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  • Author : Emelia8
  • Support : 6
  • Topic : Recovery Club
07 Dec 2023 06:48 AM
Senior Contributor

Thanks for tagging me @Dimity and no, you are definitely not intruding. 

 

I'm sorry you are dealing with all this. It sounds painful, as well as restricting. Back pain really is the worst! 

 

I have dealt with severe lumbar back pain for many years as a result of a serious injury some 24 years ago. I managed it over the years,  with osteo, physio, chiro, hydro, anti inflam meds, strong pain meds as needed, bed rest at times when I was unable to roll out of bed,  etc. 

 

Then a couple of years ago the nerve pain increased to the extent that the pain became unbearable. I had no choice then other than to agree to major spinal surgery. Something I avoided over the years. 

 

Last year I had major surgery in Feb just to basically get me through to later in the year when I could be scheduled for further surgery. Spent 2 months in hospital then. But it relieved some of the pressure off the nerves.  Still had big problems with legs though and needed walking stick to get around as I awaited further surgery in November last year. 

 

Last November I went through 2 major spinal surgeries 4 days apart to free up the impinged nerves,  remove the damaged disc material, jack up the spaces between several collapsed spinal discs, put in some bone graft in a cage to hold them up, and fuse the spine at 3 levels. 

 

Again I was in hospital for 8 weeks recovering. Rehab was tough and is still ongoing. 

 

I know you hear some awful stories about unsuccessful spinal surgeries. But touch wood, it was a success for me and I dont regret it one bit. 

 

I live relatively pain free for the first time in over 24 years. And most people cannot even imagine what that is like. 😊

Yes I have restrictions, and always will. But thats nothing compared to the restrictions I had before,  due to pain. 

 

So yes,  if you want someone to talk to who understands ... thats me. And although I dont come on here all that much these days,  I am happy to chat when I do come on. 

 

As for your treatment,  I hope you find something that provides some relief, from both pain and symptoms. 

 

Emelia 🌷

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