Crumbling Spine

[Ellecram]

@nelliebly

Ellecram, I just got a phone call from the ortho clinic. The manufacturer of the device, Reactiv8, now requires potential users to undergo a psych evaluation before getting the implant. This concerns me for two reasons: first, it’s another delay, probably a lengthy one, and second, how difficult is this that you have to be cleared by a shrink first?

The delay is because I have to wait for the behavioral health place to call to schedule that appointment, which I assume will be more than a week or two out, then the results have to go to the ortho clinic, and after they’re processed, I’ll get a call to schedule. I’m now figuring it’ll be June before I get the surgery.

The psych eval is a new requirement, they tell me.

OMG that is crazy!
What the ever loving hell???
Why would you need a psyche clearance for a device?

The psyche eval appointments in my local area are a couple months out.
Maybe they can do quick turnarounds for situations like yours.

I just got done reading about this a bit and it must be for younger people than me (ages 22-65).

I do hope you get this resolved as quickly as possible so you can see how well it works.

Thanks for letting me know.

[Exapno_Mapcase]

I’ve had two Lumbar Interbody Fusions w/Laminectomy, on the 4-5 and then 3-4. As with others mentioned here, my spine is now crumbling upward at the 2-3 level. Surgery is not indicated at my age (75) and because I’ve never truly recovered from a triple bypass.

For some reason, I get staggering pain every morning when I get out of bed. I have a sleep number bed and tried hard, soft, and middling settings without any variation. Fortunately, a long soak in a warm bath pushes the pain back so while its always present - a ball of it in my lower back - its annoying and interfering if I do physical stuff, but no longer debilitating.

Neither NSAIDs nor opiods or other meds like gabapentin do a thing. I went to a pain clinic run by someone at the university who is supposed to be an internationally known expert and saw him personally. Over the course of a year, he tried various procedures, building up from a simple epidural as insurance required.

The last one was Reactiv8, which @nelliebly is looking at. The psych evaluation was a mere formality, although of course it delays the treatment. The procedure was interesting. I got to watch the fluoroscope as the wires were threaded into my spine. Two wires are needed. One went in with no problems. The other… Even with the consultant from Reactiv8 supervising, the crumbling bits of spine kept getting in the way. The result was a series of shocks, painless but increasingly severe. I swear my entire body left the table at the last one. We mutually agreed not to try again, although I was going to insist if the doctor hadn’t spoken first.

I had hopes for the Reactiv8. It failed because my spine no longer was operable, so I have no opinion on the product. It was my last hope until something even newer comes around.

I feel for everybody with chronic pain. I have chronic shortness of breath, peripheral neuropathy that sends pain up from my feet to my knees, and the spine that sends pain from the lower back to the knees. My wife and I just moved and the physicality of that, yes, started twinges in my knees. Finding ways to cope, distract, and avoid are daily necessities.

If there are any pathways open to you, I urge you to try them all. Nobody really knows which one will work for you and your unique body and needs.

[Ellecram]

I did some research on the spinal cord stimulator device as well. I think they require a psyche eval for that also.
It seems like it is an actual surgical procedure with all kinds of restrictions, etc. I really don’t think I could manage something like that.

Just thinking about it scares me.
Plus I live alone and would not be able to even change the bandages needed.

I had a heck of a time with recent dermatology surgery.

My options might be limited at this point.

[Ellecram]

@Exapno_Mapcase

I’ve had two Lumbar Interbody Fusions w/Laminectomy, on the 4-5 and then 3-4. As with others mentioned here, my spine is now crumbling upward at the 2-3 level. Surgery is not indicated at my age (75) and because I’ve never truly recovered from a triple bypass.

For some reason, I get staggering pain every morning when I get out of bed. I have a sleep number bed and tried hard, soft, and middling settings without any variation. Fortunately, a long soak in a warm bath pushes the pain back so while its always present - a ball of it in my lower back - its annoying and interfering if I do physical stuff, but no longer debilitating.

Neither NSAIDs nor opiods or other meds like gabapentin do a thing. I went to a pain clinic run by someone at the university who is supposed to be an internationally known expert and saw him personally. Over the course of a year, he tried various procedures, building up from a simple epidural as insurance required.

The last one was Reactiv8, which @nelliebly is looking at. The psych evaluation was a mere formality, although of course it delays the treatment. The procedure was interesting. I got to watch the fluoroscope as the wires were threaded into my spine. Two wires are needed. One went in with no problems. The other… Even with the consultant from Reactiv8 supervising, the crumbling bits of spine kept getting in the way. The result was a series of shocks, painless but increasingly severe. I swear my entire body left the table at the last one. We mutually agreed not to try again, although I was going to insist if the doctor hadn’t spoken first.

I had hopes for the Reactiv8. It failed because my spine no longer was operable, so I have no opinion on the product. It was my last hope until something even newer comes around.

I feel for everybody with chronic pain. I have chronic shortness of breath, peripheral neuropathy that sends pain up from my feet to my knees, and the spine that sends pain from the lower back to the knees. My wife and I just moved and the physicality of that, yes, started twinges in my knees. Finding ways to cope, distract, and avoid are daily necessities.

If there are any pathways open to you, I urge you to try them all. Nobody really knows which one will work for you and your unique body and needs.

It seems like you really tried everything. I empathize with the struggle.
Holding out hope for something and having it not work must have been difficult.

I do try to find ways to distract and cope which is about all we can do at some point.

I will try everything up to a point. I just don’t think having something implanted is going to work for me.

[nelliebly]

To my surprise, I got a phone call telling me they were texting me a form to fill out, and I got it right away. Holy frick. It had over 100 questions, some of which required lengthy answers: All past surgeries (about 25, counting 14 eye surgeries), medications, etc. And some of the questions required answers I couldn’t give. For instance, it asked what medications worked for pain. Well, none of ‘em. How often do you get breakthrough pain? Huh? Can you get breakthrough pain if nothing mutes the pain? And my favorite: How often do you get frustrated? Funny you should ask. It also kept trying to change my Yes answers to No answers.

I’m waiting to hear about a telehealth appointment.

Exapno_Mapcase, thanks much for the great information and personal experience! I’m so sorry you’re out of options, hopefully temporarily.

@Ellecram

I just got done reading about this a bit and it must be for younger people than me (ages 22-65).

I’m 69, if that helps any.

[Ellecram]

@nelliebly

That’s good news! I forgot about the possibility of telehealth appointments.

I hope you get on the road to putting this all together.

My pain clinic made me fill out some similarly absurd questionnaires. I made a copy of it all once finished as I do not want to recall all of that information again.

It sounds like the one I had to complete.

Even questions re: prior abuse/anger/anxiety etc.

I am 68 so I guess I could be a candidate for this procedure. I should never trust information I find on the internet.