Piriformis release surgery, anyone???
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buttpain2
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 Posted: 01/21/08 - 12:17 Post subject:
Dr. Huggable
Thank you for your recent and prior posts. This is something I've been struggling with from the very beginning, getting a diagnosis that matched the doctor's area of expertise and having a sinking feeling all along the way that that's exactly what was happening. It's nice to hear someone else say it. Every doctor I went to had a different idea of what my problem could be and like you said, it matched their area of expertise. Luckly I saw an ortho surgeon who said there's nothing wrong with your back (after many months of different doctors telling me there was) and he was straight with me and sent me to Dr. Filler. I realize certain tests need to be performed to rule things out but for instance I had 2 steroid injections for my "back" problem prior to Dr. Filler that I now know were completely unnecessary. VERY frustrating.
Anyway, thank you and please keep us posted on your recovery.
Leesa
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menzie
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Posted: 01/21/08 - 13:46 Post subject:
Dr. H thanks for your info about what dr. a person may go to. We have been dealing with exactly what you have written about. Although I mentioned piriformis- spasmed muscle, many were willing to see what our fabulous neurosurgeon thought. We genuinely like him. He knows what arachnoiditis is, so because my child shows pain, she must have that. I have never once in my heart of hearts, felt that this is what is going on. I have asked them to prove that this is arach- as they want to implant our daughter for her symptoms without truly knowing the cause of her pain. She used a backpack on the first day of school, and since that day, she has had this pain. Thanks for speaking up, I appreciate your insight as well.
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buttpain2
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Posted: 01/21/08 - 16:34 Post subject:
Hi everyone.
Just got home from my appointment with Dr. Filler. I'm scheduled for surgery Jan. 29th. He plans on cutting the portion of the piriformis muscle out that is aggravating the sciatic nerve then "clean up" any other nerves that are causing problems. He said I should plan on being out of work for 2 weeks and that it may take up to 3 months to see whether or not I'll see any benefit from the surgery. He said I might see results sooner, just depends.
All I can say is FINALLY. It's been along road but I have very positive feelings about this. Thanks to many of you, I know what to expect which is half the battle. Thank you all again.
I too will stay on this board and give updates as they happen!
Leesa
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scamp
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Joined: 01 Aug 2007
Posts: 118
Location: Kingston Ontario
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Posted: 01/21/08 - 18:55 Post subject:
Great for you, Leesa after all your waiting. Best of luck with the surgery and keep us posted. You sound very relieved that it is finally here.
ronnyjotten, how much do you knowabout the surgeons in India? I saw something on 60 minutes or 20/20 about those hospitals. They looked pretty luxurious. But what about the doctors? Have they done many piriformis surgeries? Just curious. I think I have amde up my mind to see Dr. Filler forthe diagnosis and then I will take it from there.
Shirley
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Sadie
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Posted: 01/22/08 - 13:01 Post subject:
Margie, have you made contact with any past patients or made any decisions? I'm sending healing thoughts our way!
A ? for those seeing Dr. Filler - What does he say regarding the "other" type of procedure...making an incision around the gluteal muscle vs. separating it. I went to the Bodies Revealed exhibition in Sacratmento last week and am amazed that either procedure is possible. Our gluteal muscle mass is so dense, but anatomically it certainly can make a believer that piriformis syndrome is a true physical condition.
Menzie, as someone in my 50's, this is by far the hardest thing I've ever dealt with, can't imagine being a young person with the problem....tell your daughter not to give up!
Sadie
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Posted: 01/22/08 - 14:58 Post subject:
Sadie,
I've not talked with past patients of Dr. Barbaro yet but was told someone would call me this week. So I will let you all know what I find out. I have scheduled my surgery for March 14. Yikes! I'm looking forward to it and yet I'm nervous. 
Margie
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Posted: 01/23/08 - 15:08 Post subject: Dr. Barbaro
Sadie and Julie (and everyone else),
I just got off the phone with a former patient of Dr. Barbaro who had the surgery in 2004. She gave me such hope! She's doing fabulously and spoke so highly of Dr. Barbaro and his staff. She was an endurance runner and triathlete prior to getting PS. She had her surgery in March of 2004 and ran a marathon in August 2004! She's had no recurring symptoms and continues to participate in triathlons with no problems. She says she has the coolest looking scar on her butt that looks like a shark bite! Anyway, just wanted to pass along this info to hopefully brighten your day! I'm very encouraged and am now looking forward to my surgery on March 14.
Oh, also, she said that by the 4th or 5th day she was walking (slowly) around the block and just increased the distance little by little. She indicated that she took Vicodin for about a week and then after that just used extra strength tylenol. I know that everyone is different as far as pain levels go but this gave me hope! WE ALL NEED HOPE!!
Margie
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HermanaAna
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Joined: 22 Jun 2007
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Location: Honduras
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Posted: 01/23/08 - 15:26 Post subject:
Glad to hear a success story from Dr. Barbaro! It gives all of you who are still in the decision making process more options and hope! If she ran a marathon 5 months after surgery, I best be getting busy! Of course, I never have been a runner, so I probably shouldn't expect miracles like that after the surgery! I am increasing my distance and speed on my daily walks, but I haven't started a strengthening/stretching program. I guess I'm kinda chicken, and not sure how to go about getting started.
Leesa, glad you have your surgery scheduled. I'll be praying for you.
Margie, I know what you mean by looking forward to surgery. Once the decision has been made, you just want to get it done and experience the relief.
