Back Pain

Posted on: Thu, Jan 10 2008 4:10 PM

Posted by: Emil Posts: 6

Hi Beth. My name is Jon Klingenfus. And my situation is pretty much at the same place as yours (L5 S1)you can read my Bio such as it is.I walked with a cane due to my ballance was shot after surgery for 7 yrs. i found some shoes that REALLY HELPED!!!! they are called Z coils.My nerv pain was horrible and i couldnt stand on any surface for more than a couple of minutes with out the lightning bolts shooting up and down.they look kinda funky but oh my god what a difference they make.When my surgeon had to finally admit he could do no more harm he wrote me off and labeled me a drug seaker,basically calling me a druggie and faking my pain to get pills,even though prior to my surgery no pain meds were given and after  surgery only two scripts of tylenol 2.i went almost 6 years with no pain medication-so i drank---------------a lot!! now 250 lbs. I was worse than ever ,finally i found a DR. to work with me and i quit drinking almost over night,I was never an alcholic I was just in pain and wanted some relief--I wish i could say the shoes took me off the meds!!!But the morphine i fear is here to stay.but now i weigh 195lbs. due to the shoes and being able to go for walks,

Take comfort in your children.My injury has kept my wife and i from having any.mostly due to money--i dont want to ruin a childs life due to mine being in the crapper--the prozac helps--to keep you quiet--dont let them.kick scream yell until they listen to you--truly your worth it!!! I hope this helps even a little.

Your friend Jon

Posted on: Fri, Jan 11 2008 8:47 AM

Posted by: shakennotstirred Posts: 8

I would see another doctor, a surgeon, and demand surgery.

Posted on: Fri, Jan 11 2008 2:17 PM

Posted by: jerseygirl Posts: 53

Butterflylady, 

I have a herniated disk and a pinched siatic nerve so I sort of know how you feel.  I don't handle pain well and I am the biggest crybaby when it comes to pain. Anyway, the first thing you have to do is change your mind set from "I CAN'T DO IT" TO "I WILL DO IT AND I CAN DO IT!"  Like you I am over weight and that is not good for you back either. I am trying to lose weight and I lost about 15 pounds.

I went to PT 3x a week for 6 weeks when my back started to totally hurt, but after about the 3rd session, I started to feel better. Treatments aren't going to work the first time out. I hated the massages but in the end they helped. I do everything I am WAS told not to do, that is play soccer, floor hockey, basketball and do the 50 meter walk and softball throw in the Special Olympics. What works for me is taking 3 advil befor I practice or place(this was oked by my doctor).  Also Ice helps too.

HOPE THE FOLLOWING CHEERS YOU UP:

I have a bad ankle, 2 bad knees, a sugically repaired right elbow and if I were a horse they wouldl shoot me(LOL)!

Posted on: Sat, Jan 12 2008 6:51 PM

Posted by: kit8008kat Posts: 7

Hello,

I have found this site to be a tremendous help when your feeling depressed and all alone.  I too have alot of back pain with disc replacements from degerative disc disease and spinal stenosis and now depression because of loosing a very good job.  I am not the most religious person out there probley more God fearing than anyone I know but I do know this.  "If God brings you to it, God will bring you through it"  Keep up the chin and alwasy come here when things aren't going as expected someone somewhere will pull you threw that day

Kit

Posted on: Wed, Jan 16 2008 3:01 PM

Posted by: designer Posts: 10

Hey Butterfly Lady,

I feel your pain, No fun. 

I also have some problems w/ my lower disc, now I wake up w/ pain down one leg or the other. It keeps me guessing, ha. Not really a laughing matter.  I am the Queen of Denial.  I keep trying to work but it hurts and people are not understanding.  I know I need to find the right Dr. to help me.  I called my Rheumotologist, She prescribed more pain meds till I get to the next appointment in Feb. I hate being dopey.  If I call my Neurologist they will probably want to give me those big shots in my back $$$$, that only last a little while.  I have been doing them for the past 3 years.  But I did not have the shooting pain down the leg like I do now [ I know it's getting serious ]  Maybe I also need a 2nd opinion.  I've had trouble w/ my lower back for 35 years & am tired of the pain.  When it comes to back surgery you need to go to the best.  My MOM had back surgery in the 70's & has done well, she crunched one of her disc.  She is now 79, has had 2 knee replacements & goes to water aerobics 3x per week at the Y. [ GO MOM!!!] 

