Tweet
Ugh.... I'm sooo tired with this.
The past 4 years have really aged me.
Back in 2008 and 2009 I got into 2 bad car accidents - both not my fault. I've had 3 surguries on my spine to date... I have 10 pins, 2 metal rods, 8 screws and one huge plate holding my neck together.... there is also a bunch of kedaver bones in there to... this caused a major impact into my life due to significant loss of motion in my neck/ head.
So.... since my last surgery last summer I've had several incidents (lasting 2-4 weeks) where I have had extreme difficulty walking and needed a cane..... and about 4-5 incidents where I just plain can't walk.... either the pain is too much or the legs just don't work. I now have difficulty staying in a sitting position - this has gotten worse over the past year. It is quite stressful.... but I try and remain optimistic.
I've been having spinal injections, extensive physical therapy, various meds (muscle relaxers, steroids, pain killers yada yada yada)... and about 2 weeks ago it got so bad so I saw the doctor. I've been seeing him on a regular basis but this was an unplanned appointment.
He did x rays... and when I told him how many incidents I had where my legs didn't work.... he said we really have to consider surgery again. Now, he is one who avoids surgery - it is a last option. We have discussed the possibility of another surgery in the past... but we figured I would be lucky and avoid it.
I've been seeing this neurosurgeon since 2008... and I see his partners on a regular basis also. I also have a pain management doctor...he has said he has reached what he can do... there is nothing else he can do to help.
Well... the neurosurgeon has submitted the request for an MRI to my insurance company... it will probably take 1-2 weeks to get approval (which is the norm).
We know the problem is definately the L4 to L5 disc....and probably L3 to L4 and L2 to L3.
Last X-ray and MRI showed a 7-8 mm herniated disc and we expect to see it is worse.
I figure I'll be back in surgery within a couple weeks/ month. I am expecting to have either another plate(s) / screws or 2 rods/ lots of pins into my lower back. I'd have to wear a full body cast for 2-3 months - blah!
Ya know.... I'm really tired of this. I've been in some form of pain since 2008... I've been going to physical therapy on and off since 2008.... I've had 3 surgeries to my spine.... and I'm utterly beat.
The worse part is....when it is either cold or humid or both, I am in extreme pain due to the amount of metal in me. It is a deep body ache that can't be shaken. Anyone who has metal hardware in their body can understand this... and now I'll most likely have even more metal.
This is just plain crap.... well.... if I'm home recovering from surgery you will see me on here more.
The past 4 years have really aged me.
Back in 2008 and 2009 I got into 2 bad car accidents - both not my fault. I've had 3 surguries on my spine to date... I have 10 pins, 2 metal rods, 8 screws and one huge plate holding my neck together.... there is also a bunch of kedaver bones in there to... this caused a major impact into my life due to significant loss of motion in my neck/ head.
So.... since my last surgery last summer I've had several incidents (lasting 2-4 weeks) where I have had extreme difficulty walking and needed a cane..... and about 4-5 incidents where I just plain can't walk.... either the pain is too much or the legs just don't work. I now have difficulty staying in a sitting position - this has gotten worse over the past year. It is quite stressful.... but I try and remain optimistic.
I've been having spinal injections, extensive physical therapy, various meds (muscle relaxers, steroids, pain killers yada yada yada)... and about 2 weeks ago it got so bad so I saw the doctor. I've been seeing him on a regular basis but this was an unplanned appointment.
He did x rays... and when I told him how many incidents I had where my legs didn't work.... he said we really have to consider surgery again. Now, he is one who avoids surgery - it is a last option. We have discussed the possibility of another surgery in the past... but we figured I would be lucky and avoid it.
I've been seeing this neurosurgeon since 2008... and I see his partners on a regular basis also. I also have a pain management doctor...he has said he has reached what he can do... there is nothing else he can do to help.
Well... the neurosurgeon has submitted the request for an MRI to my insurance company... it will probably take 1-2 weeks to get approval (which is the norm).
We know the problem is definately the L4 to L5 disc....and probably L3 to L4 and L2 to L3.
Last X-ray and MRI showed a 7-8 mm herniated disc and we expect to see it is worse.
I figure I'll be back in surgery within a couple weeks/ month. I am expecting to have either another plate(s) / screws or 2 rods/ lots of pins into my lower back. I'd have to wear a full body cast for 2-3 months - blah!
Ya know.... I'm really tired of this. I've been in some form of pain since 2008... I've been going to physical therapy on and off since 2008.... I've had 3 surgeries to my spine.... and I'm utterly beat.
The worse part is....when it is either cold or humid or both, I am in extreme pain due to the amount of metal in me. It is a deep body ache that can't be shaken. Anyone who has metal hardware in their body can understand this... and now I'll most likely have even more metal.
This is just plain crap.... well.... if I'm home recovering from surgery you will see me on here more.
Comment