Shirley, go ahead and make the appointment. I think you will be glad to at least have a clear diagnosis and know what the options for treatment for you are!
David, its good to hear that your recovery is going better now. Keep taking it slowly and the good days will be better and more and the bad days will slowly disappear.
Those of you with appointments and surgeries coming up, keep us posted. We really do care
Donna
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Posted: 01/23/08 - 15:42 Post subject:
Donna,
You are our little cheerleader!! Thank you for all your words of encouragement!!
Margie
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ladyjayy
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Posted: 01/23/08 - 15:52 Post subject:
Margie,
Woooonderful news! That is something that we all need to hear. I know that I have been told horror stories about this surgery, about how someone's butt could not possibly recover after such a surgery...this give me a lot of hope. I'd settle for a walk around the block...getting back to running would be a dream for me...back to climbing would be a miracle.
Update (for everyone). I'm having that stupid discogram tomorrow morning. Ugh. I have been thinking a lot and have decided to peruse diagnosis and surgery with Dr. Barbaro. I simply had no idea that Dr. Barbaro (and Layzer) did the neruography and surgery and that he was an option. And from the feedback I have gotten, I feel very comfortable with this choice.
Best news: I went to my regular doctor today (who I love) and she has never once given up on trying to find me help. She, my PT, the neurolgist I saw last week all agree that this is piriformis syndrome. I told her about Dr. Barbaro and the diagnostics and surgery out in CA and she said, "Well, kiddo, that sounds like it's the next step. What do I need to do to get you there?" So, she's getting together all the referral information to fax over there and is going to call and speak with whoever she needs to speak with. She's even going to see if she can find airline discounts for flights due to medical reasons! She is so great in trying to help me. Soooo, that's the update. As soon as I find out if Dr. Barbaro will accept the referral I will be getting everything together to head out there. Of course, I'm just crossing my fingers that they, too, agree it's PS and that there are options for me other than living with this horrible pain.
Sooo, that's my update. Pain is still horrible, but I'm happy that I have other options to explore and potentially some help in the future. Gives me some hope...something to look forward to. That, and I'd think it would be pretty cool to have a shark bite scar on my butt, too!
Y'all take care.
Julie
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Sadie
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Posted: 01/23/08 - 16:07 Post subject:
Margie, You gave me goosebumps!! I'm soooo encouraged....not just to possibly not hurt anymore, but to get a life back.....WOW! I'm already saying healing prayers for March 14th, it will be a good day! I do feel Dr. Barbaro is very selective in his surgery patients and have a great amount of confidence in him.
My best to all of you in your search for a solution.....sometimes I simply want to remove the clamp on my behind and leg....wouldn't it feel GOOD!
Sadie
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HermanaAna
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Location: Honduras
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Posted: 01/23/08 - 16:14 Post subject:
Good News Julie. It really helps when your medical team is on your side and helping you. My pain specialist here in Honduras never let me down and spent hours trying to help me find the answers. We emailed her from LA that they had scheduled surgery and later she told me she literaly sat by her computer waiting for the update and that she and the office staff had a party when they heard my pain was gone!
I'm glad that you feel comfortable with your next step and hope it is quick in coming. Hang on to the hope. It makes even the worse days seem bearable.
Donna
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buttpain2
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Posted: 01/23/08 - 18:08 Post subject:
Donna: Thank you so much for your prayers.
Julie: Sounds like you are heading in the right direction. Glad you have support from your doctor and sounds like you are feeling much better about your future which makes me happy. Good luck tomorrow. Where is Dr. Barbaro based?
Margie: Thanks for sharing that info, that does give us all hope. I've run a few marathons and although I really don't want to ever to that again  I do want to be able to run at least a little!
Sadie: Congrats on your surgery date. Looking forward to hearing about your recovery. I totally understand being afraid because I am too! You asked about what Filler says about the "other" surgery. I didn't ask him so I don't know where he stands on that.
Menzie: I hope your daugher is feeling better or at least more hopeful and I hope you are hanging in.
Shirley: Thanks for the kind words. Thinking about you too.
David: Where are you??! LOL
Leesa
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swlaaggie
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Posted: 01/23/08 - 18:12 Post subject:
Leesa, Margie, Johnny,
We are thinking of each of you and wishing each of you the VERY BEST of luck. I know it's been a long hard road to get to this point and probably one of the toughest decisions you have had to make. Don't look back. Don't doubt. Go for it.
Margie, thanks for that news. Everyone needs to hear that stuff. Sometimes, especially for those of us who have been through so much, this type of information can put wings on our backs. This board has done that for me several times when I was really down.
As for me, I'm nearly back to work full time. I'm giving my son rides to/from school. Participated in an all day meeting yesterday. It's still up and down but the trend is up. I talk with Dr. Filler tonight. The degree of ups and downs is so strange. Literally, I can have ZERO nerve pain for an hour and then can have tingling in my left shin for 10 minutes only to disappear for 5 minutes only to re-appear as burning in my right foot for 15 minutes. Each minute, each step, each action can bring a new adventure, good and bad. I think, per Filler's NP, this is perfectly normal and means that my nerves are beginning to really wake up and fire.
Oh well, enough about me. Can't wait to hear from each of you and PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE let us know.
Donna, a very sincere thanks for staying on this board even when life calls you to resume normalcy. Your thoughts are very much appreciated.
Your friend,
David
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swlaaggie
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Posted: 01/23/08 - 18:16 Post subject:
Julie,
FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!
You are also in our thoughts. It's great to hear that you have people in your corner.
David
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