Oneman:
Thanks for the info. When did you have surgery and how are you now?
Leesa
Thanks for the info. When did you have surgery and how are you now?
Leesa
Oneman, so how long ago was your surgery and how are you now? Was it piriformis surgery, etc.? and/or all those other places he cleans out?
Thanks, that was a very useful post. I have read Dr. Filler's study and have his book. And I have researched where everything is but not in Gray's Anatomy. I have just had Dr. Filler's injections and as of today am doing extremely well. But I may have to make a decision about surgery. As you saw there are some on the forum who have done very well, some who are still waiting to see how they recover and others who are still in a great deal of pain and/or had faileds surgeries.. So naturally we are interested in how those who have had surgery are doing. I come from Canada and will be paying myself so of course I will have to really think this decision through if it comes to that.
Thanks for posting.
Shirley (not Shirlee Jackson)
Thanks, that was a very useful post. I have read Dr. Filler's study and have his book. And I have researched where everything is but not in Gray's Anatomy. I have just had Dr. Filler's injections and as of today am doing extremely well. But I may have to make a decision about surgery. As you saw there are some on the forum who have done very well, some who are still waiting to see how they recover and others who are still in a great deal of pain and/or had faileds surgeries.. So naturally we are interested in how those who have had surgery are doing. I come from Canada and will be paying myself so of course I will have to really think this decision through if it comes to that.
Thanks for posting.
Shirley (not Shirlee Jackson)
Oneman - Thank you for your excellent post. It is full of useful, important information.
HawaiiGirl - How are you? I'm concerned about you, especially since we have not heard from you. Are you getting anywhere with Filler's office? Best wishes, Mary
HawaiiGirl - How are you? I'm concerned about you, especially since we have not heard from you. Are you getting anywhere with Filler's office? Best wishes, Mary
Hi Everyone!
Just wanted to check in and let you all know that my surgery was a week ago yesterday and I'm doing really well! Of course there is some pain associated with the incision area but other than that, I'm not really experiencing any other pain. I have a tiny bit of burning still in my left heel but substantially less than a week ago. So far I'm thrilled with the outcome. I actually got myself in a car (my husband drove, not me!) and went out to the grocery store and to get a treat at Starbucks. I felt like I'd been let out of prison! :D
Of course I'm not yet counting my chickens so to speak. If I've learned anything from this forum it's that it can get worse again! So I will continue to be careful with my activities and not rush out and go break dancing or anything! But for now I'm celebrating today and how well I feel at this moment and just wanted to let you all know.
Happy Easter to all my PS Forum Friends!
Margie
Just wanted to check in and let you all know that my surgery was a week ago yesterday and I'm doing really well! Of course there is some pain associated with the incision area but other than that, I'm not really experiencing any other pain. I have a tiny bit of burning still in my left heel but substantially less than a week ago. So far I'm thrilled with the outcome. I actually got myself in a car (my husband drove, not me!) and went out to the grocery store and to get a treat at Starbucks. I felt like I'd been let out of prison! :D
Of course I'm not yet counting my chickens so to speak. If I've learned anything from this forum it's that it can get worse again! So I will continue to be careful with my activities and not rush out and go break dancing or anything! But for now I'm celebrating today and how well I feel at this moment and just wanted to let you all know.
Happy Easter to all my PS Forum Friends!
Margie
Great news, Margie. We are really pleased for you.Keep us up to date.
Shirley
Shirley
Hi ya'll (We Kentucky people talk like that too!)
Boy, this post has been hopping like a bunny rabbit since I last posted.
Margie: It's so great hearing how well you're doing. You and all the PS success stories give the rest of us hope which is sometimes desperately needed. Yes, Starbucks is a treat! Their Pumpkin Spice Latte is "to die for."
David: Your poor puppy! Don't be so rough on him--he loves you. Glad to hear your still doing well. Recent setback but hopefully that will soon be history.
HG: What can I say? Multi hugs and prayers are sent your way. You've been through so much with the PS pain and now the Filler issues. Sooo frustrating but that comes no where close to describe what you've been through. Please know that everyone in this forum truely cares about you. The encouragement here helps us get through each day when things seem really dark.
New guys: Welcome aboard! Sorry for your PS pain but this is a great forum with some very special folks that understand your pain.
Oneman: I've done a lot of internet research and I can't find any other MDs doing the PS procedure outside of California and Japan. I should would like to find someone closer to Kentucky or Indiana. Let me know if you come up with other names.
Julie: If I remember right, you only have a couple more days. Given what's transpired, I'm glad to see your going to Barbaro. It sounds like he's the best one for us out-of-towners. You're in our prayers. Please keep us posted. By the way, I was a teacher before becoming a nurse. Our stories are so much alike it's scary.
