Piriformis release surgery, discussion and information

Menzie,

I'm so sorry for your despair as a mom.....I have an idea of how you might feel as the thought that gets me through painful times is to give gratitude that it is myself that's hurting, and that it's not one of my children. So I know your heart is heavy, but as others have said, "stay strong."

It goes against everything I know to be good for me, but without the pain medication I would be a basket case. Is your daughter able to take anything that might ease the pain a bit? Especially now that things are getting lined up with a Dr., it would hopefully only need to be short term. I'm sure sorry there aren't better answers, it is very frustrating to wait days for a phone call......I'm still waiting for a call that was suppose to come last week....hopefully Monday.

Take care, Sadie

Menzie,

I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. There have been several posts that completely threw me. Scared the hell out of me.

There also have been several posts that gave me a ton of hope when I was really down. Those are the ones you focus on. You have to. It's a must.

We are all different. Donna was a rapid fix. I am taking longer. Some appear to take longer than me. We've all traveled different routes. Don't let one poster take all your hope away or make you doubt your decisions. Like the rest of us, you make your decision and then you don't look back.

Dr. Filler, despite RJ's opinion, is an excellent physician. I didn't invent this opinion. Every 3rd party that I have spoken to who is aware of Dr. Filler says he is one of, if not the, VERY best.

I'm a firm believer that attitude will effect healing. Attitude is influenced by hope and there are many posts on this board that can provide that hope.

My wife and I are thinking of you and you are in our prayers.

Your friend,

David

Please tell your daughter that she is in our prayers as well, of course.

Sheila leaving? She's been great and this saddens me.

Leesa, it all starts tomorrow for you and please know you are in our prayers. Can't wait to hear from you but I recognize it may be a few days. Remember to buy your prune juice. LOL, talk about obsessing. That constipation obviously scarred me forever.

By the way Menzie, I'm coming up on the 2 month mark and I'm not 100% but I'm getting better every week. It's a slower road for me but I'm winning. Everyone has told me it takes 3-4 months to fully heal. If I improve over the next 2 months like I have over the first two, I will be just fine. HOPE!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, prune juice is on my list!! Surgery is Tuesday (not tomorrow) but I'll take prayers tomorrow and Tuesday :)

I'll be back home Thursday and will give an update then.

Take it easy everyone.

Leesa

Can anyone who had piriformis muscle release surgery please tell me what exercises to do? I am three months post op and all my surgeon said was to do what is comfortable. I have no idea what to do and when is it too much. He is telling me I will be in pain for about a year. I believe if I start exercises, it would help.

Leesa,

Wishing you the very best for Tuesday.....be assured that prayers are being said for you. Happy Healing!!

Sadie

Yea, I know Leesa. I meant for all the pre-op stuff with internist and so on.

Best of luck. You're in good hands.

leesa - good luck this week. I happen to like prune juice, but if you don't try several magnesium citrate pills taken with a glass of water. Repeat as necessary. It is effective but not disgusting like Milk of Magnesia.

menzie - "Nervepain" also reported being worse after her surgery with Dr. Filler. I don't want to fill you with terror. But I think it is important to be aware there are no gaurantees with this surgery. Each case is unique & these surgeries are relatively rare.

I assume your daughter has exhausted all other therapy options & surgery is her last resort. Then "go for it" knowing it might or might not work.

If your daughter hasn't tried other therapy options, she probably should before going under the knife

She suffered for years & was scheduled for surgery w/ Dr. Filler, when someone begged her to try A.R.T. before having the surgery. So she tried & got so much pain relief, she cancelled the surgery.

People here will support you & your daughter in any decision you make. We know how difficult it is to live with high levels of pain & dysfunction. And there are no simple answers. We send our best wishes to both of you. Mary

I have been at my daughters for 4 days helping her out with her 3 kchildren while her husband was in Tampa on business so I feel way behind.

First, Leesa am pulling for you on Tuesday and imagine you are both excited and a little scared before surgery so hang in and know kthere is tremendous support waiting for you from all of us on the forum. You seem like such a great person and have been so supportive and thoughtful to everyone and always pick jsut the right words.

