Correction: Above post should have said nerve pain in the left knee, not the right knee.
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Hello all,
I wonder if anybody has heard of other surgeons in the west coast who do this procedure?
Tom
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Swlaggle
I'm so glad that you are feeling somewhat better. I'm excited to see how it pans out as the weeks go by. Good luck in your further recovery and don't try to be a hero!! Take it slow.
:-)
Take care,
Kayti
I'm so glad that you are feeling somewhat better. I'm excited to see how it pans out as the weeks go by. Good luck in your further recovery and don't try to be a hero!! Take it slow.
:-)
Take care,
Kayti
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Swlaggle
So glad to hear it went well and hope you are getting better every day. I'm 15 days past my piriformis injection and have had some results but not great. Spoke to Dr. Filler's nurse today and she believes surgery is my next step. Will follow up with them after the first of the year. Please keep us posted and I will do the same for anyone in our shoes!
So glad to hear it went well and hope you are getting better every day. I'm 15 days past my piriformis injection and have had some results but not great. Spoke to Dr. Filler's nurse today and she believes surgery is my next step. Will follow up with them after the first of the year. Please keep us posted and I will do the same for anyone in our shoes!
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I didn't have great results from my injections either.
Kayti - no, I intend to not be a hero and do this slowly.
To the person who referenced Blue Cross of Texas, they are my carrier as well. I had to file an appeal to have Dr. Filler treated as in-network. It was 38 pages and I actually won the appeal. I probably never convinced them, but suspect I wore them down. If you need help, let me know.
12/12 - update
Woke up this morning with burning, again, near the incisions. Slept all night so I did not take any medication between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am this morning. Nerve pain is minor and tends to come and go. However, the pain I have seems to be around the incisions. Man, these hurt sometimes.
I'm thinking that the cut piriformis muscle is not behaving at all. When I sit down, I feel twitching on both sides of my butt like the muscle is in spasm. I read somewhere above that this may not be unusual so I'm not too concerned at this point. Having said that, I really would like the butt burning to move on but, yes, I recognize that I am now one week out of a 7 hour surgery so I may be very guilty of being impatient.
Donna, does any of this reflect your experience a week out of surgery?
I sure wish Elliot or Rob or someone else who has been through this procedure would help keep the rest of us up to date.
Kayti - no, I intend to not be a hero and do this slowly.
To the person who referenced Blue Cross of Texas, they are my carrier as well. I had to file an appeal to have Dr. Filler treated as in-network. It was 38 pages and I actually won the appeal. I probably never convinced them, but suspect I wore them down. If you need help, let me know.
12/12 - update
Woke up this morning with burning, again, near the incisions. Slept all night so I did not take any medication between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am this morning. Nerve pain is minor and tends to come and go. However, the pain I have seems to be around the incisions. Man, these hurt sometimes.
I'm thinking that the cut piriformis muscle is not behaving at all. When I sit down, I feel twitching on both sides of my butt like the muscle is in spasm. I read somewhere above that this may not be unusual so I'm not too concerned at this point. Having said that, I really would like the butt burning to move on but, yes, I recognize that I am now one week out of a 7 hour surgery so I may be very guilty of being impatient.
Donna, does any of this reflect your experience a week out of surgery?
I sure wish Elliot or Rob or someone else who has been through this procedure would help keep the rest of us up to date.
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Today I discovered that my pain is too far from the Piriformis to be PS. It's down near the Ischial tuberosity and Trochanter. Some involvement with the Hamstring maybe. No idea what to do about that.
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Glad to hear your surgery was a success and that you are doing well. Take it easy and give your self plenty of time to recover.
Yup, your experiences sound a lot like mine. The burning nerve pain was almost completely gone from the moment I woke up from surgery. The nurses had to insist that I used the self-dosing med machine!
I've had muscle pain in the butt from muscles recovering from incisions and soreness around the incision. A week and a half post surgery, the incision on the right side started oozing quite a bit. Sheila, Dr. Fiilers, NP, said that was pretty normal, started me on an anti-biotic for a few days to be on the safe side, and then we just kept it clean and dry. However, I was evidently allergic to the tape we used on the bandages and that caused more redness and pain than the wound itself. The wound still itches at times.
At 6 weeks post surgery, the muscles on my right side, which was the worst, still let me know when i'm doing too much. On that side I'd say recovery is about 75% complete. I would rate the left side at 100% pain free, muscles, incision sites, nerves etc. I'm taking no medications at all now, although I occasionally use BioFreeze for the muscle aches after a long day. The complete relief from that reassures me that it is definitely muscles, not nerves, and the recovery is on the way.
