Danielle's Spine Story -- Multiple Cervical & Lumbar Spine Surgeries

**DanielleP924** · 11-12-2009, 06:14 PM

Hello to you all. This is going to be a long message, since I feel the need to put it all out on the table.

First, I'm 41 and have been married for 20 years. I have a daughter, who will be 19 next month and a 17-year old son. My daughter graduated from high school in June and my son is in his Junior year. I'm married to a Major in the US Army. He was a 2nd LT when I married him back in 1989. I'm also a full-time college student with the University of Phoenix Online.

We have 2 dogs and my daughter has a cat and 2 horses she boards about 5 miles away from our home.

My husband has been in the military over 21 years. Until 6 years ago, he was a Reservist who only spent one weekend a month and 2-6 weeks a year away from home. Unfortunately, after 9/11 so many things changed for military families. He's been mobilized for going on 6 years; getting ready for his seventh. The military life can be difficult at best.

I won't go on with any more of the above as I want to get into my spinal issues. I just thought it would be good for everyone to get an idea of my life from a personal view.

My family is my #1 priority and if I don't get something done about my back, I can't do what I need to for them and that's just not okay with me at this point. I want more than anything in the world, to find pain relief that will allow me to move on with my life.

My Spinal History-

First spinal injury- July 1985 (injured lumbar spine lifting a large patient in a nursing home): Areas affected, were my lower lumbar, left hip and left leg. They said I had some Sciatic nerve damage back then. It did eventually get better. Unfortunately, I had to subsequent car accidents, which aggravated my back pain.

Second Injury-June 1986 (car accident): I had a flare-up of the same pain I had in July 1985. It eventually got better. Had some therapy and chiropractic and I was fine; until car accident #2.

Third Back Injury-December 1986 (car accident): Had about 3 months of physical therapy and wore a brace fitted for me, for several more months. I finally got over this pain, which was the same as the original pain from 1985.

I had some intermittent low back issues over the years that required some physical therapy, chiropractic, tens, ultrasound and lots of icing and heating.

Fourth Spinal Issue-Sept, 1999/Ruptured C6-C7 (just bent over to dry my legs after a shower & felt, as well as heard something pop-my disk): This was horrible. I had excruciating pain in my neck, arms and hands. I had a cervical fusion about a week after the injury. Spent 6 weeks recuperating. I was told I had unstable vertebrae, so they fixed me right up.

I continue to have pain in my neck from that surgery. The C5-C6 disk has been building since about a year after my neck surgery. I have chronic muscle pain in my neck and shoulders since the surgery.

Moving along to my main problems, which are my lower lumbar, hips and left leg.

Fifth Spinal Issue-July, 2001 (helped grandparents move, lifted something I probably shouldn't have-never been the same since then). I don't know exactly what happened, but I've been in agony with my lower back, hips and left leg non-stop since this point. I've not had one second where I've not been in pain with my lower back. I've been in physical therapy, probably at least 10 times over the last 8.5 years. I had to quit working and go on disability back in October, 2001, because the pain was too bad to work. I've been on Social Security Disability since March, 2004.

I have had at least 100 cortisone injections over these 8.5 years. I've had a percutaneous diskectomy and several radio-frequency rhyzotomies as well during this time period. Nothing has given me anything but very temporary pain relief and never more than about 40% pain relief and it never lasts long enough.

Latest/Sixth Spinal Issue-October, 2009 (hurt my back coughing. Had the flu really bad with a very deep cough). I felt something pop and for the past month I've been laying around, taking pain meds and trying to keep stretching when I feel up to it, which isn't much.

So, I had new lower back x-rays taken, which showed some spondylitic changes in my lower back. Had an MRI last week, which showed that my L4-5 disk is ruptured and pinching my L5 nerve. That's why the pain has been so much worse than my usual level of pain, which I've grown used to. So, I sent to my pain clinic yesterday and had an injection into that nerve. I could feel it all the way down to my toes, so I guess my doc found the right nerve. Unfortunately, I have always suffered from relentless steroid flares. So, now not only am I dealing with the pain from the ruptured disk, along with my regular pain, I am now experiencing awful steroid flares, which is making me even more miserable.

I'm so frustrated with my stupid back. I've been struggling so much over these past 8.5 years. Is it too much to ask if someone can finally fix my back for good???? I'm going to go in for another injection in a couple of weeks and if that doesn't give me the relief I need, then it will be time to visit a surgeon to see what he/she recommends.

I'm so sick of being in pain with my back and I was trying to find some help before I ruptured the disk; to find someone, anyone with some advice on what to do. I was going to try some more physical therapy, but then I got sick for an entire month, with the flu and as I was recuperating from that, is when I ruptured that stupid disk. So, now I don't have a clue what to do now.

Just talking about all of this history freaks me out! Not only have I suffered with the above back and neck issues, but I've had 3 abdominal surgeries, 4 hand surgeries, 2 major and 1 minor foot surgeries along the way; perhaps just to keep things interesting....

Where do I go from here???? Any advice?

Regards,
DanielleP924

**Justin** · 11-12-2009, 11:47 PM

Hi Danielle,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society

You have quite a spine history (not to mention all of your other surgeries). I am headed to bed now, but I will be back on tomorrow morning to reply to your post.

**Phylly** · 11-13-2009, 12:13 AM

Danielle,
I am so sorry to hear about your painful back and neck. I hope that you will be able to get some help soon and perhaps get several opinions in regards to surgery if that is indicated. I also hope that you are careful about getting so many cortisone injections. Having too many can cause osteoporosis and you certainly don't need that on top of all the other problems. Having so many back issues must be very frustrating for you especially when you need to assume extra family responsibilities . I hope that you can be taken care of as soon as possible.
Phylly

**DanielleP924** · 11-13-2009, 01:07 AM

Phylly-

Sounds like you've also had your fair share of problems with your back. I'm telling you, once you injure the back, it's impossible to ever go back to pre-injury condition.

I'm just so darn frustrated. I'm sick of being in pain and all I want is to be healthy and get rid of all my pain so I can live my life without pain medication and afternoon naps!

Thank you for your encouragement. I'm glad I found this website and forum. It will be nice to talk to others who have been suffering like I have been with spinal issues.

I'd better try to get some sleep. It's after midnight.

**ajj1001** · 11-13-2009, 03:43 AM

Welcome to the forum and thank you for sharing your story.

Sounds like it could be time for looking for options for treating the ruptured disc. Coming to terms with have a rubbish back has been one the hardest things for me over the past couple of years.

alison x

**Dave** · 11-13-2009, 05:57 AM

Danielle,

Welcome to the community.

It sounds like you have been through the wringer for several years. Back pain sucks, as we all know. It is the daily reminder that something is not right with us.

The medical industry has come a very long way in the last few years as to what type of fixes are available. Researching these is invaluable when it comes to making your final decision on what course you want to take. Ask a million questions, then ask a million more. Support is also an important part of a spine patients journey, so we will be here for you.

Best wishes.

**DanielleP924** · 11-13-2009, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by ajj1001

Welcome to the forum and thank you for sharing your story.

Sounds like it could be time for looking for options for treating the ruptured disc. Coming to terms with have a rubbish back has been one the hardest things for me over the past couple of years.

alison x

Alison-

Thanks for your reply. I am in the process of researching all the different options available to me to fix my ruptured disk. I've had problems with this disk for years and now it finally ruptured. Yeh for me, as if I didn't already have enough back issues to deal with.

I will keep the group posted on this journey. It's so aweseom to have somewhere to turn where people truly understand.

**DanielleP924** · 11-13-2009, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by Dave

Danielle,

Welcome to the community.

It sounds like you have been through the wringer for several years. Back pain sucks, as we all know. It is the daily reminder that something is not right with us.

The medical industry has come a very long way in the last few years as to what type of fixes are available. Researching these is invaluable when it comes to making your final decision on what course you want to take. Ask a million questions, then ask a million more. Support is also an important part of a spine patients journey, so we will be here for you.

Best wishes.

Hey Dave!

Thanks for the response. I've been on a long journey trying to find a way to recover from all my back issues. Now, I have to deal with a ruptured L4-5 disk. I'm in so much pain, I can't think straight. It's so amazing to have found this group. I was just thinking how nice it would be to have a place I could voice my thoughts where others would understand.

I have amazing friends, but none of them have chronic back issues, so they just don't get it. They try, but more often, I feel like they sound somewhat condescending instead of supportive.

I'm so happy that I now have a place where I feel I won't be judged because I have chronic pain. thanks!

**Gilbert P** · 11-13-2009, 11:50 AM

Hi Danielle

and

To SPS I am sorry to hear about your spine issues, You have recieved some great information and their will be more to come.

I am recovering from another ruptured disc at L4-L5 had surgery on 9-11 it was a micro disc so far things are getting better??

I wish you the best in your search for pain relief.

All The Best

Gil

**Cindylou** · 11-13-2009, 12:03 PM

Danielle, first of all, welcome to our SPS community.

Glad you are here, even though your reasons for being here are less than great. As I was reading your post (and thank-you for sharing your story, btw, especially all the specifics, because it really does help us help you better) about how glad you are to find us, it reminded me of the time I also found my first spine support group. It was nothing less than a God send. So I am glad you are already feeling you have found a safe haven to talk, ask questions, laugh, cry, and hopefully get some real answers for the treatment plan that is best for you. Pain does suck. Big time. For many, if not most of us, it has taken over our lives. But it doesn't have to be all consuming. I am attempting to learn how to be "unstuck" from everything that has happened to me since my bike accident 8 1/2 years ago. But that's another story. So, I pray you can find direction and comfort here as well. Welcome aboard again!