Hard to copeTHe

Hello everyone,

I have had a hard time with my condition lately. I really have no one to talk to as all of my friends and family are not going through what I am. I am hoping by sharing my story with you that I may find someone who may be able to relate in some way to what I'm going through. Any replies would be appreciated.

Last December, I slipped down a small set of very icy metal stairs (0nly 3 steps big). I landed in such a way that my back hit on the corner of each step. I felt fine at first and only had 3 bruises along my spine. about 2 days later I woke up and had trouble getting up. When I final was able to raise myself up and get to the edge of the bed to stand, my right leg went numb and I fell down. I was rushed to the ER in an immense amount of pain not knowing if I was going to be paralyzed or not. The doctor there injected me with something and the pain subsided greatly. I was sent for an MRI and while laying in the machine I regained feeling in my leg. The results showed a disc bulge in my L5-S1, disc bulge in my L3-L4, and a moderate herniation in my T15-L1. In July I had another MRI showing the two bulging discs are herniated. The last was in November all three are now showing major herniation. They are pressing on multiple nerves causing my legs to go numb from time to time, my tailbone hurts so bad after sitting for a few minutes, I feel pins and needles all the way down my lower body. I can no longer work and am currently trying to get on disability but since I am only 24 it has become a nightmare battle. I have not been wanting to eat, I am always tired, I haven't laughed in so long. I have no idea how or what I am supposed to do now. I am on medications but they only take the edge off for a while the pain is never relieved. I feel like I'm whinny but I have no one to talk to. I'm a 24 year old with a master's degree I should be looking forward to the future, instead all I see is more of this.

If any of you have any tips or advice, please share. I can't tell you how much I appreciate any replies. Also, please excuse the grammar and spelling errors. I have not had a lot of sleep and am quite delirious.

BuccPride....

You will find a way to build a life despite what has happened. There are many medical options. Let me list a few.
1) a home inversion table. Given the location of the bulges, it may offer some help. I know a few people with lower back disk issues who it helps. It can stretch your spine and take some of the pressure off -- also with the possibility of the bulging disks to drift back. You can buy an adequate one from ebay for about $130.

2) Traction at a physical therapist or chiropractor for the same purpose as above.

3) find a good pain management doctor who can work out the appropriate regimen of meds that deal with the pain and don't interfere with your ability to concentrate. Also, sleep is very important and if you are having trouble, discuss with a doctor something to help: either time release ambien or a benzodiazepine.

4) epidural or other spinal injections

5) more invasive spinal surgery to correct the damage.

On a different note -- in 2004 I was in a car accident that damaged by right knee, hip, sacroiliac and caused some disk bulges. I could not sit for the better part of 3 years. I had tons of PT, hip surgery, and injections into my sacroiliac. I had to take a lot of time off work and for the first 6 months after the surgery, was mostly in bed. With treatment, I improved. It took years, but my hip and lower back did get better. I still have chronic pain from it, but I can sit. It hurts, but I can do it. I couldn't walk without crutches or a cane for years as well, but eventually, was able to walk again on my own. I was 36 when the accident occurred. At your age, your body can recover (maybe with some more aggressive medical help). It may take more time, but don't assume it won't get better.

Nice to meet you and welcome to our chronic pain forum. I'm glad you found us but sorry that you are having so much pain. Keep posting with us as you will find the members very understanding and caring. More members will come along that will have more advice for you.

Hang in there one day at a time.

Suzane

Dear BuccPride, I understand your pain and your loneliness. I too hurt my back at a young age, I was 27 with a 2 and 3 year old running around. I dropped a patient out of a hoyer lift in a nursing home, she was about 300lbs. This fractured my back at L5-S1. I had my first fusion in Jan 96. By May of 96 the transverse connector rod either broke or became dislodged. So they took out all the hardware and just left the bone grafts. It never fused. But surgery has come a long way since the 90's. I had my 3rd fusion 4/2008, front and back of L1-S1. It was a very long 15 hour surgery. Recovery was very painful and long. Good news, my back is stablized, Bad News-pain is just as bad if not worse than before surgery. I think your surgery will help to a point. I will hold you in my thoughts that you have a great outcome. You will just have to roll with life, you may or may not beable to do what you went to school for, but you will find something that will satisfy your life. I know what it is like not to have anyone to talk too, family just don't get what it is like to be in pain 24/7. Welcome here, there are lots of great people to talk too and I would look into a support group in your area that you can go meet people face to face and hopefully come away with a good friend or two. Best wishes. Cheryl

Hi Sam,
Wow, you've had a tough road so early in life. One thing, in time, you'll be a stronger person for having lived through such trauma and your compassion towards others will be increased. Some people go through life with blinders and people who have had trauma have a better connection to living in the moment and enjoying small pleasures. It's probably not so much consoling now, but hang on to the though that surviving this experience will make you stronger.

