[Ondeegirl]

Hello to all of you! I have been on a search to find a supportive, genuinely caring, group to be a part of. I have been lurking and reading posts, and am very impressed with the amount of kindness and thoughtful replies to others.

I am a 39yr old mom of 6. My kids are aged 2-22! As a kid, I was thrown from a few horses, and did some other fearless stupid things. I have suffered from significant back pain since I was a teenager. Along with this pain, numbness tingling, burning would intermittently appear. After awaking about 6 months ago with my hands completely unable to feel anything, I was finally offered a cervical MRI.

It was found that I already have significant DDD with osteophytes. I also have a few mild disc herniations, and one very large extrusion at c5-c6 causing cord compression. This has led to pain, numbness, and varied symptoms everywhere. A year ago I could have run a 5k in about 22mins as a 38 yr old woman, but now I have trouble walking up the stairs.

So, I am looking at surgery. I am also being considered as a candidate for the M6 artificial disc FDA trial. I have had other surgeries, and even a planned homebirth, but have never been frightened by them. But this one scares me. Nerves are so delicate, and one mess up in the spine can be disastrous.

Thanks for reading and for creating such a warm environment here!

[Kitt]

Welcome Ondeegirl.

[bizi]

welcome to the forums.
I am sorry that you injured your back.
How was your pregnancy for your last baby? Did carrying the baby hurt your back more? just curious. I have never had children so pregnancy is a mystery to me.
bizi

[Jomar]

Just be sure to find the very best surgeon that you can...

[Ondeegirl]

Thank you all.
Jo*mar- I actually have a few wonderful neurosurgeons on my ins, so I am very blessed there. If i go with the M6 FDA trial then I would have the doctor who implanted the first M6 here in the states sometime back in about 2008.

Bizi- Actually, my very first pregnancy highlighted my back problems. Severe sciatica, and my legs would give out. They put me on bed rest because they didn't know what else to do with me. I went to a chiropractor three days a week, and at the time, it helped tremendously. My last pregnancy was scary and crazy, but not due to back problems. I had a high risk condition that required bed rest to save the baby's and my life. Ended up having an emergency appendectomy at about 6.5 months and an emergency c-section about 7 weeks later. You would never know now that my wild 2 year old was a tiny preemie! God is good!

[Darlene]

Ondeegirl,

Hello and welcome, happy to see you have come to be with us, it a great place to be. As you can see we have a great number and caring fellow members here, where you have find a supportive and relaxing place. Have fun looking into the different forums. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene