Hello (L3/L4 & L4/L5 herniations)

[chriss]

I'll start with a little background on my situation. In Jully of '09 was my first episode. I spasmed at home so bad the paramedics were called. I spent 2 days in the hospital pushing that green button every 8 minutes. I herniated l4/l5. I then did every kind of treatment they could throw at me, still had pain across the lower back and down the legs and into the foot. I have been getting epidurals since. I also have DDD. In Feburary I sat with my OS for almost 1and 1/2 hours in his exam room discussing the best thing to do. A 1 level fusion was the decision. I wanted to wait till the end of the year and not have to miss the summer. I am also finishing rehabbing a torn bicep tendon. End of March I reached to my right and behind me at work and could not get up for 20 minutes. I spent the nest 6 hour at work not being able to lift my feet when i tried to walk. I was 2and 1/2 hours form home and did not want to go to a hospital out of town. So some how I crawled into a truck and someone droave me home. Again, another 2 days hitting that green button. This MRI showed that I herniated L3/L4 and the has been no improvement below. They gave me another epidural and 4 days after that started a spinal headache (OMG!) Now 2 weeks have gone by and am walking 15 to 20 minutes a day. I still have ppain down the legs but am tollerating the back pain. I have a new pain I did not have until the second one went. I feel like I have pain on the spine. And it feels like it "cracks" on occasion. I see my Ortho tomorrow to talk about what my new options are. I sure would appreciate any input anyone has. It is hard for my family and friends to fully understand how much it affects you everyday.
thanks for your time
chriss

[Justin]

Hi chriss,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society.

I'm so sorry you have been dealing with disabling back pain. However, you are among good company: there are many Spine Patients here at SPS that "get it" and truly understand what you are going through.

Please let us know what the ortho has to say tomorrow and what the "game plan" will be.