Piriformis release surgery, discussion and information

Hi everybody. Just a quick check in. My back surgery on the 28th went very well. I have had NO LEG, FOOT, TOE OR BUTT PAIN since I woke up from surgery. Not sure I would EVER be able to say those words again. My back is healing pretty quickly I believe. Still sore but taking less pain meds. Going for short walks throughout the day. It s so weird to walk with no leg pain. It doesn t even feel like my leg!!!!!!! Maybe Dr. Filler gave me a new one and I just haven t noticed yet. CAnick, I had PS surgery Jan 29th. I have a lot to say but can t be on the computer much at the moment. I will say that I believe PS surgery was beneficial but with the back problem (herniated disc) happening sometime after PS surgery (I think) it s hard to gauge where the PS pain ended and the disc pain began. I have no gait problems. You will be able to walk the same day but like you ve read here the recovery is slow. Seems like a lot of people on this forum who have had surgery with Dr. Filler eventually get better it just takes a while. I wish you luck whatever you decide to do.

Take care everyone.

Leesa

Hi, CaNick,
I had surgery with Dr Filler in January sadly enough, I did have gait problems -- (sounds like this is an abnormal result -- hopefully I'm the only one); I could barely put weight on my left leg for 4 months, the pain was excrutiating, and I still use a cane for walking any distance (I didn't use a cane pre-surgery).
A couple of the people on this site have mentioned that Dr. Filler's approach, which leaves only a small scar, can cause problems with the nerve post-operatively; Dr. Barbaro in San Francisco makes a larger incision, but is able to visualize the sciatic nerve better. You might want to ask the people that had surgery with Dr. Barbaro for their input.
Good luck to you -- the choice to have the surgery is such a difficult one; when you're in so much pain and nothing else helps, we have to consider surgery; many people on this site have had good results.
All the best, Ronesa

Leesa, I am so happy that you are doing well. What a great thing to happen, to wake up free of your pain. Remember to take your time. No Costco trips tooooo soon. :D Which hospital did you use this time? For your back did he use the glue sealer or did you have staples or stitches?

Again we are all so happy for you. Stay well. Menzie

Leesa,

I was thrilled to read your post. That's awesome news!! Sending prayers your way for a speedy and COMPLETE recovery for your back.

Margie

Menzie:

Thanks! Hospital was Cedars again. I have stitches that will dissolve and maybe some glue too, not really sure. All I know is I don t have staples, thank God! When does school start for you?

Margie:

Thank you too! Whew. Hope you are still doing well too. I had a rougher night last night but still better than before. I m sure it s a process. I m still very happy with the outcome so far 

Leesa

Leesa, school started today, very crazy. So glad that you are back with us. :D :D

Yea for Leesa, or butt/back warrior. She knows how happy I am for her.And I hope this is the last surgery she will ever have to face. Just hang in Leesa and hope you'll be sleeping like a kbaby soon.

Menzie, bet you are tired after your first day back at school. What grade do you teach? I made dinner for my daughter's family today wiht her first day in a massage therapy 2 year program, my 2 grandson's first day back at school, and my little 16 month grandaughter's first day at daycare. This is why I have to amke a quick recovery from surgery because I love babysitting them and especially little Carmen. Lynne (HG) thinks I should come up with creative ideas of how to get her into her crib, etc. The thought of not being able to lift her for 3 months breaks my heart so I will have to think about those creative ideas.

Jo, if you are still on here, when are you having surgery?

CAnick 72 I think Leesa has told you how she did after surgery. You have'nt heard from the others but I will give you my impression of how they did as I followed all of them very closely as I tried to make my own decision. Donna felt better from the minute she came out of surgery. She has some problems with her S.I. joint still but not the piriformis and no gait problems. David had a fairly long struggle wiht recovery but he is better now than he was before surgery, although he says not perfect but he sure is active. Lynne, I think has told you how she did and she had a long recovery but now is doing great. And as Brandon told you, he is about 25% better but he is still in the recovery processs. Margie, who had surgery wiht Dr. Barbaro is doing great And I will be heading to California to have surgery wiht Dr. Filler the 26th. It is too bad that Ronessa (nerve pain) didn't have good results. Still most people on the forum have posted positive results. And I am hoping I will too. It took me a very long time to make my decision so I understand what you are going through. It is a big decision.

Where are you David. We thought you may have blown away in one of these hurricanes.

Brandon, glad youare making progress and hope the school year goes OK for you. I know you will do well as you seem lie a very determined person Hope you have worked out the financial part andkeep those credit card companies away from you school.

Hello, Lynne, hope all is well with you and that you are continuing to feel good.

Margie, always love hearing from you. You ahve a great sense of humour and are always positive.

Where oh where is Julie. I miss her and wish we knew how she was doing, either well or not so well, we would so love to hear from you if you are still reading the forum posts. OK, have to go. I have this old lady who points her finger at me if I stay up too late, right Leesa. And it's not Leesa but I think Leesa knows her.

So goodnight everyone--more later.

Shirley

Too tired to edit

Thank you everyone for the input. I helps just hearing other people who can relate to my pain, and to hear that there is still hope. I've decided to get one more second opinion (i guess theoretically that would make it a fourth opinion by now) before I make a decision, but I will keep checking this site and let you know how I progress. If anyone else out there has additional comments on surgery with Dr. Filler and the recovery process, please let me know. Thanks!!!

Hey Leesa,

Glad to hear of your hopefully successful surgery. What did they do in there?

Do you think your problem might have been a disk problem all along?

I'm moving this weekend from Texas to Arizona. Been in the same place for 54 years, my wife and I decided to make a change after she was offered a good job in Tucson.

