eva you resonate warmth love and courage through pain across this site. and I see you as a ball of divine light. I have scarcely been able to get to my computer and did not see this beautiful post. Thank you for your welcome.

it never occurred to me that I should have an MRI before proceeding to surgery with information dated 7/12. I can't keep up with the pain in my body, nor where it comes from. At some point it feels like it shouldn't matter.. but it does. I had thought that CRPS was primarily upper body pain, and DDD was the lower. After my MRI I realized that I don't have such a good clue. Somehow these pains are completely intertwined... I am grateful for advice from those of you who have, unfortunately, both of these types of pain and how you manage them.

The additional pain from my spine makes sense after seeing some results of the MRI I had last night. My lumbar is worse than cervical;both worse than I had hoped for. I was wanting so much to avoid having a stimulator anywhere near my neck or nerves leading into my hands, but now a new picture is on the wall. I have hardware from C4- 7. Above that I have spondylosis ankylosis,moderate central canal stenosis @ C2-3, disc desiccation, osteophytes, a herniation, moderate and severe facet joint arthrosis .. the worst area is just above my fusion. I remember hearing that the biggest risk asked after a fusion is to the level above...Oh my, The arthritis herniations and impingement's are significantly worse than they were two years ago when I had my last MRI in the lumbar region. The radiologist had to leave at five so I only got the results of the cervical --she said two days for the rest.Maybe at this moment I should consider surrendering to what is and what will be, and have it be less about what I want… the trap of all traps.
. So many of the symptoms are overlapping with the DDD that it's hard to keep straight. My arms feel like they're on fire whether or not they're hot or cold. One arm, shoulder and back have muscle wasting and bone loss. The tingling burning jabbing and stabbing pain just don't quit. Sometimes my hands are numb, or parts of them. An injury to my finger last summer means that I can't tolerate air blowing over it… Sleeping and lying on my sides or on my back without proper pillows support can lead to excruciating pain numbness and tingling, in my arms . I have radiating pain in both of my arms,aggravated by certain movements, but it is not constant. Also, muscle pain and fatigue confuse everything.
Tomorrow is a new day and I go back for my pain psychology appointment, and yet again, to the G.I. doc..and the 4 hour ride. (Still feeling lousy but the fever has abated and slowly the fog is clearing from my brain.) I've been such a muddle, please forgive any misspeak on my part. I'm wondering now if I should see a neurosurgeon again before following through with the pain management for the stimulator. I saw a neurosurgeon and got advice to avoid repairing my spine because of other probable CRPS involvement, but that was 3 years ago.Now what..will happen, and ... Any and all advice is welcome. I did have the presence of mind to contact the new PMR in town who can help me with rehab and who understands well CRPS, DDD and fibromyalgia. Very happy with that!

I feel guilty and blessed too, for not to having to suffer as many of you do with our medical system for appropriate treatment including pain medications. My heart so goes out to all of you who struggle with ignorance that causes greater suffering. I am immensely grateful for doctors with such kind hearts who treat us well . That said, I have fired so many doctors in my lifetime. There is a limit to what I can take when it comes to lack of caring!

Wishing you all the VERY BEST OF CARE!

Hana

I see we are here at the same time...just a quick say so

focus on the great news of a close knowledgeable PMR...

go to your pillows and bed and rest....you have another round of information coming at you and then the final results of the MRI....

give yourself dreams of possibilities as you integrate and process...let it all swirl and trust it will make sense in the end because you are so diligent.
When you need to know you will.

pain does scramble your brain indeed!

guilt serves no purpose....pain does not discriminate

Hanna

dear friend

i read your trials
I See Myself
may you not ever
go into a dark place
like i have
blessed we are
to have our Brother
carrying us as it is
his footprint in the
sand
living life on life terms
we are special
we are tested through
our physical ailments
let us bond and never
give the devil
what he wants
be well

Oh Hanna this is said so well and beautifully, and it's the best advice... especially right now. I just got back from my pain psych evaluation and my GI appointment. Pillows my body desires as soon as it has medicine..and for tonight, may we all sleep well.

When I can sit again tomorrow I'll try to catch up with activities.

Hana.

Oh sweet friend, it is a true blessing that here we are not alone. As children of God we recognize our bond. Your strength gives us courage to try our own with challenges that are beyond imagination. We will stay strong for ourselves and.each other, and with that we forever succeed. I was given this pain to take care of (didn't want it, just making peace) as I would you or myself. If I am to have this experience then it is okay! It was given to me and I will take care of it. It may sound weird but it beats depression...also a by product of RSD/CRPS. Off to the pillows as H-R Hannabannana says.

sleep well eva,thank you for you beautiful posts!

Hana

Just smiling......

the pain is better than depression
an upside to all of this....thanks for the perspective.

HB

I'm new to this, but not new to pain. I just had my Medtronic SCS implanted yesterday. I did the trial a few weeks ago and let me tell you I was a new woman. I went from living with a pain level of 8+ on a daily basis to running with my dog.... something I hadn't been able to do in over 10 years. I had an L4/L5 spinal fusion back in 2011 and it did not work. I ran through the series of shots and was on pain meds, along with my bipolar meds so I was basically a zombie. I don't work any more. I have nerve impingement on the S1 area. I am hoping that the permanent implant will make it to where I can live a normal life again. Right now there is pain due to the 3 incisions, (2 in the back and one in the upper buttock area) and I must rest for at least 4-6 weeks so that scar tissue can form to hold the leads in place. But like I said, so far, so good. It will have to become a lifestyle change I know. Charging they systems, changing the levels, and so on, but whatever it takes to get me off these pain pills and not be in pain, I'll take it. We'll see how is goes. Wish me luck...

Welcome to our little "family," and congrats on your implant! I'm glad that your trial went well, and that you are recovering well from your surgery!

I, too, have a Medtronic's unit. My first surgery was this past December, for the percutaneous leads. Unfortunately, just a few months later I had lead migration, and this past June I had the laminectomy and paddle leads. As of my programming session this past week, I am doing GREAT! I have really good coverage from the middle of my back all the way to my toes. With my first set of leads my rep could never find coverage for even my lower back, but with my new leads, not only is my lower back getting coverage - but also my mid-back! Yay!

Best of luck as you move forward! Feel free to ask any and all questions, and remember to stick to ALL of your restrictions - that is SO important!

=Becky

going to get a trial done on halloween i have had 3 major back surgeries since 7 -08 starting with herniated discs then in may of 11 got a fusion with no hardware although it was supposed to be put in then after 6 months the lower 3 discs were completely gone bone on bone with a severely pinched nerve on L5 left side have severe foot drop on left foot neuropathy on left foot and lowback pain have been on pain meds for 6 years. had a 360 salvage surgery done on 9-1 12 now have a good fusion 3 plastic discs, cages in the front took out rods on 10-14-13 my neurosurgeon did a good job but the nerve was severely pinched he sent me to pain management and said would be a good candidate for a stimulator medtronics brand the pain meds are not working and i have reverse toxicity to the vicodins. so i am considering to have this done i ride my motorcycle daily but walking is a trip and fall event all the time i use a cane for a third leg just for the foot drop so i am just putting out feelers here to see about this thing i know a couple of people that have one they work well for them but they said it takes a little while to get the settings right any thoughts? i am a train wreck. 55 years old and cannot work anymore due to the botched second surgery.