Aztec and others who have had piriformis injections. Please explain why they go on with the injections instead of just doing the surgery. Also, does Barbaro do injections before the surgery or just the MRN? For someone traveling to the office, it would be nice to just make one short trip.
I haven't been on for awhile because a lot has been happening. Since I was last on, I've had a cortisone knee injection (trying to settle a knee down instead of doing a knee replacement), Facet joint RF ablation under fluro, hip bursa cortisone injection and a hip joint Marcaine/Cortisone injection under fluro. and a SI joint Marcaine/cortisone CT guided injection. My PM has pretty much given up on me and says I'm at MMI or the only thing left is a spinal cord stimulator. Before that a psychological exam is necessary. He won't prescribe any pain meds. At least my ortho prescribed some Daypro since I also have arthritis in several joints. He's at least been ruling out stuff but he doesn't believe in PS or Filler. Around here no one believes in PS. Since all the tests are negative, it's all in your head! The exams are insignificant since they usually don't even touch you. They're so afraid of prescribing anything for pain it's ridiculous. I don't like taking anything either but I sure would like part of my life back. Ok, enough whinning. I just hope enough has been done that Barbaro would just go forward with the surgery after the MRN instead of doing more injections.
Debbie
Boy, this post has been hopping like a bunny rabbit since I last posted.
Margie: It's so great hearing how well you're doing. You and all the PS success stories give the rest of us hope which is sometimes desperately needed. Yes, Starbucks is a treat! Their Pumpkin Spice Latte is "to die for."
David: Your poor puppy! Don't be so rough on him--he loves you. Glad to hear your still doing well. Recent setback but hopefully that will soon be history.
HG: What can I say? Multi hugs and prayers are sent your way. You've been through so much with the PS pain and now the Filler issues. Sooo frustrating but that comes no where close to describe what you've been through. Please know that everyone in this forum truely cares about you. The encouragement here helps us get through each day when things seem really dark.
New guys: Welcome aboard! Sorry for your PS pain but this is a great forum with some very special folks that understand your pain.
Oneman: I've done a lot of internet research and I can't find any other MDs doing the PS procedure outside of California and Japan. I should would like to find someone closer to Kentucky or Indiana. Let me know if you come up with other names.
Julie: If I remember right, you only have a couple more days. Given what's transpired, I'm glad to see your going to Barbaro. It sounds like he's the best one for us out-of-towners. You're in our prayers. Please keep us posted. By the way, I was a teacher before becoming a nurse. Our stories are so much alike it's scary.
Aztec and others who have had piriformis injections. Please explain why they go on with the injections instead of just doing the surgery. Also, does Barbaro do injections before the surgery or just the MRN? For someone traveling to the office, it would be nice to just make one short trip.
I haven't been on for awhile because a lot has been happening. Since I was last on, I've had a cortisone knee injection (trying to settle a knee down instead of doing a knee replacement), Facet joint RF ablation under fluro, hip bursa cortisone injection and a hip joint Marcaine/Cortisone injection under fluro. and a SI joint Marcaine/cortisone CT guided injection. My PM has pretty much given up on me and says I'm at MMI or the only thing left is a spinal cord stimulator. Before that a psychological exam is necessary. He won't prescribe any pain meds. At least my ortho prescribed some Daypro since I also have arthritis in several joints. He's at least been ruling out stuff but he doesn't believe in PS or Filler. Around here no one believes in PS. Since all the tests are negative, it's all in your head! The exams are insignificant since they usually don't even touch you. They're so afraid of prescribing anything for pain it's ridiculous. I don't like taking anything either but I sure would like part of my life back. Ok, enough whinning. I just hope enough has been done that Barbaro would just go forward with the surgery after the MRN instead of doing more injections.
Debbie
LadybugHurts - Look up Dr. Thomas Byrd in Nashville, TN. Not only does he do the surgery, he has published on the topic. See the page below and follow link to his Piriformis surgery publication.
What is MMI? Mary
What is MMI? Mary
Thanks Mary I'll look up the guy in TN Do you know anybody who has treated with him?
MMI is Maximum Medical Improvement. Basically saying you won't get any better.
Debbie
MMI is Maximum Medical Improvement. Basically saying you won't get any better.
Debbie
LadyBugHurts,
After my MRN, Dr. Barbaro ordered a sciatic notch injection and then once that was shown to have helped, he proceeded with the surgery. Unless the MRN comes back showing "100% without a doubt" that it's PS, he wants the sciatic notch injection to confirm. He's pretty cautious. The sciatic notch injection, however, only provides short term relief. (In my case only 3 hours.) It's not like botox injections or steroid injections that are administered to provide long term pain relief. It's just a diagnostic tool. Oh, I just remember you said you were a nurse so you already know all that!
