ABC NEWS: Bono injured in rehearsal, undergoes emergency back surgery

[Cactus Annie]

..and it is something I am hoping to avoid. I have disk problems... and boy is it even painful when it 'pops' out of its regular place. I have experiences it twice and it is one of those moments when tears just pore down your face uncontrollably I remember sleepless nights and numbness in my leg. Thankfully it has been 7 years since it happened last, but back soreness is something I have to deal with regularly. Still, what I went through seems nothing comparing Bono's pain because he has torn ligaments and more on top of it all. Bono

But wouldn't you rather be free of any back pain completely? He has access to the world's best medical professionals and yet if he is still accepting advice from this guy called Muller who Benji seems to distrust his medical procedures, and according to some people on here he has been trusting his advice since at least the Vertigo tour, then he has let himself down by not seeking the advice from another surgeon.

A friend of ours once went to her GP because she feared she had symptoms of I think cervical cancer. However, this being an NHS surgery her GP said that it was unlikely to be cancer because she was too young. Cervical cancer is mostly prevalent in older women and they don't screen for it in women of her age because screening can cause harm to child bearing women. But she was insistent saying that her cousin died of it at a young age, she recognizes the symptoms and she knows there is something wrong with her. She said that she can afford to go private if she can't get a screening test on the NHS. In the end she did go private and paid to be tested for cancer. Unfortunately her fears were confirmed but more importantly, it had been spotted in time and after treatment (again she had to pay for this privately) she made a full recovery. She may have died if she just took the " advice" from 1 doctor and she couldn't afford to go private.

The point is hasn't Bono ever heard of 2nd opinions or is he thick? He has access to the world's best doctors yet he rigouresly sticks to that of one. He's had back injury for years, couldn't he do research on this guy? If there is some doubt about this guys practices isn't it up to Bono to take responsibility for his own health and seek a more reliable doctor? For this I do think he 's not only let the band down and his fans down, but he has also let his family down.

 

[Cactus Annie]

Hold on, I just did a quick search on this Muller guy and it turns out he is well respected physician whose clinic is where clubs and sporting associations would send their top athletes for his treatment.

Michael Owen sees Dr Muller Wohlfahrt - Telegraph

Actually I have heard about many football players in the past go to Munich for treatment and surgery in Munich and this must be the clinic they mean. The Brazilian Ronaldo, Dario and Josip Simic have all gone to Munich for surgery on an injury and this is where Bono has gone or his injury rather than an actual disease which Dr Tonn called it. I think this is just a term physiotherapist use.

Ignore that last post I just made because it was very wrong and I do apologise profoundly for the accusation that Bono would settle for an unproven doctor without searching the globe for the best surgeon. He has made comments in the past that suggests he thinks those with depression should seek out the best treatment for them instead of wallowing in self pity. Last year on the Chris Evans Radio Show he did that had he did go and have his hearing tested, so he does take responsibility for his own health and wellbeing.

I remember when my mum received a letter for an check up for cervical cancer. At first she said she wasn't going to go because of what a colleague at her workplace had said about a another women who she knew who was bubbly until she was screened positive for cervical cancer. Instead of accepting treatment she just let the disease kill her. Her colleague said that the shock of the positive test left traumatized that she was unable to undergo any treatment, and this is why she will never go. But I was persistant. " You go and get yourself tested or else. This colleague of yours is selfish. She is married and has responsibilty to look after her own health because she has a husband who loves her and just because she doesn't want to be responsible for her own health, that doesn't mean that he will just accept this defeatist attitude. I bet she would want him to go and get regular testing for prostate cancer". In the end I convinced that she has a responsibility to me to get herself tested, just like I do for her.

 

[coolian2]

Hold on, I just did a quick search on this Muller guy and it turns out he is well respected physician whose clinic is where clubs and sporting associations would send their top athletes for his treatment.

woah, really? i didn't know that already.

 

[Cactus Annie]

On the BBC entertainment news they said that Bono had partial paralysis in his lower leg and that the doctors had to operate in order to avoid further paralysis. Now either this is media spin or it’s just me who is getting confused but that word could indicate that he’s been a very stupid man if he’s let this sustained injury get this bad that he’d be unable to move. However, I used to follow football a lot and although there are players who have to retire early because their injuries been that they’d be unable to play 90 minutes of competitive contact sport, this does not mean that they have difficulty walking. Jamie Rednapp, actor Ralf Little and an American TV actor who’s name I’ve forgotten have all had these type of injuries but they all appear to me like that they have no difficulty in walking.

 

[A stor]

But wouldn't you rather be free of any back pain completely? He has access to the world's best medical professionals and yet if he is still accepting advice from this guy called Muller who Benji seems to distrust his medical procedures, and according to some people on here he has been trusting his advice since at least the Vertigo tour, then he has let himself down by not seeking the advice from another surgeon.

A friend of ours once went to her GP because she feared she had symptoms of I think cervical cancer. However, this being an NHS surgery her GP said that it was unlikely to be cancer because she was too young. Cervical cancer is mostly prevalent in older women and they don't screen for it in women of her age because screening can cause harm to child bearing women. But she was insistent saying that her cousin died of it at a young age, she recognizes the symptoms and she knows there is something wrong with her. She said that she can afford to go private if she can't get a screening test on the NHS. In the end she did go private and paid to be tested for cancer. Unfortunately her fears were confirmed but more importantly, it had been spotted in time and after treatment (again she had to pay for this privately) she made a full recovery. She may have died if she just took the " advice" from 1 doctor and she couldn't afford to go private.

