Myelogram

Lassie,
How are you doing? And do you know when the myelogram is scheduled?

Take care,
PaLady

Hi, Lassie,

Talk about frustrating! Maybe your neighbor could drive you next time? I know you probably don't want to go bck to relying on Blaze. What's the problem about your driving - numb feet? What are your PT's objections? Sometimes they're realistic, but sometimes they're just following a protocol (which drives me crazy as I live alone and often have to drive mysefl, too!). When I have to ask people for help, it takes them away from their daily, busy schedules, so I try to limit when I ask. I get really annoyed when someone just says I can't drive because it's some policy. july 18th is a long time, although since you're doing so well, maybe it will work out. I mean, if you're still doing well by the 18th, that may give more credence to putting off the nyelogram. At least you could discuss that with your doc; you have a say in it, too (or should). Not to argue with him but perhaps to "postpone" it as long as you're doing so well. At least you're not waiting for pain relief!

I'm doing so-so. The warmer weather, which seems to have finally arrived today, helps. I was still using a down comforter on my bed last night! It's in the 80's today and I hope it stays warm. Finances are still scary, though. Looming in the not too distant future, and me with my head in the sand off and on!

Thanks for asking.

PaLady

Lassie,
It's been awhile since we've heard from you. How are you doing?

PaLady

Lassie,
I'm so sorry to hear that, but don't lose hope. After all, look how far you came physically. You may need some medication to help with panic attacks right now (I can't remember if you're taking anything for that). Does your therapist have any suggestions?

I'm doing so-so. Had a stomach virus this week but I was eating lousy stuff (lousy but "good" LOL) at a local festival. Am paying the price. Pain wise about the same. My anxiety over finances...well, I feel that more in the middle of the night, starring at the ceiing.

Don't be concerned about sharing with us. We all are going through far more than the physical pain!

Hugs - and thanks for asking about me.

PaLady

I miss hearing from you! And Toritoo and Lakdeside and Freya and others, too (Toritoo has posted recently).

It has been so long since I posted on here I feel a little embarrassed to jump back in.  I haven't had anything new to say so I just kind of let go of this family too.  I know I should have kept up with everyoneleses issues; I've got alot of catching up to do.  PaLady, I did read part of your post about your family staying at the cottage and it amazes me how you keep a kind word for everyone.  And as you well know, I can relate to the hurt feelings and isolation.

I finally had the CT/Myelogram done.  JoAnn, everything went exactly as you expleained them to me.  Here are the results:  Severe L-2, L-3 central canal stenosis due to buldging disc, short pedicles, facet hypertrophy, and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy of approximately 6-7 mm.  Severe right and moderate left l-2, L-3 foriminal stenoses.   Granted, I don't understand all this but the Ortho Dr (that promised to get me out of the wheelchair and walking again) says this need aggressive attention ASAP.  (Somehow I feel this could have been caught sooner.)  He has referred me to one of his collegues on Wednesday.  If anyone out there is more familiar with this proplem, please feel free to post anything for me.

I am not posting to be selfish about wanting information for myself only.  I have missed my old friends and there are so many new faces to get to know.

Lots of love & I hope you haven't forgotten about me.

Hi, lassie!
It's great to hear from you again! I can't help a lot with the myelo results except to say when you see the word "severe" (I saw that on my MRI reports!) it means it's pretty bad, and the stenosis is narrowing of various openings where the nerves pass through. I'm glad your ortho is on it in terms of referring you.

Yes, I know you can understand the loneliness and isolation! Ry struggles with it, too. Those of us who live alone have some unique aspects to our lives....mostly things we wish were different.

Hop back into the forum!

PaLady

Hi Lassie,

 

So good to see you back with the family again. I ddo hate hearing the results of your myelogram though. It sure explains alot of the terrible pain you had. It appears your problems are higher up in your back instead of the lower back area. The stenosis is narrowing and hypertrophy was explained to me as being thickened. I have the facet hypertrophy at L5-S1 which is the bottom disc and let me tell you, it can cause me terrible pain. I had noticed I was not standing much anymore and alot of time I walk bent over ehich just ticks me off. My pain dr says its from the facet joints, which my back issues are all mechanical problems. It also mentioned bulging disc but nothing impinging on a nerve from what you wrote which is good. Also did not see that they gave the size of the bulging disc either. I have a 5-6mm bulge at L5-S1 and I am not a surgical candidate because its not involving any nerves and my pain dr says my pain is not from the disc but from the facet joints.

 

I see you have let Blaze back in your life and its granted your perogative, but I sure hope you are not setting yourself back up. Knowing what you have written about him in the past, I would give a kid some money to mow before having him do it, I would also schedule my dr appts during low traffc times as well. You need to make yourself independant of him Lassie. I remember you talking about he was high maintenance when doing your grocery shopping because he bought items for himself as well. Do your own shopping on a day when you are feeling better. I think you will feel much better about yourself if you take charge of your own life and not depend on someone else. Thats an easy habit to slip into, but its also a bad habit. I make it a point to drive myself to my own dr appts and they are 60 miles roundtrip, I do my grocery shopping on my better days and look at it as a need to get out of the house and get some different scenery. I just better about myself doing things on my own, it gives me the boost I need to assure myself I am still capable of doing many things, I just have to do them my way.

