Question
I'm 42 and in Oct of'99 my spine was fused from T-8 thru' sacrum. Due to disc degeneration,spodiollythosis(sp?)and fractures at L-3 & 4. No cause could be given. The fusion failed at three sites.June 2000,all old hardware(rods & screws)were removed and new "plates"(?) were put in, a large chunk of bone was graphed from my hip, along with 13 new screws.Social Security has given me full Disability.I have a couple of questions. 1)why are Dr.'s so reluctant to dispense pain meds just for those REALLY BAD day's? And 2) I will no longer be able to COBRA my health insurance past March 2001, And I still haven't been released from my Dr to go back to work.I'm eligible for Medicare but I fear that I will not get the care that something so fragile as a spine deserves.Any thoughts?How do others handle it? Thank you for any light you can shed on the subject.

Answer
Hello, URSCHI.
My name is: TOM.
I Wish I could Tell you exactly the reason they love to play with peoples lives the way they do!. BUT! I Cannot!
I for one am still trying to understand this myself!
I too am Prepareing to undergo A Spinal fusion On my lower lumbar, L-3 thru Sacrum, With the TITANIUM rod! I have this done on July the 17th. I am aware of the difficulties you are having my friend, I have been in consant distress my entire adult life, I believe that there are many a choices for us out there, It is up to us to find the right ones for us! I used to wait around and let the doctors make them for me, It did not work for me! especially with the " PAIN " Medications. That was a REAL FUN RIDE!, I had to experiment with all the neat one's until I found the right one that worked for me. Now I am currently on one that DOES! work for me. I am NOT addicted to IT. It is called " OXYCONTIN" I only take ONE. I was taking one called " NORCO". I was taking this one like: M&M'S Candy. No Lie.. I had to say to my doctor. " hey dude, I like these way too much! Help me?"
We had to find something else that I could take that I wouldn't have to take every 4 hour's. I don't want to be a " PILLHEAD ". I only take one a day, Because I wont NEED them after my surgery, WELL... A bit after my surgery. That sound's better.:) Anyway.. URSCHI, I Really can't tell you much about what to do here, For I am no doctor, But you sound like a very smart person! You have been down the road, So to speak! You have the experience of having been there, Done that. You know what I mean? So the only thing I can do for you here Is give you our sister-site, WEb-site.
This website will give you alot more Information on anything you can get from me! here it is: WWW.ABOUT.COM
I Invite you to log on, And do check it out, All you have to do URSCHI, Is enter a keyword in the search box, Like:
BACK FUSION/ BACK SURGERY. And you will be taken to another place to choose from all kind's of link's. you will love it!
I use this site daily. I learned all about MY fusion here. I hope I've been some kind of help to you URSCHI, It has been a pleasure. If you need to ask anymore questions, Please write me again! I'm here until I go under the knife, But I will be back.. You take care my friend. THOMAS J HOSKINS