The point is hasn't Bono ever heard of 2nd opinions or is he thick? He has access to the world's best doctors yet he rigouresly sticks to that of one. He's had back injury for years, couldn't he do research on this guy? If there is some doubt about this guys practices isn't it up to Bono to take responsibility for his own health and seek a more reliable doctor? For this I do think he 's not only let the band down and his fans down, but he has also let his family down.

Hi Cactus Annie,

I suffered from the same injury as Bono. Though, I didn't have fragmented disc floating around in my spinal canal. Which can cause a person to lose function of their legs if it damages the spinal cord. Surgery is always a last resort and I am sure that Bono had excellent doctors and medical care. The same was for me.

My doctor recommend bed rest, then once the injury had healed. I had physical therapy. It took me at least eight weeks before I could walk short distances with moderate pain. Surgery may help Bono to recover faster. I certainly pray this is so. But, I don't think Bono is thick headed and I am sure that everything humanly possible is being done.

In regards to cervical cancer. Older women are not at a higher risk. Since, most of us have not had numerous sexual partners. I am 53 years of age and am in the lowest risk group for cervical cancer. It is more than likely, that I will never develop this disease.

 

[A stor]

On the BBC entertainment news they said that Bono had partial paralysis in his lower leg and that the doctors had to operate in order to avoid further paralysis. Now either this is media spin or it’s just me who is getting confused but that word could indicate that he’s been a very stupid man if he’s let this sustained injury get this bad that he’d be unable to move. However, I used to follow football a lot and although there are players who have to retire early because their injuries been that they’d be unable to play 90 minutes of competitive contact sport, this does not mean that they have difficulty walking. Jamie Rednapp, actor Ralf Little and an American TV actor who’s name I’ve forgotten have all had these type of injuries but they all appear to me like that they have no difficulty in walking.

Bono is not a stupid man. A herniated disc can crumble and start floating around in the spinal canal. A person will know this only when he or she cannot walk. The truth is, and ask anyone who has a herniated disc. Is that 90% will never need surgery. It is always a last option. Since, obviously it is very risky.

 

[mikal]

if Bono was a football player, i'd still draft him around round 7 in my fantasy draft.

 

[last unicorn]

CactusAnnie, it's not media spin. Go to U2.com and read the official statements. And Bono has been in treatment for his back for years now, I'm sure he's taken good care and done what was necessary. If there would have been a chance to avoid this injury or if sugery would have been an option earlier, I'm sure doctors would have advised him so and he would have had a surgery earlier and not two weeks before the tour starts. It's useless speculating about that now. The man's health is his private issue and I'm sure he's taken enough measures to improve his problems over the years. He can afford the best doctors and therapists in the world, and he would be very stupid not to do whatever there is possible, since, obviously, performing in pain isn't such fun. I'm sure Ali and the family also have a word or two to say when it comes to his health. So let's not even go there and say he was acting irresponsible. We don't know all the facts, we only know he had a bad injury and surgery was absolutely necessary.

I talked with my father yesterday about that on the phone. He has had similar problems and also partial paralysis in his left leg, but he's never had surgery, just physical therapy, massages and a very strict and methodical programme of training and excercise. He never stopped moving, he worked and made sports. He's much better now even though there are phases where his back pain will get worse. It just comes and goes.

That said: Bono will be fine.

 

[Benji2112]

Hi Cactus Annie,

I suffered from the same injury as Bono. Though, I didn't have fragmented disc floating around in my spinal canal. Which can cause a person to lose function of their legs if it damages the spinal cord. Surgery is always a last resort and I am sure that Bono had excellent doctors and medical care. The same was for me.

My doctor recommend bed rest, then once the injury had healed. I had physical therapy. It took me at least eight weeks before I could walk short distances with moderate pain. Surgery may help Bono to recover faster. I certainly pray this is so. But, I don't think Bono is thick headed and I am sure that everything humanly possible is being done.

In regards to cervical cancer. Older women are not at a higher risk. Since, most of us have not had numerous sexual partners. I am 53 years of age and am in the lowest risk group for cervical cancer. It is more than likely, that I will never develop this disease.

I will use this post to dispute the claim that this Dr Muller is "Highly respected ". He is not. I challenge anyone to show me any medical research or papers this man has ever published in any reputable Medical Journal . You will find none. Zero. Had he not had a bunch of "Football Stars" and teams/management eager to get players back on the field in the shortest time possible, Germany would have shut him down a long time ago.

I will use your link to show you why he is not and what he does can be very dangerous.

I will also say that we Do support some forms of Hollistic medicines . Not Calves Blood, Chicken blood, etc. Very Dangerous for a zillion reasons.

First . I think I am qualified to answer some things regarding this subject as Member of, and being Board certified by several Associations to practice Neurosurgery . I did my Fellowship in Birminham Alabama which is where Dr's come to from all over the world to study sports medicines that involves the knee's, elbows ( Ever Hear of Tommy John Surgery ? ) Necks and Spinal Injuries etc . Being this is the Internet , I will only say that now I have been , am currently employed by a Major University in South Florida with is the leading treatment and research Center for Spinal cord injuries ,which includes the" Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, the largest spinal cord injury research center in the United States." The one STRONGLY supported by Gloria Estefan which allowed her to return to a normal life. She was almost total Paralysis... permanent . She has had a full recovery. Remember that Bono spends a lot of time in Miami , besides he likes it, there is the Chris Blackwell South Beach "Home base" and there are a few other reasons. I cannot be more specific than to say Gloria and Bono spend time together . As he does with Mr Blackwell

Also , If anyone remembers the Professional football player who was suffering Paralysis from the neck down a few years back, we develped the treatment that "freezes" the damage process, and has him almost completely back to normal . Without this treatment, neck down for life. I cannot name him, but look it up. There are many , many others. This treatment has saved function for people all over this world, and at the time of a Traumatic injury, it is standard.

