Hello, I am a 39 y/o I'm married to my childhood sweetheart and we have 2 kids. I am an industrial firefighter and EMT at the largest Steel Mill in the Northern Hemisphere. I've been doing this line of work since I was 20 years old.
In 2008 I fell rushing to my car to get to work on New Years Eve. I hurt my back but continued on. February 14, 2008 I couldn't walk I was in so much pain. After meds, PT, everything else I was referred to a spine surgeon. June 2008 I had a spinal fusion at L5/S1. December 2008 I was released for work full duty I was good to go!

I always had pain but thought well this is my life now suck it up buttercup and go on. April 2012 at work I was in so much pain I just couldn't bare it anymore. Went to ER where they gave me meds and said take a couple days off work and away I went. When the pain meds wore off I knew there was something desperately wrong. I tried to see my surgeon he couldn't see me for 3 weeks. I couldn't wait, I could barely walk. I found a new surgeon. I never fused from 2008, the rods and screws broke and I was in surgery for a new fusion this time I was cut front and back with a plate and new hardware.

I was released to work the following year. I again always had pain. But figured again suck it up you had 2 huge surgeries!

August 2013 back in surgeons office in horrendous crying my eyes out pain. Gives me pain meds says I had a flare up gives me steroids. This masks the pain for a month while I had my month supply of drugs. Sept I see my family Dr she says I have a muscle sprain gives me more meds. Oct I drive myself to the ER after work and again more meds. Nov I see my surgeon again because now I have bowel incontinence and I can't seem to get my urine to flow. MRI is done right there. Says I have a small bulge at L4 gives me meds to cool it off. Two weeks later I had a seizure unrelated to this so next 3 months is dedicated to seizure issues. I finally ask for a copy of my MRI because im gonna go see a pain management doctor. On my MRI it states the following:
Epidural Scar Tissue at the Left S1 root, L3/L4 mild disc bulge with a superimposed small right posterolateral disc protrusion which minimally displaces the right L4 root, A 2.2 cm perineural cyst on the right at S2 of uncertain clinical significance, A 1.3 perineural cyst on the left at S2. Now I'm being told that is not a symptomatic cyst. Am I going crazy? I've packed on 40 pounds I'm depressed and I think if I were dead I'd have no more pain.
I just need help. Please.
Thank you for listening