I have had back pain for a long time. I've already had to treat a slipped disc in my jaw [TMJ], and had neck surgery for a herniated disc.

So for my back I finally went to physical therapy - massage therapy and light exercise. It helped with the outer aching, but that knife sharp pain that comes with a disc problem was still there. I finally had an MRI.

Even I was surprised at the results and I've learned life is hard already in several ways I think....my PT said,

"Boy Paula's back is really messed up" when he received another prescription for traction therapy. Basically from L1 down they are diseased. Multiple herniated discs, and arthritis. To round out the picture, I now officially have osteoperosis.

I held my grandson like I was 30 years younger and healthy. I'm paying for it now, but he is still the reason I get up in the morning.

Watch your backs grandparents.


paula

Paula, I joined that club, I have not been able to pick up my four youngest grandchildren, I have to sit down to give hugs and cuddle. It is very hard to resist a three year old who reaches up to be hugged, and very deflating to have to say, 'wait till I sit down, then we can hug'.
It was so delicious when I could pick up my first grandson, who is now 12, and carry him about and dance around with him and lift him up to show him things. And even then my back was not well. I don't have osteoporosis, i just have disc problems and arthritis. My MRI report sounded like a bad nightmare: bulging discs, stenosis, deterioration of bone, etc. etc.
Fortunately all the little grandchildren are happy to crawl all over me when I sit down, and I get lots of cuddles, but I do so miss lifting them up and dancing and jumping about and being a really fun and lively grandma.