[Greggg]

Well...it's good to be here. I belonged to several other sites that just seemed to disappear. Where to begin? I had back surgery in 2002 mainly because of bad pain in my left leg. It was a spinal fusion of L4/5/6. After that it was all downhill. For whatever reason I had a BAD time in the hospital and all I remember is getting onto the operation table then waking up five days later. It seems I spent those lost days in ICU because of a bad reaction to some drugs. It must have been bad because once I recovered somewhat I had a few nurses stop in to tell me that they almost lost me.

Shortly after that the pain in my left leg returned and new pain started in my right leg. Numbness in both legs and feet, burning...I guess a lot of the normal PN symptoms. My family doc finally talked me into seeing a neurologist and after being stuck with their little pins and other things I was diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy. We tried the whole range of drugs, tens unit, patches and everything else you can think of but nothing really worked. This coupled with cervical spine problems (I wasn't going to let them cut me again and I still won't) had my doctors tell me I was going to have to quit working. Thirteen months without any income waiting for Social Security ruined my marriage but now here I am doing relatively OK.

I was on Kadian (timed release morphine) until recently when I had my pain doc take me off it. I hated the side effects and I didn't think it was working much. My first month on a lower dose convinced me that the Kadian was doing some good but I stayed off it anyway. I'm completely off it as of this month. No other drugs work so I use aspirin. What has helped more than any drug was the fact that I ran into my first true love from my high school days (I think it was 1972). She had polio as a child and wore leg braces and used crutches in school. I carried her books to class for her. We went our separate ways shortly after I joined the Navy and due to a strange set of circumstances, we met up shortly after my divorce. She is now in a wheelchair full time and we seem to understand the pain each other is in. When I'm with her I feel great. She's better than any drug I've every had.

What caused my P/N? The doctors aren't sure. None of the regular reasons fit. Vitamins, Drugs, Diabetes, Heredity, Alcohol, Heavy Metals and every other reason they could think of was eliminated BUT my neurologist thinks it MAY have been due to the fact that I lived in the oil well fires in Kuwait during Desert Storm in 1991. It was technically too long ago for it to affect me now but since I was there from the day the first fire started till four years after the last fire went out, he thinks it may have affected my nervous system. Who knows?

I guess that's about all there is to my story. We'll see where 2010 takes us.

[Hockey]

Hi and welcome to NT!

I'm sorry for all you've endured. I know that you'll find useful information and understanding friends here. The link to NT's Spinal Disorders & Back Pain forum is:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

I seem to recall reading about some well-cappers from Calgary running into similiar health issues after working in Kuwait. It might be worth googling.

I'm glad that you've found someone to love, and be loved by, who understands your pain. In that, you are both blessed beyond words.

Cheers

[Alffe]

Hi Gregg and let me also welcome you to NeuroTalk. I see that you have found our PN forum and Hockey has given you the link to our Spinal Disorders forum. I'm glad you found us...you'll like it here.

[Dmom3005]

Hi I just wanted to send a nice welcome.

I'm always available if I can help.

I really understand leg pain. I have fibromyalgia and when its acting up
my legs are really bad.

Donna

[Greggg]

Thanks for such a warm welcome everyone. The information I've received already is such a help. I need to get my girlfriend on here with me. She is diagnosed with Post Polio Syndrome (PPS) and is in severe pain as well.

Thanks again...and ya'll take care!

[ewizabeth]

Welcome to NeuroTalk Gregg,

I'm glad you found us! My half-sister has post polio syndrome as well as a few other conditions so I can relate to that. I look forward to meeting your girlfriend too when she joins in the future.

[azoyizes]

Hi Greg, and welcome to Neurotalk! This is such a great place with lots of friendly and helpful people.

We're so glad you found us!

[NurseNancy]

hi greggg and welcome.
i hope you find the forum you need for info and support. i know you will.

nice to have you here.

[(Broken Wings)]

Hi

It's good to read your story. I was enlightened by it.

This is a good community of people to get to know. We are in this "cyber circle" of people who are reaching out to each other, to share, to comfort, to help ease suffering.

We're very open about things.

I hope you and your special friend have some painfree moments to share.