Question: I have had anterior and posterior spinal fusion at L2-3 & L5/S1(2008) as well as at C5-6/C6-7(2012). During the 7 year period of time, I have continually sought help for many symptoms and complaints that not only were not resolved but for the new and worsening symptoms that i have coped with. This experience has resulted in many tried and failed treatments to relieve pain but also included many doctor visits in which I was literally shrugged off and told there was nothing wrong with me. After a great deal of time I connected with a primary care physician who truly believed in me and listened, which led to a further and lengthy diagnostic roller coaster ride. It has truly been exhausting, all the while dealing with constant daily and incapacitating pain. She felt that I belonged at a large diagnostic facility, as the Mayo Clinic, in Minnesota, which mind you I live in upstate NY. At my wits end, I began to pursue this option and was immediately accepted, however was only given, less than 2 wks to get there. It was just not enough time to overcome The barriers needed to make this trip possible. I had to postpone for many reasons and was told I could reschedule at any time. When I reached a better point in which I felt more comfortable, I was then turned down, even after many an emotional appeal for help. We explored Johns XXXXXXX to address spinal issues due to reaching the point in which I am having great pain and weakness in both arms and legs, at times total paralysis, etc. which could not be explained otherwise. They to turned me down. I maintained that something was getting missed, there had to be something causing the many debilitating complaints that I have. No one in their right mind could make up what I painfully cope with on a constant basis and my god if I shared all wed be here until next month. At any rate, I found the strength and energy to keep up the fight for better health and found a Dr. at the hospital for special surgery, in New York City to meet with me. He IMMEDIATELY could see and told me what my problem was. I have severe cervical as well as lumbar stenosis due to all 4 fusion areas failing. My lord all this time and the dozens and dozens of Dr.'s along with countless tests and none of which I had done prior, anyone could see this going on? Solution is to have revision surgery in all areas, fairly complicated to have old and unattached hardware removed. Its comforting to finally know however very scary to go thru this again. As I prepare for upcoming procedures, I am researching some questions, so sorry to take so long to get to this point, BUT....during this consultation, I asked what makes this happen, how could things go so wrong. I was told sometimes when you use allograft or others bone, success is lowered. I said but my own bone was used. I was told no it was not. I was like but I have signed permission to harvest from iliac crest and it is in surgery notes. The doctor told me im sorry but that is not the case, your bone will look a particular way on an xray, and your own bone was NOT used. As I read his dictation of our meeting he refers to it as some type of radiopaque material, but wont know what it is until he does surgery. With all i have been thru I cant help to wonder is he right? What do i say or do? So could you please explain ? Can xray pass thru your own bone? What are examples of radiopaque material? There is no lucency around hardware to include cages and screws. what is meant by that? And lastly, I was not smoking, as well as used a bone growth stimulator, faithfully 30 minutes, each and every day for 6 months! What else could make this go so wrong? I so look forward to any and all thought yu can offer to help me understand and learn along this road I am about to travel??? Sincerely, XXXXXXX XXXX