We also run one of, if not the busiest Trauma Center in the United States . Lost of gunshots, car accidents etc.Many of which cause spinal cord injuries. Most of them very serious . We are too busy. All this in addition to a private practice.

I also spent a year in FranKfurt Germany in a fellowship , so I do know this Dr's work. He is NOT respected by anyone in the Medical Community . The Footbal teams love him , and the Government tolerates him because the faster player X can get back on the field, the happier the teams, fans etc are. Doesn't mean it is in the players best interests to do these treatment. The "20 Needles alone ( for 1,000's of years this treatment has been called accupunture. ) would help speed recovery. The "magical fluid " in these shots is unknown. If it is Claves blood, there is no LIGITIMATE Pharmaceutical Company in the world makes such a "drug" NONE ! If it is "calves blood , there are questions. Is it Sterile? What effects does it have long term ? Being that spinal cord injuries and their reversal is one of the most studied medical Phenom's in the world, why isn't anyone doing it? They are, have been for 1,000's of years, but they call it accppuncture. They just doesn't use snake oil or Cow blood. Cow blood has it's own inherent dangers alone ( mad cow for one , there are many others) , plus the host of possible diseases or bacteria , or viruses. Does he make this stuff in his Kitchen? There are statements in which he claims it is Rooster Blood. A Big Danger once again in it's self.

Average career life for an American football player is 3.7 years. Average life span for one is 43 years, due to the beating they take, and more specifically, the muscle weight build up , then loss, which causes in many instances, extreme coronary problems. A NY Met's pitcher, and several Football players have recently died at aprrox age 37 from this. An Eurpean "Football player " has a shorter career span, and also has a higher incentive to do anything that may be a short term fix to get them on the field. They don't think " what happens when I am 35 ? " In the old days, they would just numb it so the player wouldn't feel it . Feels better but only causes catastrophic damage.

The point is that the career span is very short , and the pressure to return asap is tremendous. Accupunture, and rest will often enable this alone. There is no "magic cure " that turns around the regeneration of muscle , ligiments etc. None. The only "magic" is the ability of the body to heal over time . Other injuries require intervention , then the "magic cure" is allowing it to heal properly.

The linked article supports the main goal of this "clinic"

" Michael Owen, has headed back to Germany in an effort to expedite his recuperation following his latest injury.

""But at present we do not see the point in changing our view that we will be without Michael for between four and six weeks. If we start talking about him coming back earlier there will be disappointment if he does not. However, if we can get him back quicker after Dr Wolfhart's treatment, then it will be a huge bonus for us."

Anything to play now ! At all cost. Does Bono not have the Luxury to take time to heal properly ? Singers can sing into their 80's if they want to Sinatra did as did many others. Football players have a limited career . Singers, composers don't have that restriction. There is a HUGE difference, and would be the leading consideration/criteria for any form of treatment plan made. First and formost. U2 can Tour anytime they want . A Football player has a few years relative to a musicians career. You would treat each of them differently .

Another "Footbal Player' setting the record straight about this Drs Treatment "

"He explained how only what he calls 'massive injections' enabled him to even play during the Lions tour of New Zealand.
The injuries hampered him so much, that Henson says he was unable to run for months after returning from the failed Lions mission. More damage .
He set the record straight by saying it was not Munich-based specialist Hans Muller-Wolfhart who cured the problem" he had cortisone shots .

I will finish this in another post

 

[Benji2112]

I want to include this link regarding the methods of this Dr . I will also provide excerpts of other medical Journals. This story though is a good example of this Dr's " Reputation ". Notice the use of Steroids, which while common, would be more a reason for a recovery, or mask of a problem, than the "Injections" he claims to be famous for.

Mystery of marathon proportions over Ethiopian runner's death

I want to highlight a portion of this, as it is very valuable insight into his "practice" and methods.

Aregawi repeats a phrase that has often been used in the past whenever the prodigious feats of some Kenyan runners have been questioned. "These runners, they come from rural areas," he said. "They don’t have an acquaintance with drugs like aspirin, let alone more serious drugs."

Which would be entirely true, were it not for the fact that Techale was very much part of Ethiopia’s running elite, who, together with Bekele and Haile Gebrselassie, spend half the year training at altitude in modest surroundings in their home country, but for the rest of the time are globetrotting professionals based in Holland near the offices of agent Jos Hermens, and receive all the physiological and medical back-up they need.

One expert who she is known to have used, is one of the most famous sports medicine experts in the world, Dr Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt, a Munich-based specialist. Reports from Ethiopia this week suggested that she had consulted him as recently as last September for knee and calf injuries, including treatment to a troublesome achille’s tendon problem.

Dr Mueller-Wohlfahrt has a worldwide reputation in sport, not only for a client list that has included Boris Becker, Jose-Maria Olazabal and Linford Christie, but also because of his somewhat extraordinary homeopathic remedies.

When Scotland defender Dominic Matteo’s knees began to creak too much, a flying visit to Mueller-Wohlfahrt’s Munich clinic saw him injected with juices from a turkey’s head. Others have reported how they have been given injections of enzymes and amino acid drawn from the foetuses of calves.

But many of Dr Mueller-Wohlfahrt’s treatments are shrouded in mystery. When Juergen Klinsmann was unable to play in the early stages of Euro 96, Dr Mueller-Wohlfahrt administered more than 20 injections to the player’s knee. Ultimately, Klinsmann lifted the trophy, but on being asked about the treatment he admitted: "I had no idea what was in any of the injections."

