Dr Figenbaum surgery for Tarlov cysts

[Gabriellina]

I would like some reviews of people that had Tarlov cyst surgery with Dr Figenbaum or other neurosurgeon.... Thanks ❤️

[suzie44na]

From what I have read it works for some and not for others. I think they only operate if they are causing problems and leave them if not, in the UK

[Gabriellina in reply to suzie44na]

I hope so... I have symptoms in my sacrum and perineal area.

Mostly pressure and tingling and pins..

It scares me the laminectomy procedure...and of course the risks of such a delicate surgery.

Dr. Figenbaum thinks I need surgery for my 2 cm Tarlov Cyst.

Very nervous....

[PPower in reply to Gabriellina]

Gabriellina, are you a member of the Facebook Tarlov Cyst support group? I've recently discovered it and there are many many people who've had surgery with Dr. F.

[Godsgurl]

Hi, just saw this. I am 8 weeks post-op after having surgery with Dr. F. and starting to see improvement. I spent a month in Dallas after the surgery staying in a nursing facility and then a hotel before I took a 48 hour Amtrak trip to L.A. in a sleeper car. Then took a Lyft home to San Diego. I was driven to Dallas by a caregiver lying in the back seat of a SUV. It took 3 days and we stayed at night in hotels. I am 67 years old and spent an entire year in bed before the surgery.

Immediately after the surgery, I was in tremendous pain plus lots of leg pain and aching which I never had before. The leg cramping is from the position they put you in during surgery and also your nerves have been messed with and handled during surgery. I was kept fairly comfortable taking Dilaudid and muscle relaxers. I am still taking opioids but see some reduction in the last couple weeks. Each day is totally different.

My operative report revealed how badly I needed the surgery. There were 6 cysts, one of which was conjoined on left S2 & S3 nerve roots. My sacral bone was translucent and the cysts had completely eroded through in some areas. Major nerve compression that only could be dealt with surgically. Recovery is no easy process after this surgery, more like a roller coaster, and it takes 1-3 years for the nerves to recover and regenerate. You can end up with some permanent nerve damage from the cysts. But the one thing you can be confident in is that you have stopped the progression of the disease by having surgery. Everyone who has the surgery reacts differently so you cannot judge your reaction from someone else.

When you overdo it on any level, you pay for days and even weeks afterwards. But I can tell I am getting better and no longer depressed like I was. My expectations are realistic and understand pain is part of the process to heal.. It will probably take a long time but at least I am moving in the right direction now.

I have home health come and give me both Toradol and methylated B injections 3 times a week. Toradol is a very powerful anti inflammatory to reduce neuroinflammation. Highly recommend it.

Dr. Feigenbaum is an outstanding surgeon and his nursing staff are very professional and knowledgeable. I. I now wish I had moved ahead with the surgery sooner but I had to exhaust my resources before making that scary decision. I recommend you join the Tarlov Cyst Support for Cysters and Mysters group on Facebook to get valuable information and support you need to make your decision before and after surgery. God bless you and feel free to ask me questions.