[jessmith07]

Hi Demary,

Welcome to the forum, although I'm so sorry that you need us.

A myleogram might give a clearer picture of what things LOOK like, but it sounds to me like you need a discogram. They aren't pleasant, but can be very useful in determining if your discs are generating your pain. At certain ages, at least half of all people have some disc(s) bulging, but I believe I read where only +/-10% of those will actually exhibit pain from those compromised discs.

Are you on any medications for pain and/or inflammation? Do you have a pain management doctor? And, if I may ask, what is your age? I had no idea that pain management doctors even existed before I found this forum, and I did some asking around and found one who is extremely compassionate and understanding of how chronic pain effects people. This is important...some pain management docs, from what I've heard, just don't care and/or REALLY listen. If you try one, and she/he doesn't seem to match you, try another.

Regarding different types of procedures in Germany, the answer is YES, there are many more options available to you in Europe than in the United States. Mulit-level artificial disc replacements (I am 9 days post-op from a 2 level performed by Dr. Bertagnoli and doing GREAT), hybrid surgeries, and even a relaively new (I think) technique that takes a part of your own disc via laminectomy/discectomy and regenerates new, healthy disc cells that are then injected back into your damaged disc, called ADCT (google "ADCT spine" to find info).

Please keep us posted. There are so many people here on the forum that KNOW so much, and even those of us that don't want to help in any way that we can.

Jess