I should go back to water aerobics, [ I should check to see if my insurance would help pay for it ] but the only place I can afford can't keep their water temp right.  Don't exercize in cold water it will only zap all your strength!  I quit going because I thought I finally found the "dream Job" but it turned out to be a nightmare & my boss was a real, not understanding #*&!@%$$#% jerk.  so much for that.

I started water aerobics after my knee replacement, it really helped me to get back my strength & balance.  When I was going to water aerobics I would wear my swim suit under my clothes to make it easier & bring clothes to change into.  I would go to work after.  2x's I forgot to bring my underwear.  Lucky I was working part time @ a department store. Ha!  I was the youngest in my class too & the older ladies were so nice.   I bet the ladies in your class are also nice & all women like to "mother" so I'm sure one of them would help you get dressed. [ I hate to ask for help also, it drives my Husband nuts. ]   My mom says that the Red Cross has volunteers that will take people who can't drive to & from DR. appointments, I wonder if they would do that for water aerobics?

I think it's great that your Dr. put you on folic acid & B 12.  Last night I pulled out my favorite book on nutrition "Let's eat right to keep fit by Adelle Davis.  In the book She states that if you try for 3 months of eating healthy instead of trying to loose weight on some diet, that you will have better results & feel better.  also to take baby steps to getting back to exercize.  My Neuroligist said I needed to loose 50 lbs. I'm 5' 7" & weigh 195 - 200 lbs.  of course He didn't tell me how.  Some times you just have to do alot of research to find what works for you.

Keep on smiling, your not alone.

love Bell 

Posted on: Wed, Jan 16 2008 3:56 PM

Posted by: mcjane Posts: 690

Hello Butterflylady.  Very interestinghow you found this site! I am new here and it is curious to see your discussion in the current page since it is months old, but your caption really caught my eye since it is what I have been thinking and feeling..how to start over and wanting my life back.

I became paraplegic 5 months ago when I got hit from behind by a sleepy driver.  Like you I see there are people worse off then me and it does NOT make me feel better!  It's a sorrowful world sometimes.

Your chosen name is very interesting...remember a butterfly goes thru many changes and rest periods before it becomes a beautiful winged creature.  It begins as an egg, turns to a catepillar which has its own cycle of growth, changes size 5 times, called "instar".  Then it hangs upside down for a while,  then pupates, that is changes to a chrysalis, and again rests.  When it emerges it must rest again, hanging til its wings dry.  Only then can it fly. 

I worked on a butterfly farm and my job was gathering food and feeding the catepillars and harvesting the pupae.  I had my own personal metamophosis while watching these fascinating creatures.  I'm not sure what stage I'm at now...  It seems to me that you are facing many changes and challenges as well. You can become a whole new creature, leaving behind all the old bodies. 

 I agree with Debbie that diet is the best way to control diabetes, and with the doctor that exercise every day is the best thing to keep you mobile. Walking is the best. There is a man here who has neuropathy and he is a diver and has no pain when he is in the water. Losing weight is a tedious task but I'm sure it is essential to your healing.  Believe it or not, the best way to reduce is to eat frequently!  Just don't eat more than 500 calories at a sitting.  And altho breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it sets your metabolism, it is not necessary to "break fast" first thing in the morning.  Any exercise done before eating will burn what is stored.

 I also have bad reactions to meds and have chosen to go drugless, much to the doctors dismay.  They know little else.  I have a friend who was diabetic and changed his diet and his blood changed so quickly they wanted to do a case history on him.  I am delighted to hear the Mayo Clinic is using vitamin therapy!  But from what I learned it is best to take ALL the B vitamin complex, taking just two can create an imbalance.

Have you read THE SECRET?  The premise is we are what we THINK.  I don't know why I would think myself into my current situation, but I'm trying to stay conscious of my thoughts so that I can start over again and have a new and better life.  I wish the same for you.

Posted on: Wed, Jan 16 2008 11:48 PM

Posted by: Debbie Posts: 3,878

hi beth..where are you? i miss you yoyo! come back xoxo

hi john and shakennotsturred, welcome to disaboom and great to have you join us. it's nice to meet you.