't see real progress until we had vaccines, tetanus shots, and penicillin. Before that, there wasn't much you could do. Using tuberculosis as an example—natural care alone couldn't solve it, and that's just one case among hundreds of other diseases.

To give you some context on my background, I completed 18 months
of medical school coursework. I even had to pass Anatomy and Biology just to get through the door.
I also worked professionally as a workers' rights representative and an inspector for asbestos removal.
I still attend lectures occasionally when professors invite me because they know I’m genuinely interested.

Because of that, I have a very solid handle on my own health and nutrition.

In fact, I diagnosed my wife myself. She isn't big on doctor visits and isn't much of a talker, but her blood work confirmed what I suspected.

You wouldn't have any clue about her actual condition based on how you write;

It’s Pernicious anemia. The only treatment for it is lifelong B12
injections.

If you were an idiot, you'd try treating it with basic vitamins. And as for this "cellular nutrition" nonsense being pushed on this Forum—you don't belong here.

🙄 🙄

It’s been about six or seven months now since my 42-year-old son, Dario, passed away.
I had an implanted intrathecal morphine pump for pain management.

It’s like I’m a completely different person now. The pain is gone. I still get some occasional discomfort in my legs from the bone removal during surgery, and I can feel the pump site on my back and abdomen, but honestly? Compared to how I felt over the last five years versus where I am today, it’s nothing.

My wife and I are finally going to bed, completely at peace. We aren't lying awake worrying about whether someone might overdose or if things will take a turn for the worse.

He’s all set up with the pump. It’s programmed to trigger an Intrathecal Morphine refill every eight weeks, and it even gives him a heads-up when the supply is running low or when it's time for a top-off.
If you happen to be somewhere outside of Australia, you might be able to get the same results if there's a center with fluid available, but honestly, it’s much easier to just handle it on a computer.

If he needs Intrathecal Morphine for an emergency, it’s available. He’s traveled to places like Bali and Singapore before without any issues. The only real headache was when the alarm went off at the airport, but he carries all his medical documentation and a medical alert bracelet that's recognized worldwide.

Thank God my son is at least managing okay now; I know exactly what he’s been through.

The mere thought of going back under the knife for my cervical spine—having to swap out that titanium support and then deal with another pump replacement—is honestly pretty heavy.

That's just life.

🙂 😉 😎

Even though I've already shared my thoughts on Herbalife and similar ventures, I'll make one more point:

Alternative medicine and its practitioners have their place alongside modern medicine... provided they don't deceive people or peddle false promises.

It’s easy for someone to claim their tea helped cure prostate cancer when, in reality, modern medicine had already dealt with it through surgery and radiation.

Like I’ve said many times before, the body simply heals itself; drinking some herbal tea or taking glucosamine isn't going to change that outcome.

You should be seeing a doctor regularly rather than just popping random vitamins,
because you might not even need them, and you can actually poison yourself with excessive doses.

A guy using a Hummer once even sent me a PM asking how he could "cure" me and my wife... despite having none of the knowledge I possess.

He was foolish enough to suggest he could fix my wife's B12 deficiency, not realizing she has a medical condition that prevents her body from absorbing B12 from food, requiring injections every three months for the rest of her life.

That’s just a small glimpse into the world of charlatans and scammers... unfortunately, people all over the country fall for it and pay a premium for absolutely nothing.

You rarely need vitamin supplements if your diet is actually decent.

Skeptic

👋 👋

stormylynx14 said:Not quite, but when I was facing my own surgery decision, there was general talk about spinal instability following those types of procedures—at least until the entire segment undergoes fusion after a major operation. That might be the issue. Axially, that whole segment isn't as fixed as it was before the surgery, so perhaps some movement caused pressure on your left nerve. Either way, you really need a neurological exam first (checking motor skills, sensation, reflexes) and then maybe a CT scan if needed.

Oh, stormylynx14... it’s easy to say when you have the social safety net in Switzerland... as far as I know, you were hospitalized for herniated discs or sciatica.

I arrived in Australia back in 1969. There was no social security back then, and I got injured in 1970. I spent 18 months struggling with an L5-S1 herniated disc, wearing a brace... but what choice did I have? I tried everything, including natural remedies... and I kept working. I think you know how much it hurts and how much it limits your movement... but I couldn't show it too much, or I would have been fired.

We even tried an Epidural, but nothing helped. The disc was at its worst, a grade 5. But there wasn't much I could do; nobody pays your bills if you aren't working.

Even after the surgery, things didn't improve much because I waited too long. I ended up disabled and had to work three jobs just to get by.
Because I needed the money, I went back to work just five or six weeks after surgery... whereas others would stay home for six months.
And surgeries back in 1972 weren't nearly as advanced as they are today. I had a 30cm incision... whereas last year, during a more complicated two-level surgery, I only had a 12-15cm incision.

If there's one thing I've learned from doctors and specialists, it's that I have a very high pain tolerance.

But everything has its limit. Even though I was declared disabled, I never applied for disability benefits—not until the government started the new social system in 1974—because I had to raise my kids and put them through school.