And yes, the impatience also reflects my experience as well. I want it to be all over now! But like you, I have no intentions of being a hero and intend to follow instructions and listen to my body. I've waited too long for this to mess it up with over doing.
Yup, your experiences sound a lot like mine. The burning nerve pain was almost completely gone from the moment I woke up from surgery. The nurses had to insist that I used the self-dosing med machine!
I've had muscle pain in the butt from muscles recovering from incisions and soreness around the incision. A week and a half post surgery, the incision on the right side started oozing quite a bit. Sheila, Dr. Fiilers, NP, said that was pretty normal, started me on an anti-biotic for a few days to be on the safe side, and then we just kept it clean and dry. However, I was evidently allergic to the tape we used on the bandages and that caused more redness and pain than the wound itself. The wound still itches at times.
At 6 weeks post surgery, the muscles on my right side, which was the worst, still let me know when i'm doing too much. On that side I'd say recovery is about 75% complete. I would rate the left side at 100% pain free, muscles, incision sites, nerves etc. I'm taking no medications at all now, although I occasionally use BioFreeze for the muscle aches after a long day. The complete relief from that reassures me that it is definitely muscles, not nerves, and the recovery is on the way.
And yes, the impatience also reflects my experience as well. I want it to be all over now! But like you, I have no intentions of being a hero and intend to follow instructions and listen to my body. I've waited too long for this to mess it up with over doing.
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Thanks Donna.
Yesterday, I made it a point to do two things.
1. Backed off on pain meds to 3 hour intervals. I hate these things but I've taken them because it hurts and Dr. Filller's office wanted me on them for a while. However, I backed off to test my progress and I did okay considering it was one week ago yesterday that I left the hospital.
2. I moved more. I walked much more, participated in things around the house but nothing too strenuous. In all my life, I've always been active and a contributor. One of the hardest things about this syndrome and now my recovery is that my wife has had to do so much. That just kills me. Oh well, the extra activity wore me out. By nine last night, I could not keep my eyes open and was exhausted.
This morning, I got up with far less incision pain. I hope this means I have turned a corner in terms of recovery. I slept for 9 hours and woke up feeling like I could skip my pain meds but I took them anyway. I'm going to try and keep up the activity level and stretch the pain med interval out to 3.5 to 4 hours today.
This change really perked me up in terms of my attitude about my outcome. My wife says I am WAY too impatient and that anyone a week out of a 7 hour surgery is going to struggle for a while. Donna's comments gave me a good reference point as well. Maybe I am too impatient but I keep reading about how well Donna is doing but forgetting she is 6 weeks out, not one week. Also, I think Donna's case is more atypical based on some comments from Dr. Filler and his NP. Bottom line: I think I've got my head screwed on straight now.
I'll continue to give you folks a blow by blow account if you want it. I know people need hope and I'm hoping this very honest account of my case helps.
Yesterday, I made it a point to do two things.
1. Backed off on pain meds to 3 hour intervals. I hate these things but I've taken them because it hurts and Dr. Filller's office wanted me on them for a while. However, I backed off to test my progress and I did okay considering it was one week ago yesterday that I left the hospital.
2. I moved more. I walked much more, participated in things around the house but nothing too strenuous. In all my life, I've always been active and a contributor. One of the hardest things about this syndrome and now my recovery is that my wife has had to do so much. That just kills me. Oh well, the extra activity wore me out. By nine last night, I could not keep my eyes open and was exhausted.
This morning, I got up with far less incision pain. I hope this means I have turned a corner in terms of recovery. I slept for 9 hours and woke up feeling like I could skip my pain meds but I took them anyway. I'm going to try and keep up the activity level and stretch the pain med interval out to 3.5 to 4 hours today.
This change really perked me up in terms of my attitude about my outcome. My wife says I am WAY too impatient and that anyone a week out of a 7 hour surgery is going to struggle for a while. Donna's comments gave me a good reference point as well. Maybe I am too impatient but I keep reading about how well Donna is doing but forgetting she is 6 weeks out, not one week. Also, I think Donna's case is more atypical based on some comments from Dr. Filler and his NP. Bottom line: I think I've got my head screwed on straight now.
I'll continue to give you folks a blow by blow account if you want it. I know people need hope and I'm hoping this very honest account of my case helps.
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Strange, my husband keeps telling me the same thing..."you're just 6 weeks out of surgery, give yourself time to get back to normal".
My case may be more atypical as far as recovery goes. My husband says I have a very high pain threshold and I've generally recovered from things quickly...for example, I went to church with the baby 24 hours after she was born (20 years ago, but that recovery and reaction is typical for me) and drove the kindergartener to school the next day. Or when I stepped on a rusty nail and put it 2 inches into my heel, my reaction was "oh, I stepped on a nail" and my sister went into much greater hysterics than I did.
