My story so far!
 

Hi everyone

Im writing this as I lie in my bed in a house that is oh so quiet. The day outside it wet and miserable and making me feel somewhat fed up today!:( But grateful that I have come this far.

I was an ordinary working housewife back in early 2005. My husband is a loyal caring and wonderful man and we were blessed with 3 beautiful daughters and 1 beautiful son, all of whom Im very proud of indeed. They are wonderful children who have looked after me along with their dad even in my darkest days. We are also blessed that one of our daughters, our youngest, has Special Needs. She is a wonderful young girl and a blessing to have in our home. So out life was fantastic, idyllic and happy.

Then out of the blue my legs hurt then my back hurt and in one foul swoop I couldnt move or walk. I was sent to see a fantastic Spinal Consultant who whipped me into hospital straight away and removed a disc which was pressing on my spine and nervous system. I had the burning, tingling, painful symptons which of course would be gone once the dreaded disc was removed! WRONG!!!! now that didnt happen.


I continued to have endless epidural needles inserted into my back assuring me each time I would be ok. But alas each time was as bad as the first time with no relief. This carried on until the end of 2005 when I started to also have stomach trouble. I was admitted for tests only to be told I had a low blood count (8) and that I had gall stones to boot!!!!.......I was scheduled to have a spinal fusion in early December L4/L5 only for that to be cancelled as I lay on the theatre trolley. I was devastated. I was sure this was going to put me on the road to recovery. By now I had lost over 45lbs in weight, not a lot you might think, well I was only 135lbs to start off with. I began having awful thoughts , I was crying all the time, I couldnt accept that I was now a delapadated woman and nothing was working.

In early Jan 06 I was rescheduled to have my Spinal Fusion done. I was now in the depths of depression, however, I didnt realise it then. I lay in my hospital bed with my morphine pump at 4am wishing it would all just end and my suffering would be over. I couldnt eat, sleep, think, or even care. I begged the Consultant to let me go home to my family where I knew I would get better in their care.

After being at home and eventually having the strength to walk and try to get back to some sort of normality I had to undergo another Spinal Fusion in June 06 at level L5/S1. OH how I hated going back into hospital. This operation again didnt help. I was now worse off that I had been at the very start. Now I was having all sorts of pains shooting down my legs and across my back. I was on a coctail of tablets and medications that I didnt know whether I was coming or going.

This went on for another year when I just asked my Consultant to TAKE OUT the metal in my body. I didnt find I was having any benefit from it being in there I WANTED IT OUT!!!
So in Aug 2007 the metal was taken out. I continued to 'live' my life.I couldnt do anything. I couldnt be a proper wife to my husband or mum to my children. They were rallying around me. Life just felt so bleak.


Soon I was referred to the Pain Management Clinic. I was told that basically all they could do was try to manage my pain. I was so sad to hear that after all I had been through that this was it.

I had various new meds, rhizotomies, spinal block injections, epidurals, lignucaine and ketamine infusions, Lidoderm patches....you name it I had it all to no avail. Then my Consultant mentioned the SCS!!!!


This was my light at the end of the tunnel, this was my haven.
So I went through the rigerous tests and psychie tests to be told, NO your not mad, your in pain.


I was scheduled to have my trial done in April and oh how good did that feel. I had it for a few days and I felt wonderful, relaxed even. It was great I WANTED IT NOW!!

But I was told I had to wait as my Consultant was away thru June/July so it would be August before I would be implanted. Can you imagine how I felt, that after 5 long years there was finally something to help me AND I HAD TO WAIT nearly 3 months.


Well during that time I became a nana to my first granddaughter, which was wonderful and took my mind of the waiting.....


So eventually on the 5th August that day finally came. Im now 19 days post surgery. The SCS is doing some of the work. It does need some tweaking here and there and I want to have it TURNED up so that I can get rid of some of the horrible sensations I have at the back of my legs. But so far Im being optimistic.


Ive read lots of your stories here on this forum and Im encouraged that this is what Ive been waiting for all this time.

