Full article can be read at:
http://psychcentral.com/news/2011/11...eds/31917.html
or
http://www.universityofcalifornia.ed.../article/26704

Doc

I hope the research moves along quickly as I would love to have that medication as a choice and be off my strong meds. There may be hope yet I can return to work or at least a more functional life.

Thanks for posting this message.

I just re-posted it from the Health News Headlines forum. Read with common sense - web bots don't have credibility filters.

Doc

I cannot imagin going through all of what you have had to experience with your back. I hope the research Dr. Smith just posted will hurry. You should be allowed any medication that would improve your quality of life. I am only fused C3-7, and I know what that is like. I have an understanding of the pain you go through. I wish you all the best, and I hope in the future there is more available to you for help. ginnie

ginnie, thanks ginnie, I do have enough meds to deal with my pain. I still choose to control my pain not eliminate it as the sedating SEs are bad enough now. I do as much as I can on the good days and am thankful for what I can do. I still dream of getting back to a productive life so this report gives me hope that an alternative is coming that I can try.

Hi Mark, I do know what it is like to loose your job. I was an artist who traveled all over the country. I created miniatures by looking down through a magnifier to see my little critters. This caused me to reverse the curve of my spine, and after the fusions, well I can't go back and do what caused the injury again. I had this business for 30 years, and I sure miss it. I still engage in the creative efforts, but not in that medium anymore. My ankles also gave way as I carried heavy displays to set up at the art shows. I would give anything to be able to go back to work and be what I was before. My quality of life is good, but I am also restricted in what I can do. I take meds. too and occasionally have a katimine infusion in my neck. Loosing what you truely are, in my case an artisian, is hard to cope with, especially because I still dream of my creations at night. They dance in my dreams, and when I wake up I am sad I cannot create them. Sometimes I think I should try it again and take a chance with my neck, there is not much more that they can fuse left. What was your occuptaion before your back injuries? I sometimes wonder what caused back injuries in others, if it is just bad luck or work related. Hope you are doing OK today Mark. I follow most of the posts that Dr. Smith researches, as he brings the lastest news for us pain patients. ginnie

ginnie, it is a sad day when you have to give up your job especially if it is your calling. I loved teaching and coaching football and it took me several years to accept not working any more. I worked several years longer than I should have so it has caused me more limitations now. I can imagine the impact it would have on an artist to lose that ability. Not only have you lost your job but also your interest as art takes up even your time off in many cases.

If you haven't come to terms with it yet know that it will come. I didn't think I would ever not miss coaching but I find that I don't even think about it now the way I did. We go through the same steps of grief that others do when they lose someone important to them. Losing our jobs also means we have lost our lives as the people we had associated with and saw every work day are no longer in our life on a regular basis. It isn't easy accepting becoming disabled and I feel from the grief you feel.

You were a teacher too besides being a coach of a great sport. You summed up the sorrow involved with the loss very well. I taught Art on a national level in my field, with the good reputation as an artisian. My last piece is in a national miniature museum in Kentucky. I feel like a boxer that left at the peak of their career, instead of being knocked out opponent after opponent. I guess it was better like this. I still get letters, 8 years after my retirement, from people wondering what happened to me. These letters are so endearing. I have resumed some friendships in the art field which makes me ever so happy. When this first happened, the people involved in the arts, had an auction for me and raised alot of money for me to have my first cervical fussion. I had no health insurance as I had pre-existing conditions which eliminated me from the pool of insurable people. We need better health care in this country, as if you have medical trouble without insurance it wipes you out and your wind up in poverty. After working 30 years, I expected better.

I am glad you found neruo talk too Mark. It feels good to connect with others that have empathy for those going through the same kinds of ordeals. Your calling was in teaching, as was mine. I taught through the artists in residence program and traveled thoughout the school system in Missouri, where my business started. I miss that most of all. The arts have been cut so much from the schools here in Fla.

I am sorry this all happened to you too Mark. I hope I can learn to cope better than I currently am. This site has helped me to move in a more possitive direction. Thanks for tapping back to me. Have a peaceful and blessed holiday. ginnie

Dear Ginnie and Mark,

I have been unable to work at my profession for four years after a neck fusion with some cord damage. It has been a tough journey but after continuing physical therapy and experimenting with different combination of meds I am able to deal with the pain and depression better. I won't be able to return to my profession, (professor of nursing) but I have worked hard to maintain as "normal" life style as possible.

Everyday is different though. Like today i am in the house with pain after overdoing my workout. Sometimes i need more meds then other days.
I continue to research and try other methods for pain relief. I have done a lot of acupuncture, acuscope therapy, tens, trigger point injection, massage, etc...Always looking for something new.

I totally understand what you are dealing with and wish i could find something for all of us who deal with this everyday. My best to both of you and be strong!

L

Thank you for your post. You taught nursing, my deepest respect to you. In the hospital it is the nurses who address your issues, all of them! I have had some extremely caring nurses during my cervial fusions. Sorry you had to give up your career too. We need all the good nurses we can get! I don't think I will ever get over not working. My Art was an all consuming love of the craft I learned. I can't risk C1-2 the only good one I have left in my cervial spine. T1-2 isn't so hot eithor. I too take it one day at a time, and come running back here for support and to give support. I hope your holiday season has less pain in it, and that you have peace in your life. ginnie