Hello from Ireland (32 years old, previous lumbar spinal fusion and extensive conservative care)

[gerryoz]

Hi everyone,
In the past serveral years I have been in and out of hospital having procedure after procedure and have almost come to my wits end! It was my wife that suggested that I join this site in which people with similiar issues can chat and understand each other.
I'm not sure if my signature shows up below but I have had several epidurals, facet joint injections, rhizotomy, discectomies, dural tear, spinal fusion L4, L5, S1 and have now been told there are little or no options left apart from to go for a spinal cord stimulation kit which I have thought about for the past few weeks and think I will give it a miss for now! ( I am only starting to cope with life and not being able to work and dealing with my meds that I dont need another procedure that could make it worse or do nothing for me)
I am 32 years old and have been off work two years in October. I am constantly on pain medication which is hard enough on its own. I have two young children two and a half and one and a half. The oldest understands that I am unable to pick him up that much but my daughter doesnt understand YET!
My poor wife has been my rock the past few years and does everything possible to make everything & every day easier for me.
During all my procedures I have lost most of the power in my right foot so I use a stick everywhere I go. Some days are better than others but mostly they are not good. I have also got Tietze syndrome which has started since my spinal fusion but when it gets bad I just take brufen to help.
I cant drive anymore, I can't run or do sports any more, I can't lift things (heavy things), I actually cant do much at all!! I do go for walks which I enjoy but am usually sore afterwards (it gives me some freedom and some normality so I dont mind the pain so much)

Anyways, I am sure most people here are in the same boat so hello and hope to chat to you all.

Thanks
Gerry

[Justin]

Hi Gerry,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society.

Well, you have quite the spine history, especially at such a young age. I am sorry that your spine problems bring you here, but I do hope we can help support you and offer suggestions to help you live your life is less pain.

What besides your pain medications is helping with your pain currently? Is there anything that provides relief? It really hurts to see so many people suffering.

We are here for you.

[gerryoz]

Hi & thanks Justin,
Besides medication what gives me pain relief? Not much to be honest. On a good day the medication works and keeps it all at bay but when its bad the medication doesnt really work too much.
I find if I really relax and do nothing (as little bending as possible) that could annoy my back for a few days then it seems to give me a couple of good days after.....bit like a charging battery....once I am charged I can last a couple of days until the charge has wasted! But Im starting to know things that run the charge down quicker than others....like sitting in a car for a long period - that would hurt me no matter how long I rested before hand. Standing for too long (in one place) that would also hurt. Sitting watching tv for too long would also annoy it. Sitting on a hard chair is also another that would drain the energy from my back!
Last Monday we were out doing our weekly shopping and my daughter droped her soother so I picked it up and felt my back nearly go.....God the pain was bad. I got my wife to drive straight to my local doctor and got some pain relief injections and some anti-inflammatery injections and then bed rest for a couple days. It seemed to have done the job.
I have tried various physio, acupuncture, massages but all made it very sore.

The bit that Im sure most people here can understand is some peoples reaction to when you say you have a bad back. Usual response is "oh ye, Ive got a bad back too". I feel that people only believe you or believe how bad you are until you show them the scares and give them a full medical history! The odd time if I am just going to the local shop I may not bring my walking stick and I feel that when people look at me they think that there is nothing wrong with me....If they dont see something physicaly wrong with you then there must not be anything wrong with you! Plus when you look at me there doesnt look like there is anything wrong with me which when people see you they just dont understand that you a re screaming in side and on very strong medication.

I wrote my Pain Management Consultant a letter this morning telling him that I will not be taking up his offer of the SCS kit(at this time). I explained to him that at this point in my life I am just starting to get used to all the meds, not working, using a stick, the good days and the bad. I dont think I could deal with anything more that could possibly make it worse. Each procedure that I get my right foot gets worse and worse and Im afraid that one more time and that could be it for my right leg/foot. Im not sure I could even deal with the emotional ups and downs right now.
I explained that if I deteriorate or can not continue the way I am then I would be happy to go ahead with it.