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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Prostate Cancer / January 2004Quick Update
All, It's been quite a few days since I last posted to the group. I had my pre-op physical yesterday w/ a EKG and bloodwork. I am currently scheduled for the radical prostatectomy for Jan.22nd. I had a bit of a scare. I was at work and my lower back was REALLY hurting. I have had a lot of lower back pain lately and my legs were starting to tingle and felt as if they were going to sleep. I called then went into the emergency room Christmas Day. (Yes - some of us do have to work Christmas...) They decided a a MRI was in order and the MRI tech had to be called in as well as a radiologist. They outcome was jus' wunnerful! The radiologist said it was not related to my my prostate cancer. Instead, he found that the disks for my lower 3 vertibrae are "bulging" (his word) and no sign of cancer in my pelvis or back. I had quit taking Lodine for my arthritic knee and it was apparently masking my back inflamation. They gave me the name and number of a ortho surgeon but I have decided to get this prostate stuff behind me first. And probably seek some back therapy as conditions allow. I don't want to have a slice in front and back in the same year. I will be taking 6 weeks off to heal and will keep in touch. I read often but post not-that-often. I hope each of you had a Merry Christmas and are looking forward to a great New Year. As always, Phil (philski) I wish you well with the upcoming surgery, Phil! Glad to hear the back tests showed nothing related to PCa. I know that must have been on your mind. Chances are very good that you will be fine after surgery... and never have to deal with the cancer again! Keep positive about it! Please keep us posted as your surgery date approaches... and then as you recuparate! Take care, MikeH :) > All, > It's been quite a few days since I last posted to the group. I had my [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > Phil > (philski) > All, > It's been quite a few days since I last posted to the group. I had my [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > seek some back therapy as conditions allow. I don't want to have a slice > in front and back in the same year. You have my heartfelt sympathies. In my experience, disk disorders can be much worse than a radical prostatectomy, although of course they are not life threatening, as cancer potentially may be. I had a bad herniated disk in 1995, and it was the worst thing that has happened to me medically in my 70 years. I had some epidural cortisone shots, but they didn't help, and my treatment basically consisted of pain killers and waiting. Some research studies have shown that while surgery can help with the pain, in the long term, you can't tell the difference between conservative treatment like mine and surgery. Mostly, neurosurgeons won't touch your spine unless there are rather extreme symptoms, which fortunately are fairly rare. During your recovery period from RP make sure you get lots of moderate walking in. Get a book on care of the back and learn how to avoid situations which will set things off. The one thing that helped me the most was physical therapy. That is somewhat of a misnomer because the physical therapists don't treat you as such. They teach you good habits and appropriate exercises to strengthen some muscles and increase flexibility of others. I do my back exercises religiously, and when I slough off, my back lets me know with pain. Good luck both with your RP and your back. > I will be taking 6 weeks off to heal and will keep in touch. I read > often but post not-that-often. I hope each of you had a Merry Christmas [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Phil > (philski) ... > > ... Instead, > > he found that the disks for my lower 3 vertibrae are "bulging" (his > > word) ... > ... Some research studies have shown that while surgery can > help with the pain, in the long term, you can't tell the difference > between conservative treatment like mine and surgery. I'll second that. Of the few people I've known who have had back surgeries, the outcomes in each case were uncertain at best. One guy had everything made worse. Two others that I know had some reduction in pain, but wound up with new symptoms like tingling and numbness in their feet after the surgery. My own experience with surgery (on my knee) was bad enough that I felt safer using radiation on the PCa than surgery. I suggest trying everything else - physical therapy, stretching and exercise, aspirin or ibuprofen, walking, rest, new posture, changed lifestyle, ice, heat, whatever, before trying surgery. Like most things involving surgery, the surgeon cuts things that weren't cut before and what he does can rarely be undone. So be careful with it. Alan My feelings exactly. Even though I opted for surgery to remove my PCa, I am pretty sure I would not do any surgery that was for something not life threatening. I am six months post-op and still somewhat incontinent and my doc is already talking slings for incontinence and implants for erections. No way, he will have to practice his medicine on someone else. My spouse volunteered for many years in a VA hospital and she saw some of the side effects of implants which were not pretty (not that anything down there is pretty). If I have to wear pads the rest of my life I can do that in the same way people live with hearing aids and glasses. A bit of a pain but so what? As for erections, if they come back that is fine but if not, we will deal with it in other ways. Back surgery can be especially tricky since the surgery involves spinal cords. All us PCa guys know what happens when nerves are damaged during surgery. Good luck with whatever path you take but I too would lean toward the conservative side before doing anything that involves cutting. Dave Perry > I'll second that. Of the few people I've known who have had back > surgeries, the outcomes in each case were uncertain at best. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Alan May I offer a suggestion......and I know that there are those who will not agree with me......but as one of 3 generations in my family with scoliosis (congenital curvature of the spine), plus a dumb ornamental diving overextension at 4 am while under the influence of some whiskey (G).....I have had my fair share of back pain. I have gone to chiropractors since I was 18 (65 now)......and PROVIDED you find a good one, I can highly recommend using that mode of treatment. I had a choice of 6 months in bed in a body cast at 18 or chiro treatments for a year......needless to say, I did the latter. I saw the before and after x-rays......and I don't even need to say how good the chiropractor was. Even with all of the above in spinal problems, I probably have less pain than the average person......thanks to my present excellent chiro who rarely does manipulation but works it a different way. Just some words of support for the excellent chiros.....coz there are some real quacks out there. But we have been lucky to find 3 good ones who have looked after my Dad, my daughter and myself for more years than I want to count. And I mean that 2 of the 3 looked after 3 generations. The orthopedic surgeon wanted to put a steel rod in my daughter's spine at age 14.....no blinkin' way!!!! She rarely has any pain from the scoliosis. Nowadays, you have to be 'your own doctor'.....because if you don't know all the ins and outs of every treatment......or side effects from surgeries, and so on.......you can end up worse than you started with. I know.....been there, done that. Happy New Year to all the 'boys' and may this year be a far, far better one that 2003 for all of you. Ron is doing just fine, btw. It seems like a bad dream now. Cheers.....Heather > I'll second that. Of the few people I've known who have had back > surgeries, the outcomes in each case were uncertain at best. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Alan > May I offer a suggestion......and I know that there are those who will > not agree with me......but as one of 3 generations in my family with [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > who have looked after my Dad, my daughter and myself for more years than > I want to count. And I mean that 2 of the 3 looked after 3 generations. We all have different experiences. At one point I went to a highly regarded chiropractor to deal with a running injury. The result was a disaster. Chiropractors can often help with ordinary garden variety back pain. The patient may have some minor pathology in the spine, but the pain is caused by muscle spasm, and the methods chiropractors use can often help in such cases. Remember that 80 percent of the population has back problems some time in life, and the overwhelming majority of those have to do with poorly toned muscles and bad habits in using the back. But some involve some significant pathology. When a herniated disk presses on a nerve, inducing intense pain and also neurological symptoms in the lower body, you want a medical doctor who is expert in treating such conditions. Thye chiropractors have managed to convince the public and politicians that what they do is useful, but I've never been able to make sense of their underlying theory. Albeit imperfectly, medicine is based on real biological science. The specialists who deal with backs are orthopedic surgeons (whether they operate or not) and specialists in physical medicine. Unfortunately, these people are usually only interested in treating really bad cases and leave most painful backs and some chronic conditions that are difficult to treat to others. Chiropractors may in some cases be useful for that, but personally I've had greater luck with physical therapists. They understand how the muscles work much better than the MDs, and they are willing to take time with you. They have certainly helped me deal with what would otherwise be an incapacitating spinal condition. > The orthopedic surgeon wanted to put a steel rod in my daughter's spine > at age 14.....no blinkin' way!!!! She rarely has any pain from the [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] >> >> Alan Be prepared for some other pains related to the bulging disks. The RRP will further weaken your abdominal girdle - which holds the back in place. In my case it was the surgery that helped me find my herniated disks and compressed disk - very painful. I missed 10 weeks of work, but it took about six weeks to diagnose the problem. Do what your doctor recommends and alert him before hand about your back problem. Best of luck. DanR |
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