Sorry, I haven't heard a thing. I've been wondering too! I really care too.
Billie

Hello everyone! I want to start by saying I am so very sorry for your pain. I was searching for answers - anything - that might help my husband and found your site. He too suffers from severe, dibilitating pain and your posts seemed somehow comforting. Please don't take that wrong - I just mean that we aren't alone. None of our friends understand that we can't go out for an evening like we used to and most of them have just stopped calling or coming around. It's been 4 yrs since he was rear-ended at a high speed. He had surgery to repair a bulging disk. It worked for a few days then a fragment broke off and wedged next to the nerve. They re-operated but by that time he had nerve damage. Now he has spinal stenosis due to extreme inflamation of the nerve root, scarring, more bulging of the disks and let's not forget a spinal benign tumor. I can't remember what it's called. It's just something that grows sometimes when there's a trauma.

He tried medicine after medicine. Then we had a medtronic spinal implant put in. It's similar to a tens unit but is implanted. It has reduced his pain 50% and worked great for over a year. He went from being able to not function to doing well enought that he was almost ready to go back to work. Then the scarring around the nerve root got worse and he's miserable again. Now they are talking about a fusion to help with the stenosis.

Pam, this part is for you - Please don't even think about it! My husband has said the same thing and I had to somehow make him understand how much I loved him and what he meant to me and how a large part of me would cease to exist if anything happened to him. He thought he was a burden to me and my life would be better without him. NO WAY! He is my life - he and our children. We are now looking at any information we can get. We are checking out new clinical trials going on around the world that might help. I don't know what is causing your pain but DO NOT GIVE UP. There is something out there - someone that can help you.

I know this is a novel and I hope I didn't tread into a personal matter. You all know each other and I'm new here.

I have had all your husbands problems. Don't give up hope. I have had 6 spinal surgeries including the Medtronics Implant. He probably needs spinal fusion. I have had stenosis too. I also have the nerve damage. I was operated on in September and I am so much better. What keeps happening is I continue to grow a lot of scare tissue and in time it bothers my nerves and has to be removed again. I also had to have my implant taken out in Sept. Mine done no good from day one. I am glad your husband got some relief.

This last surgery has done a world of good. I can't say yet about the scare tissue at this sight tho. Time will tell. never give up hope. I have been fused from L 2 threw S 1. Someone else on here has had the growth you are taking about. I haven't. Hang in there and trust your DR. If not, get a new one.
____________
Fancylady

Dear Pam,

I am new to this site and came across your message. Please don't give up, my father always said "there is always hope". I know that it is not easy as I have had surgeries and revision surgeries and still suffer in pain. Try all manners of relief including prayer, meditation, comedy, aroma therapy, music therapy and anything else that makes you feel good for even a few mintutes and takes your mind off your pain. You can get a free meditation CD/DVD for pranic healing guided meditation from their website pranichealing.com, I find it helpful.

While no one thing helps me (including surgeries, medication, RFN, injections, accupuncture, physical therapy, SCS) a combination of many gets me through the day. I pray for your health of mind, body and spirit. Don't give up, you can do this.

Love, Light and Blessings to you.

K

Hi

I was just starting to feel a little better. My MRI showed a fluid buil up aroud my surgery area and I had it aspirated. Turned out it was not a spinal fluid leak so no more surgery at this point.

My husband and I were at a meeting today and I was sitting down with my legs crossed talking to a friend when a mentally ill man sat in my lap! Of all the weird things to happen. He weighs at least 200 pounds.

Since my leg was crossed it really wrenched my back. My pain level is through the roof and I hope he didn't cause any damage because I have no hardware.

I try to be careful but who would expect such a thing. If I'm not better in a few days I guess it's back to the doctor to see what happened.

If it's not one thing it's another. I feel like I'm cursed. When I begin to do better I alawys have a set back.

Pam

Pam,
That's just awful! I really hope it's just a temporary set back, and you start feeling better again soon. Were you glad to hear you didn't have to have more surgery anytime soon? (I know that would make me happy!)

Take good care of yourself.

Kay