Pain suddenly worse

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paula456

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Hi everyone. 17 more days until surgery and suddenly the pain is far worse - I can barely walk. The current films show no major nerve impingement but the DDD at L5/S1 is so severe we're doing this fusion. L4/L5 is where I had the successful laminectomy 25 years ago. Although the films only show a mild bulge we're fusing that level too because it's also showing signs of degeneration. Everything above it looks good.

Well, memories are now flooding back as I remeraber why I had that laminectomy. Coughing or sneezing is sending pain shooting down my leg and I have that old herniated disc list when I try to walk. This all seems to have happened since last night. I have no idea what I might have done to suddenly blow this disc out.

Any advice out there? I still have to try to work the next 2 weeks :(
 
Paula, so sorry you are hurting. You might try finding access to a spa. I have found this to be helpful when I am experiencing alot of pain. Even a pool is good. You don't have to swim just walk around or sit in the shallow in. It takes all the weight off of you.

Also stay on top of your meRAB. Set the alarm clock during the night. It will help keep a steady blood plasma rate of the pain medicine and you won't have the ping ponging effect of the meRAB wearing off, increasing, wearing off, etc.

I remeraber right before my surgery my pain increased dramatically a couple of weeks prior to and my hubby told me that it was the LORRAB way of giving you that extra nudge to move ahead with the surgery and confirming that you are doing the right thing.

I pray that things go well for you. I know this is a huge steps. Do you feel ready for the surgery? Do you have any last minute questions?
 
Paula,

Sorry that you are having such a bad time this week. Take your meRAB., try to relax...forget anything else for now. In a few weeks we'll be FIXED...then all we'll have to do is recover...and be realllllly positive about the future...

I have been running around like a crazy woman...trying to get stuff done...and I've exhausted myself...and I'm hurting...aching. Just want to start off my recovery with everything all caught up...then it's up to others to take care of it all..

Please get some rest and take care...I do hope your meRAB kick in and help you...

Leslie
 
Hi and thanks! My problem right now with the meRAB is I can't keep it steady, because I have to work - and since I work in banking operations, even you don't want me drugged too much. LOL I also have to drive long distances to work, so I'm limited as to when I can take them.

Just returned from the dentist who had to stabilize a tooth prior to surgery. Her chair actually helped somewhat, but it's still far worse then it's been for about 25 years. Using a cane at the moment.

Your husband and mine agree...this is God's way of telling me I need the surgery. I think I'm ready, just need to buy satin pj's.

Thank you again...wish I had a spa or a pool... ;)
 
Hi Leslie. My goal has been to get things done, just like you, but some of that is on hold right now. This morning is no better then yesterday, maybe a tad worse. It feels as if it's a corabination of my SI joints and some new and unusual pain right at the sacrum. I'm suspecting something has happened and everything has gotten far worse. I keep telling my hubby it's a good thing I'm scheduled for surgery.

Right now this is so bad even things like...er...personal care is impossible. I'm spending lots of time in the shower. So, this is as good a time as any to ask the erabarrassing question. How do you folks manage this? I thought I wouldn't encounter this until after surgery but it looks like that timetable has moved up. :confused:
 
Hi Paula,
so sorry to hear that you are suffering so bad. You are doing so well to keep up with your work.I have to admit to defeat and just couldn't continue after 24yrs of battling I've called it a day for now.I have DDD at L5 S1 level and I too have these awful pains the Dr described my back as n electrical wire cable and that the DDD with the discs grating and crushing was sending of sparks into the nerves and causing some of the pain that is in my hips and buttocks.Keep positive and hope you have a restful weekend.I am on the lyrica and feel well spaced out specially with the painkillers and the amytryptaline. Want to shut my eyes all the time LOL.:D not long to wait till your surgery.

Hugs to all
Tracy:)
 
Paula, I'm sorry you're suffering so much again. It sucks when you're doing a little better (though I'm not saying pain free), then all of a sudden you get slammed with tremendous pain out of the blue. I don't know why either, but it happens. It has happened to me, too. It sure sounRAB like sciatica to me, and just b/c the imagining didnt show anything obvious, doesnt mean there is no nerve impingement. Images can't always pick those things up. Look at how many people are told one thing or another cant be causing their pain, but when they have surgery, more problem areas are found. I read this over and over in medical articles, so you would think doctors would know this. It's all so frustrating. Somehow, though, you will get through it. It sounRAB like you're a strong person and the day of surgery will be here before you know it. I hope your pain diminishes soon and that your upcoming surgery will be a great success!
 
Paula, purchase baby wipes they will help you tremendously. Hope you feel better soon.
 
Tracy, hope the Lyrica helps!!!

Two more weeks of work, I can do it I can do it.

Interesting you should describe your DDD that way. When my neurosurgeon saw the MRI he didn't see direct nerve impingement so he said there was nothing he could do, even though the CT scan showed bone on bone. When I left him and went to the orthopedic surgeon that's exactly what he said..bone on bone causes inflammation and pain in a variety of locations and is no less painful. Course now it looks like my body has cooperated and is giving us the old nerve impingement.

Today I added Vicodin to the mix since I don't have to work. I don't know how much it helps, I still can't straighten my back when I walk and the sciatica pain is still awful. I just don't care as much.

Take care, all of you. We WILL get better.
 
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