I used to wonder if there was a GOD up there watching over me. I have always tried to be a good person and to have to endure all this pain I have found it hard to keep believeing. Even though HE sent us a beautiful daughter with Special Needs I do at times feel , well we were picked for this as we are strong people, we can do this.


So now as I type here this morning, after sharing my story, I realise that me being fed up this morning, Is NOTHING , compared to that awful depression I felt back in those dark dismal days. You know I often say, oh I feel a bit depressed today, but hey, thats not depressed thats just a 'down' day.
I hope that my story is of some benefit to some people. You know during those dark days there was no light at the end of the tunnel, but today, yes there is. I know that Im on the road to recovery. I know that I can turn my life around and try to be more active and get on with this wonderful life that GOD has given me.

I pray that you all will get to a stage where you too can be grateful for the wonderful life you have and that your pain and suffering will one day be pain and suffering of the past!!!!

Thinking of you all

Jackie :grouphug:

So Glad for your Sharing Story
 

Thank you dear friend for sharing-

It is hard to have something like freedom and have it ripped from you, then the pain, then the procedures. I am so thrilled for you that now 19 days out from implant you are feeling benefit. This is quite a blessing. You are so meaningful to us here, and I do remember the Emerald Isle as I flew into Shannon, knowing God had liberal quantities of green GREEN paint when that place of beauty was placed on this globe..

Hooray, and ma:)y your rehab be the stuff of continued strengthening and resolve to resume life to your personal best!!

All the best,
Mark56 PJ

Thank you Jackie
 

Thank you for sharing your story! It really makes a difference in knowing what we've had to endure to get to this point.
There are so many parts of your testimony that are very similar to mine and I feel a kindred Spirit with you........and the 'Nana' part just puts the frosting on the cake! How very precious! :grouphug:

You are a beautiful person with a wonderful zest for life and it is very inspiring to read! Especially knowing how far down in the depths of despair your battle had taken you..... and that you have been able to come through that.

You've brought such a bright light here to this forum!
We're blessed to have you!
Thank you
Rae
:grouphug:

Hi Jackie
I have just read your story you really are an amazing person to be helping people like me now after all you have been through since 2005. I think having only known you a few days that you are an extremely giving person and I thank you again for the support you have given me even though it has not been very long since you went through your very hard time. I am so happy that you have a great family around you and a new grandchild to keep your spirits up! my only advice is babies are a dead weight so dont be lifting her!! :hug:

Thank you Jenna for your kind words. We are all sharing our experiences. Its amazing how pain has brought such an incredible bunch of people together too.

Thanks for the tip about babies being heavy. She is just 4 months bless her and now weighs just under 12lbs so still light ........ish;) I'm babysitting tonight and as I type, she is asleep beside my bed. Our first sleepover. Wonderful.
Best get some shut eye before the 4am feed ;)

Nite all xx

good night Jackie... so exciting for you but i know just how mammy and daddy feel as they enjoy there first night away from feeds !! she may be just 12lb but thats a dead weight so just be careful i know i am not allowed lift either of my two even now and when she was a baby i used to hold her on a pillow as it made it easier on my back. just would hate to see you in more pain but goodnight you need to catch your sleep and enjoy her but don't be shocked when u see the parents early tomorrow as even with us after an hour or two away from them u just miss them like crazy! dont know how i am going to survive a week without my little ladies but not going to think about that for now as that's still 5 days away!!:hug:

Good Afternoon
 

Well its Saturday afternoon now 1.10pm and Im wrecked:D My granddaughter was fantastic last night and slept well , unlike her nana, who was awake listening to every move she made:rolleyes:

Ive been charging my battery and occasionally Ive felt it VERY hot. Is this normal do you think? Its like its heating up when charged. Im still wearing a plaster over the wound, :rolleyes: I know, but I just hate the feel of it and Im afraid I might bang that area off something. I can be clumsy.:eek: Im not liking the feeling around it at all either. Its 'lumpy'.......and I can feel where the leads extend out of it eurrrrggggggghhhhhh.....sorry dont mean to be so negative today, just wondered about the heating up mostly!