Mueller-Wohlfahrt has a long association with the German national team and Bayern Munich, going back more than 30 years, although allegations that he had the entire 1974 World Cup squad on anabolic steroids - two years before the drug was banned in sport - has prompted some to question his unorthodox methods.

Not Darren Gough, the England cricketer who claims he would not be able to play in this week’s tsunami charity match in Melbourne were it not for the doctor. "I’ve had four operations," he said. "Mueller-Wohlfahrt said if I’d come to him from the start, I wouldn’t have needed any of them.

"He looks after Ronaldo, Zidane, Michael Owen and Michael Jordan - all the big names. I know some people thought it might not be legal, but look at all the people he treats. Would they see him if they were going to fail drug tests? I’ve taken three drug tests and I’m fine. The guy knows exactly what he’s doing."

Yet Mueller-Wohlfahrt’s celebrity client list includes as many flops as it has miracle cures. For instance, days before her Olympic Marathon nightmare, Paula Radcliffe sought treatment from Mueller-Wohlfahrt for a secret groin injury, to no avail.

"To outsiders, my methods are unorthodox," Mueller-Wohlfahrt said in a rare interview seven years ago, "but I stand by my results."

I am sure he does in his own mind. Remember, the Placebo effect is a proven fact . The "not knowing what a person is injecting into my body" is as dangerous as one could see in a DR

 

[Benji2112]

Another illustrating the desperation of speedy recovery for athletes.

Football's bizarre injury treatments, weird cures, strange remedy - Global - ESPN Soccernet

 

[Benji2112]

Accupunture does not make a renowned Dr. Also a no for someone who will not allow his "work" to be studied , or publish papers. That alone says something is wrong . He is only "world renowned as he gives PED's and accupunture, and is able to convince people that it is better than anything else. It's not . In the long run, cutting corners can cost you everything. The Insurance company is not going to take this DR's word again. No way. It has cost them 100's of millions already .

If Bono does his PT seriously, without cutting corners, he will be like a 30 year old. If he cuts corners, he will be an 80 year old in a 50's body. That choice is his.

 

[Benji2112]

But wouldn't you rather be free of any back pain completely? He has access to the world's best medical professionals and yet if he is still accepting advice from this guy called Muller who Benji seems to distrust his medical procedures, and according to some people on here he has been trusting his advice since at least the Vertigo tour, then he has let himself down by not seeking the advice from another surgeon.

A friend of ours once went to her GP because she feared she had symptoms of I think cervical cancer. However, this being an NHS surgery her GP said that it was unlikely to be cancer because she was too young. Cervical cancer is mostly prevalent in older women and they don't screen for it in women of her age because screening can cause harm to child bearing women. But she was insistent saying that her cousin died of it at a young age, she recognizes the symptoms and she knows there is something wrong with her. She said that she can afford to go private if she can't get a screening test on the NHS. In the end she did go private and paid to be tested for cancer. Unfortunately her fears were confirmed but more importantly, it had been spotted in time and after treatment (again she had to pay for this privately) she made a full recovery. She may have died if she just took the " advice" from 1 doctor and she couldn't afford to go private.

Sad, but so often true . Even with the best , you go with your gut and insist . I am glad that worked out.

The point is hasn't Bono ever heard of 2nd opinions or is he thick? He has access to the world's best doctors yet he rigouresly sticks to that of one. He's had back injury for years, couldn't he do research on this guy? If there is some doubt about this guys practices isn't it up to Bono to take responsibility for his own health and seek a more reliable doctor? For this I do think he 's not only let the band down and his fans down, but he has also let his family down.[/QUOTE]

There is a time this may have been providing him some relief . Accupunture ( which is why the guy does 20-300 injections at the same time , it's called accupuncture) but this Dr, if he was any good and open to all the possiblities of what could happen, rather than his "reputation", this would have CLEARLY shown up on ct-scans , or whatever form of Diagnostic imaging they did. If any. None would have been negligent. The fragments, or some of them, would have been there before the disk "fell in" . No if ands or Butts . I am really surprised the Insurance Company Drs did not see it.

I am the first to tell people, go get 2 or 3 different opinions. I hope they do . In this case, had Bono done that, all would have said the same thing. He knew this guy wouldn't . His choice but I hope he learned something. I can't see him happy in a wheelchair. He got the surgery, and that was the only thing to do. Should have before, and he is a VERY lucky man it wasn't what it almost was. Close.

 

[A stor]

Thank you Benj2112 for the information. I live in the United States. So, I would be completely unaware as to how good Bono's doctor was. I just thought, he would have had the best resources.

Cactus Annie, I am very sorry.

I was much too harsh. It is good that you brought up your concerns. And as you and Benj2112 said. It is always best to get a second or even a third opinion. I am so glad that your friend followed her "gut" feeling. And that she is now well. Cervical Cancer is a real concern for all of us women. Regardless of age. It is important for us to see our GYN on a regular basis.

When, I injured my back. I did get a second opinion. Both Doctors who did not know each other, agreed on the same course of treatment. It was painful and long. But, I am much better now. I also follow all of my doctor's advice.

 

[A stor]

Hi Cactus Annie,

I suffered from the same injury as Bono. Though, I didn't have fragmented disc floating around in my spinal canal. Which can cause a person to lose function of their legs if it damages the spinal cord. Surgery is always a last resort and I am sure that Bono had excellent doctors and medical care. The same was for me.