After I had already seen Dr. Barbaro and knew that surgery was a possibility, I asked that he put me in contact with someone who he'd already performed the surgery on to see what they felt about the outcome, about the care they received following the surgery, etc. Might I suggest that you consider doing the same with Dr. Byrd in Tennessee? The person that Dr. Barbaro's office put me in contact with lives about 100 miles from me and she and I have talked and emailed several times. She was such an inspiration and on more than one occasion she quelled my fears about the whole process. Her name is Debbie and she had the surgery about 4- 5 years ago, I believe, and said it was the best decision she ever made. If you could speak with someone from Dr. Byrd's office like Debbie, maybe you'd feel better. Just a thought.
Margie
After my MRN, Dr. Barbaro ordered a sciatic notch injection and then once that was shown to have helped, he proceeded with the surgery. Unless the MRN comes back showing "100% without a doubt" that it's PS, he wants the sciatic notch injection to confirm. He's pretty cautious. The sciatic notch injection, however, only provides short term relief. (In my case only 3 hours.) It's not like botox injections or steroid injections that are administered to provide long term pain relief. It's just a diagnostic tool. Oh, I just remember you said you were a nurse so you already know all that!
After I had already seen Dr. Barbaro and knew that surgery was a possibility, I asked that he put me in contact with someone who he'd already performed the surgery on to see what they felt about the outcome, about the care they received following the surgery, etc. Might I suggest that you consider doing the same with Dr. Byrd in Tennessee? The person that Dr. Barbaro's office put me in contact with lives about 100 miles from me and she and I have talked and emailed several times. She was such an inspiration and on more than one occasion she quelled my fears about the whole process. Her name is Debbie and she had the surgery about 4- 5 years ago, I believe, and said it was the best decision she ever made. If you could speak with someone from Dr. Byrd's office like Debbie, maybe you'd feel better. Just a thought.
Margie
Hi all. I want to comment on Dr. Byrd. I had an appointment with him in August during which he spent about 20 minutes with me. A bit disappointing after I'd flown half way across the country and delayed my return to Honduras for an appointment with him. He decided that since I didn't react strongly enough( ie according to him I should've kicked him through the wall) to the vaginal exam, I wasn't really in pain and that surgery wouldn't do me any good. No matter that I was practically in tears due to the pain. My reaction wasn't what he thought it should be. He made no further recommendations, didn't offer pain medication or anything. Just thanks for your money, have a good life, hope that eventually you feel better.
When I mentioned my appointment with Dr. Byrd to Sheila at Dr. Filler's office, she said they see and help patients frequently who Dr. Byrd has been unable to help. Two months after Dr Byrd said surgery wouldn't help me, I had successful surgery with Dr. Filler. Needless to say, I'm not overly impressed with Dr. Byrd and would recommend just skipping an appointment with him and going straight to Dr Filler or Dr Barbaro.
One plus for Dr Byrd. When I sent my payment into him, I wrote that I had had successful piriformis surgery with Dr Filler. Dr Byrd refunded my portion of the payment.
Maybe in other cases Dr. Byrd does successful piriformis surgery. I admit I was drawn to him because he had published on the topic, therefore believed he would be able to diagnosis and treat it. His nurse told me IF he would do surgery, I would be on crutches for about 2 months, they would only do one side at a time and I would have to be in town for 3 months. None of that sounded very good compared to walking out of the hospital unaided the day after surgery, having both sides done and over with and returning home the same week.
Hope everyone is having a low pain day and enjoying the Easter holiday.
Donna
When I mentioned my appointment with Dr. Byrd to Sheila at Dr. Filler's office, she said they see and help patients frequently who Dr. Byrd has been unable to help. Two months after Dr Byrd said surgery wouldn't help me, I had successful surgery with Dr. Filler. Needless to say, I'm not overly impressed with Dr. Byrd and would recommend just skipping an appointment with him and going straight to Dr Filler or Dr Barbaro.
One plus for Dr Byrd. When I sent my payment into him, I wrote that I had had successful piriformis surgery with Dr Filler. Dr Byrd refunded my portion of the payment.
Maybe in other cases Dr. Byrd does successful piriformis surgery. I admit I was drawn to him because he had published on the topic, therefore believed he would be able to diagnosis and treat it. His nurse told me IF he would do surgery, I would be on crutches for about 2 months, they would only do one side at a time and I would have to be in town for 3 months. None of that sounded very good compared to walking out of the hospital unaided the day after surgery, having both sides done and over with and returning home the same week.
Hope everyone is having a low pain day and enjoying the Easter holiday.
Donna
Hi everyone .
