She has been in excruciating pain for over three weeks now. They kept telling us she had a pulled muscle.
After two ER visits in one week (4 in one month) for shots to attempt to control the pain, and after her right leg was involved for over a week, they did a CT scan. It showed two herniated discs (L2 & 3, L4 & 5). They were relieved that it was below the spinal cord, but concerned and said a MRI is necessary.
In the last visit, she was still in horrible pain after a huge shot of steriods, muscle relaxer and 3 shots of morphine.
She's 19 in November.
Her father also deals with disc herniations and bulges.
I got her to a family dr. who said an MRI is only going to be necessary if she doesn't continue doing better. For the last two days, she's been doing pretty well! We're so excited but afraid to get hopes up as it's been a horrible few weeks. She's been on a steroid pack, muscle relaxers and pain meds for over a week. My husband said the steriods are finally reducing the swelling enough to relieve the nerve pain.
The family dr. said she's going to be healing for a year. He said she won't be able to work or tech college for a while yet. He said that if we can prevent further injury for this year, she has a chance of doing well for many years.
I'm so concerned. I watched my 18 yr. old little girl (yes, she was a little girl during this time) come to her breaking point. I felt so hopeless.
We do feel hope now. The dr. will be watching her closely and scheduling her for PT in a couple of weeks after more healing.
Is there anyone who can give me advice, pointers, what to expect thoughts, anything? I want to be everything I can be for her through this.
I, personally, don't like that the dr put off the MRI. I think an 18 yr old with 2 herniated discs should have one to see what else might be going on. Am I overreacting there?
I'm raising my 3 yr old nephew (I've had him for two years) and it's been hard to explain to him her pain and the changes lately. One night he was so afraid because she was screaming and crying (the night we went to the ER). He's understanding better now.
I appreciate, in advance, anything offered.
KD