So I would encourage you to listen to your own body and not be too anxious and impatient (yes, I'm preaching to myself as well). If you can feel the difference in the nerve pain, that's more than half the battle and the recovery is coming. I have noted, in my impatience, that the days I do too much are the days that I hurt more. And in this recovery period, you really want to give your nerves a chance to "remember" not to hurt.
Also I noted last night that the area around the right incision was more painful than it had been, and found it had been weeping a bit. So there is still a healing process going on, and I need to keep my activities more in line with that.
Be encouraged and take it slow. Hope you have a great day.
My case may be more atypical as far as recovery goes. My husband says I have a very high pain threshold and I've generally recovered from things quickly...for example, I went to church with the baby 24 hours after she was born (20 years ago, but that recovery and reaction is typical for me) and drove the kindergartener to school the next day. Or when I stepped on a rusty nail and put it 2 inches into my heel, my reaction was "oh, I stepped on a nail" and my sister went into much greater hysterics than I did.
So I would encourage you to listen to your own body and not be too anxious and impatient (yes, I'm preaching to myself as well). If you can feel the difference in the nerve pain, that's more than half the battle and the recovery is coming. I have noted, in my impatience, that the days I do too much are the days that I hurt more. And in this recovery period, you really want to give your nerves a chance to "remember" not to hurt.
Also I noted last night that the area around the right incision was more painful than it had been, and found it had been weeping a bit. So there is still a healing process going on, and I need to keep my activities more in line with that.
Be encouraged and take it slow. Hope you have a great day.
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I have been following with lots of interest how you 2 who have had lsurgery are doing. I am seriously considering going to Dr. Filler in the New Year. I will be paying for everything since I am coming from Canada and my provincial health plan has turned me down. So, Donna I was shocked at the cost of Cedars Sinai. I too wass quoted around $52,000 for the hospital expense. I wonder if they charge more if an insurance is helping. I just had a botox injection yesterday with EMG. It does help but at first I am more sore. Was that true with any of you who had Dr. Filler's injection? Also I have had this condition for a long time but have been having injections for about 4 years which has taken some pressure off the nerve. I too was very active before this set in--walked everywhere, did long cycling trips, worked out, gardened and lived in a 4 story house which meant I had to kgo up steps lots and that was very aggravating. My daughter insisted I move. Since I am divorced I don't have any help. After pushing through the pain fora year I went into a bad depression. Thank goodness I have recovered from that. It took me 3 years to find anyone who even treated piriformis syndrome. I was diagnosed in the States when visiting family.
I am a little discouraged by the costs. What do you mean when you say Dr. Filler is flexible?
I am a little discouraged by the costs. What do you mean when you say Dr. Filler is flexible?
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I also want to continue to hear about the surgery recovery so please keep us updated! I was sore after the injection too....felt like the injection site/butt was MORE sore for a while then had some minor relief for a week or so and now it's getting bad again. I'm afraid of the cost too but I'd rather be out of pain and make payments for as long as I need to. This is no life. Being in pain is much worse than being broke. (So I say now!!) Hang in there everyone and thanks for the updates.
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Hello
I would like to ask the group a question about Dr. Filler.
My pain location is not the Piriformis muscle but is a very small, specific spot down near my ischiam (the sitting bone). I push a finger there and bam, it triggers huge pain down back of leg thigh.
is this Piriformis syndrome or something else? Would Filler treat it?
Thank you.
I would like to ask the group a question about Dr. Filler.
My pain location is not the Piriformis muscle but is a very small, specific spot down near my ischiam (the sitting bone). I push a finger there and bam, it triggers huge pain down back of leg thigh.
is this Piriformis syndrome or something else? Would Filler treat it?
Thank you.
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Okay, I'll continue the saga.
Yesterday was a wonderful day. I termed it it my I've turned the corner day.
I hardly ever sat down or laid down. No, I wasn't doing back flips but it was much better. However, again, I was exhausted by 8:30 pm last night. I cut my meds dosage and intervals even further but I kind of pushed the limit so I might hold here for a day or two.
This morning was a different story. I woke up okay but I took about three steps and had knee buckling pains on both sides of the buttocks. It felt like the muscles(s) on both sides went into a deep charley horse spasm. I'm going to call Dr. Filler's NP about this because it was zero fun. However, after being up for an hour or so, everything kind of chilled out and I'm okay. That may have been my payback for all the activity yesterday.
I do have very minor nerve issues again in my left leg(the usual culprit). Interestingly enough though, they are on the shin area which I have never felt before. No real pain, just a type of pressure.