Just to catch you up, I had my injection with Dr. Filler 2 weeks ago. I have had some very good days--took a walk on Friday for 25 minutes and did well. Then yesterday I went downtown and walked around (meaning I stopped and started). I wasn't walking the whole time. None the less I was downtown for almost 3 hours. That would have caused considerable pain in my leg before the injection but I had none in the leg. I was sore in the buttock. Then today I am quite sore, probably a reaction to yesterday, but again not in the leg. So I think the injedtions have done something.
Dr. Filler is calling me tomorrow and I need to make a list of qustions to ask him.
David, what was your reaction to the injections? Did you just have anesthesia and cortisone. Leesa, I knowyou got some relief but can't remember how you described it..
Bye for now.
Shirley
Just to catch you up, I had my injection with Dr. Filler 2 weeks ago. I have had some very good days--took a walk on Friday for 25 minutes and did well. Then yesterday I went downtown and walked around (meaning I stopped and started). I wasn't walking the whole time. None the less I was downtown for almost 3 hours. That would have caused considerable pain in my leg before the injection but I had none in the leg. I was sore in the buttock. Then today I am quite sore, probably a reaction to yesterday, but again not in the leg. So I think the injedtions have done something.
Dr. Filler is calling me tomorrow and I need to make a list of qustions to ask him.
David, what was your reaction to the injections? Did you just have anesthesia and cortisone. Leesa, I knowyou got some relief but can't remember how you described it..
Bye for now.
Shirley
Oh, yes, Debbie, glad to hear from you again. It sounds like you have been through the wringer. And still not relief. Your doctors don't sound very helpful. Hope you find someoneclose by who does surgery and diagnoses PS. It seems tome I came across a study done in New York so I will look it up and let you know.
Take care and good luck on finding someone who can diagnose. Donna's story is worth listening to since she was told she didn't have anything wrong and Dr. Filler did very successful surgery on her. Glad Dr. Byrd reimbursed you, Donna.
Gotta go.
Shirley
Take care and good luck on finding someone who can diagnose. Donna's story is worth listening to since she was told she didn't have anything wrong and Dr. Filler did very successful surgery on her. Glad Dr. Byrd reimbursed you, Donna.
Gotta go.
Shirley
Shirley:
I had very little change from the injection and it took 2 weeks to feel any change at all.
Sounds like you're doing pretty good overall. Can't wait to hear what information you get from your call with Dr. Filler tomorrow.
I'm still plugging along over here. I feel like a broken record but I'm still having pain with extra activity. It's really hard to tell how it's going since I'm afraid to push it too much. I haven't walked a long distance or done any sort of exercise. (almost 8 weeks since surgery now). I have a call with Dr. Filler's office on Wed I think, need to check my calendar. I'll keep you all posted on what they say.
Enjoy your day everyone, I hope you can. It's in the high 80's here (California). Snow sounds kind of nice Shirley!!!
Everything ok over there David??!
Leesa
I had very little change from the injection and it took 2 weeks to feel any change at all.
Sounds like you're doing pretty good overall. Can't wait to hear what information you get from your call with Dr. Filler tomorrow.
I'm still plugging along over here. I feel like a broken record but I'm still having pain with extra activity. It's really hard to tell how it's going since I'm afraid to push it too much. I haven't walked a long distance or done any sort of exercise. (almost 8 weeks since surgery now). I have a call with Dr. Filler's office on Wed I think, need to check my calendar. I'll keep you all posted on what they say.
Enjoy your day everyone, I hope you can. It's in the high 80's here (California). Snow sounds kind of nice Shirley!!!
Everything ok over there David??!
Leesa
To anyone with this pain: I wouldn't push to hard ever. These problems are primarily "spasm and overuse" issues. It does not make sense to just immediately push it. Gentle exercise above all else.
In the SF bay area there are several warm therapy pools...these are excellent for recovery from any pelvic surgery.
Doc.
In the SF bay area there are several warm therapy pools...these are excellent for recovery from any pelvic surgery.
Doc.
I have no opinion about Dr. Byrd. I just know he exists & published that article.
Donna - at the time you saw him wasn't your piriformis still having some effect from the Botox shot. And didn't you think that dulled have the muscles reaction when he tested it? If so, than anyone seeing Byrd should be careful to be completely recovered from Botox before their appointment.
Since Byrd is a hip surgeon, not a neurosurgeon, and he isn't using the MR Neurogram, I suspect he would be less likely to find any other nerve entrapment caused by non-piriformis causes. Just a thought.
Donna - at the time you saw him wasn't your piriformis still having some effect from the Botox shot. And didn't you think that dulled have the muscles reaction when he tested it? If so, than anyone seeing Byrd should be careful to be completely recovered from Botox before their appointment.
Since Byrd is a hip surgeon, not a neurosurgeon, and he isn't using the MR Neurogram, I suspect he would be less likely to find any other nerve entrapment caused by non-piriformis causes. Just a thought.