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<blockquote data-quote="susiestar" data-source="post: 651170" data-attributes="member: 1233"><p>I didn't know so many of us were in this same awful boat. I will say that I have not regretted the 2 surgeries I had. Life got to the point very fast where it was even painful to lift a cup of coffee and I would cry while pouring it if the pot was even half full. Much of the time I didn't realize I was crying but it sure upset people around me, esp my very tender hearted husband. </p><p></p><p>I don't have the itching this time, but did before. I have other nerve issues that can lead to intense sleep itching, to the point I wake up with bloody nails and deep sores. It hoovers, so I empathize, GN.</p><p></p><p>If you do the surgery, do NOT NOT NOT let them take bone from your hip. Use donor bone or if you are eligible, one of the replacements. I had the 1st surgery using my bone and that hip is STILL a major problem and it has been almost 20 yrs. They say it is from a non-weight bearing area and you heal and won't have a higher fracture rate, but actually I have a drastically higher fracture rate there and the bone density issues are going to make it break at some point. I have been told it is likely inevitable. I had the 2nd surgery with donor bone and have had zero issues. </p><p></p><p>If you smoke or live with a smoker, PLEASE be aware it will add at least a month to your healing. Nicotine and other things in tobacco use keep bones from healing as quickly or as well as they do without it. My first surgeon had so many complications in smokers and their family members that he refused to take patients who smoked or lived with a smoker. He was excellent and I am glad to have had him. Many ortho and spine docs will not tell you that nicotine slows healing of bones, but if you ask about it, they all seem to be aware of it. </p><p></p><p>I know three smokers who never did heal properly after surgery for this, partly because of other things they did (like take off the neck brace way too early because it was 'inconvenient'), but they all had smoking related healing issues.</p><p></p><p>I will say the surgery did make a HUGE difference in my life each time, and I don't regret having done it. You DO need to be aware that after the first disc fusion, you will most likely need another every 8-10 yrs or so. It just is what it is, so if it can heal using Phys Therapy, chiro, etc..., then you should go for that at least to try. Mine just refused to respond. Now they say the vit D issue played a big role in that, but who really knows?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="susiestar, post: 651170, member: 1233"] I didn't know so many of us were in this same awful boat. I will say that I have not regretted the 2 surgeries I had. Life got to the point very fast where it was even painful to lift a cup of coffee and I would cry while pouring it if the pot was even half full. Much of the time I didn't realize I was crying but it sure upset people around me, esp my very tender hearted husband. I don't have the itching this time, but did before. I have other nerve issues that can lead to intense sleep itching, to the point I wake up with bloody nails and deep sores. It hoovers, so I empathize, GN. If you do the surgery, do NOT NOT NOT let them take bone from your hip. Use donor bone or if you are eligible, one of the replacements. I had the 1st surgery using my bone and that hip is STILL a major problem and it has been almost 20 yrs. They say it is from a non-weight bearing area and you heal and won't have a higher fracture rate, but actually I have a drastically higher fracture rate there and the bone density issues are going to make it break at some point. I have been told it is likely inevitable. I had the 2nd surgery with donor bone and have had zero issues. If you smoke or live with a smoker, PLEASE be aware it will add at least a month to your healing. Nicotine and other things in tobacco use keep bones from healing as quickly or as well as they do without it. My first surgeon had so many complications in smokers and their family members that he refused to take patients who smoked or lived with a smoker. He was excellent and I am glad to have had him. Many ortho and spine docs will not tell you that nicotine slows healing of bones, but if you ask about it, they all seem to be aware of it. I know three smokers who never did heal properly after surgery for this, partly because of other things they did (like take off the neck brace way too early because it was 'inconvenient'), but they all had smoking related healing issues. I will say the surgery did make a HUGE difference in my life each time, and I don't regret having done it. You DO need to be aware that after the first disc fusion, you will most likely need another every 8-10 yrs or so. It just is what it is, so if it can heal using Phys Therapy, chiro, etc..., then you should go for that at least to try. Mine just refused to respond. Now they say the vit D issue played a big role in that, but who really knows? [/QUOTE]
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