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Posted 3/10/2011 5:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I am pleased to have found this forum. I am suffering from back, butt and leg pain, the pain even cramps up my thigh,calf, and my ankle feels like it is twisted. Due to bulged disc. (L-3 L-4)moderate bulge (L-4 L-5) severely bulge doc says more then 50% out an into the nerves (L-5 S-1) mildly. He says disc are like an old rusty truck. I have Spinal Stenosis, DDD, and alot of other things but at this time my back and legs or my concern. DR. wants to do an anterior lumbar inter body fusion of L3 L4 and L4 L5. I really want to try other options first..He told me he wouldn't give me another Block because the L4 L5 is pushed against the nerves to much. I asked to be refereed to a PM and he did. He said he doesn't know how I am still getting around. I ask him if I could go to work if called in for the position I interviewed for. He said I could try but it would be dangerous a cough, sneeze or wrong turn and I could be or the floor and in hospital for emergency surgery or paralyzed. I am pretty strong willed, he don't think I would last a full day at work, but if I wanted to try, go ahead. I am pretty scared. I watched my dad go through 7 back surgeries, and now I know the pain he went through. I would like some opinions on my next step. I am awaiting PM call back for appt. Been told to take MRI to chiropractor and see if they could help. Doc says disc are so thin, wore out, like a dry rotten hose he can't explain how I was still walking. I have a high tolerance to pain, Grow up being told suck it up move on and I am hurting pretty bad I am scared..This pain is horrible. I am 43, married but home alone most of the time. Hubby works out of town for a construction Co and gone weeks and sometimes months at a time. My neighbors are great, they help me out feeding the horses and a few other things. If you have faith and believe please put me on your pray list.
Posted 3/10/2011 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome Livin n Pain. I'm sorry to hear that you've been having so much trouble with pain and your back. You have found the right place though. I've only been here for a little while myself, but this forum is filled with many great and helpful people.

Please, whatever you do, be *very* careful. The last thing you'd want is to do any kind of permanent damage.

I'm sure others will be along soon, probably with more information and such. I just wanted to get in a quick hello :-).

-Jeff
Posted 3/10/2011 5:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Jeff,

Thanks for the welcome, and I look forward to some advice from people in similar condition.
Posted 3/10/2011 7:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Livin and welcome to Healing Well's Chronic Pain Forum. I am glad that you found us but so sorry that you have to be here. I believe every word you are saying about the pain you are experiencing, with a back like yours no wonder, wow. I do hope this job you are talking about does not include a lot of standing and certainly no lifting, bending or stooping unless you really do want to risk something possibly happening and you becoming paralyzed. I urge you to seriously reconsider and listen to what your dr is telling you. Drs. do not use the word paralyzed loosely and certainly not to try and scare someone into surgery. This is not a scare tactic if this is what you are thinking. At least by coming here you know that you are not alone.

Same with the chiropractor, the last thing you need is someone trying to adjust or manipulate you, wow talk about a big risk. You know there is nothing wrong with being hard headed, but sometimes we can't be, especially with something as serious as what you have going on. I too am very hard headed and head strong, lol, but I also know when to rein that in and listen.

I do hope that you will get a second opinion and consider it being with a good competent neurosurgeon. Those drs are more schooled in the area of the nervous system over an orthopedic. The orthos are more educated in the bony structure. It never hurts to get a second and even a third opinion.

I also read the dr says you have a pinched nerve, you know they cannot do surgery on the nerve itself, what they do is try to relieve the pressure off of the nerve. Waiting too long on having surgery sometimes results in permanent nerve damage too.

It is awful that your dad had such a rough time having so many surgeries. I am sure that weighs heavy on your mind and scares you to no end. But, please this is you and listen to your dr. I do hope your pain mgt dr can help you out. We do have other members here that have had surgery and they will be posting to you. Keep in mind if the people here had done well from surgery they would not be at this forum, they would be out getting on with their lives living a normal life. People with CP live too, just on a different level than what we knew before.

Hang in there and please take care of yourself. Keep us posted on how you are coming along. Again, welcome aboard.
Posted 3/10/2011 7:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Livin n Pain!

Welcome to the CP forum!


I'm not going to add too much to what Straydog has already replied here, other than I would personally avoid a Chiropractor treatment at this point.

I have had the L4-L5,L5-S1 full fusion. In fact it was a year ago on the 5th of this month since my surgery. While the surgery was not a complete success, I do believe that I'm in better shape than I was a year ago.

If I get a chance in the next few days, I will post an update and my thoughts of the experience.

Good luck to you!


SE wink
Posted 3/10/2011 8:59 AM (GMT 0)
it is very painfull to know how many people live with the same problem- pain. I am one us. But reading this make sus more pwerfull. And as it mentioned earlier, th efirst step is to be faithful and go fowrard with strong faith, that one day everything will be good. This is the first medicine what i have for today. have tryed also homeopatic relivers. it helps and makes me feel much better chek the link, it says a bit about.............i have it my hends everyday.
I also trust chiropractor, but agree, you should be very -very carfull with them.

Good luck !!! I BELIEVE ALL OF US WILL BE GREAT AND WE ALL WILL BE ENJOYING EVERY STEP WE MAKE!

THANK YOU ALL FOR GREAT SUPPORT!

Am, 36 y.o

(Please read the forum rules before posting. Advertising is not allowed. Thanks.)

Post Edited By Moderator (Chutz) : 3/10/2011 12:55:09 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 3/10/2011 9:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Livin n Pain and Amy - welcome from another new member.

Laura
Posted 3/10/2011 9:34 AM (GMT 0)
I have been suffering form the the pain for long time. I have cheked the link. I have tryed it before. Easol works very well. Thank you very much for advice.
Best wishes,
Natali, 37 y.o
Posted 3/10/2011 9:36 AM (GMT 0)
Nice to meet you all, glad to be here with you!!!
Posted 3/10/2011 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning, Thanks everyone for posting, I do feel welcomed. The job I am trying to get I will be standing some, and siting. Teaching Truck driving safety, and company / federal policy on the transportation industry. I drove a truck for 13 years, and taught truck driving for 2. I am sure that my career as a driver contributed to my lower back issues.

I try to take it easy here at home but when I see something needs to be done, I attempt to do it. If it hurts I stop and go back later or leave it until someone comes by to see if I need anything. Makes me feel helpless. I have alot of adjusting to do.

Thanks for the link I will check it out. I am going to ask my PM to refer me to a neurologist. I don't have appt yet Dr sending my records and waiting for the call, Dr office said could be a couple of weeks before I am able to see PM.

Thanks for the advice, I look forward to reading more.

Wishing everyone a wonderful day.
Posted 3/10/2011 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome too to Natali too!
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