Piriformis release surgery, discussion and information

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.

Hi everyone.

Just got home from my appointment with Dr. Filler. I'm scheduled for surgery. 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

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

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

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

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

Donna,

You are our little cheerleader!! Thank you for all your words of encouragement!!

Margie

Jo and Elliot from the UK....are you guys still on this forum?...I would really like to catch up with you about Dr Filler and UCHL...as my mother is under both...please can you post so we can chat Lx

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

Which Wockhardt hospital in india. Can you please give details of city and contact number and person.

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

I would so like to hear from any sufferers in the UK..my mother was diagnosed with PS.. by Dr Filler in London and is currently being treated at UCHLondon ....considering trip to USA to see Dr Filler or Dr Barbaro .desperate to hear any other stories from UK patients Lx

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

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

Elliott, I had my surgery done 8 weeks ago. I thought I would be more healed by now. Your right, the surgery was worth it, but very TOUGH recovery. I went back to light office duty at work after 5 weeks. I am just now allowed to do light stretches. Still on some pain meds, and two 800mg ibuprofen a day. The pain is not as bad as before surgery ( my piriformis was strangulating my sciatic, I was taking 4 percocets for months before surgery - dealing this this off and on for 8 yrs). but I am just hoping and praying all this pain goes away eventually. At what time did you start doing more than just walking and light stretches. When did your pain go away enough to stop taking all pain meds?
Thanks,
Barb