New Member

Welcome !!

You can certainly post/read on more than one forum.

Ask questions/post info that you want to share on the ones that seem appropriate.

Thank u!! I guess I just need to learn to navigate the site better also!

Thank u Susie! I started having major issues with my back starting when I was 12 (they put me on muscle relaxers!). Of course back then it was "growing pains". Then they blamed it on fibromyalgia and lupus. Finally my legs started giving out on me and was sent to a neurosurgeon. My first back surg was a herniated disc repair in my low thoracic. Three months later I had a lumbar laminectomy. Third surg was a cervical fusion of two vertebra. Forth was my thoracic spine. Then my vertebra were fusing on the interior makin my back bulge out. So they sent me to a University neurosurgeon. He fixed the last surg and fused more vertebra and added rods and braces. Well, then it got horrible. Being a nurse, I knew something was very wrong. One of my fused vertebra was crushed, pushing out all my hardware cause my rods bent as well. U could feel all my hardware. I was hunched back and couldn't walk without a walker. So.... Now they went in, stretched my spine, fused T4-L4, and put stronger screws, rods, and braces. Doing... Well, ok I guess. I have problems with my right thigh and the top of my incision causes major spasms around my should blades. I'm very nervous that something will go wrong since it has the last two times. That was my 6th spine surg in less than 6 yrs! My body and mind are tired!

Wow, Rhawk you have every reason to be tired both physically & mentally. You are a rare one having thoracic surgery. That is one surgery they steer clear of because it is so dangerous. This tells me quite a lot them doing surgery on this area. I don't know when your last surgery was, but all I will say is be kind to your body because it has gone through an awful lot of trauma.

I do hope that your dr has you on a good muscle relaxer. The spasms cause so much more pain. If for some reason he/she does not have you on one I would sure be discussing this with him.

Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Susie

Thank u Sophia! My last surgery was in October. I'm on a muscle relaxer, but that nor the pain meds seem to work. Pretty much been in my bed since October. I love my house, but sometimes I feel like blowing it up lol. At least I have an amazing husband that tries his best to keep things up and great kids that understand. But it makes me feel bad that they have to go thru all that because of me:(

I understand the feeling, Rhawk. Pretty much the whole lot of us will post about the same thing every now and again. There are times you can feel just so worn out and worn down,....

At least here, we're among people who help give us a different perspective of "normal!" In that regard, the comfort of being able to communicate with others who have come to redefine our definition of "normal" so that we may learn to live life,...just a little differently than we used to.







M.

Thx again Merrida! Friends and family try to understand, they all say stuff like " don't give up", "ur strong", or my favorite "things will get better". It's all meant to comfort I know. And Idk what I'd want them to say. There's jus nothing they can say cause they don't kno chronic pain... Not only what it does to ur body, but the mental aspects of it. They can live their lives. Not to mention tryin to get docs to understand that some pain meds they swear by don't work. Then they look at u like u jus want drugs. Grrrr! I spent 20 yrs keepin my patients outta pain.....
Thank u Whatx2! Much appreciated!!!:)

Wow Rhawk !! Your history is cringe worthy for sure. ,

Glad you found this forum - so much experience here..

Thank u Abilene, DianeB, and bigecase!! It is very comforting to kno there r people that do understand! I'm so glad that I found this site. It's been a blessing for sure!!

Welcome to the chronic pain forum at HW. You will find some wonderful informative folks here that understand pain and all that entails. This is home to us and we are glad to have you join us.

Hello Rhawk,
I was just thinking of you and hoping you have not blown your house up! :)