Hello, I am new and in pain!
 

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

Welcome vdub725.:welcome_sign:

Hello vdub725,
Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

I'm sorry you're dealing with so much pain. I'll post several forums below where you post. I'm sure you'll find support and information there.

Perineurial cyst is also called Tarlov Cyst.
Tarlov Cyst Forum

Chronic Pain Forum

Spinal Disorders and Back Pain Forum

There is also a Search Feature here. It can be used to search the whole of NeuroTalk, or it can be used to search for specific keywords in each separate Forum.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/search.php

I wish you all the best and I hope you get some answers soon and some relief for your pain.

Hello vdub
 

Welcome to Neuro Talk. I relate to the pain having had two fusions myself. According to the MRI you have some damage from scar tissue from an epidural. Also any time the nerve root is displaced by anything, it hurts. Cysts can also have an impact. I am sorry you are going through so much. It seems to me that you may have to get another neurologist to take a look. Gosh knows you don't want to go head long into another surgery. If you are experiencing bathroom issues, that is a signal to go further than your current protocol and at least see from another specialist what they would recommend. You can't get too many opinions. This is what I failed to do first time around.
The pain isn't in your head. Back issues and the pain associated with it does cause depression. I want you to know you are not along in that. Depression happens, and it did to me too. I hope you have a good support team at home. Your doctor should be up front with you and answer all your questions. This site helped me to get through all my spine issues. Lots of good folks here to help you. The moderators of the site also are extremely educated on MRI's, you will get more people to respond. I wish you a successful resolution and less pain. ginnie:grouphug:

Great to meet you!!
 

new member question
 

Due to delayed treatment that often occurs, has anyone had TC surgery that was not fully effective and considered SCS (spinal cord stimulator) for pain control?

Welcome maryjane1234. :Tip-Hat:

Hello maryjane1234,

Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

Here is the link to the
Tarlov Cyst Forum

If you repost there, you should get information and support from the members familiar with this type of surgery.

There is also a forum specifically for
SCS & Pain Pumps

take care.