New to the forum, Not so new to back issues

[nolonger_superman]

Hi everyone! First off, I'd like to thank everyone on here for the great information and sense of community I have seen from browsing various threads. It's great to see a site like this where people can go where others understand exactly what you're going through.

With that said, here's my abbreviated story. I'm 28, soon to be 29. My issues started when I was probably around 14. I started getting wonderful pins and needles. So it was checked out and I was diagnosed with a stress fracture on my spine. Just dandy. Luckily it was over the summer so I just took it easy and felt great come fall and football. Come late fall/winter that year, it was back. Took it easy again and come spring track I'm feeling great. This went off and on for awhile. I turn 16 and can no longer take it. I literally could only lift my left leg 1 or 2 inches if i was sitting in a chair so it made school more fun than usual. Tried PT, injections....nothing worked. So I ended up having a microdiscectomy at 16. That worked well basically until I graduated high school. Spring track my senior year my symptoms slowly started coming back.

Well, I went to PT again and it didn't really make a difference. It wasn't nearly as bad as it was, so I decided to just live with it. The years went by and it slowly got worse. I did PT a few more times here and there to try to fix it. When I was I'd say 23ish, low back pain got thrown into the mix. Around 25 the low back pain was basically a constant. And just recently it was getting down right debilitating. For instance just carrying my train set up from the basement and putting it around the Christmas tree...all of 15 minutes work...had me down and out for the rest of the day. I couldn't play with the dog for more than 10 minutes at a time, and my wife and I were/are hoping to have a child within a year or 2. So that finally pushed me over the edge as I can't even imagine having a child and not being able to play with them.

That led me to my search for someone who was willing to do something other than PT. I saw 2 different orthopedic surgeons, neither of which was willing to do anything as they stated my symptoms weren't severe enough to warrant any kind of surgery. I really don't know how they could say that, but they did. Finally upon the recommendation of multiple people(my manager at work has had 4 back surgeries) I saw a neurosurgeon 2 hours away from me. He was very concerned with my story, especially given my history starting at such an early age. So on January 24 of this year I had a fusion of L4, L5, S1. Additionally, and I'm not clear on the details of this yet as I was pretty drugged up when he told me this in recovery, he said my spine was shifted too far to the side so he moved it back into proper alignment(spondylithisis maybe?). Also, I believe he stated he was able to leave my discs in when he did the fusion.

So I am now early in my 4th week post op. I'm moving around great imo. Since the start of the 2nd week the only pain meds I take are at night when I'm laying on my incision for too long. All 29 wonderful staples came out 2/10 and I feel so much better without them there. I walk between 1 and 2 miles a day minimum on the 1F of my house(measured out how many laps it would be).

I won't go into detail about all the issues I have but a few of them are/were 2 bulging discs, spinal arthritis, narrow canal, bone spurs, degenerative disc disease, and a few other things. As you can see, genetics have not been nice to me.

And finally, my username. Well, as stated early on, I was quite active athletically in high school. Football (my first love...and I still live for the NFL), Track (shotput, discus, 100m, 4x100m), and then I also participated in indoor track. Additionally, I have been an avid weightlifter for many years. After high school I kept up with the lifting and added running into the mix (usually only a few miles at a clip. I've never been good at long distance). So with the athletic mindset, I've always told myself I can do anything I set out to do whether it be moving heavy furniture alone or installing doors alone. I've always felt and acted like nothing can ever stop me...until now.

I feel my recovery is going great (don't know if it fusing or not yet), but obviously I can't do what I used to be able to and certainly will not be a runner again. I plan to take up swimming, but am somewhat sad that my lifestyle will need to significantly alter.

One final note...the best I can tell, my low back pain itself appears to be gone as well as much of the pins and needles in my leg.

With all that said, I do apologize for the long introduction. I tend to ramble on to anyone willing to listen since I am home alone all day since the dog can't talk back to me.

[KBear]

Welcome to the forum and sorry for the reasons that bring you here. What a long spinal history. We have a few on here who started with issues in their teens, but for most it was later in life. Justin, our founder started with issues in his teens, I believe also football related and is just a bit older than you and has had 3 spine surgeries. I was in a wreck that caused mine, started at 25 and I had surgery a couple of weeks after my 29th birthday. Sadly your story of treatment sounds very typical for those of us that are younger and have spine problems. No one wants to believe that someone in their 20's can be disabled from spine pain. I was told that there was nothing else they could do for me, that I'd never have more children and I needed chronic pain management for the rest of my life, all this at 28 years old. Turned out to be a blessing because the pain management doctor I found told me about ADR. Here I am 2 years later, 100% pain free, 8 months pregnant and living my life again.

It sounds like your recovery is going really well, especially to be on such a small amount of pain medication this early post op. Remember to take it slow and easy, you only get one shot at healing.
Kathy

[nolonger_superman]

Thanks for the reply Kathy. I have read about your and Justin's history. I'm sorry to hear about your accidents that caused your issues; however, it's great you are doing so well today. Also congratulations!! Sounds like you are going to have your hands full even more than you do now!

As for me, obviously due to my lovely turtle shell brace when I'm out of bed I can't really bend or twist. My biggest concerns with doing something I shouldn't is my dog. She(~20lb Puggle) likes being on my lap or walking right next to me...so she has accidentally tripped me twice. Nothing serious, just enough to where I catch myself on the wall, but it would still hurt nonetheless.

It's tough limiting myself because I do feel so good. Thankfully reaching isn't a problem for me in 90% of circumstances so I'm pretty self sufficient at this point; however, I do find myself almost doing things I know I shouldn't. My wife has been excellent throughout all of this and as with many of us here, I don't know what I'd do without my spouse to help. Anyone who has recovered while living alone is truly an inspiration...especially those first 2 weeks!