:grouphug:

My dear friend! :)
 

Jackie,
you are not being 'negative' at ALL! I'm sorry you didn't sleep well.....doesn't make for a very good start to the weekend :(

And your battery pocket site is causing discomfort...... I know you are a 'small' woman, so you don't have much 'junk in the trunk' :p to cushion the battery, so you are more 'aware' of what's there......
I'm hoping you haven't recently lost more weight? You don't have weight to lose! But if you have lost weight, maybe this is why the lead wires seem to be protruding more?

Regarding the 'heating up' while charging....do you charge while lying down or sitting in a chair (meaning, is the charger between you and the mattress/couch cushion?)..... It could possibly be getting 'hot' due to being in a tight area.
Similar to when I'm on this laptop......if I have it on the bed, it get's hot because of not able to vent.......if I situate to where there is more airflow to the bottom, it stays cooler.

Another issue perhaps, are you charging while wearing 'breathable' clothing..?
Or do you have the charger up against your bare pocket site?
Do you have your unit 'on' while charging? Maybe try turning it off for part of the time while charging to give it a bit of a rest? I dunno.....just some thoughts off the top of my head.....

I hope your weekend looks up and you are feeling better!
:hug::hug:
Rae

sorry your not having such a good day today Jackie!! i can't help on the battery charging but as for worrying about your grandaughter my mam is exactly the same I ended up buying her this device in smyths that fits under the matress so that she would stop watching to see if the baby was still breathing every 10 seconds. it worked a treat it sound an alarm if there is any problem with baby breathing and allows nanna to have a good nights sleep when she minds her grandaughter!!

Thanks Rae. What u wrote makes sense. Yes I do turn off my stim while charging. But I do lie on the couch or bed while it's charging. But I have a small pocket which the paddle sits in while it's against my skin. Maybe it's like the laptop. Will try to give it a bit of breathing space when I'm charging in the morning. See how that goes!!! Thanks :hug:

Jenna oh how you made me laugh. So all nana's must be the same (Rae I hope your taking notes here for the coming months ;) how long now?)
I will definitely have a look in Smyths for that. Thanks. They have everything you could possibly need there dont they.
I hope your itch has subsided now. How are you feeling? Better I hope :)

Jackie:hug:

Oh YES!
 

I am certainly taking notes!!!:rolleyes::p We're in the 4 week countdown! :eek:

Ooh exciting times ahead Rae!!!
 

Omg Rae that time will just fly by. Wish your daughter the very best for her upcoming birth:)


Well it's now 9.15am and I'm in absolute agony this morning. God knows why. I woke up with this massive pain up my left side right up to my arm:eek: eventually dragged myself upright and have now take some tabs. I've also revved ul my stim but unfortunately it doesn't reach that far. My hubby said I was moaning a lot in my sleep. So I'm back in bed now hoping my tabs kick in real soon. Maybe I lay awkward dunno but boy is it sore!!!!
Great just what I need right now (not!!!!!)

Hapy Halloween to you alltoday;)


:hug:

Hiya poppet .. So sorry to hear you're having a bad day. I do feel for you.

I made a mistake by taking double the dose of my Oxycontin my error this morning and spent half of the day feeling like I had the hangover from hell; spinning out terribly.

Only a week and a day until I see the Nurse. Am really nervous about the physc evaluation.

Feeling much better this evening. Thank God Took more pain killers and took it easy. When you get these added aches it's a worry. One of my MRI scans showed that one of my T discs was showing signs of degeneration so it's always a worry when pain is that bit higher.

Saffy I'm sure you will sail through the evaluation. We will all be thinking about you :hug:

Best get to sleep. Schools back tomorrow :eek: nite all :grouphug:

I know what you mean.....
 

