Hi sfink
 

Welcome to Neuro Talk. You are right about what you said. when you get spinal problems it is a game changer. It seems in my own life, most folks that I know don't get it. It is only here, where there is some empathy for what you go through. I hope you are OK, and I am glad to see another post. ginnie

Hi Artic
 

I deal with pain management as I mentioned. I was drug tested the first visit, and none after. I use the medications, as without them, I sit like a bump on a log doing nothing much. In my own situation, I refuse to give up my life to be sedentary. Rather pay the price and take the meds. so at least I can do a few things. I know giving in, and getting the meds. isn't easy. I too was active all my life. I need to have some activity to remain mentally OK. I hope that you are OK, and can find a happy medium. ginnie

Back for a minute! Ginnie reminded me of a little thing that went down Aug.26,2011 in Jefferson University Hospital in Philly. I'm sitting in my wheelchair at the waiting area of PT. 5 of us lined up waiting for our sessions. We all had the same ACDF done. It's quiet because we're all smashed on pain killers. An old tall black man walks into the room, walks right up to and me and says,"They won't get it, until they got it!"-then politely turns around and leaves..mmmm. Ok, he saved me a lot of time trying to get others to understand what's going on with me. Forget about it! Round up your posse of spouse, family, friends who you love and who love you back. If you condition gets bad, these are the folks who will help you! No one understands chronic illness and pain till they have it! That's enough for now, exit stage right. sfink

Its a mental thing!
 

hello all
Those of us with spinal conditions generally live our lives in seclusion. After a while no one wants to hear about our condition. Our condition can not be visualized, therefore we receive no sympathy. Sometimes I just want to vent to family knowing they can do nothing to help, I am ok with that. I would just like a sympathetic ear sometimes. The whole pain management thing is strange to me. Over the years I have tried different pain meds for conditions from tooth aches to kidney stones. They all make me sick, I literally throw up within twenty minutes of taking narcotic pills. I try to live my life as best I can but I do understand when others want to just give up. To me its a mental thing. Trying to adjust my life to a condition of worsening pain and debilitation. I feel like I am being pulled along a road to a destination I dont want to go to. I realize now, that things I thought were important are really not. Some reading this would think I am depressed, I really am not. I am just adjusting myself to situations I cant control.
Thanks to all who have respond and God bless us all.
Artic

"adapt to the situation"- diversion
 

I'm back! Yeah, I get it- I live as a hermit also. I do my stuff each day; set my goals each morning and try to accomplish at least one of them. Rarely leave the house. these computers are really helpful, they enhance communication so much..Chronic constant pain is brutal, no relief. Meds suppress it, I'm thankful for that, but it only lasts a few hours. I generally keep music on at all times-50% traditional blues,25% oldies from 60's radio and 25% classic rock from Elvis to 1975. Any kind of diversion is helpful. I try to spend time each day one of my grandkids(ages 22, 11,10 and 2) Man , that's funny just typing it out! I teach them about life, God and doing positive things ect. We have fun and I adapt to each one. The traditional things I did with them before I got sick are over , so I try to adapt to what I can do with them. Girl scouts, cub scouts, outdoor playground, blocks,matchbox, wii, anything. I've found building on Minecraft with my grandson is fun. I wear a TENS unit about 12 hours each day and that's about diverting your nervous system from sending pain signals. The last 10 years of working before disability were all about "adapting to the situation" The current condition I'm in is the same. Is it great? No. Will I survive? Yes. More stuff later- gotta go.... sfink

This really is a "journey" of sorts, but one that most of us would rather not take! Having been on this journey for 28 years, I'm wondering when it will end. LOL My mother never told me that getting old was this painful! :D

Artic is right in that most of us live our life in seclusion. There isn't much we can do, and most of our friends have "flown the coop." :( I long for the days when I could ride the lawn mower and get some sun -- plus get some satisfaction of seeing how good the lawn looked afterwards. ;) No way can I tolerate that anymore. Now I'm lucky that I can ride in a car to get to the doctor's office. :rolleyes:

You people are the ONLY ones who understand. Family are sick of hearing about it, and I really don't blame them. Actually, I'm sick of talking about it. LOL I'm tired of the pain, medications, doctors, tests, and everything that goes with it! There ---- that's my rant for the day! :D

God bless you all, and I pray all of you have less pain! Hugs, Lee ;)

My esi was almost literally a life-saver
 

I was in significant pain last November and December. I had my esi on 12/9 and by Christmas I was able to start sleeping again. Not all night, but a good three to four hours.

Unfortunately, the esi did not alleviate the need for surgery. I had a three level acdf in April. I lost significant hand strength, lost most of my tricep muscle and my trap muscle. The surgeon said I had no choice. The surgery and recovery has been just fine, but I'm sure glad I got some relief for the four months between the injection and the surgery.

hardest part is not knowing what to do!
 

HI all
What bothers me is there are no good answers. The Last dr that gave me esi said I was in a win/lose situation. Surgery might make things better, might make things worse. I guess you just roll the dice and take your chances. I decided I was not going to have surgery unless I could not stand the pain or my neurological situation deteriorates further.
God bless
Artic

Faith and trust or just roll the dice
 

Hi! Yeah, I get it..There are no guarantees with these procedures; there is a lot that can go right or wrong. My neurosurgeon simply said- 1/3 get better, 1/3 stay the same,1/3 get worse. It comes down to how much faith you have in his skill as a doctor; how much do you trust him? To me, waiting till I lose all motor skills or surpass my pain threshold-Wow, that's a risky roll of the dice! I don't think that there is a "normal" after you reach those points. The spinal structure is now different and you have experienced nerve damage and destruction. It reminds me of trying to cement my favorite coffee mug back together after dropping it. Sure, I could put it back together but it just wasn't the same. Once your broken, hard to restore back to "normal". That's my thought about it. Take care, sfink

I won't wait till things fall apart
 

Hi all
I don't like major pain nor do I like major neurological symptoms. I don't plan on waiting until I have unmanageable pain or nerve damage to act. 1/3 better, same, worse are not encouraging either. Since it does seem to be a roll of the dice I'll take my chances and wait it out.
God bless you all
Artic