My doctor recommend bed rest, then once the injury had healed. I had physical therapy. It took me at least eight weeks before I could walk short distances with moderate pain. Surgery may help Bono to recover faster. I certainly pray this is so. But, I don't think Bono is thick headed and I am sure that everything humanly possible is being done.

In regards to cervical cancer. Older women are not at a higher risk. Since, most of us have not had numerous sexual partners. I am 53 years of age and am in the lowest risk group for cervical cancer. It is more than likely, that I will never develop this disease.

^
Edit......I am wrong here. All women are at risk for cervical cancer. Please see your GYN on a regular basis. Do not take your health for granted. If you think something is wrong see your doctor right away. And don't hesitate to get a second opinion. Cactus Annie is right.

 

[Benji2112]

^
Edit......I am wrong here. All women are at risk for cervical cancer. Please see your GYN on a regular basis. Do not take your health for granted. If you think something is wrong see your doctor right away. And don't hesitate to get a second opinion. Cactus Annie is right.

Excellent advice ! Any Dr who is offended when you say you would like a second opinion, is the wrong Dr . A Good one highly encourages them.

I don't mean to sound harsh, but going for short cuts is the first urge, but when you life, or quaility of life is at stake , don't do it. Be informed as a patient, know that the problem has different treatment options to try first ( most of the time ) but always keep in mind that quality of your life is most important .If you are not whole in body, and spirit, one is not whole . Bono , as with everyone, means too much to us. We can miss shows,(June 9th Miami ) but we all know... they will be back .

The 2 shows we saw, he was clearly in pain.

Last lesson, never let anyone inject with anything you don't know . Look at all the 70's-80's American football players who were on roids. Then EPO, and HGH . They all are having major issues. Many of them are no longer with us. It is not worth it to save some time, or play another year.

There is a reason drugs and treatments are studied and refined into better treatments, or to be disgarded as harmfull or full of false hope. There have been so many times in my life I have talked a friend or loved one from going to Mexico for cancer treatment for instance, which would have only put someone in pain , false hope, and an empty bank account .

If this Dr had something dofferent that made such a huge impact, he would be eager to publish and share it. With him, it is quite the opposite.

Bono dodged a bullet . Now, he will be able to sing and dance, and most importantly, run with his kids. He was really close to losing that. It is not worth it.

 

[last unicorn]

I'm sure Bono got enough "opinions". He isn't stupid and he can afford a team of excellent doctors and therapists. He has been in treatment for years and it obviously worked, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to perform for so long. The public just learned about his problem now because of this unfortunate incident.

Dr. Wohlfahrt's methods obviously helped Larry a big deal and he adviced Bono to consult the doctor. I'm sure Larry wouldn't give his friend bad advice, especially considering that the band's future kind of depends on Bono's health. I think we shouldn't get into speculation too much and get others here who have been truly worried about Bono even more worried. Instead of throwing dirt at someone just because we may not agree with some of his methods we should keep the faith and stay confident that everything possible was done to prevent Bono from having further damage and that he will recover and come back.

 

[coolian2]

i've tried to read the last few pages, but my eyes start to glaze over and i begin to feel as though i'm half-pissed.

 

[BGD75]

Cactus Annie - I am sorry that you feel this way. IMO, he hasn't let anyone down. Sure it sucks that the tour has to be postponed, but it's not as if he woke up one morning and said Screw this, I don't feel like touring now! He could've (God, forbid) been hit by a car and having to cancel the tour. Would he still be the guilty party and one to blame here?

Something you need to understand here about this whole disk problem (and this is serving also as my response to you asking me: But wouldn't you rather be free of any back pain completely?). Surgery is - in cases like these - the last resort. I am not the surgery case, and therefore have I not gone under the knife yet. That is not to say that in 20 years I wont. But only about 10% of the people with disk problem do end up having to undergo surgery. Bono happens to be in those 10% obviously because touring doesn't help the back problems that he has been having for many years not.
I don't think I deserve any kind of apology from him, not do I feel let down by him. I can only wish him all the best and speedy recovery.

 

[last unicorn]

^ Exactly. It annoys me that Bono is in pain, has to go through all this shit and, as if that wasn't enough, has to deal with all the pressure that's upon him now plus with the frustration of having to miss shows and the feeling of having let the band and audience down. There's really no need in blaming him for everything, that's just rude. I'm sure he didn't want to be injured and he would be more than happy to be healthy and be able to go on tour. He's been having pain for years and surely touring didn't help much. If he decided to not go on tour anymore, maybe he would be better today and that injury wouldn't have happened. He overstrained his body for years because he wanted to be there for his audience. It's just false to turn that against him now and blame him for not being able to perform. He's human and there's only so and so much a body can take. Everyone blaming Bono for injuring himself and not being able to go on tour is simply selfish.

 

[A stor]

Cactus Annie - I am sorry that you feel this way. IMO, he hasn't let anyone down. Sure it sucks that the tour has to be postponed, but it's not as if he woke up one morning and said Screw this, I don't feel like touring now! He could've (God, forbid) been hit by a car and having to cancel the tour. Would he still be the guilty party and one to blame here?

Something you need to understand here about this whole disk problem (and this is serving also as my response to you asking me: But wouldn't you rather be free of any back pain completely?). Surgery is - in cases like these - the last resort. I am not the surgery case, and therefore have I not gone under the knife yet. That is not to say that in 20 years I wont. But only about 10% of the people with disk problem do end up having to undergo surgery. Bono happens to be in those 10% obviously because touring doesn't help the back problems that he has been having for many years not.
I don't think I deserve any kind of apology from him, not do I feel let down by him. I can only wish him all the best and speedy recovery.