Yeahhhh...
I found out (from Xrays last week) I have degenerative issues going on with my lumbar spine....which is probably the reason for the lower back pain I've been dealing with......oh yeah PLUS the (minor) scoliosis they said I've probably had since I was a teen. :eek:
I'm not sure what I can do about this at this point. Most people DO get degeneration of the spine to some degree as we age......but MAN, I'm like you Jackie,......some days the pain is so bad I'm just better off staying in bed and taking sleeping pills...... :(

Nana's can't be in BED! :eek::eek: We have STUFF to do!!!!

The countdown
 

Keep yourself in good shape for the great event!
:hug:z
Mark56

I'm charged!!
 

Well it's 9.15am and I've finished charging now. Boy am I buzzing :D I turn off my stim when I'm charging (otherwise it's on 24/7) and the burning sometimes is unbearable. It's only then I realise how much I depend on the stim. In fact sometimes I don't even know it's on:eek:

Winter has officially started and the weather is glum. Rain rain rain. But once it's eased off a bit I will go out for my walk. I find getting out everyday no matter what the weather is like is great for the mind and body. You can sort out the whole world in that short time.

Hope you all have a good day

:grouphug:

Morning Jackie .. Aye tis a breezy, dull day here too. I've only just got up. Feel a bit poo, but will get there.

Am supposed to be collecting my daughter from the train station this afternoon .. just hope I can do it. I LOVE driving .. if I couldn't drive, I would go loopy I think, but I have to be careful with my clutch and turning around as I can't twist round much.

Hope you have a lovely day .. and maybe catch you later! :hug:

Good Morning
 

Good morning to you too Saffy, its odd having someone on at the same time here as usually all our friends in the USA are in bed.....sleepy heads:D

I love driving too, Im hoping to change my car in the next few weeks, or at least the new year. I need to get an automatic as I cant drive too far with the dreaded clutch either. I have a Peugeot 307 Convertible at the moment and I LOVE it. but Im hoping in the SPring that I will be able to look after my granddaughter when my daughter goes back to work. So my convertible wont be much good to me then!!! plus I need the automatic. BUT the thoughts of having to change is just killing me......although not the most practical car when we live on this side of the pond:rolleyes:

My granddaughter Cara is being Christened on Saturday. So really looking forward to that. I am meeting with my daughter in a while to go shopping to get something to wear:eek:So better make sure Im buzzing real good by then. I love shopping but unfortunately I dont always get to go because I cant stand for too long or walk too far, but I certainly try my best;)

Hopefully catch you later too

Bye for now

Jackie:hug:

ahhhhh, how sweeet!
 

Your little Cara is getting Christened! How special!
These are certainly moments to cherish! Aren't we glad we aren't in the pain condition we were BEFORE the implants!

You are such an amazing Nana! :hug:
3 weeks and counting! My daughter has already experienced a couple of 'real' contractions......!......We are on our toes......
And I asked my PM for some Fentanyl patches to have on hand for when she goes in to labor.......that way I won't have to bother taking pills and worrying about pain flares.
Those patches really do work like magic for me!
I just don't want to have to start using them all the time again......

Thank GOD for good pain meds when we really need them!
:hug:

Exciting times ahead Rae
 

Rae omg:eek: sounds like this little fella will be out in no time. You will be so wonderful as a nana too. I'm really looking forward to hearing ALL the details ;)

Good to know you have the patches on standby. Nothing worse than being caught out is there!!!! But you will be soooo excited that you almost forget your pain because you experience such euphoria when this special little bundle of joy arrives. :)

Not long now:)

Jackie :hug:

Don't you find that having something to look forward to helps you deal with them pain ...

Christmas time babies ... yay!

Well it certainly takes your mind off it a lot. Thats why I spend most days on the couch with my laptop. It takes my mind off my worries and pain for a while. I get so engrossed in the internet its like it nearly disappears:eek: I wish.......