I think it's good to take a look at, if you haven't already, alternatives before deciding on surgery. If you see an orthopedic surgeon, that's all that's in his bag of tricks, like seeing a pain management doctor, one will leave with a prescription. Effective non-surgical treatments in addition to pain medications are chiropractic care, physical therapy and supplements to help repair and rebuild your discs. After such a fall, your spine is likely out of line, and the narrow spaces will cause your discs to become damaged, your nerves to become pinched. I had a problem in my lower back, and seeing a chiro for 6 months fixed me up. Your problem is serious, so I would get the best chiro to give you a prognosis, as surgery may be the only answer. A poster called spinal soldier recently gave me a link to a chronic pain doctor, his guide was extremely helpful in explaining medications and the psychology of pain. Here's his site http://foresttennant.com/pain_management_patient_self_help.html.

It's normal to get depressed being in such pain. You'll be able to apply your education better once you've found a solution, be it alternative therapy or surgery. Keep the faith as it does take time, and you have many years of working left. (to try to get a perspective, you have 35 more years of working, if you spend the next two years getting better, what will be the impact long term?) Keeping a pain journal may help you get through the days.

Also, amitriptyline is an anti-depressant. The medical community has found anti-depressants have an effect on nerve pain. It's also known that they stop working for some people (a lot of people actually). You'll want to ask for a narcotic which will help you sleep and at the same time relieve pain. I use the Fentanyl patch, and it works great. I've read the patch is often prescribed for people with your severe back pain. I'm not a doctor so it's best to ask that question to your specialist. Other advice.... focus on doing stuff to calm the nervous system, like not drinking coffee after lunch, not eating excitotoxins like msg and aspartame (diet pop), and eating well.

Here's a site for alternative ideas,
http://columbusspine.com/
http://www.backclinicsofcanada.ca/index.php?/backclinics/article/herniated_or_bulging_discs_heal_with_nutritional_supplements_at_toront/
http://www.healyourbulgingdisc.com/best-resources.html

Post Edited (Sue123) : 1/13/2012 3:44:27 PM (GMT-7)

Welcome to our forum!

Please keep us informed on how you are doing

Im sorry you have alot of pain. It is nice to meet you

Betsey

Hi Sam,

My apologies for not having welcomed you already. I'm so sorry that you're going through such pain at your age - I'll be 27 in a fortnight and I'm no stranger to pain either - I have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and more recently added to my problems with multiple compression fractures in my thoracic spine and bulging discs at L3/L4, L4/L5 and L5/S1. My problem is that nobody can quite confirm what is going on - I have excruciating pain, periodic weakness and numbess while sitting, yet CT scans show no sign of any cord or nerve root compression.

I'm on Oxycontin and Topamax for my CRPS pain - I'm sure that it also provides some relief with my back. I was also on cortisone and increased NSAIDs a couple of weeks ago after having my wisdom teeth removed and found that to help my back quite a lot.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you're going. Also never feel that you are whining. Whatever the cause, severe pain is something we all have in common and we're all here to listen and support each other whenever it is needed.

Take care of yourself!

Laura

Bucca....I had my surgery to prevent paraylsis as well. I was told NEVER to let a chiropracter touch me because it would make me worse off and possibly paraylized. Chance I didn''t want to take. You probably will end up with good stability and unfortunately pain, hopefully less than what your having now. I am very happy to hear that you are teaching, might not be in they way you wanted too, but its a start, who know what options will be opened up for you after surgery. If there are no chronic pain support groups, you live in a college town, start your own. Find a space, usually churches will let you use some space for free. Put up flyers around the area and hopefully people will show up and you can make friends with people who understand what your going thru. Also don't forget we will be here for you!!!! Gentle Hugs
Cheryl