Learning About The Spine

I have to post about myself as I have a lot going on it seems…

I took these after the Mardi Gras pet festivities---my hair and the wind got into a fight and the wind won  :) I had to add both these because I just love Lucy in the background---she cracks me up!!

So, here’s what is going on with me----I have a bad back!  I have had back issues for years and years and from time to time it will go out.  Usually within a week it is back to normal, but that week can be hell!!  There is no pain like back pain that I have experienced---it just brings tears to your eyes and feels as though someone is stabbing you!  It was about the 2nd week in Jan when I was shaving my legs in the shower and turned just that “right” way apparently and it went!!  It wasn’t the worst it has been and I tried to take it easy figuring it would get better in a matter of days.

It didn’t get better though---in fact it went from bad to worse.  I went to the chiropractor after a while thinking he would “work it out” and fix it.  I tried to explain to him that it was different then when I was in before, but he was set on the fact that I was in pain because I had stopped coming to him.  He was insistent that I need to come to him 3 times a week (at $25 each time) and eventually it would clear up and improve.  I don’t have that kind of money!!!  I explained our situation and he just said I had to figure it out, but this was too important not to do.  Well, the truth is, I don’t have anywhere to take from, so that plan of action was not an option.  I did go several times to give it a chance, but there was no real improvement to warrant spending the money.

I have had great success in the past with a Blair Chiropractor in SC that I love.  I have been in touch with him and went to the Blair website, but the closest Blair dr. is in Dallas, Tx (5 hours away).  There is one in Atlanta not far from my sisters house, so that was going to be the way I went.  Mike has to go to Atlanta one week a month for the next several months so we could drive and have the company pay for it.  I figured it was a win win since we would get to stay with my sister and her family, see my parents for a few days, and get my back taken care of. 

Well, right before we were to leave for Atlanta my back got way worse.  I was unable to walk and the pain was excruciating!!  I knew after that episode that I was not going to be able to make a 9 hour car ride!  I talked to a nurse friend of mine here and she recommended I see an Orthopedic guy and get a cortisone shot.  I knew I had to do something so I made the call.  I got in and they shot me up and sent me on my way with a prescription for a muscle relaxer and a steroid pack.   I came home, took my meds and passed out for a few hours.  When I woke up, I had no feeling in my right foot and calf.  The pain had subsided, but this new thing was disconcerting!  I called the docs office and they said it was from the nerve being pinched and to see if the steroids took care of it.

Well, that was over a week ago now, and there is still no feeling in my foot and part of my calf.  I have discomfort all down my sciatic nerve.  The pain is greatly subsided and I can actually sit now (as of yesterday) so I do see improvement which thrills me, but I am hardly back to normal.  I went back to the Orthopedic guy and saw the doc (I saw the PA before) and he said there are only two ways to treat this----pain management or surgery and the only way to fix the problem is surgery!!  So, I have been doing a lot of reading on lumbar micro surgery.  Wow, how much I have learned the past week!!

I talked to my nurse friends again today (Pam and Sam---they are married and both nurses and GREAT help!!!)  Sam has had back issues for years and knows what I am going through, plus they know all the docs in the area and I trust them and their recommendations!  Now what my plan of action is calling a Neurosurgeon on Monday (Bernie McHugh).  He is very good and local.  Since this is no longer a bone issue, but a nerve issue I agree that a neurosurgeon is the route to go if surgery is coming!  I know I will not get in to the see the doc first, but they said the PA is excellent.  She will do all the pretesting and probably order an MRI.  The other place said they would do an MRI if I was interested in going forward with surgery. 

I will go from there….I am not rushing into anything and trying to make informed, wise decisions.  Pam and Sam agree though if there is anything unusual about the course of surgery that would be needed, then go to Shreveport to Dr. Nanda who is world renowned and highly sought after.  If it is “standard” then Dr. McHugh is excellent.

So, we wait until next week and see where we go from there!!  I am nervous, I mean the thought of spinal surgery is not exciting---however, if it is needed I would much prefer it be done sooner rather than later and get it over with.  I also figure if I can go through a gastric bypass, which is MAJOR, I can handle this no problem.  Oh, the doctor did tell me regarding recovery “since you are so tiny….”  I made him repeat that and made sure the girls heard too  :)  I know having 160 lbs off my body is only a help.  I believe I wouldn’t have been able to walk far more if I hadn’t lost the weight and the pain would have probably been even worse.

As for the weight loss---I am actually 10 lbs BELOW my secondary goal.  My initial goal was what I thought was realistic, then I had the secondary goal or my dream goal so to say and I am below that!!!!  I am not even considered “overweight” but when I calculate my BMI I am “normal”.  What a beautiful thing that is!!!  I wear a size 10 and if my skin tightens up more I will easily be a size 8.  Seems unreal to me and other than my back I feel great  :)