But I love Christmas Time. And Rae is going to have a ball when her new grandson arrives. She really is. Its such a joy to be a nana. And it is also a joy to have your grandchild here with you all day and play and coo over them, its just wonderful ...................................BUT and this is a big BUT/BUTT:D.........its also lovely to hand them back too and get a good nights sleep, (well as good as you can have;))


This is such a wonderful life really:)

A bit disappointed!
 

Well we had our granddaughter Christened on Saturday and it was a fantastic day :)

Everyone had a lovely time and Cara (my grand-daughter) was just great she was so well behaved. ;) Bless her she is only 4 months old today.

It was a true test for my stimulator. I will say I was a bit disappointed. I had it turned up to full tilt. But I didnt get a lot of relief. After the service about 1.30pm we went to our local pub where my daughter and son-in-law had organised a small party. I arrived about 2.30pm as I wanted to be able to stay as long as possible. But by 4pm I wasnt able to continue sitting. I was up and down like an elevator!! I tried my best though not to let it show, but my husband knew by me that I was suffering. I tried to change the settings and at times it did help somewhat, but not enough! My daughter told me to go home if I wanted to, its only over the road, but I knew if I went then I wouldnt come back. So I held out for another hour and then I went home. ANd I was SOOOO glad to see my couch. I lay down with my stim on and it was heaven. But it did occur to me that maybe I wont get rid of that awful pain I get in my butt and back while I sit.:mad:yes its great for my legs but I just wish I could get it to help my butt/back.
My Dr did say its not always successful for the back. Does anyone else have this problem? Just wondering if maybe it might in time or is this it?
Sorry for the negativity!! but I just wanted to share that experience with you all as its the first time Ive been 'out' as in socially since my operation which was 3 months ago on the 5th Nov.
Thanks Jackie:grouphug:

Yes, I am with you on this..... :(
 

Jackie!
Congrats on your Grandaughter's special day! :)
But so sorry it was clouded with that all-too-familiar pain that can set in as a major flare and not let go!! :eek:
It sounds as though we are dealing with the SAME thing! I get wonderful coverage in my legs and am reluctant to go for tweaking because I don't want to mess up a good thing.......but the lower back pain is incapacitating at times!
Not sure how I'm going to pursue this, as I don't think it has to do with the SCS, but can't be sure. I'm afraid to go running to the Dr who did my implant because he is a needle jockey and.....well.... I may take this to my GP and show them the recent xrays that only indicate 'multidimensional degeneration issues' in the lumbar. No specifics. I'm just told that this is something that 'most' people face as they age and that the pain may not get worse in time.
So, I'm kinda just waiting this out.......don't want to start booking appointments when I have a little guy gonna be making his first appearance any week now!

I've tried to figure out WHAT triggers this horrible low back pain!
The weather? Sitting too long at work? Laying around too much on days off?
Over-doing it at the swimming therapy pool?? Standing too long? Sleeping in a wrong position???? ARRRRRG......I just can't get anything to add up!!
So, I embrace your frustration.
I hope we can get answers to begin to unfold for us!

Rae
:hug:

Back pain-Jackie and Rae
 

Jackie and Rae, I am sorry that you are both still having pain in your back. I do know that they say it is the hardest to tackle with the SCS and it took me a while to notice improvement even after I was all healed up. I think my back hurts especially worse when I have been sitting too long which makes it very difficult to do school work ;) I also have more problems when I have not had enough sleep the night before (usually because of pain). I really hope that your doctors can help you figure out how to get better pain relief in your back! Have you tried using heat or hot baths? Besides the pain meds, heat helps me the most and of course it also matters if my stim is working right ;). I hope you both get some help and I would definitely talk to the doctor and also your stim rep because sometimes the reprogramming can affect it too! Take care:hug:'sTara.

Thanks
 

Rae it is indeed exciting times ahead for you. How wonderful. This little guy will almost make you 'forget' your pain. I use that word loosely

My pain comes from sitting or standing too long. It starts in my butt and travels up and down but almost impossible to put my finger on it if that makes sense. It gets do bad while sitting that I'm practically sitting on my right butt only with my hand tucked under my left butt to keep it off the chair !!!!