 

When do you see your ortho to discuss the myelogram results. Its great that you like this dr because as you know thats half the battle. It will be interesting t see what his recommendations will be. Hang in there gal, you can do it. You are much stronger than you are giving yourself credit for. Hugs, Susie

Hi Lassie, oh I do hope you have a good appt on the 13th, I will say some extra prayers for you. I hope they can help you in some ay that does not involve any surgery. As you know each they go in, your odds are reduced for a good outcome. I hate seeing anyone having back surgery more than once because they just are not good candidates a second time around versus a newbie unoperated. This place here really reflects that statement.

 

I am not a surgical candidate because I do not have nerve root problems relating to the disc. If a nerve was pinched, then of course it would be a different ballgame. My PA discussed and gave me info on a new surgery they are doing now. It involves going in the side instead of the back and or stomach or both. Supposedly this is something that is new on the horizon, suppose to be easier to recover from. I love it when they toss those words out so easily, because you know none of them have had surgery, but they think they are experts. Its called an Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion, which mine would be because of the facet problem. I like to see any type of surgery be out on the market awhile to see the results and let them work out the kinks. Gosh, it sounds like trying to buy a new car. Because of crohns disease and ulcerative colitis my immune system is compromised due to the medications I take for it. It would mean going off the drugs and that is not something possible. I have been fighting a battle with crohns for 6 yrs already had a bowel resection and no remission so far. I already know in my mad surgery is out, I could not handle going off the drugs and try to have surgery at the same time. I would have to given an ok from my cardiologist, and pulomary dr. I am an oxygen patient. My other health problems really make me a poor candidate for just about anything these days,lol. I am currently trying to get a fistula to close and heal, it tunneled thru the abdominal wall and was leaking nasty stuff.

I guess I don't know what a rolator is? I know at one time you were in a wheelchair, however, after an injection in your back you were able to get out of it. Woohoo good for you gal. I know your dr was shocked by the response from the injection.

Aw Lassie I know what you are saying after 22yrs. But from you say in how you are treated by this guy, with friends like him, you sure don't need anymore enemies. I will tell you, I have many, many people tell me they are my friend. Well, guess what, they are not true friends, they are nothing more than an acquaintenance. A true friend sticks by you no matter what, good, bad or indifferent. I am fortunate enough to have three real friends and thats all I need. I sure don't need the others in my life. Maybe you are wishing you can depend on this guy, but I think in your heart you know different. I do think you are going to set yourself up for a big fall with him. Its very sad that you are not willing to break the connection for good. You deserve much better.

 

I will keep a lookout to hear how your appt goes with the dr and pray for a good appt. Hugs coming your way, Susie

Yes, after being in a wheelchair for so long it was truely a miracle that I ever got out - and I do mean a miracle. God really blessed me with finding Dr. Y who is working so hard with me to find a diagnosis, which he did, and now to refer me to someone else that specializes in what I need to move on. He has put me under anesthesia for a couple of hip injections but I think the local ones done in his office have helped just as much or more. He can't fiqure this one out, especially with the myelogram results. He kept his promise to get me out of the wheelchair. I am now using a rollator which is between a wheelchair and walker. It is like a walker with 4 wheels, brakes, and a seat for when you need it. It really helps me get around the house but is a little heavy and bulky to get in the car by myself - but I have done it. As for my ortho appt tomorrow (13th), I might not be able to make it. The weather is predicting heavy rain & thunder storms and I just cannot see well enough to drive in weather like that. Blaze just called to let me know if he gets off work because of the rain then he would take me. Now, see, sometimes he can pull through on things like this and really help out (or sometimes just get my hopes up to be let down). I'll just have to wait and see what happens in the am.

I am not familiar with chrons disease at all but it sounds like like something I don't want anything to do with. Maybe you can give me some info on this. I'm glad you don't have any nerve impingement that might lead to needing surgery. I agree, all this surgical stuff does sound like buying a car - a used one at that! I don't think I have any other options though. The pain has started coming back at a fast pace which I want to avoid. I just can't see myself going backwards without a good fight. And oh, to sleep in a bed would be heaven. I have been sleeping in a recliner since December. I have a great bed that has only been used for about a month or two but trying to sleep in it is a different story. In any position, I am crippled with pain. I just got one of those memory foam mattress toppers but I still can't get comfortable or sleep for any length of time. All this is quite confusing to my kitty, Jessie, who wants to sleep with Mama wherever it is.

I hope you have a good evening & a great night's sleep.