Bertolotti's Sysndrom

[humphs60]

Just wondering how many people out there are dealing with this? I have been suffering for years only to have my doctors recommend shots, drugs, etc. that don't halp much at all. I only recently had an actual name for this provided to me.


This discussion is related to 'Bertolotti's Syndrome'.

[JackieS0913]

I have been diagnosed with Bertolloti Syndrome. I have done everything for 20 years now. PT, Prolotherapy, multipal steroid Injections and pain meds on a daily basis. I had 2 discemctomies over the years at the same level and had a fusion last Dec 2014 of L5-S1 as the disc had totally collapsed.Still have pain at the pseudo articulation which is hard to get the Dr's. to believe. Fortunately I work for a DC ND who is helping me get the resection surgery. Dr's did not believe that the joint moved and I kept telling them it did and would get locked up. They finally did a CT and found bilateral assimilation with degenerative changes, meaning they do indeed move. I am waiting for the ortho surgeon to get approval from insurance to do resection. I live in the Salem, Oregon area. I am only 43 and cannot tie my shoes or shave my legs without pain and my SI snap, crackle and pop all the time which I know is creating more degeneration. My plan is to get the resection and do prolotherapy on the SI joints to stabilize.

[Julielarsona]

Hi I live north of Salem and BS was something I found online by reading about transitional vertebre. I learned about BS and its symptoms online. I asked my specialists about it and none of them had heard about it let alone treated it.  There was one pain management clinic in Salem that deals with it but my insurance does not cover the costs of my being treated there.. have you found anyone  who will do the surgery for resection?

[drpearso]

chefcindy46 -- thank you very much for posting the links for BS, and LSTV.

How are you doing with finding a Dr regarding LSTV & BS? Regards, Dan

[vnavi]

Hi, I have had BS for the last 20 plus years, (started getting the shooting pains when I was 17) and for me, the hardest part is sleeping! No position is comfortable, and I have to sleep on my side (which I hate) and I wake up with my whole body aching. I was wondering if anyone has suggestions for a good mattress that might help with sleeping without pain!

[cchiazzese]

MY doctor has place me on Butrans Patches to relieve pain I was diagnose with
bs in 2012 no more harsh drugs that make your mind weak or your body exhausted and I also us a compounded cream that works I am 45 and stil spend a fair amount of my time laying on ice or heat but there are good days that I can honeslty say normal though they are short live they truly Blessing to you,Crystal

[chefcindy46]

I am happy to hear the injections have helped you, however, they don't work for everyone. I have had 3 injections into my spine and 1 under fluoroscopy into the affected area. I now have a large fatty tumor in my back where the first 3 injections were done which is also compromising more nerves. I use to live in the Portland area and have found more ignorant doctors there regarding this than anywhere.

If it were my choice, I would certainly opt for the resection of the bones to relieve the nerves being pinched. So my advice to Hoff4470, opt for the resection of the vertebrae as opposed to the fusion because you don't want More nerve roots trapped. Just my humble opinion!

God bless to all and good luck with whatever treatment you choose.

Cindy

[Waguna]

Hoff,
See my post to Carolann.  BeforE you ave surgery, check out injections with a doctor who knows this syndrome.  there may be specially placed injections that will work, without surgery.
Call Dr. Balog at Portland Pain & spine.
Best, Waguna.