[Cindylou]

Welcome to the forum. You have had quite the spine history. Thank-you for taking the time to share your story. I am very happy to hear you are doing so well so soon since your surgery. You do sound like you are making excellent progress. Continue to give yourself the proper time for healing fully, as you did have a major surgery. And watch out for life's roadblocks! Your dog! (they do have a way of staying underfoot, don't they?) haha Take good care, Cindylou

[Jan P]

I am fairly new to the forum also and found your story very moving. I am almost 11 months post from my PLIF L4 L5 SI and you sound like your are doing great. Likely your age and physical abilities have helped speed you in your recovery.

I am going to be 63 the day I see my neurosurgeon (two weeks from now) for my 3 months check up and first X-ray. My recovery has been rather slow. My age is partly a factor. Also, irrating a back muscle a few times over these past months from doing things I shouldn't have, like reaching or just doing too much has really set me back. Take it from me, not worth the pain and worry that you have messed up your fusion.

I have to take everyday so much more slowly - even the good ones. Have heard that time and time again from this forum. Best advise you can get.

I too am in a "turtle shell brace" (so funny that how I have referred to it since day one - and I feel like Humpty Dumpty when sitting) and have had my husband GPS the distance around our driveway so I can get enough walking laps in to make up a mile+.

Without my husband, I do not know what I would do. Even today, he is here for me to help with all the household duties, shaving my legs and doing whatever is needed. I thank him everyday for his support and being here for me!

Best of luck to you in your recovery.
Jan

[Justin]

Hi nolonger_superman,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society.

I have to say, our spine histories are very similar. I was reading parts of it and it was as if I was reading some of my spine troubles in years past. It's great to read that you fusion has you back to living life without pain! Thank you for sharing your story for other Spine Patients to read (our readership is in the millions monthly).

No need to apologize for the "long" introduction--details really help! Welcome again and make yourself at home.

[Cindylou]

I am fairly new to the forum also and found your story very moving. I am almost 11 months post from my PLIF L4 L5 SI and you sound like your are doing great. Likely your age and physical abilities have helped speed you in your recovery.

I am going to be 63 the day I see my neurosurgeon (two weeks from now) for my 3 months check up and first X-ray. My recovery has been rather slow. My age is partly a factor. Also, irrating a back muscle a few times over these past months from doing things I shouldn't have, like reaching or just doing too much has really set me back. Take it from me, not worth the pain and worry that you have messed up your fusion.

I have to take everyday so much more slowly - even the good ones. Have heard that time and time again from this forum. Best advise you can get.

I too am in a "turtle shell brace" (so funny that how I have referred to it since day one - and I feel like Humpty Dumpty when sitting) and have had my husband GPS the distance around our driveway so I can get enough walking laps in to make up a mile+.

Without my husband, I do not know what I would do. Even today, he is here for me to help with all the household duties, shaving my legs and doing whatever is needed. I thank him everyday for his support and being here for me!

Best of luck to you in your recovery.
Jan

Jan, I think you meant 3 months post op, not 11 months, right? And I think definitely age plays a factor in our timetable of healing, along with fitness level, and genes. Having significant love ones and family helping can make a huge difference too. I'm glad your husband has been such a trooper and helper for you.

Back to no longer superman: Glad you are continuing to heal nicely. Glad you're here. Cindylou

[KBear]

My biggest concerns with doing something I shouldn't is my dog. She(~20lb Puggle) likes being on my lap or walking right next to me...so she has accidentally tripped me twice. Nothing serious, just enough to where I catch myself on the wall, but it would still hurt nonetheless.

If it's not the dog it's kids at my house. I have a boxer who is 100 lbs and loves nothing more than getting in the way. How can you be mad at them though when they are so happy to see you? Gotta love em' My friend almost ejected me from the wheelchair at 5 or 6 days post op and I thought I was going to die from the pain. I just knew I had surely screwed up surgery, luckily it takes much more trauma than that to mess it up.

I'm also not sure how you survive surgery without help, I definitely needed it. I'm glad you have a wife who is keeping you from overdoing it. It's human nature to feel better and want to get out and do everything. I don't have much room to talk, when the remainder of my back pain went away in my 2nd trimester, I was like a crazy woman working around the house. Painting, cleaning, moving stuff and what not. It was hard to make myself stop and slow down when I felt so good. Now I'm winded just going up or down the stairs, so taking it easy isn't a problem for me

Jan P- What a sweet husband, my husband is definitely not shaving my legs, so it's the best I can reach for now. LOL He has been sending me for pedicures quite often since reaching my feet is almost out of the question.

[Jan P]

Oops I actually meant 11 weeks - thanks Cindylou.

[nolonger_superman]

Wow! A lot of replies! Very different from any other forum I've ever posted on. It's so nice to actually interact for a change!

Cindylou -
Don't worry. Even though I feel great, the threat of an angry wife definitely will keep me from overdoing it. She's been so great throughout all of this that if anything, I'm being super careful for her sake more so than mine. I don't want to put her through this again as I know it's trying for her.

Jan -
I agree about sitting with the brace on. Sitting is rather irritating so I don't do it all that often(not that we're allowed to sit much). Glad I'm not the only one who measured out a mile. My family thinks I'm a tad ridiculous for doing it, but I want to keep track so I know what to tell my surgeon if asked.

Justin -
I've seen your signature on various posts. If you don't mind me asking, was there a particular footbal play you got hurt on? Or just a culmination of impacts over the years? For me it was more genetic issues combined with years of lifting and sports. Also, thank you for starting this site. Hopefully I can contribute to the community even if nothing more than support to new members.