Last Friday I went to get an MRI on my Lumbar spine. I have been in pain for over 10 years, constantly getting worse. I have asked several times for something to relieve the pain, but get ignored. Last Thursday I went in a yelled at my Dr, and told him to either find out what is wrong with my back or give me enough drugs to tolerate it. I can no longer walk all the way around the grocery store with out pain radiating down my left side and my leg collapsing. I am ok sitting for awhile, and I am in no pain in the Pool. So I swim 2 hrs at a time three days a week. He realized that I have been trying, so he referred me to the MRI. I came home the next day with films in hand. So being the WONDERFUL Dr that I am....(NOT) I looked at them, and then compared them to normal MRIs on line. (did you know there are TONS of pictures of lumbar spines?) I thought they looked scary, so I called and asked when I should bring them in. I get a call left on my answering machine, from the Dr, that there is INDEED an abnormality in my Lumbar Spine, and he is referring me to a Neurologist for evaluation and possible surgery! HALLELUJAH! At least now he knows and I know that I am not making this pain up.
I have this wonderful new mower that I have been trying to use to get my grass down to a workable level, however I mow 50 feet and then sit and rest my back, then mow some more and rest, Today I actually got the front 1/3 of the back yard down to where it should be. So now Sadie has a place to pottie without getting lost in the foot high grass and dandelions which have taken over my back yard.
Now I am sitting here updating my blog, and hoping that the pain goes away long enough for me to get in the car and drive to the pool. I'm telling you...PAIN!!!!
When Did I get so OLD? I thought Sciatica was an OLD PERSON'S ailment. Didn't they have Carter's little pills for that? Humph!
18 comments:
Ouch!! Well now HE knows and you can get something Done!! Fell better sweetie!!hughugs
It irks me to no end when a doctor fiddle-farts around like that. I have a disk messed up at L4 and it gets so bad after I walk very much that I have problems lifting my left foot to take a step. I thought an OTC back brace would help me to walk to exercise without so much pain, but it doesn't do much.
Hang in there Miz Mary lou and keep us informed as to what the nero doc does.
sounds terrible but at least you are on the road to getting it fixed and it's not an old person's disease at all but more genetic from what I know about it. At one time there was no solution. The Montana artist, Charles Russell had it and had to crawl up the stairs because he could not walk up them. Good luck with some positive results now from the doctor
Finally! It sounds like you're going to get some help. My back problems are different from yours, but I also had constant pain and later found out that one of my bulging discs was pressing on a nerve. Couldn't bend over, couldn't sleep and was almost sucicidal...because I thought without health insurance I would not be able to do anything. I was wrong...physical therapy is affordable and thanks to the exercises and traction...I got my life back. So there's always hope, but goodness...first your doc has to listen and take you seriously. I hope you get some relief and you get it soon. Good luck!! (And sure wish you could hire someone to cut that lawn for you.)
So sorry you have so much pain. And I hope your doctor has actually listened to you and gives you some relief.
Cas
Hang in there.
Getting the cause identified is the first step. Now I hope they will be able to do something for you to alleviate the pain, if not totally fix the problem.
If your grass is actually a foot tall you probably need some sort of a heavy duty lawn mower to do that first cutting. Maybe Bob could rent one from a rental place? Then once it is under control you can handle it from then on with your new mower.
I am glad you don't take no for an answer, now finally you can get something done to relieve your pain once and for all.
I'm glad that you persisted and finally got your doctor to take your pain seriously. I hope there is something relatively easy that will relieve it, and you'll be feeling well soon.
You give me great encouragement for my back/hip/leg pain. I can't walk up steps one at a time--have to take a step with left foot, then bring right foot up onto step--like an old lady!! Makes me mad. I still think that mowing the lawn is not good for you--I wish you could get someone to come in and do it for you.
oh Me too, Jude, me Too!
It's really, really annoying when the doctor doesn't believe you, isn't it?
Good, that's a start, although he could have skipped the neurologist and gone right for the neurosurgeon because they too will look at MRIs, spinal X-rays and CT scans to tell you if they cannot do surgery. (The frustrating thing with this part of the process is that it may take a few months. I started with an MRI last Oct. and was referred to a neurosurgeon. My 1st apt. was with his PA, who sent me for more X-rays.I finally saw the doctor in early Dec. but my surgery didn't get scheduled until late Jan.)
I saw him yesterday for my 3 month post-op check up and he says I'm healing well. He'd have been happier if I said I was totally pain free but I reminded him that there are muscles in my back and legs that haven't been used for years, and that my physical therapist is working on getting them stretched, which does hurt but it's a good type of pain. Now that the weather is better I can get out and walk more, without the discomfort I had before. I wanted to say, "Give me a break, I'm 65 while you are still a baby doc-early 30s." As I may have said on another of your posts, the symptoms I had prior to surgery that were so debilitating are basically gone.
Get someone with a power mower to do your first cutting since your grass is so tall. You don't want to ruin your new "baby."
I'll keep you in my thoughts and send you positive energy!
I hope they sort you out as soon as they possibly can. Perhaps you should come over here and share my doctor with me, he's a good listener.
So when do you go in?
It is really tough to live with constant pain. Hope you get some relief real soon. Surgery with a promise of hope isn't so hard to take. NJ
I sure hope you don't have to wait too long to see the Neurologist. You've been suffering with this for long enough, and I hope you get some relief soon.
My cousin just had back surgery last week Mary Lou. She was in such bad pain. She's home recouping. I pray once you have surgery your pain will be gone and you'll feel wonderful....as I pray for her. I don't know why it takes forever for these back problems to be figured out...but it often does. It took a long time for my cousin's too. Good luck sweetie...
How are you feeling today Mary Lou? Isn't it time for an update?
Post a Comment