Unfortunately, Ill have to start all over with the Dr's out there. I have an internest lined up, I already have an allergist and dermatologist from previous extended stays there. But I'm going to have to find a decent neurologist and phys med Dr. to get after my problem.

Hope everyone is doing as well as possible,
Aztec

Hi Aztec:

Well, that's the question of the hour (was it a disc problem all along). I think not because neither the MRI and MRN showed a herniation back when I had the PS surgery so I think it was a separate issue and happened sometime after PS surgery. I'd hate to think I had PS surgery for no reason. I did see several doctors before Dr. Filler and none of them found the herniation so I have to believe it wasn't there. So this latest surgery was a microdiscectomy.

Good luck on your move. Maybe this is one of those "meant to be" moves and you will find a good doctor in AZ that will be able to solve your pain problems. I sure hope so. Keep us updated. Good to hear from you.

Leesa

Dear Canick72, I had surgery with Dr. Filler in dec. I had suffered for 4 years with Piriformis syndrome with butt pain, low back pain and raging sciatica. It took 2 years to diagnose PS and after we knew what it was, I did get relief from steroid trigger point injections but they never lasted. I feel Dr. Filler is a gifted surgeon, hes not real wordy and the staff could be better, but there are very few doctors who deal with this stuff and he is passionate about nerves and very smart. I believe he is caring and dedicated, just way to busy to give the extra time we all want from him. I did not get any relief from the surgery until almost 61/2 later and the improvement is slow but improving non-theless. No gait problems but right side is a little weaker . I also had him work on my left side superior gluteal nerve and I had quite a terrible time with pain there after surgery. Returned to see him and he injected an enzyme/steroid cocktail and it seems to have now resolved and that pain is gone. I hope this is helpful to you and I wish you luck.

Hawaii girl, so nice to hear from you. I am so glad you mentioned the 6 1/2 month mark. My D is 5 1/2 months post op for piriformis and 10 weeks screw and hardware removal. I am still holding out some hope that she too will find a healing. I am very happy that you are doing better. My D has been/is weening off of neurontin. This stuff really has her sick with bad withdrawl. But the PM Dr. says he has never heard of people getting withdrawl from this med. Well, we know what withdrawl is and she has it. She used to be on 3600 mg, then for the last year it has been 600. We really are not sure if it was even helping so she and I decided to check and see. Nothing is worse, except the withdrawl, but for each step down she has experienced the same affects.

Her attitude and emotions are running crazy, but I also think besides the med change, it is also almost the 2 year mark of the end of the once wonderful life she used to have. Also, her younger sister is moving out on Friday, to go off to college. She knows she should have already been gone. The myspace site is not my friend. She can see all of the neat things her friends are doing and the changes they are making. She is stuck. Not a fun life for one so young. But, I have a hairs of hope left in me. I am probably crazy and just unwilling to see my future as it seems to be. I do hope we pull out of this. I can not imagine this as our forever, but.................I don't know. I hope all of our friends are doing well and in a good place. You are all the strongest people I know. Menzie

Hey everyone!
I've just read posting from David, Brandon, Lynne, Margie, Scamp, Leesa, Menzie, Buttpain2......
My, haven't we all been through it. Scamp - I'm up for surgery on the 3rd. so will try and post soon afterwards. Sorry I haven't been on the forum for a few weeks. Good luck to all those who have taken the plunge for this operation. Delighted with all your comments and good results.

Yep, Dr Filler did a lot of his studies in England but it is SO SO difficult finding the right person over here. It sounds a simple problem to diagnose but as my consultant told me - rare, or simply overlooked and many go on for years suffering.

My surgeon is Prof Thomas Carlstedt, Neurosurgeon, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, in partnership with University College Hospital, London.

I'm told that I'll be discharged the day after surgery and in quite a bit of pain but I suppose everyone's different post op. depending what's found. Just getting myself into gear making meals to stock up the freezer. Thanks for the advice about getting a cleaner - will also need a gardener - any offers?

I don't know if I'm the only forum member from the UK?

Will keep you posted. Take care all and avoid sitting at that PC! Better to go swimming if you can. If this doesn't work, then I'm moving house!

Jo

Jo: Good luck on the 3rd. We'll be curious to here how you are feeling after. I think everyone is different with recovery so, you may feel better than you are anticipating but as you've read, it is also good to be mentally prepared for some down-time and for a long haul....or not....that's the crazy part of this some get better faster than others. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is I wish you the easier recovery :) and keep us all posted on how it's going.

Same goes to you Shirley. Your surgery is right around the corner and you already know how much I'm pulling for you. 10+ years of this for you so it is definitely time for some healing.

So great to hear you are still doing better Lynne.

Menzie: Withdrawal is horrible. I hope your daughter is doing better with that anyway. I m glad Lynne posted too. I don t think you should lose hope just yet. I know Lynne was almost at that point then had a turn for the better. Will keep you and D in my thoughts as always.

Hope you are hanging in Brandon and continuing to improve. What did you decide about school?

I m still doing great. Today is 2 weeks since my back surgery and +/-8 months since PS surgery. The combo seems to have done the trick for me. I am mostly pain-free with some minor twinges of leg pain here and there. Walking no longer causes ANY pain for me (still keeping it to under 20 minutes per walk for now). Take care everyone. Good luck again to the upcoming surgery Butt Warriors.

David: What s going on with you?

Leesa

Hi again - this is especially for Menzie

I've been trying to go back and read all your postings about your lovely daughter. You've both had a hell of a time. As I can't sit too long (for obvious reasons!) I read somewhere that she had had back surgery - something about screws? Just wondered if this was some kind of fusion? Sorry to have to ask you this but it might avoid me sifting through all the postings. Can you elaborate?

Keep hanging on in there - we're all with you.

Jo