Bottom line: If I could get rid of the buttock pain, especially at the right incision area, I would consider myself nearly well but very weak. I have got to start a more vigorous rehab but my wife says I'm pushing it. After all my years as a competitive athlete, I've never seen an ailment/injury where bed rest was a requirement but, as I've said before, I have been fortunate to have never required surgery either. Oh well, I will get some advice from the NP and maybe Donna can comment as well.
With regard to the money. My attitude is I don't give a rip. Money means absolutely nothing if you can't live your life. I've let that concern go. I'm not being flippant, I'm just saying that I've come to peace with spending whatever it takes to re-gain my life. I don't care if I have to make payments even after they lay me in the ground and I'm very serious about that. I want my life back.
Yesterday was a wonderful day. I termed it it my I've turned the corner day.
I hardly ever sat down or laid down. No, I wasn't doing back flips but it was much better. However, again, I was exhausted by 8:30 pm last night. I cut my meds dosage and intervals even further but I kind of pushed the limit so I might hold here for a day or two.
This morning was a different story. I woke up okay but I took about three steps and had knee buckling pains on both sides of the buttocks. It felt like the muscles(s) on both sides went into a deep charley horse spasm. I'm going to call Dr. Filler's NP about this because it was zero fun. However, after being up for an hour or so, everything kind of chilled out and I'm okay. That may have been my payback for all the activity yesterday.
I do have very minor nerve issues again in my left leg(the usual culprit). Interestingly enough though, they are on the shin area which I have never felt before. No real pain, just a type of pressure.
Bottom line: If I could get rid of the buttock pain, especially at the right incision area, I would consider myself nearly well but very weak. I have got to start a more vigorous rehab but my wife says I'm pushing it. After all my years as a competitive athlete, I've never seen an ailment/injury where bed rest was a requirement but, as I've said before, I have been fortunate to have never required surgery either. Oh well, I will get some advice from the NP and maybe Donna can comment as well.
With regard to the money. My attitude is I don't give a rip. Money means absolutely nothing if you can't live your life. I've let that concern go. I'm not being flippant, I'm just saying that I've come to peace with spending whatever it takes to re-gain my life. I don't care if I have to make payments even after they lay me in the ground and I'm very serious about that. I want my life back.
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My question is, can you spread your payment out over time or are you using a line of credit. I have a US account up here in Canada and US investments but I want to be careful with just how much I spend as it will be part of what I live off of for the rest of my life. I can't imagine the hospital letting you pay in instalments. But I agree with you about the quality of life. I have lived with a lesser quality of life for quite awhile and am kvery impatient now.
Seven hours of surgery is a long surgery and it is no wonder you are so tired. How did you get allthat scar tissue. I suspect I have some too as I fell down my steps and literally saw stars when I landed on my right butt which is where the piriformis problem is. Donna had theclassic case as there are only few people who have the sciatic nerve right through the middle of the muscle so I can see where her surgery would be so successful. I am sure Dr. Filler is thrilled when he gets a case like that where there is no doubt.
Donna, were you in hospital less than 24 hours and still had such a high bill? I am so used to a Canadian system. My kdaughter's baby was at Sick Children's Hospital for 3 months before she died and they didn't owe a penny, all covered by the provincial health plan. Of course we are taxed very high for such a system.
Did any of you also have the pain referred into the lower backas well as the leg and foot?
Have you heard anything about when you may have surgery, buttpain2. Feel a little funny calling everyone by their nicknames kforthe forum. Donna seems to be the only one who has given her real name. Take care sw2laagie and I hope you are getting back into all that activity soon.
Shirley
Seven hours of surgery is a long surgery and it is no wonder you are so tired. How did you get allthat scar tissue. I suspect I have some too as I fell down my steps and literally saw stars when I landed on my right butt which is where the piriformis problem is. Donna had theclassic case as there are only few people who have the sciatic nerve right through the middle of the muscle so I can see where her surgery would be so successful. I am sure Dr. Filler is thrilled when he gets a case like that where there is no doubt.
Donna, were you in hospital less than 24 hours and still had such a high bill? I am so used to a Canadian system. My kdaughter's baby was at Sick Children's Hospital for 3 months before she died and they didn't owe a penny, all covered by the provincial health plan. Of course we are taxed very high for such a system.
Did any of you also have the pain referred into the lower backas well as the leg and foot?
Have you heard anything about when you may have surgery, buttpain2. Feel a little funny calling everyone by their nicknames kforthe forum. Donna seems to be the only one who has given her real name. Take care sw2laagie and I hope you are getting back into all that activity soon.
Shirley
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Hi Shirley. I have lower back pain too which I believe is a symptom of PS. I'm not sure about a surgery date but I see Dr. Filler on to talk about it.
Take care
Leesa (my real name!!!)
Take care
Leesa (my real name!!!)
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