Like you Rae I have a programme that works for me out of the 8 I have. So at my next tweaking session I intend to keep that one and they can play around with a new one. Not letting that one go ;).
I also have some degeneration in my lumbar region plus I was told some arthritis. But then I'm not getting any younger either ;)

Tara I've tried those heat patches but don't get much relief. A bath is wonderful though. But the best relief of all is my bed or couch. Well I can't do that all the time.

One thing I do notice though A week before 'that'time of the month I can be in agony. Not sure if there is any relation to that but I do feel a lot worse then. These are more questions I need to ask. :)

Have to say, my doctor told me the stim will only help the butt and leg pain. I do get chronic back and have to stop walking and bend as far as I can from the waist forwards ..... Even though this hurts but it eases the initial pain. My physio - who shall be known from now as the lovely Norman, said this is because I am opening the disks which wll relieve tha pain briefly.

Im back :)
 

Hope you are all well. I havent posted for a couple of days as we decided to go to Belfast in the North of Ireland. And we just came back today. IM WRECKED!!!!:eek: It took us about two hours up and back. My husband has a jeep with reclining seats so that was a blessing. I just lay back and put on my stim and hey presto;) By the time we got to Belfast the storm (which was forecast for Monday, didnt realise there was one on Thursday too:mad:) was taking hold, as it would. So my daughter, granddaughter and myself hit some of the shops. My son-in-law and hubby went their own way doing their shopping for tools:rolleyes: Now we only stayed out for bout an hour and a half as I was just exhausted and needed to lie down. So back to our hotel and we stayed put til the boys came back at about 6.30pm. AS it was so wet and windy we didnt venture back out until this morning and just did another hour of shopping and then hit the road home PHEW!!!!. I was glad I had the stim though especially for the lying down and relaxing. It was great.
So overall, Im glad we went although I did find the journey tiresome because although I was 'lying' down, well as much as I could...it was still painful.

Now I need to rest to get my energy levels back up again;) Is there any word on Sarah and how she got on? I havent read through the other posts yet, will do after this.

Take care

Jackie :grouphug:

jackie glad to hear you got a break away !! my friend keeps asking me to go north but as she and i never discuss whats wrong with me i doubt she would understand my 10 mins of shopping and then i need to go rule!! only family can understand that but honestly thing my hubby is happy with our 1 hour max in dundrum shopping centre as it saves him a fortune!! was reading a note rae sent me and really think it might help me she suggested a butt cushion do you have one of these would you know where i can get one?? loving chatting and getting to know you jackie and so glad i have my fellow irish lady to support me throught this!!

Hi Jenna. Yes I know what you mean only doing short trips shopping. My family understand my situation and are very helpful. I do have a cushion but don't think it's s butt cushion. Is that maybe one of those circular ones?? I'm not sure. But my cushion is one I bought in lidl a while ago. It sits into my lower back when im sitting down. And that goes everywhere with me even if it's only over to to our local for lunch for all of 20 mins!!!
I'm sure if u explained to ur friend about ur situation she would understand. The recliner seats are great. But not for a very long journey It took us2 hours and that was stopping off on the way for a stretch. Mind u I've been paying for it since. Was in a bit of a heap last night and today. But topped up on some tabs and trying to go to sleep. I'm sick counting those sheep ;).
It takes me ages!!! I just can't get comfortable.
Have a check online for that cushion. Or try those medical websites key in butt cushion or cushion for lumbar region and see what comes up.
Going to try and see if I can go to sleep lovely talking with you too take care :hug:

Hello Jackie, this is your Nightmare calling! :)
 

http://dl9.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...iz6q35ts3u.gif HELLO JACKIE!!!!

http://dl7.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...fx1rigwdig.gifhttp://dl4.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...c0dp7jrqng.gif

http://dl6.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...p2ezx5iuwb.gif

Couldn't help myself........I don't know what got into me :D

Caring, as Always....
Rae
http://dl8.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...dl2zhbwwb9.gif

They look a lot fluffier than mine did ;) eventually I got off to sleep:D:D

I've changed my name
 

Hey in case anyone notices ive changed my name, well shortened it as I thought the other one was a bit formal :D

Hope all goes well for you tomorrow Jenna.

