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2yrs post L4-L5 life is hell

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Posted 4/11/2014 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
Recently found your forum and thought I'd share my experiences and hopefully find some new ideas for my situation.

Several years ago I began experiencing back pain. My father had a bad back but, I always attributed it to his physical work that he did. I was very healthy throughout my life until I hit my mid 30s. I was an active, fit, non-smoker 6' 160lbs and out of the blue I started having back pain. I tried a chiropractor for a month or better but, only had minimal relief. I tried acupuncture and even purchased an inversion table to little success. My wife and I have purchased two new mattresses hoping that would help. I set up appointments with numerous neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons. They gave me meds and set up physical therapy which I have re-visited over the past several years and of course still do what I've been instructed to do at home.

MRIs & CT scans have been done numerous times. After going through a myelogram with positive results for pain (L4-L5) And being diagnosed with spinal stenosis I decided to have an MS-Tlif of the affected spine. I am 2 years almost to the day of my surgery and I am still living what can only be described as hell. I take the same meds prior to my surgery. Lortabs 10-325 3x daily, robaxin 500mg 2x daily and a Celebrex.

Last week I had another CT scan which I'm awaiting results and I have another appointment with my pain mgmt doctor next week. Honestly, I don't know what else to try. I have a wife and two beautiful young girls that see me through each day but, they all deserve better than what they are getting.

Sorry for the long post but, if anyone has something that can share I'd be grateful for any ideas. Thanks.
Posted 4/11/2014 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
….Good Afternoon Dude! I wanted to give you a warm Welcome here! Glad you found our forum!

I'm getting ready for an outing with a buddy of mine, so I'm pressed for time, but will get back to you later this evening and give a better reply to your post. I too have had a Lumbar Fusion, and still suffer chronic pain.

Thank you for joining us!…and Enjoy the forum!

SE wink
Posted 4/11/2014 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Okay S.Eagle, looking forward to your response.

I should also add that I've had numerous rounds of epidural shots which have had diminishing returns over the years. I've probably forgot a few other things that I've tried too.
Posted 4/11/2014 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome !

Sorry you are in pain. Difficult adjustment ..

My own injuries occured in 2005 from a fall.. long list.. including discs. Like many posters I've dealt with chronic pain (10 yr in my case), numerous doctors, therapist, tests etc.

I've chosen NO surgery myself. For me, aquatherapy in a warm therapy pool has been best type of exercise, which is very important. Pain medications - took awhile to find the combination that works.. avoided trying the 'hard stuff' for years but realized how much I was NOT doing w/family & friends after spending most of 6 continuous months in bed in pain.

Family loves you & you'll will find different ways to do things together .. determine to have a positive attitude & when you need to vent or ask questions, this is good place to come. And also to find how other families adjust activities.

The search option is great for specific questions.
Good luck!!
Posted 4/13/2014 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi DailyDude & welcome to the chronic pain forum. I am glad that you found us but sorry that you have to be here. Living with chronic pain is a tough way to have to live. I know it has to be discouraging to go through surgery & end up no better off. It will be interesting to see the results of your Ct Scan. We see folks end up having scar tissue problems after surgery, some people tend to develop it more than others too.

Don't be so hard on yourself about the family. First off, this is not your fault, it is not something that you did on purpose to create the situation. I am sure your family loves you very much & they are just happy to have you with them. Kids adapt very well, as long as they know you love them, thats the most important thing, same with the wife.

Anyway, I wanted to pop on & say hello & welcome aboard. Take care.
Posted 4/13/2014 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
hey dude and welcome to the forum. i too have shared to same experiences your going through/have been through. right down to buying a new mattress. (didn't help ethier.) think i'm going on about 9 years or so
of having troubles with my back.
countless mri's, cat scans, therapies and electronics devices. well four surgeries later no real relief so
my surgeron on i started talking about a pain pump. (well thats a story and a half for me) my wifes
grandmother had one inplanted and it made a night and day difference in your pain levels and for that
reason (among others) i opted to have the surgery. i'm still in the adjustment phase of having the pump
showing any real relief. but i'm patience. i've learned over the years that being patient is a big factor
in the healing process. is there any kinda stretches that you do during the day. nothing to strenuous
just something to keep the muslces going. i do stretches sometimes twice a day (if i fell up to it) and
also try to take walks. i find that can be helpful but always what you feel you can do personally.
well i hope you are able to find some relief and i wish you the best of luck.
again welcome and keep us posted to how you are doing. also feel free to vent here also, we're all pretty good listeners... yeah
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