[Louise40]

Hi Everyone,
Will try make this as brief as possible. I was 18 when my lumbar pain began. I ended up having surgery a few years later.
In the early 1990's I had a double spinal fusion L5-S1 and L5-L4. 2 yrs later had L4-L3 fused. Then my pelvic joint was out and was told i needed to have the sacro-iliac joint fused on the left side, due to severe leg numbness.
I will say each surgery was successful on paper, but it only lasted 6months to a year max before it flared again in the next level of spine. Then they found out i had DDD and degeneration of the spine.
In 2001 I had a spinal stimulator implanted which was the best thing I ever did, was off all pain meds. Unfortunately in 2002 I was in a car accident, sitting at red light and a car rear-ended us. I had severe whiplash, so now have neck problems as well, but it made a mess of the spinal stimulator. They could not get it working again and because of the damage could not replace it. I have left leg weakness and numbness, and left foot drop, lumbar and thoracic pain and neck pain.

Hence here I am 11yrs on, and I’m having severe thoracic problems around the T11-T12 level. I don't know how to deal with it, It seems if I compensate for my lumbar pain I stir my thoracic pain up.
I’m not looking at having any surgery unless it was critical. I was wondering how others have worked around it and what have they done that helps them to cope on a day to day basis.
I don’t know how to proceed and am struggling on a daily basis.

I have had chronic pain for years but have managed it the best I can in the last 15yrs, have my good and bad days but knew what I could and couldn’t do most of the time.
The last six months have been absolute hell and don’t know how much longer I can keep going if it doesn’t improve a little. I’m more house bound as I struggle to drive now. I struggle to stand after ½ hour and walk long distances. It’s really affecting my life.
Please if you have any ideas or advice Id really appreciate it.
Thank you