I am new to the site and may I say it is refreshing to find a support group such as this! First off I am a MOM of 3 children,WIFE of 10+yrs, and psychology student.In 2004,At the age of 22 (3mos preg with son), I was in a car accident that left my back fractured in 2 places. Because of my pregnancy there was nothing to be done short of learn to walk (on a walker). After my son was born I was unable to lose the weight and stayed at 185 (5'4)because of the pain involved with exercise. In 2008 (after hearing that I was fat and fractures should be long healed) I went on Adkins and started a light exercise program where I got down to 125. Less than 1yr into fighting the discomfort to get on the tredmill I was overcome with a pain that could never be described. Soon to find out I had ruptured a disc..BY SITTING! My first Drs visit they informed me that I had now gone from 5'4 to 5'2! I went through all the usual- therapy,pain meds,LESI injections,etc when I finally had my lumbar discectomy.The dr promised a 2-3 inch incision.Before surgery my husband and I laughed in the waiting room at my 26yr "old" body unable to move my right toes.As soon as I woke up I yelled for him, crying, and showed him the wiggle dance that my toes could now do!! Before leaving my Dr explained that I was a rare case and he had to do a 8+in incision to retrieve the pieces of my disc that had traveled up my spine.I was upset by my scar but thrilled at the LACK of pain my Dr had blessed me with!I had a good 8mos! Fast forward to 2009, pain was back, worse than ever! Several MRI's, pain medications, LESI injections, and therapies later I have been diagnosed with all they have to throw at me. Not to mention during this time I have lost my health insurance. As this has been a long story already I will follow up with where I stand now in a reply post

Sorry to hear all you have been going thru; but even worse is the loss of your insurance. After getting results from MRI's and getting injections; which obviously have not helped, did your doctor suggest a spinal fusion? What were the results of the MRI's ? Your post is really not all that long when trying to explain your condition.


(Gerry)

I'm so sorry to hear of all your troubles. I had to giggle (sorry) by the fact that you ruptured a disc sitting down, as I did the SAME THING. I was riding in a car, when all of a sudden I was struck with the WORST PAIN I'd ever had (I thought). That was the 2nd herniation I'd had.

I've had 2 open surgeries, and they will NEVER touch me again. After each surgery I was worse than when I went in. Now I'm disabled and have been deemed inoperable by several doctors and a head of neurosurgery of a huge hospital. I'm on disability now and can't work. All surgery did was make a mess of my spine, and leave me disabled. That's the story of a LOT of people. And I read an article (I wish I'd written down where it came from, but it was a medical journal) that said that latest studies have shown that people who have spinal surgery have the SAME RESULTS as those people who have only physical therapy!!! Wish I had known that.

I wish you the very best! God bless and TRY to get comfortable. Hugs, Lee

I have had several MRI's and at the moment these are the results (combined) : Ruptured Disc, Previous Compression Fractures of the T12-L1, Progressive Disc space narrowing L5-S1, Right convex curvature, Spondylosis,stenosis, disc desiccation, facet hypertrophy (Arthritis), Epidural Fibrosis, and several Schmorl's Nodes. Since I am awaiting news on disability I really dont have many options but I have had fusion mentioned. It is just so hard trying to get through everyday and attempting to hide the pain from my family. I do not want them to suffer

hugs to you hope you get answers soon!!!! And hopefully relief as well! I can totally understand and relate to your not wanting your family to suffer. I feel like I am a burden now and hate it!!!!!!

Thank you everyone for the support. I have recently had a couple of horrible weeks. My pain level has been well above average. I have been isolating from everyone so that they won't see how bad I am doing, so my pain doesnt cause me to be ill with them, and so that they don't feel obligated to help. I went to an appt Thursday and was given 8 in office injections into my spine and right lower back. I believe they have only made things worse..the pain..the aggravation from having steriods pumping through me..everything. He told me if this didnt seem to help he would put me in for a LESI next wk..only thing with that is I have had so many that I now have epidural fibrosis I'm sorry to get on here and vent, just seems the only place I can turn where people understand. I know my family feels for me, but I know they cant ever really understand.

My biggest fear is that 10yrs from now (or sooner rather than later) my family will tire of having to take care of me. I know in my heart this is not true, but that does not keep my mind from wondering always. Finding this site has been a blessing, hearing so many who are able to relate. In return I hope you find relief in your future as well..Until that point I am here to offer any advice I can.. or at the very least I can be someone to vent too.