Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. In fact, about 3 in 4 adults will experience back pain during their lifetime! The term back pain...
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At the end of my rope.....
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Just found this site this AM. I really feel for all of you.....literally! I am a veterinarian who works for a county shelter, and 905 of my time is spent standing at the surgery table. My problems started back in '81, when I experienced a herniated disk at L5-S1. After initial recovery, all went well until '98, when I started to have problems with pain again. An MRI showed the same situation with the disk at L5-S1. I lived with it until about 3 years ago when it was really starting to escalate. Pain specialist tried transforaminal steroid injections and WOW!, what a difference! That bought me the best feeling back I'd had in years. But, then it quit helping. Next he tried caudal epidural steroid injections. That bought me about 6 more months of excellent relief, then POOF!........ No further help.
In the spring of '06, they decided to repeat the MRI. OMG!.... What a difference! In 8 years, I went from 1 herniation to 3 hernations, scoliosis, and severe degenerative joint disease at L3-4. So from 1 bad disk to only 1 good disk left! Since theat time, I have been on various meds including; Flexoril, Tramadol (both ER and short versions), different opioids, PT, TENS, massage therapy and chronic naproxen. All of this mostly to no avail. This last spring, out of desparation, my spine surgeon had me get a discogram. The trouble is that I have minimal leg pain or sciatica, if at all. My pain is all in the lumbar area and at times causes severe spasms all the way up to midchest region and even around to my sides. But so far, they feel surgery will not help?????? It is at the point where it is almost impossible to do my job without coming home in severe discomfort, to say the least. And it is getting worse by the day. I can't take this much longer. And the dang thing is, I AM A DOCTOR! I understan what all this anatomy and neurology is about! There MUST be something else they can do to stop this!!!! Anyone else out there have a similar experience? Any advice? I just want to do my work helping the critters! Posted on 11/12/07, 11:11 am |
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For all the folks who have added to this pretty old thread that was started back when I first joined, you need to read the other updates to my journal! I have had surgery back in Jan., and the fusion has gone well. But, there are new problems arising from my older herniated disks. This may be because of the realignment of my spine, or may just be further degeneration. I have had another MRI a few weeks ago and am waiting on my appointment to discuss the ramifications with my doctor. I am now experiencing a whole different set of symptoms which from what I have read in the report, indicate further arthritic changes causing stenosis of several levels of foriminae, or the openings between the vertebrae where the nerves come through. I now am having nerve impingement causing my legs to grow weak as the day progresses and an almost locking up of my lower spine at times from facet joint deterioration. I am now wearing a very restrictive and uncomfortable brace, which is letting me get through my days of doing surgery, but only barely. More to come as I get info. 
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FIND A NERO SERGERN THEY ARE THE BEST
SPELLING WRONG
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I see someone a week or so suggested an inversion table. Have you tried that yet. It also works wonders for me. I also use ice packs to reduce the swelling that may be causing the pain sense it comes later in the day.
My brother-in-law is a retired Vet. He did both surgeries and patient care. You are no doubt going to have to slow down and do less surgeries. I would start now before the "criters" loose your help altogether. Seriously try the ice packs for 20 minutes at a time and the inversion table. If the ice seems to burn then you are doing it right. I am sure you know that though. Good luck and God bless you for helping the animals.
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Wow, thanks for sharing your story. I just got a decent diagnosis 1 year ago, and I already feel like I've been running on the ol' hamster wheel when it comes to treatments. They are trying to treat my inflammation, but not the source of it--I have wondered what good will that do in the long run? I see yours as a cautionary tale!
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I agree--ask about the spinal cord stimulator. It truly was the only way I was able to continue working. But be aware--there are drawbacks. I regret that I cannot have an MRI now--could shift the electrods and cause nerve damage. There is a question that I might have MS now but I cannot have the MRI to find out. But the stimulator did help my pain level. Good luck.
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