Watch your back!

Junebug

Junebug

JAFO
Hey, I am 56 and suffered lower back pain for 14 years. It started when I ruptured a disc while using a large chainsaw. If you want to know how that feels, try jumping on a bicycle without the seat, that would be a close second. Now, you get to experience the total freak out and go to the doctor just knowing you are going straight into surgery. Hold on, most of the time you can get well with anti-inflammatory drugs and rest. I know, I went through this 7-8 times over the years. But, this year I was having chronic pain, eating Advil daily and trying to keep doing all I had been doing. That stopped mid July when I had incredible pain down my right leg. The family doc tried the usual treatment, a week later I ruptured a disc and he gave me a shot and an appointment with a Neurosurgeon. The MRI showed a problem at L3, I was having trouble walking and my leg was weakening. I went to the hospital, he operated and found same issue at L4-5 and some bone spurs and a cyst. He told my wife ( who really stuck with me) that the operation should have been a hour and 15 min, turned into 2 hours and 45 min, he said my back was a mess. I spent the night in the hospital and went home the next day. It'll be 3 weeks tomorrow, I am feeling pain free, walking more, looking forward to the follow up visit and physical therapy.
So, take care of yourself, but, if you're in the pre-surgery phase, be real careful! Ok, I just want to add that those laser adds on TV, don't go there, my surgeon is one of the best, 30 years experience and I would trust him with my life, and he says don't get pulled into the laser marketing. Yeah, I got a scar, so what, he operated in a tiny place, you think it would be easier through a keyhole? Plus, he found the issues at the L4-5.
 
I clicked thinking I'd be reading some new crime or conspiracy theory post. :(

Glad to hear your recovery is going well, won't surprise me if I'm there one day.
 
Mi Amigo !

Sorry to hear this happened to you.. :(
I am so happy to hear that you are in the recovery phase and hope with much prayer that you will get all healed up soon...

For all the crap I have done to my back including chainsaws with 6' bars, cutting, splitting, and stacking wood for years, I am so blessed that it has not given it up yet... :)

Take care, old friend !
Dan F
 
Thanks guys! No fusion, wax, car or spine. I had a microdiscectomy - Google it, I found a cool video, animation, no blood and guts that explains it.
 
Glad you came through surgery with no problems. I had back fusion surgery back in March. After 10 years of physical therapy and the VA telling me it was a buldging disc I finally went to an outside ortho surgeon. He checked my back and told me the disc had degenerated and I needed surgery immediately. When he operated he found that the disc had completely disintegrated. So much for the VA and a buldging disc. Going to the VA is like taking your car to a dealer to "detail" your car, not the best idea. Hope your recovery goes well.
 
JuneBug, I was asking about the fusion as I was just wondering where you were in the list of back procedures. I say this and don't mean it lightly. Been through the discectomy, nerve root clearance, bone relief, cleaning out arthritis etc. These things helped but only lasted about 3 years for me and then it was on to the next surgery. Been fused L3, L4 and L5 for about 10 years now and doing OK, still has its moments. I know quite a few who have had similar results. Hope your's continues to do well and never needs additional work. Backs are tough.
 
Junebug said:
Thanks guys! No fusion, wax, car or spine. I had a microdiscectomy - Google it, I found a cool video, animation, no blood and guts that explains it.
Click to expand...

Had a similar procedure (laminectomy) about 15 yrs ago. Have 100% pain relief 15 years out with no limitations or restrictions.

Get well soon.
 
A friend that I graduated high school with had my operation and then six years later had the fusion operation. He tells me he uses a back brace everyday. Me? I hope to get good news next week when I go back to see the doctor. But, whatever he says, I will follow it to the letter.
I hope y'all all have no further back issues.
 
I have been getting a deep tissue massage 1 or 2 times a month for the last 2 years and it has helped a lot with my sciatica nerve pain and lower back and shoulders (they are stress related). When it gets real bad I stretch while watching tv at night for about a 1/2 hour which helps also. I am leaving doctors out as long as I can bear the pain. I have 85 minute massage tonight can't wait, it was awkward at first but now I am fine. Full nude took bit to get used to and because my lower back sciatica pain she spends about 15 minutes just working on my butt also was very awkward but now i dont even care because the pain relieve i get.
 
First OP, I hope you feel better and I wish you a speedy recovery.

This should be called take care of your body, its the only one you are getting.

I have had my issues as does everyone. 2 Knee surgery's, one wrist, both shoulders rotator cuff and labrum's fixed.

Sports and weekend warrior stuff is fun but you need to be smart. I was too old to be riding the trails on my mountain bike and it cost me a wrist and shulolder.

The other shoulder was someone telling me its time to stop playing hardball.

I figure my warranty ran out about my 40th birthday. Up until then, it ran like a dream :)

Pay attention, you can learn a lot from an old guy.
 
Only an overnight hospital stay... That's not too bad. Wish that's what I was being told. Instead, they're telling me 3 day stay with a morphine drip.

ever read the book "healing back pain"? Supposed to be pretty good. A coworker has similar l4/l5 issues and recommended it. It's my next read

Anyway, I'm 30 years old and have never been majorly injured- no car wreck, no major work or sports injury. My weight got a bit out of hand, up to 227, but now I'm 6'2 190.

My back problems started about a year ago, so I spend 2k on a new mattress thinking that was the problem.

Flash forward to March, and I have a meltdown with my back. I could barely walk and was almost in tears. I went to Kaiser and by the time I got upstairs I couldn't take another step. I could barely breathe the pain was so intense. They had to put me in a wheelchair to get me to the ER.
I ended up missing 2 weeks of work.

I tried chiropractor, physical therapy, etc to no real lasting relief. I take 7 pain pills a day to feel normal.

X-rays and an MRI revealed herniated discs at L4/L5 and L5/S1, one of which is major. I also have degenerative disc disease at those two discs. Additionally, they discovered I was born with a pars defect, which looks like a fracture, and have a vertebra that is out of alignment.

Surgeon says I need a two level fusion. That's a 3 day hospital stay, 3 weeks off work, 6 weeks light duty with lots of rehab, and 6 months for the bones to fully heal around the rods and brackets. Not fun. I'm working on a 2nd opinion.
 
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