I am actually amazed at what a great group of people have connected on this forum. David, glad you are still moving forward even if it seems slow to you. RJ keep us posted on your progress. I think kwe all try to give support to each other in our different choices of doctors. You may have negative thoughts about Dr. Filler but my physio who is incredibly qualified and well thought of in our comunity was very impressed with Dr. Filler's study as well as his credentials. We in Canada are not used to all the advertising that doctors do because our system is different but David, like you, I am glad that Dr. Filler did put his information out there and I agree that he is obviously a very qualified and excellent surgeon. And it sounds like you, RJ, made the right choice for you. We do have to look at credentials as well as what we can financially afford when we make these decisions..

So Menzie, if I were you I would know that your daughter is in very good hands and if it is not piriformis then I think Dr Filler will point you in the right direction and/or give the necessary diagnosis and treatment. I haven't heard a single negative thing abot Dr. Filler from those who have had surgery with him. I sure hope you lhave friends who are giving you the kind of support that you are giving your daughter. When I watched my daughter suffer through the death of her 3 month old baby I really turned to my friends for my support and it helped so much. You deserve a great big hug.

Margie, I think your surgery is coming up soon wiht Dr. Barbaro. I looked him up and he has very impressive credentials so best of luck to you and Sadie. Keep us posted. I followed your story, Margie, with interest because you have had this condition for as long as I have so will really be interested in how you do.

Am wondering how Dr. huggable is doing. Haven't heard for awhile.


Julie, glad things are moving along for you. It sounds like you may be thinking of Dr. Barbaro also. It is good we are all sharing these various options.

I didn't make my appointment last week because I was so busy helping my daughter. Also found out my friend won't be available until mid March to go with me and I don't want to wait that long so I may be looking at going by myself and will jsut have to work out the kinks when I get there. I will ask lots of questions when I call. I too am disappointed that Sheila is leaving because she answered so many questions through email for me.

Bye for now and hope my next entry will be telling you my plans.

Leesa, again my thoughts are with you. You are going in wiht such a positive but realistic attitude. I admire you.


Shirley

Thanks everybody. I will take your thoughts and prayers with me, it is very much appreciated.

Shirley:

I'm more than a little scared!! I'm looking very forward to being put out quite frankly!! I hope you are able to get your plans together soon. Remember, let me know if you have any questions about the area or need help navigating once you get here.

Leesa

Hello everyone,

I am now over 4 weeks post-op neuroplasty of the nerve to the obturator muscle and sciatic nerve at the ischial tunnel by Dr. Filler. (Same concept as piriformis release surgery-just further distal from the piriformis muscle) You may recall I had piriformis surgery almost 3 years ago now with no change in my butt and foot pain at all.

Sad to say to date I still have no change in my symptoms whatsoever. My surgical wound is healed without any soreness, but it is as if I had nothing done at all.

lhuggable

Same surgeries, I had some improvement but not enough so that I could keep working. Dr. Filler suggested a third surgery, I'm working on a second opinion from a neurosurgeon at UCSF. All the tests show that my sciatic nerve is fine.

Leesa,

You are in my prayers! We are all looking forward to hearing from you and are anticipating a good outcome. You've been such a positive force in this forum and I want to thank you for that. Now it's OUR turn to lift you up with positive thoughts and prayers and postings. Take care!

Margie

P.S. I personally HATE prune juice, so for me, Metamucil does the trick!

Hey Shirley, have been wondering about you. Thanks for the update.

Dr. Huggable, sorry to hear about the slow results. Please keep us updated on progress in any case.

LOL about the prune juice comments. Can't stand the stuff but it kept a smile on my face for the obvious reasons. Need I elaborate further? :=)

Hang in there Sadie and Margie.

Leesa, I was pretty darn nervous myself. It was my first surgery and I would prefer it to be my last. The people at Cedars will take great care of you.

Your friend,

David

Leesa

I'm praying that all goes well for you and that surgery is the answer to your pain. I'm praying for a quick recovery. Let us know when you can.

Donna