👋

placidfox55 said:Surgery is usually recommended for serious spinal issues, like losing bladder or bowel control.

If we're just talking about standard chronic back pain, surgery doesn't actually perform any better than conservative therapy.

To be classified as a "chronic pain patient," there are certain criteria you have to meet—it’s not just something you decide for yourself. You have to go through a specialized pain management clinic.
Basically, if someone deals with continuous, unbearable pain for more than three months without relief, they are designated as a "chronic pain patient." This usually applies when there is clear neurological damage, or when dealing with patients who have already had unsuccessful surgeries, or those whose issues resurface years later.

At the clinic, these cases are often referred to as "failed back surgery syndrome." A specialist from the clinic handles things after the patient goes through evaluations by nurses, physical therapists,
psychologists or psychiatrists, and the pain management specialist overseeing the case. The whole team meets with the patient to discuss the next steps, and you usually get a plan within 6 to 8 hours.
They might use 4 or 5 different medications, one of which is a placebo. These are administered every hour with short breaks. The injections used are much stronger than what you'd get normally, so you can see pretty quickly—within 10 to 15 minutes—if they actually help manage the pain.

They also use various antidepressants, which can work effectively for pain as well. Even then, about 30% of patients can't be helped.
==============
Standard pain crises, if they aren't neurological in nature, mostly improve on their own within 4 to 6 weeks—though it varies depending on the person.

Out of everyone seeing neurologists or orthopedic specialists, only about 5% actually end up having surgery. Some of those undergo a discectomy, which is a lighter procedure. But all surgeries carry the risk of neurological consequences, similar to the
patient's original symptoms, so you always have to weigh the risks against the potential success and necessity.

It's normal to go through an acute pain phase that lasts up to 3 months.
We don't jump into surgery until every conservative treatment option has been exhausted. I mean, what exactly would you operate on if someone only has chronic pain?

That's why you start with an X-ray, move to a CT scan, and eventually get an MRI. In my case, I needed an MRI with contrast because it provides a much clearer view of the nerves, especially when dealing with multiple injuries, previous surgeries, or other complications.

In my experience, we shouldn't just take a specialist's word that everything will be perfect. Success rates hover around 85%. For some procedures, like my second surgery, the guarantee was much lower—maybe only a 40-50% improvement. When you're someone who can barely walk 150 to 250 feet, you'll take whatever chance you can get.

Best,

🙂 😉 😎

boldeagle3 said:Is anyone else dealing with this?
Lucky you. 😁

a/you might end up in the military if things go south!

b/you usually feel younger, though small kids tend to be the issue!

Or maybe I should just send you a link; Platform...hahaha!

Either we stick to the old local ways or medical Plantar Fasciitis

Good luck!

🙂 😉 😎

darkhawk14 said:Could the surgeon have accidentally pushed the disc to the left during surgery, causing it to press against the nerve now?

That’s the question.

😕

First off, the links above show images illustrating how a disc looks and where bulging occurs.

You didn't mention when the surgery happened or what kind it was—usually, it's either a laminectomy or a less invasive laminotomy.

Generally speaking, if the pain is gone after surgery, it was a success. It isn't unusual to still feel some back pain or even sympathetic pain in the other leg afterward... though it really depends on the intensity.

I knew my own surgery hadn't worked just a week later... the pain persisted and started radiating down my other leg.

I suspect your husband today (33 years after I had my version of this surgery)... might be seeing a completely different, successful outcome.

I'm interested to see your report tomorrow.
Best of luck with everything.
Jamie Clark74

Various conditions can impact vision... but you're still quite young... plus, certain medications can have their own side effects.
For me, it started after I quit smoking at 46. I was a heavy smoker, and now I have about 55-60% blockage. Sometimes my vision just goes pitch black, and it can last anywhere from ten minutes to a full hour.

Luckily, it isn't as bad as it used to be. Things like anxiety can mess with your nerves, and arthritis causes dry eyes. I didn't even need reading glasses until I hit 55,
even though I spent years working on a computer.

I actually just got back from the eye doctor yesterday... I finally reached my limit with this constant blurring I've had for five months. I honestly thought it was just from using my tablet too much, especially since I take eye supplements every night,
like a gel. My only real issue right now is breathing through my Apnea machine; the mask blows the exhaust air directly into my eyes, even though I've tried to shield them.

The optometrist prescribed distance glasses. I didn't even think I needed them, but now I can't read anything without help.
He wasn't quite sure about the blurring, though, because I take about 25 to 30 different pills, and many of those cause issues.

Regardless... go see an eye doctor or whoever you usually visit.

👋 👋

Here are just some example links from a different thread;

Various issues regarding spinal discs!

A healthy disc!

Disc protrusion or bulging!

The area of disc protrusion!

An illustration of the vertebrae following a laminectomy procedure!

The second link covers all the surgical details—what to expect during and after the procedure, including success rates and potential complications.

darkhawk14, you're already an expert on all of this!!!