Hi, I am new to this forum, and basically new to forums in general. I have never done this, although I have been in Technology since 1978. I am a 57 grandmother who use to be very active, getting up at 4:30 every morning to workout for 40 minutes. I have a very stressful job in Infrastructure Technology, working around 50-60 hours a week. Last March, 2006, I was involved in a car accident. A lady cut me off and we collided. My beautiful new 300z convertible had around $16,000 worth of damage. Anyway. my pain revealed that I had Spinal Stenosis. Never had pain down my leg before, always only disk and muscle (not to say this isnt painful also). Well, I was told that I needed surgery. Postponed till I couldnt walk anymore. Wasnt a candidate for epidurals. Had 5 level lumbar laminectomy L2-S1 on Oct 30. Spent 8 days in hospital (was told it would only be 2). Had some many complications. Was told by surgeon that 2 weeks after surgery I can start walking and getting back to work. So I went for a short walk, and all hell broke out. That's when the excruating nerve pain started in my right thigh. I get very sharp cutting pain (like Edward Scissorshand is having fun), along with painful pins and needles, and burning. I cant even touch my thigh without causing more pain. Couldnt do anything. Went back to surgeon, took MRI, was told that his surgery was successful, didnt know why i was in pain, go figure it out myself, BYE BYE. Then went to Neurologist, took EMG (THE most painful test ever, had more pain after). He told me I had RSD, and dont get depressed, and get pain management and pt. Went to Neurosurgeon, told me that I should of had only a 2 level surgery, my recovery time should have been 6-8 weeks of doing nothing, I didnt need more surgery (every time I twisted or bent I get a very sharp cutting pain in my leg and then cant walk for a day), had chronic pain, go seer pain management and pt. So now I'm getting pain management (on Lyrica, Kadian, and Percocet). Had 3 series of 6 nerve blocks, all which left me in more pain. Tried PT, which caused me more pain also. Its 3 months now. I was released to work from home. Dont know how I'll be able to go back into the office. Cant walk from meeting to meeting. I am an A type personality that bounces off walls.

So, basically, HELP!!!! Has anyone been in my situation, any suggestions? I really dont know where to go from here. I guess I am getting depressed from all this. I'm not use to just sitting or being in so much pain. I was the one who yelled when people smoked, or took the elevator. My daughter is having my 3rd grandson (she lives in San Diego), and I CANT go there to help and see him. Both of my other 2 grandsons (10 and 4), I saw them at 5 minutes old. I held them, I helped out. Now I cant. This is NOT FAIR!!!!!!

Hi Laurie and welcome to NeuroTalk, tho I am so sorry it is under these circumstances.

Do be sure to look through our other forums and introduce yourself there too to our members who can best support you. I am thinking Spinal Disorders, RSD and Chronic Pain are likely the forums best suited to what you are enduring.

Hi Laurie and welcome to NeuroTalk. I hope you find the answers you need here and make lots of friends in the process.

Hi Laurie!
I am so sorry to hear of all this pain.
Leisa

Hi Laurie
Just wanted to welcome you to NT

Hi Laurie:
I'm a 69 going on 76 yo great grandfather of 3. Born and grew up in San Diego, so great on the soon to be arrival.
I understand your stenois problem as I have had Spondylotheis (?) L1-l4 for over 20 years. I was able to undergo the epidural, but it didn't do much for me. I have stenois throughout my vertebrae especially C1-C7 by which I had surgery on 6 of the vertebrae as three of them were pressing on the CNS. So far pain free. I assume that you have not been on steroids or any type of codine medication. You should be able to obtain a detailed summary of the surgery from your doctor. This will tell you the extent of what was done and the observations made during surgery. It helps to know. Any kind of brace is not good for the following reason. Even if a brace relieved your pain significantly, the muscles in your back and adomen will atrophy and eventually cause you more difficulty. A suggestion: if you have access to the YWCA pool, water walking can be beneficial. The water makes you more boyent and you can exercise more easily. You may be able to use ThermaCare heatWraps for your pain-check with the dr. I hope you are seeing either a Neurologist or an Internal Medicine dr. Either one should be able to pin point the cause of your incessant pain. God Bless