Need someone else's OPINION!!!

O

Oddie

New member
Hello All,
I've had 3 epidural&a radiofrequency burning of the nerve.STILL has'nt helped.
neurosurgeron has ordered a mylegram for monday.
From the very start i've been going to a PAIN clinic.they don't say anything about taking me out of work&actually surpirse when i brought a note in from my work asking for what&what i could not do.
I have 2 bulging disc-pain is getting worse from my lower back down my leg&into my foot.
I've been on couch for 2 days.
Seems to me what they do are just keeping increasing my pain meRAB(which i'm thankful).But dont u believe that work is making my
back worse,because they are upping my meRAB very FAST.
It just seems to mask the problem!!!
I've been a lanRABcaper for 18yrs.&love my job.
But i don't know how much longer i can go.
any advice!!
ODDIE
 
2 bulging discs I doubt can cause so terrible pains.

Whats your exact diagnosis, did you had MRI?
 
Oddie,

My problems started off with a broad-based disc bulge at L4/L5. Regular MRI's didn't show how bad it was, but an upright MRI where you are able to sit and stand showed that when I would sit there was significant nerve root compression and nerve root tethering from it. Basically, the additional pressure on my spine from sitting was causing my disc to bulge way out and pinch my nerve roots really bad. If your doctors don't get answers from your myelogram, ask them about an upright MRI which may show more when there is a load on your spine. Something is causing your pain and the disc bulges are likely culprits. However, this can't be verified unless a medical test shows it.

Your job is probably not doing your back condition any favors. However, doctors will not encourage you to stop working and sometimes won't even give you work restrictions unless you have surgery scheduled within a few weeks. It's really a terrible catch-22. If your pain is so bad that you are unable to work or sleep at all, sometimes a trip or two to the ER complaining of severe pain will get your doctor's attention that you really are in terrible pain and something neeRAB to be done soon.

For the pain meRAB, I think it's safe to say we back pain sufferers have a love/hate relationship with the pain meRAB. We love that they are available to increase our comfort and ability to function, but we hate being dependent on them and dealing with the side effects. It's best to take the minimum dose necessary to function and be able to sleep. Make sure you are very vocal if they are not helping enough or if the side effects are causing you problems. You might also find putting ice on your low back several times a day for 20 minutes at a time will help reduce the inflammation enough to lower your pain some.

How long have you been experiencing back pain/sciatica? What treatments and medications have you tried so far?

I hope your myelogram goes well on Monday. Just be sure to drink lots of water a few days before and after the procedure, and lay low (as in only get up to go to the bathroom and that's it) for a couple of days after to prevent a spinal headache.

Warm wishes!
 
Complain,Complain,Complain!, untill they take you out! I know first hand. I hurt my back and because I didn't say much for the first couple of months and kept going they thought it was a joke and nothing was wrong with me. Then I just happened to have a week of vacation come up and when I was able to take it easy that week that's when I realized how much pain I was in and dealing with at work! Not to mention they sent me to PT for a lurabar muscle strain and the whole time I had to bulging disc. Too make a long story short, because I didn't complain at first and kept dealing with the pain and working the two bulging disc turned into two ruptured disc and now I am two weeks post level two fusion surgery! Don't make yourself suffer for someone else. You are the only one who will have to deal with it in the end. I have been with my company for over 15 years and they have not called me one time since I have been out of work nor did they send a card or express any care while I was in the hospital! Funny thing is, that the whole time I was at work all we ever heard at meetings is how we were one big family there and how we look out for one another. I know what to call all that now!!! Take care of yourself,no one else will!!! Hope this gives you some insight and helps you to make a better choice as to your well being!! Take care!!
 
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