Miss Ginnie - you write the sweetest posts!

I took my dog for a much needed walk yesterday, walked for an hour at a good clip....probably should have gone a little easier. I noticed that I had a better push off with my right foot and ankle (side that got the epi), but also noticed now and then what felt like a squeezing at the bottom of my spine. Puppy dog sure was happy to get a walk tho! He's only 4 so he has loads of energy, but was born with hip dysplasia so he can't run, needs to be walked and if I don't walk him, he won't get walked. Sounds like we have a home for the disabled here doesn't it?

Today, no walk. Rained most of the day anyway. Nerve pain running down back of leg behind knee is back. Nerve spasms picking back up. Ah well, they did say they didn't think the epi would do any good anyway. It is what it is.

Yes, she does.

Sounds like sciatica. I envy you the long walk ....but not the sciatica.

Doc

I am happy to help. Be careful as Lyrica side effects including swelling of hands legs and feet are not uncommon but believe it or not but it beats the alternative. I live with the swelling since that relieves the burning. I know that sounds weird but it is absolutely true.

See you around:

I am glad you got the walk in. sometimes just being outside in the fresh air makes a difference. I sure hope you get some good information from you next physician report. I know you will go armed with information. Sorry you hurt. I know it is miserable. Nobody deals well with pain. I had a tooth pulled a few days ago, and I am still miserable, I look like a chipmonk with my cheek. It too will pass, and I will be back to my normal self. I get impatient, and crabby over pain sometimes. I come back here for a dose of realility, and it puts my own pain into the background. Take care of yourself, and you know I will be waiting to hear from you, and so will doc, and others. I am glad you are with us, while you go through this medical trauma. ginnie

Horatio - thanks for the info, & yes, I do understand your logic, but for now I have to stick with the Gabapentin due to cost. It also controls the nerve spasms to the point that they are tolerable.

Miss Ginnie - again thank you for your kind post. Hope your dental swelling resolves soon. Chipmunks are cute tho!
Can totally relate to impatience and crabbiness. Unless it's raining, I've had long walks every single day for 3 years regardless of temperature, and not doing those, not feeling like doing those makes me an impatient crabby witch. Plus the health benefits, lower b/p, etc. was an added incentive to the pure enjoyment. For the past few months, I've been taking a pain pill, waiting 30 minutes, gritting my teeth and doing it anyway. I will continue doing that every day that I possibly can. What really gets me down, is the realization that is sinking in, that my back will never ever be the same as it was a year ago.

Just finished reading candlegirl's thread, recovery from spinal fusion advice. Very sobering posts. Am in total agreement with surgery being an individual's choice and only that individual. Having 2 doctors tell me that surgery is the only option, I do not expect anything encouraging from the neurosurgeon's appt. this upcoming Friday. It's what, after 1am now, I took the prescribed gabapentin for spasms 2 hours ago and spasms are so busy and numerous in my legs and feet there's no chance of falling asleep.

Somebody help here please...what's the best way to describe these nerve spasms to someone who doesn't have a clue? The best way I can is......imagine a bundle of hot wires that are unbundled, of different lengths, with different electrical capacities, all firing differently, ALL THE TIME. Not the best description. Can someone think of a more apt description so I can help someone who's asked understand?

Surgery petrifies me, but this is no way to live either. Can't carry groceries, pick up a gallon of milk due to pressure in the spine, vacuuming I do otherwise it won't get done and then I pay for it later, don't even carry my everyday purse due to weight, can't pick up a 6 pack of cokes, driving causes such pain I don't even want to get in the car, can't bloody function without drugs. Symptoms just get worse by the week, and living day to day in a chemical haze is the pits. If all conservative measures have been tried (they have for me) with no improvement or promise (or even hope) of improvement, then hold the door to the operating room open...... Personally, I'd rather take a chance on improving the situation than live in the situation as is.

I just wanted you to know I am thinking about you. I really hope that pain flair, goes down. I also read about the other post with a negative resolution to spinal surgery. I sure do know about being scared that way. I had heard storyies each direction. Surgery as you already know is the last resort. I just want to re affirm, that if this has to happen to you, for you to regain some quality of life it is worth the risk. I had a failed first fusion, followed my a re-do and C3-7. My results have not been perfect, but I am so much better. There can be good results from surgery. I did not go willingly to surgery either. A lot of crying and panick. I just want you to know that not every surgry turns out bad, that some do work, even after a first failure.
I really hope that you can have some good quality of life no matter what you choose to do. Have a good day Seahorse. I am off to one of my doctors as usual...humph! ginnie

The spasms that I had, left me in so much pain, I was flat on back and trembling and shaking head to foot. I couldn't control the pain or the shaking. There is no way to describe it. I really wish that nobody had to go through this kind of agony. I pray that none of you do. I pray for resolution to all these back pain issues that leave us helpless. It is horrible to go through and horrible for a caretaker to witness. I pray each day for all of us. ginnie

I believe we're all in agreement on that point. Sometimes opinions vary between neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons; it couldn't hurt to have opinions from both sides of that. Some here have said neurosurgeons are the better choice/option. If all are in agreement there, we can all only hope for the best.

It's not difficult to understand the strong pro/con feelings on these issues. The pros wish their successes for everyone; the cons wouldn't wish their predicaments on their worst enemies, and only want to prevent someone from suffering similar plight.

Informed decision, made... hopefully, NOT out of pain, fear, and/or desperation. We're all here for each other no matter what.

Doc

Don't you just wish people didn't have to make these kinds of terrible choices? The issues each way, surgery or no surgery is so difficult for a person to make. It is heartbreaking to hear of others struggle with back pain.
I hope your pain is less today too. I go to the pain specialist in a little while. I got in trouble again, and have to have a joint replaced in my foot. I don't want to do this at all, but the pain is such I am not walking very well. I really don't want to wind up in a wheel chair for this, so I am at that debating point once again. I will see today what my pain specialist thinks about my situation. Take care, ginnie