hi
I am new to online anything but specifically was looking for a support group and information regarding chronic pain and lumbar spinal issues. I have been dealing with this whole overwhelming 'journey' towards health even over the years I have begun to wonder if that is even feasible or realistic. 9 months post L4-L5 fusion (I was told I would be back to work in 3 months...) I have just been informed that my temp disability will run out next month... no doctors have mentioned whether I am in fact permanently disabled at this point but I am still unable to work. the pain and nerve impingement symptoms have only gotten worse. in april 2015 the new mri showed some type of cysts in my nerve bundles and sciatica that I never had presurgery is most excruciating some days....my neurosurgeon who has a very good reputation has now sent me back to my pain management specialist and i'm left feeling very alone and worried that nobody cares that this is my life we are talking about!!! I am 45 and many days require a walker to get mobile.
so I am scared and frustrated and completely overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. how do people survive the ups and downs in recovery especially with looking at no income until maybe in a year permanent disability kicks in if they approve....ugh
but after 2 years of heavy opiate use I am finally off all that and while there are many times I wish for pain relief I will be out of all other options before I go back to using those meds...too soon...I really believed withdrawing from the morphine was going to kill me and it almost did.

ok I probably put too much or not enough. I have never been on a site before for anything so this is all new. hope I didn't do it 'wrong'.....