Looking for similar experience & advice
 

Hi...I am new and I have been looking thru everything and have some questions.

Two years ago I was shopping and had three large boxes fall on me. At the time it hurt, but I figured...thats normal. My regular doctor put me on bending, lifting, twisting restriction and weight restriction of 10 pds.
Loss of my income, hubby's job layoff thus our insurance loss stopped any PT after a month. Henow has to work two jobs.

Anyway...extremely long two year decline and frustrating story and I am certain there are many here with similar experiences. I guess I am from a "suck it up" family and STILL feel "guilty" complaining about all this pain. Couple that with a doctor (GP) who gives me the impression everytime I see her that I am "faking" this all (yeah I wanted foreclosure on our home and thrown into financial straights, deppression, constant pain, horrific migraines, clumsiness, strained family relations, etc.)

Bottom line is that now I have finally gotten in to see Chronic Pain at the University Hospitals here and have an upcoming appointment.

I do not have all the exact diagnosis in front of me-but a recap of what is happening is this:
narrowing of spinal canal cervical
defused disc bulge C 4, 5, 6
Spinal canal stenosis
posterior disc protrusion c 6-7

Those are the things my chronic pain doctor wants to deal with now.

I also have spondylosis in lumbar with bulging discs at L 5 and S 1 which they are basically ignoring and is what causes me more pain.

I was in health care all my life, so is it possible the incident caused this to come to the forefront? Well, that is neither here nor there..but I really am concerned that the Chronic pain wants to do injections in my neck.
THAT scares me...but I am completely WORN OUT from the pain and especially from the inability to function as I used to. I feel so worthless.
Resignation that this is not going away has been very hard for me to accept and I guess maybe I just needed to talk with people about this and hear your perspectives.
Sorry this rambles. I am just very confused and very much at a loss of what to do.

Thank you for listening.

Leisa

Leisa, I suggest that you check....
 

out the 'spinal disorders' forum , just scroll on down the 'menu' and GO!

I'm betting that you'll find many there who are in similar situations and who have a whole host of info and experiences they could share.

As for your GP, it sounds like you should be checking out spinal injury specialists or neurologists in your area... Teaching hospitals are a good starting point.. To find a doc that may seem to fit your needs, web up those hospitals and click on to the medical area...you can then get lists of docs who are practicing there...Then 'web' up their resumes, find out what papers they've been in on [research] and what specific areas they work in..

I am reluctant to say quit your GP, w/o insurance it's hard to get any second opinions that could help you 'shop' for another doc. It could be a matter of him knowing it's all out of his knowledge areas, not wanting to admit it, laziness, or a combo of any of the above. I hope you get LUCKY, hit that longed for GOLDMINE and find a doc who actually knows what's happening and can actually DO something for you!

Good thoughts to tide you over until then! - j

Thank you so very much!
Leisa

Pain
 

I have just had a cervical fusion, after years of pain. It is great. Tried the injections and they did help, but my whole spine was degenerating fater than it should with simple osterarthritis. I still need L5-S1 done. I did find out that the Lyme disease was causing the disks to degenerate so quickly. Had a brain rupture in 1999 and shoulder, feet, surgeries to name just a few. With the pain of my spine came brain fog, extreme fatigue and my daughter who at the time was a second year dental student called me to say that a man they were introduced to in her class gave his story that morning and his problems were from Lyme disease. In 1989 I had an engorged tick removed from my head in Texas. The lab said I did not have to worry about Lyme because it did not exist in Texas. If only they had given me doxycycline then. I am now on IV antibiotics and my life is my own again. It was a long journey but if I had not been tested by a reputable Lab I would have continued to degenerate in all areas of my health. Ask for a Western Blot and find out if you may possibly have an underlying disease. pam482@hotmail.com Best Wishes, tangye5