Feeling a bit achy these past few days. I'm hoping to have another tweaking session before Xmas because there is definitely a different sensation happening which I feel is a positive. I can only use one prog so hopefully I might get them to bring it up higher and try to rid this aching back I can't seem to shake off :(. But burning isn't near as bad as it was. So that's good :)

I like the name!
 

The new name suits you! I like it :cool:

I went to my GP and talked about my back pain and we looked at the xrays that were taken (BOY does it look WIERD to see your own BONES AND the SCS!!!!) :eek: Plus, I was able to see for myself that i do indeed have a mild curvature of the spine (scoliosis) :eek:

Anyway, she brought up a good point and suggested that maybe my back pain has more to do with muscle pain, especially since nothing showed up on xray with the spine. I told her that my back pain seems to come and go and sometimes come on very abruptly, like an 'attack'......that's when she said it sounds like 'muscle spasm' !!

I guess I never really thought about that possibility. I always figured a muscle spasm is more like a 'cramp'......but I guess not.
So, she prescribed muscle relaxer (Flexeril) to try when these attacks come on to see if they help.......

Just wanted to share that with you Jackie, as who knows, maybe your back pain has to do with muscles?!

Also was given some excersises for strengthening lower back muscles.

My imagination got the best of me when I got online regarding the type of back pain I was having......I thought my KIDNEYS were in trouble!! :eek:
We're gonna do blood work to rule it out, but I did a UA at the clinic and it ruled out any obvious issues (blood or protein in urine)......

TTYS
Rae
:hug:

Thanks Rae. Yes at times I do think is it my actual muscles too. But I know my coccyx is playing up too. Years ago I had awful trouble with it. But this morning after having a really bad night, my legs would barely carry me downstairs to get my daughter out to school. I find I can't stand, that the actual weighty feeling I get around my back just puts too much pressure on my legs and I have to sit/lie down. I'm back in bed now after taking some painkillers. Once they kick in plus I've my stim turned up I should be up again soon;)
I hope Rae you don't have a problem with your kidneys:eek: good luck with the tests.

Jackie:hug:

Muscle spasms can be horrendous. I can't move when my back goes into spasm, hence the Diazepam, which helps. It is like an enormous cramp. (Hahah .. sorry, I put crap there, had to change it)

I dont think its spasms that I have. This is a constant nagging pain which then sends a shooting pain down my legs. Its a constant weight I feel like I have around my waist. And at times its unbearable. Thats why when Im walking I cant walk too far or stand too long.....BUT!!! the stim is definitely working for the burning that I have constantly in my legs. And thats a plus, because at times I just dont know where to put my actual legs with the burning, all I want is somewhere COLD to put them. So I would say about 50% relief in that area;)

Lumbar support belt?
 

Jackie,
Do you think perhaps one of those rubber velcro lumbar belts might help you?
The only way I am able to sit at my office job is by wearing one of these belts and for me it does help with the lower back pain......plus, like we've talked before, I think I'm going to get a high quality coccyx cushion.

I was amazed at how much the lumbar support belt helps. PLUS, i can position it to where it covers my battery incision site in my left hip/butt area.
I know you've said in the past that your incision area is still pretty tender.

That shooting pain you describe sounds exactly like what my husband deals with (sciatica?).....

Let me know what you think about the support belt. The one i use is about 10 inches wide and the velcro lets me adjust how tight i want it.
:hug:

Rae I will certainly look into that belt you mentioned. I suppose a lot of it is to do with my age:eek: Im not as young as I was:D.....but you know what I mean:wink:

By the way, your GRANDSON!!!!!! any news yet??? well Im sure we would have heard by now, but..............???????????????????

We await with bated breath;) and pray your daughter has a safe delivery too

Jackie :hug: