Totally bummed right now.

[b4thenite]

Hope you find something that interests you while during the downtime. This could be the moment of re defining yourself. Good luck to you and keep us posted.
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[GoldenChild]

Keep Ya Head Up Buddy...

[skydivr]

I had an 'event' last year that made me think I was going to have to have another back surgery (1st one in 1995); I found a surgeon that would "NOT operate unless it was a last resort" and was willing to try some other things first - your back will never be as 'solid' as it was before surgery. I had an epidural and then physical therapy for 6 weeks; it hurt like crazy while having therapy, but my back loosened up and eventually I was pain free and have been ever since. Try to find a guy that won't operate unless it's LAST resort. The epi got my pain down to a manageable level - for a month it was so bad I could not find ANY comfort spot; and was taking my pain meds left over from Kidney Stones (did NOT want to get hooked).

Best of luck!

[TruWrecks]

It sounds a lot like we have the same injuries... Where are your injuries, as in what vertabrae? My doctor prescribed zanaflex or tizanadine which is not a narcotic, it is not addictive and I have to tell ya that it makes the spasms go away. I take one before I go to bed and there is no grogginess or blurry vision at all, no side effects at all. I get great sleep and the muscles and nerves relax... Your condition sounds so familiar and I didnt get any relief until the first night I took the meds....

I too have a tens unit and it depends on where the spasms are at if it works... An hour in the hot tube followed by a zanaflex and Im good for a couple days....

See if your doc will let you try it! I forgot to mention a 90 day supply is only 10 bucks at walmart~! It made a huge change in my day to day life....

cap

My L3-4, L4-5 and L5-S1 are all damaged badly. L3-4 is herniated to the right rear. L4-5 is herniated very badly to the left rear and center. L5-S1 touches bone to bone. L4 vertebra can make contact with L5. Every time I bend or twist more disc material is pushed against the root nerves.

Right now I want to take a saw and cut myself in half so I can't feel the nerve pain. Tramadol and Cyclobenzaprine are what I have to manage with. I feel disconnected and semi drunk all day. I can't drive because of that. I have a few friends that will drive me around. It feels real weird to be the passenger in my own truck.

I'll ask my doc about those other meds. I need to find something I can function with. Of course, that could be the whole point of my doc right now so I don't mess my back up any more.

[Busamomingrief]

I feel for ya Truwrecks, Tramadol an cyclobenzaprine ( somma ) did nothing for me .. A nerve blocks don't always work.. I just try to stay active and have pain doing so, and also do p.thpy 3x week,that also make it worse. I'm just not into the pill thing,and never was.. Stay strong like me, hey, sweetie, I'll send you some strength , < see, its on its way to ya,along with some prayers lease: and much :love: to ya.. Feel Better..

[Dino]

After several months of back pain from herniated disc, and herniating another, I have been forced to take disability by my employer this morning. I'm on several medications that mess me up too much to drive without risking a wreck or DUI. When I drove to get my bike back from Corbin I had to do it with no pain intervention. I'm still paying for that in muscle spasms. Because of that it isn't a good idea to drive to work. I can't sit in a desk chair for more than a few minutes before pain starts to get the best of me. I have appointment in 11 days to meet with a spine specialist for evaluation for surgery, again.

I know it's for my own good, but it almost feels like I'm being punished. So, now I can ride, do any lifting, or even work at my desk job. I feel lost, but not hopeless. I know that a new opportunity will come along if I keep my head up.

I just want to pain to go away enough that I can have a reasonable quality of life.

lease:lease:lease:

Have you been to a chiropractor? If you went to one and didn't like it did you try another?

If you have not tried one I say go for it. They have worked wonders for me.

[TruWrecks]

A chiropractor tried to correct my spine by pushing the lamina into the herniated discs, and made other bad things happen. I won't try that again.

I talked to my manager again today. I need to get on short-term disability and then he can push the company to let me work from home. That has lightened things a bit. My house is ready to go on the market this coming Monday. Getting it ready has taken a mental and physical toll on me. Hopefully it will sell quickly and I can close that chapter of my life and move on to better things.

[Dino]

A chiropractor tried to correct my spine by pushing the lamina into the herniated discs, and made other bad things happen. I won't try that again.

I talked to my manager again today. I need to get on short-term disability and then he can push the company to let me work from home. That has lightened things a bit. My house is ready to go on the market this coming Monday. Getting it ready has taken a mental and physical toll on me. Hopefully it will sell quickly and I can close that chapter of my life and move on to better things.

Don't give up on the Chiropractor. Find a different one, just like doctors, not all are equal. Better than cutting.

[jefferycarman]

Hopefully things start to look up for you. I know about slow going with the VA. Nothing seems to move fast for them. Are you talking directly to the VA or going through representitives? I know in my county the Reps out here are some of the best in the country. I can get you a number of one of the ladies out here who seems to be able to work miracles with them. If she can't help you because of juristiction I would bet she can get you in contact with someone who can. Let me know.

And we still need to get together More my bad than anything else. I keep going to work... even on my off days

[TruWrecks]

I'm working directly with the VA. I got scheduled for the next spinal clinic that was available, which is in two weeks. I'm hoping they can get me back to any quality of life. Right now mine is looking pretty sad. I have two beautiful motorcycles tucked in for long storage, and a truck that I can hardly climb into and can't drive feeling like I'm drunk or stoned the whole day.

Jeffery, I would like to get that contact from you to see is she can help me. Please PM the details.

[BlondeOnaBusa]

I can totally relate to your pain. I went through something similar. It wasn't my back but my neck. I had ruptured C5 disk and had a herniated C4 disk. After trying other treatments I opted for surgery, it was the best thing I ever did. I still have some very minor and tolerable pain but it is no where near what it use to be. I had this done a little over 10 years ago (I was 32) and never regretted doing it.

I pray you can become pain free one day. Best of luck to you in what ever treatment you choose.

[Wag]

have you looked into getting botox injections for pain control? worked for my daily migrains

I read that, "buttocks injections," at first.

At least now you can be the true American couch potato you've always aspired to be. Get caught up on your daytimes and everything.

LMAO

Seriously, hope you can get it all fixed up in no time.

--Wag--

[semi]

sorry to hear about this but don't let it get you down...i know constant pain can lead to negative thoughts which can cause some to fall into depression...keep reminding yourself that this is only temprary and help is coming soon and make sure to follow up on the representatives with Jeffery...my grandfather's really assisted him in gettin some help that he needed

[00NurseTX]

I am so sorry that you are in such pain. It sounds stupid but you need to find a big deep hot tub like at the gym or something, or even a warm pool. It will relax you and take the wieght off of your back a joints. Hope things work out shortly. Soon it will all just seem like a bad dream and it will be over. Try to take advantage of the time you have, do something you normally wouldn't get to do if you were at work all day. Have a beer by the pool maybe

[TruWrecks]

Thanks for the support everyone. You are all good people.

My manager has started the process of getting me a temporary/permanent assignment to allow me to work from home as long as I need to. I will be starting my short-term in another week. I am on sick leave until then.

I guess I will have more time for the guitar. :

[Purple1300]

Sorry you're going through that kind of pain. I hope you heal up quickly and are pain free to ride again!

[Busamomingrief]

Hi TruWrecks, Hope your doing okay.. xoxox

[TruWrecks]

To date this feels worse than passing a kidney stone, and it's not getting any better. Some friends decided to kidnap me and take to another grinds b-day party. It's good to get out of the house for a while.
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[Scar]

Hey, bro...I have nothing to offer you (advice-wise), so I'll just send along my best to you for clarity, relief, and a plan that has noteable markers toward normalcy.

Wish I could help.

[In10SS]

Tru, have you tried traction? It might get you some temporary relief. It really helped me, but your case is more severe than mine. Good luck!