The same is true for me. My injury was able to heal on it's own. Bed rest then light physical therapy. And I am very thankful that my doctor followed the course of treatment that he did.

I pray that you and me too, never have to have surgery. Fortunately, most patients with herniated disc. Never do. My mom is 81, has a herniated disc and does not require an operation. Her disc is still in good shape and has not crumbled.

 

[KhanadaRhodes]

Cactus Annie - I am sorry that you feel this way. IMO, he hasn't let anyone down. Sure it sucks that the tour has to be postponed, but it's not as if he woke up one morning and said Screw this, I don't feel like touring now! He could've (God, forbid) been hit by a car and having to cancel the tour. Would he still be the guilty party and one to blame here?

Something you need to understand here about this whole disk problem (and this is serving also as my response to you asking me: But wouldn't you rather be free of any back pain completely?). Surgery is - in cases like these - the last resort. I am not the surgery case, and therefore have I not gone under the knife yet. That is not to say that in 20 years I wont. But only about 10% of the people with disk problem do end up having to undergo surgery. Bono happens to be in those 10% obviously because touring doesn't help the back problems that he has been having for many years not.
I don't think I deserve any kind of apology from him, not do I feel let down by him. I can only wish him all the best and speedy recovery.

exactly. i mean, let's remember the guy was experiencing partial paralysis as a result. clearly he had a severe case, and he of course wouldn't postpone a bunch of dates and fuck up the tour schedule if he didn't have to.

 

[Benji2112]

I'm sure Bono got enough "opinions". He isn't stupid and he can afford a team of excellent doctors and therapists. He has been in treatment for years and it obviously worked, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to perform for so long. The public just learned about his problem now because of this unfortunate incident.

Dr. Wohlfahrt's methods obviously helped Larry a big deal and he adviced Bono to consult the doctor. I'm sure Larry wouldn't give his friend bad advice, especially considering that the band's future kind of depends on Bono's health. I think we shouldn't get into speculation too much and get others here who have been truly worried about Bono even more worried. Instead of throwing dirt at someone just because we may not agree with some of his methods we should keep the faith and stay confident that everything possible was done to prevent Bono from having further damage and that he will recover and come back.

It's not dirt. Medicine works based on knowledge , and refinment of treatment . Accupunture works for a lot of people. Performance enhancing drugs are dangerous, and illegal in almost all sports. They are illegal for 2 reasons .

1) It is claimed that it gives an advantage to the person who uses them

2) the effects are temorary, and the long term effects are dangerous, and often greatly shorten a life span. I could list a 100 athletes off the top of my head right now who have died.

Also, studies are done to determine efficacy , and safety. How many drugs have been outed as the "new thing" or a break through, only after a few years, people start popping up with a lost loved one, or a patient with life altering side effects that are attributed to these new drugs. How many of those do you see? I see Lawyer advertisments one after another on television all the time. Long term studies are the only way to monitor this, and that is why it is standard, as the surgical procedures are.

A CT scan or MRI would have clearly shown the potential for what happened. Unless he was in a car accident or an extreme "blunt" trauma, the instability of the disk or bone ( measured by density which would be SOP ) . He was lucky it was not permanent.

As I mentioned before, a "football player" would be treated differently that a peformer , with the exception of a Ballet Dancer, or an extreme athletic , physical dancer as an example. While a rock start has somewhat the same physical level, the impact on the body would be night and day comapred to a Ballet Dancer. One would not treat them the same way .

Maybe Larry felt great after seeing this guy. Remember, the most powerful treatment is the mind ( one of the most studied medical phenoms in the world ) and just doing something often causes people to feel better. One could site 100's of studies based on a medicine, or just plain saline solution, and many will show the "placebo effect" in effect, meaning that many who did not have the medicine , had the same effect of those who did.

On the other hand , you think it is good to have someone inject a mystery concoction into your body is a good idea, by all means have at it. It's your choice. Be prepard to suffer consequences to your long term health.

You know one of the worst/best medicines in the world's history is Tylenol . You can get it anywhere, without a script , it is in everything from cold meds, to opiates. You know what is causing the above 100 % rise in emergency liver failure , and transplants ? Tylenol . The FDA is seeking to black label it . It is now been proven that dangrous, not just for the liver, but the easy poetential to overdose . A Black Label. After many years of study , they finally discovered it, or more accurately, decided that health over profits is more important.

I am not sure why you would be "starting to get PO'd". You are looking at it from a point of a favorite singer, and his Dr. I am not. I am looking at it from a peer perspective , as we are trained to do. This guy has not done one single study ( he attached his name to one ) and he has been shooting different forms of this stuff into athletes for almost 30 years . Remember the Football player who said " I must be honest and say I have no idea what was in that " He will find out someday .

This Dr also treated a Marathon runner, and within days she was dead. In the 70's, he was injecting STEROIDS into everyone, which will help the "player feel better" but at cost to longevity , further damage to the injured area etc. One could even be paralyzed ! Is it worth it?

I am doing some research into this guy for my own curiosity , but I can tell you from my year in Frankfurt and subsequent trips , and in talking with many, many fellows in my profession there recently , not one thinks anything good about him or his treatments. If they were that good, or legit, he would be anxious to publish papers on his work. Quite the oppsite, he doesnt want anyone to see it. Ask yourself why? Only one type of Dr does not want his work studied or published, especially if it is this good. I am sure you can piece together why they wouldn't want someone to know. No, nobody is jealous. Concern . We know why he doen't publish things .

