Frustrations with Treatment...or lack of one that works.

Frustrations abound!

As someone with horrible pain and extremely short patience I write this in hopes to help someone…as always.  This is a much condensed version of a future endeavor.

My experience with this has run the gambit of not only methods but emotions.  My journey began without a choice.  I could not walk.  I was a single mother of two small kids.  It had to be done, and done fast.  So, without the luxury and flexibility  of “time” I went through with the fusion at L 1-2.  Which, I am now told was the start of many surgical procedures.  It solved a much needed need and I was able to go back to work and play with my kids but it took 3 months.  Time went on (3 years to be exact) and I began having pain again.  JOY!  I went through tons of physical therapy, water therapy (which I loved best – and still do).  I tired many herbal remedies from better vitamins, tea and pain aids all natural.  Nothing worked.  It turns out I have a few things battling against me. 

Scoliosis - Scoliosis is a lovely condition that causes an abnormal curvature of the spine. Scoliosis is not something limited to one group of people.  It is an equal opportunity body wrecker and can affect children and adults, and may have different treatments.  It is split into two categories. Rotation of the spine or what I call “Twist and Shout” or “The Bends” meaning a lateral curve one way or the other and in some cases both.  Eeeek!

Spinal Stenosis – “the Skinny of It” a condition of narrowing of the spinal canal (the space surrounding the spinal cord and or the spinal nerves).  When these super important nerves are compressed you get weakness and numbness in your limbs. FUN!

Degenerative Disk Disease – This is the deterioration of the disks, as you age they become more fragile.  Some feel it occurs in part due to the disc becoming dehydrated if you can believe that.  Your back is thirsty!  It basically loses its ability to act as a cushion or shock absorber.  I only heard this recently. 

It became clear that yet another surgery loomed in my future. Again, I tired herbal stuff first Willow Bark, Glucoimine (sp) you name it.  I then opted for Cortisone Injections which let me tell you, after the Doc got the right spot was fantastic!  I felt bullet proof and even could do Kart Wheels in the yard.  It was great but it is some really bad stuff.  You can only have 5 a year from what my Doc told me.  I ended up begging for more.  He said most people ask for narcotics and you beg for an “oil change” as I called it.  I felt great.  However, after my seventh one he said no.  So, this time we went with a Laminectomy.  They cut a “window” out and take off the pressure and Junk (yes, that is the technical term – ok not really).  This was great and my recovery was only 3 weeks.  MUCH MUCH better than a fusion any day. 

Time went on and the pain came again.  In the middle I enjoyed what I can now only barely remember as a time without pain and when it felt bad I took some Advil and was fine.  Then with more injections, changing diet, therapy you name it…here came Fusion number two at L 4-5.  That sucked.  I was great for 3 years.  Now, I need another one. GREAT!  I thought the previous surgery was no good and when I went back they said it was actually L3 that was the problem.  In addition to a new thing in the mix. Enter….Sciatica!

Sciatica - this  is a particular fun type of lower back pain , or leg and back pain that comes from injury (I cracked my hip a few years back (NO!  I was not wearing my bubble wrap suit or my helmet) or pressure on your sciatic nerve.  So, I had my nerves microwaved!  ZAP!  That has been great and at Seven months I can feel them coming back. NOT COOL NERVES, NOT COOL….just die already.  This was called a Rhizotomy.  However, before that I was hypnotized, past life regressed in addition to using a product called Zeal (which actually did reduce the amount of Anti-Inflammatories I was ingesting…which can you guess what THAT caused?  An Ulcer! So, I am super thankful for the Zeal which is also for weight loss (more on that later). 

At last we come to some frustrations in treatment.  No doctor here will operate or see me really because I have so much damage and so many different surgeries.  Can you believe that?  NO ONE WILL HELP ME.  I have to go out of state.  Crazy right?  Like I enjoy this crap and I loved having different surgeons.  Whatever!  Now, I am trying to find someone to help me here so I do not have to stay for months in Texas or travel hours away from home for a doctor visit.  At this point I am willing to do it to get some relief and have my life back.  I don’t know call me crazy but the meds I have to take are NOT kind to my liver and no way do I want to get that replaced….I like mine.  It is cute!  This sucks!  So join me on the excursion will you?  Do you have questions because now I am pretty much the expert on all things spine.   

Since it is 4:18 am I am going to try to lay down.  Wish me luck kiddies.