I'm 28, 4 years into my artificial disc replacement surgery. I had a herniated disc at L4/L5 and Degenerative Disc Disease at the same level. I've tried different things to get it healed, starting with conservative treatment and even stem cells. Ultimately, on Nov. 3rd, 2010 I flew to England and had an M6-L Artificial Disc Replacement. This blog is a storyline on my medical adventure. Wish me luck!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Another jog today!
I took another 5 minute jog today, 3 degree incline at 6 mph. IT FELT GREAT.
After that I did some more weight lifting. I'm a lot more conscious of my back now so i'm not putting any unnecessary pressure on it.
Thanks so much for continuing to write on your blog, this kind of first-hand information is invaluable to those of us going through the same thing. In an earlier post you mentioned that your sitting tolerance was about 2 hours before you had to get up and move around. Do you anticipate in the near future being able to sit without pain for extended periods of time say when taking a road trip to a neighboring state, watching a movie trilogy, playing an epic video game, or something of the sort. Also, since the artificial disc doesn't absorb any shock from impacts like our natural discs do, do you feel any extra strain on the adjacent discs? And I just want to be clear on this point; you said that the pain is completely gone with only "normal people" pain from a good workout and your bodies natural reaction to normal exertion, right? Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer these questions and I hope you continue to get better.
I CAN sit for extended periods but it starts getting a tiny but uncomfortable.. bear in mind, this is only when I really really pay attention to my back.. sometimes I just forget about it. I've travelled at least 5 times on 3+ hour flights since I started feeling better and I didn't get up once!
Also, a correction on something you said: "Also, since the artificial disc doesn't absorb any shock from impacts like our natural discs do"
The M6 DOES ABSORB SHOCK FROM IMPACTS. That's one of the wonderful things about it! It's just like a natural disc.
And yes to your last question, I only get normal strain now.. plus a tiny bit more.
Hey Mike I've been following your blog as I am going through something similar and am now left with choosing between an endoscopic transforaminal discectomy, a fusion and an M6-L disc replacement.What are your thoughts? I'm 37 and after years of extreme sports (triathlons, Equestrian show-jumping, volleyball, and then also too many Mardi gras parties, clubs etc... my L5-S1 disc is almost flat, completely black and I have a massive extrusion on the S1 nerve root... In the last 18 months I've had already 2 microdiscectomies which helped only for a few weeks each.... I binned the Stem cell option after reading about your experience and I'm now planning to Speak with Dr Boeree, as I live in London and can travel easily... I'm just terrified this surgery will badly affect my... ahem ahem... sex life! Anyway... thanks for your blog, it's been a great help.
Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for continuing to write on your blog, this kind of first-hand information is invaluable to those of us going through the same thing. In an earlier post you mentioned that your sitting tolerance was about 2 hours before you had to get up and move around. Do you anticipate in the near future being able to sit without pain for extended periods of time say when taking a road trip to a neighboring state, watching a movie trilogy, playing an epic video game, or something of the sort. Also, since the artificial disc doesn't absorb any shock from impacts like our natural discs do, do you feel any extra strain on the adjacent discs? And I just want to be clear on this point; you said that the pain is completely gone with only "normal people" pain from a good workout and your bodies natural reaction to normal exertion, right? Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer these questions and I hope you continue to get better.
ReplyDeleteI CAN sit for extended periods but it starts getting a tiny but uncomfortable.. bear in mind, this is only when I really really pay attention to my back.. sometimes I just forget about it. I've travelled at least 5 times on 3+ hour flights since I started feeling better and I didn't get up once!
ReplyDeleteAlso, a correction on something you said: "Also, since the artificial disc doesn't absorb any shock from impacts like our natural discs do"
The M6 DOES ABSORB SHOCK FROM IMPACTS. That's one of the wonderful things about it! It's just like a natural disc.
And yes to your last question, I only get normal strain now.. plus a tiny bit more.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteJust wondering if you have had any ill-effects from the initial jogging and exercise programs you have started. I hope you are doing well. :) Thanks.
~Kevin
Hey Mike
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog as I am going through something similar and am now left with choosing between an endoscopic transforaminal discectomy, a fusion and an M6-L disc replacement.What are your thoughts?
I'm 37 and after years of extreme sports (triathlons, Equestrian show-jumping, volleyball, and then also too many Mardi gras parties, clubs etc... my L5-S1 disc is almost flat, completely black and I have a massive extrusion on the S1 nerve root... In the last 18 months I've had already 2 microdiscectomies which helped only for a few weeks each.... I binned the Stem cell option after reading about your experience and I'm now planning to Speak with Dr Boeree, as I live in London and can travel easily... I'm just terrified this surgery will badly affect my... ahem ahem... sex life! Anyway... thanks for your blog, it's been a great help.
Best
Mathias
Hi mathias send me an email so I can reply back personally.
ReplyDeleteMike.spineblog@gmail.com