Just because celebrities and athletes see him, does not make him a good Dr in practicing medicine. Some celebrities jump from treatment to treatment, fad to fad, religion to religion. There are studies on that too.

Bono can see anyone he wants. Anyone can It's his life and body, but he dodged a bullet , on something that should have been seen, without question, before his "accident " ,which was PT .

One more thing. I said before I believe in Hollistic Medicine. Most Drs now practice this in combination with traditional medical treatment. It has recently discovered after years of testing that those supplements you buy at place like a Healthfood store, or GNC, or even a Walgreens, and I mean every single one of them contain VERY HIGH levels of lead, Mercury , and a host of other deadly or dangerous metals and chemicals. I will link the exhaustive 5-10y studies respectfully. Every single one has toxic levels of these metals and chemicals , and other "junk" . After carefull and long over due study, they found this. People have been swearing by them for years. Now this. You think Mecury or lead is good to ingest? It's not really healthy . But people for years believed they work, and are good for you.

It would be the same issue with mystery Injections ... what is in it? People are free to take what you want. It's your body .

No reason to be pissed

 

[blueeyedgirl]

i've tried to read the last few pages, but my eyes start to glaze over and i begin to feel as though i'm half-pissed.

My expert opinion is you need to get your eyes tested....

 

[Birdlover]

Another perspective

Benji, I concur with what you're saying. I have had Fibromyalgia for 13 years. Now, it's not nearly as devastating as the back injury Bono suffered, but I know firsthand how tempting it is to try anything to get rid of pain.
For 13 years I have been inundated with total strangers telling me of this or that 'cure'. I lost my career, my means to a decent life, and will have pain and debilitating fatigue forever. Do these strangers tempt me? No. Thankfully, I've been a science geek since grade school! I know about the scientific method and the importance of peer reviewed journals. Sadly, most people aren't that interested in science, so it's not uncommon for folks to not have a clue what the doctor just injected. Good or bad, most people go by someone's recommendation, an advertisement, or what the local doctor suggested, simply because they don't know enough.

We have a glut of information available to us these days. It takes but a moment to google "herniated disk", but there are dozens of iffy sites right alongside good ones. How is someone to know which is which?

Larry had been going to this doctor for years, getting the injections and subsequently feeling well enough to drum. Yes, the placebo effect was most likely the reason, but he didn't know that, any more than I'd know which drum to hit when in a given song.
I feel really badly that Bono is going through this. I also feel he is in no way responsible for making a questionable choice. He has minders, people who are in charge of seeing that the band is in shape for the tour. He is known to listen to such people, so THEY should have caught this early on, when Larry was first going to him. The band have enough on their plate. They do the best they can with what they know. I only pray that he heals completely and finds legitimate help along the way.

 

[A stor]

Hi Birdlover,

A good friend of mine has Fibromyalgia and I can understand how difficult this is for you. I'm glad to hear that you take control of your health and do the research. I think that is an important message and every person should do the same.

Benj touched on something about over medicating. Luckily, I have a very good Internist. Maryland, U.S.A. Has some excellent doctors and hospitals. My bad cholesterol is a little high (It is hereditary) though my good cholesterol is great. He has me on the lowest dosage of meds. He believes in a "more old fashion approach" to well being. Such as, healthy lifestyle, proper rest, good diet filled with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit, moderate exercise and finding something to do everyday that you really enjoy.

I like his approach. I am one, who does not want to take meds that I really don't need. One example from my own personal experience is. Three years ago, I was becoming Type 2 diabetic. My doctor told me what foods to eat and recommended that I continue with my daily walks. It worked for me. My Blood Sugar is now in the normal range. My point is......Another friend of mine had the same problem. Borderline Diabetes. Her doctor put on meds right away, instead of giving her time to see if the blood sugars could be control with healthier eating habits. To make this post short. The meds made her blood sugar drop much to low and she passed out. She is now off of the meds and is following the same advise that my doctor gave to me.

 

[coolian2]

My expert opinion is you need to get your eyes tested....

i'd rather wait for a grammatically questionable essay with inapt comparisons before i listen to any advice, thank you very much.

 

[U2387]

exactly. i mean, let's remember the guy was experiencing partial paralysis as a result. clearly he had a severe case, and he of course wouldn't postpone a bunch of dates and fuck up the tour schedule if he didn't have to.

Exactly.

Bono is far from letting us down or dogging it or milking it or doing any other weird sounding word that means trying to get out of touring because he does not feel like it.

I have no medical expertise/advice to offer, I am lucky I know how to put a band aid on.

I do, however, appreciate greatly the people who do have this knowledge and advice, as well as the time and energy they take to share it with their fellow U2 fans here on interference! Whether you like this guy treating Bono or not, which ever side you took, thank you! The discussion has been enhanced.

However, everything I have heard is that a herniated disk can be present while the person is perfectly functional, and that it does not require surgery unless and until there is an aggravation or further injury, like what happened to Bono. This just came up after an injury during preparations, in case some of you did not read the very specific and detailed explanations from McGuiness and Edge. The aggravation that got to the point of partial paralysis is what is being fixed now.

Also, I agree with what others say about perspective in life.

U2 and Bono are very important to all of us- we not only love the music, they inspire us and are truly exemplary people who give a lot back to this world. So please, please, can we all understand that, GOD FORBID times INFINITY RAISED TO THE BILLIONTH POWER, Bono or Edge or Larry or Adam could have been paralyzed permanently, diagnosed with terminal cancer, injured or killed in a car accident or plane crash, have a sudden heart attack and die, etc. We read about all kinds of strange deaths all the time. Perspective, perspective and more perspective, please!!

As important as U2 are to us, none of us lost a job or a parent or a good friend or became sick or suffered any kind of personal tragedy because of this.

This past year, I have lost my Dad, struggled to find work, struggled to find a girl to even go on a date with me, and perhaps most shocking, gone to a wake for a 30 year old co worker who died of a rare form of cancer. It was devastating. Life is too short. If you are not enjoying being here and discussing the possibilities of what happens when U2 starts playing again and when we see them again, if you are not enjoying still having U2 around after 30 plus years, if you really think you have been let down or wronged, then leave! Because in the grand scheme of things, this is not all that important or tragic.

Bono will be fine long term, they will very more than likely be starting up in Turin in 2 short months, and they ALWAYS MAKE IT UP TO US and will be back to do the shows they missed next year. They will be amazing, and we will all be glad that we waited, and Bono will thank us all for "sticking around."

All of this will be a distant memory by the time the lights go down when we see them on the make up dates and we'll enjoy the shows with a new found appreciation for Bono's strength and determination and that of Edge, Adam and Larry, all of whom have had their own obstacles to overcome. No one in this band has been without physical or personal troubles, all have played in physical and/or emotional pain. Larry often arrives to shows with a neck brace on and if you watch him, it is very often clear that he is playing in great pain. Adam had his alcoholism and personal struggles, Edge the same with his divorce and illness of his daughter, etc.

Part of U2's appeal is they are people just like any of us and they do not go to any lengths to hide this. They struggle and triumph like we do, we give them great lives, and they give us their all whenever they can, despite many challenges and obstacles.

Long short of it, everybody here will be fine, and so will U2 and that is what is important.

 

[Benji2112]

Exactly.

Bono is far from letting us down or dogging it or milking it or doing any other weird sounding word that means trying to get out of touring because he does not feel like it.

I have no medical expertise/advice to offer, I am lucky I know how to put a band aid on.

I do, however, appreciate greatly the people who do have this knowledge and advice, as well as the time and energy they take to share it with their fellow U2 fans here on interference! Whether you like this guy treating Bono or not, which ever side you took, thank you! The discussion has been enhanced.

However, everything I have heard is that a herniated disk can be present while the person is perfectly functional, and that it does not require surgery unless and until there is an aggravation or further injury, like what happened to Bono. This just came up after an injury during preparations, in case some of you did not read the very specific and detailed explanations from McGuiness and Edge. The aggravation that got to the point of partial paralysis is what is being fixed now.

Also, I agree with what others say about perspective in life.

U2 and Bono are very important to all of us- we not only love the music, they inspire us and are truly exemplary people who give a lot back to this world. So please, please, can we all understand that, GOD FORBID times INFINITY RAISED TO THE BILLIONTH POWER, Bono or Edge or Larry or Adam could have been paralyzed permanently, diagnosed with terminal cancer, injured or killed in a car accident or plane crash, have a sudden heart attack and die, etc. We read about all kinds of strange deaths all the time. Perspective, perspective and more perspective, please!!

As important as U2 are to us, none of us lost a job or a parent or a good friend or became sick or suffered any kind of personal tragedy because of this.

This past year, I have lost my Dad, struggled to find work, struggled to find a girl to even go on a date with me, and perhaps most shocking, gone to a wake for a 30 year old co worker who died of a rare form of cancer. It was devastating. Life is too short. If you are not enjoying being here and discussing the possibilities of what happens when U2 starts playing again and when we see them again, if you are not enjoying still having U2 around after 30 plus years, if you really think you have been let down or wronged, then leave! Because in the grand scheme of things, this is not all that important or tragic.

Bono will be fine long term, they will very more than likely be starting up in Turin in 2 short months, and they ALWAYS MAKE IT UP TO US and will be back to do the shows they missed next year. They will be amazing, and we will all be glad that we waited, and Bono will thank us all for "sticking around."

All of this will be a distant memory by the time the lights go down when we see them on the make up dates and we'll enjoy the shows with a new found appreciation for Bono's strength and determination and that of Edge, Adam and Larry, all of whom have had their own obstacles to overcome. No one in this band has been without physical or personal troubles, all have played in physical and/or emotional pain. Larry often arrives to shows with a neck brace on and if you watch him, it is very often clear that he is playing in great pain. Adam had his alcoholism and personal struggles, Edge the same with his divorce and illness of his daughter, etc.

Part of U2's appeal is they are people just like any of us and they do not go to any lengths to hide this. They struggle and triumph like we do, we give them great lives, and they give us their all whenever they can, despite many challenges and obstacles.

Long short of it, everybody here will be fine, and so will U2 and that is what is important.

I agree. I am not suggesting he was dogging it, or trying to get out of something. I am saying this Dr had him so convinced that everything was fine, when at the 2 shows we saw, it was clearly not . The results from the good surgeon , saved him, and this Dr's( Muller) "reputation". I will take the saving Bono's quality of life. Up to him if he wants to continue with this Dr. I hope he learned some things by this experience. I imagine he did. He is a smart man.

 

[VintagePunk]

I agree. I am not suggesting he was dogging it, or trying to get out of something. I am saying this Dr had him so convinced that everything was fine, when at the 2 shows we saw, it was clearly not . The results from the good surgeon , saved him, and this Dr's( Muller) "reputation". I will take the saving Bono's quality of life. Up to him if he wants to continue with this Dr. I hope he learned some things by this experience. I imagine he did. He is a smart man.

What do laws say regarding unorthodox treatments like his? Is it legal in the US? In Germany? Elsewhere?