Hi, New to group, Debbie

[Guest guest]

Hi I'm new to the group, wanted to introduce myself before I start

peeking around at the files & stuff here.

I'm 42 and disabled from a car accident almost 8 yrs ago. Before

that point I have never had a neck or back ache...lucky me!...but

since then...well, not so lucky. I herniated 5 discs, 4 in my neck :

c 3/4, 4/5, 5/6 & 6/7...the 5/6 was bulged into my spinal cord and

in Aug. 2000, I had it removed and fused w/cadaver bone, plate and

screws. I was told I was very lucky that if it went in 1mm more I

would have been a quadrapalegic. Also I have herniated my L5/S1

which causes me to have daily lower back and sciatic pain down both

legs. Needless to say...my neck hurts!!! After the surgery (fusion)

on my neck the pain that was supposed to get better (or so they

said) got worse. More mri's & xrays showed that the pressure from

the surgery caused the disc's above and below to get worse and they

wanted to take the fused 5/6 apart and fuse all 3 together. My Q was

what would then stop the ones above and below it from going bad. No

one could give me a good answer on that. Kind of like domino's in my

neck I'd say. Since surgery I also developed scar tissue, bone

spurs, spinal stenosis C3-7, and arthritis. Have daily pain that

radiated through my whole body, daily headaches and migraines and

tons of medications...seems like alot to take, but on the other hand

seems like not enough as well. I have been through many series of

epidurals both cervical and lumbar, also RF (radio frequency)

cervical and lumbar. The point I'm at is that all I can do is deal

with it and keep it from getting worse as best as I can. The last

spinal surgeons said there is not so much that can be done for

cervical and before I should have more surgery done I should make

sure I feel like I am ready to jump out of a 10th story window from

the pain because if I do more surgery then that's how I might feel

once that one is done. Just like I felt worse after the first one

and explained that now my neck bends in two places and the pain is

probably coming from that more than the 5/6 I had repaired.

I've been through many types of PT both land based and aquatherapy.

It helps as long as I keep it up, but I quit driving - my own

decision because of so many drugs and lack of confidence as well as

now have axiety and panic attacks especially in a car. If one car

accident could do so much damage...then one more bump could do me in

and I don't feel like I could take any more pain! So I was told in

PT that I plateaued and came as far as I could...I disagreed with

them, tried to do things on my own, bought work out equiptment which

I couldn't budge even without the weights and just hurt myself and

then I bought an above ground pool to move around weightless in and

do some stretches...that got blown down in the hurricane (Wilma I

think). Now, everything I seem to try, even the little things can

set me back for days or a week. I know I need to try harder....this

is a tiring fight! Recently (beginning of March) my dog had some

major surgery on his leg...now he's disabled too...we've had alot of

complications but he's coming along alright. Looking forward to his

PT & walks coming up because that will also be PT for me to go for

walks with him at the same speed (I hope), his surgery has me doing

and moving more than I have in almost 8 years. It's exausting and

painful but I'm pushing through it. Also he got 2 strains of a

bacterial infection in his leg (pseudomonus and MRSA staph) I'm

needing to be sooo careful as these are contageous to people and

love to harbor under plates, so if I get them it could be a

disaster. As for now, my treatments are on hold because of this. Not

the best time to be sticking needles around the spinal area untill

we kick the infections out for good. Don't know when that'll be.

Well, that was all a mouthful, thanks for reading my long winded

introduction. I've tried once before (years ago) to contact a group

through the spinal injury association (something like that) I spoke

with one person who wasn't very friendly and told me that there was

nothing that could be done to help me. I stopped looking for someone

to talk to after that. Now I found this group and I'm hoping (not

for a cure although that would be nice, but unrealistic) to just

meet people who understand what I am talking about and who can

relate with how it feels to be in constant daily pain with out end.

And maybe pick up an idea or two on how to deal with all of this.

Although I am sorry that you are all here because of the same

reasons that I am...pain and injuries...I'm hoping to meet and talk

to people " get " me.

With that, I will stop rambling and continue on to read your files

and messages. Thanks again for listening to me.

Sincerely, Debbie

[Guest guest]

>

Dear Debbie,

I'm so sorry to hear about all your problems and pain you've had to

endure. I think all of us in the group have similiar stories to tell,

but all of them are unique in their own ways. I've learned a lot in

the time I've belonged, and everyone is sympathetic.

I've had back surgery, anterior/posterior lumbar fusion, and the dr.

disabled me from work. Last year I had a neck fusion and in January

had begun to feel better, and was getting my strength back with the

ability to lift more, when just before Valentine's Day, I was

involved in an auto accident that wasn't my fault. I had to hire an

attorney, wnet back to the surgeon who had dome my back and neck

fusions, and they found from the MRI's that more damage had been

done, caused by the auto accident. So I've been going to PT, and

having Toradol injections for pain, and have an appt. next month to

see if having PT has helped, and if I need an epidural in my neck, as

they found I've got nerve damage in both shoulders, down to my

wrists. I was wondering why I couldn't lift as much, and couldn't

unscrew jars! My husband and I went to Calif. for a couple days for

my birthday, and came home to find out my car has been stolen! I'm

going to quit having birthdays, everything wrong seems to happen in

April! So we have a bit more on our plate to figure out, we still are

paying on my husband's car until Xmas, and I have to figure out how

to get to all my drs. My neck fusion really was a success though, and

I was healing and had no pain after doing PT for it. I hope

everything gets better for you.

Sincerely,

Jeannie

[Guest guest]

>

Dear Debbie,

I'm so sorry to hear about all your problems and pain you've had to

endure. I think all of us in the group have similiar stories to tell,

but all of them are unique in their own ways. I've learned a lot in

the time I've belonged, and everyone is sympathetic.

I've had back surgery, anterior/posterior lumbar fusion, and the dr.

disabled me from work. Last year I had a neck fusion and in January

had begun to feel better, and was getting my strength back with the

ability to lift more, when just before Valentine's Day, I was

involved in an auto accident that wasn't my fault. I had to hire an

attorney, wnet back to the surgeon who had dome my back and neck

fusions, and they found from the MRI's that more damage had been

done, caused by the auto accident. So I've been going to PT, and

having Toradol injections for pain, and have an appt. next month to

see if having PT has helped, and if I need an epidural in my neck, as

they found I've got nerve damage in both shoulders, down to my

wrists. I was wondering why I couldn't lift as much, and couldn't

unscrew jars! My husband and I went to Calif. for a couple days for

my birthday, and came home to find out my car has been stolen! I'm

going to quit having birthdays, everything wrong seems to happen in

April! So we have a bit more on our plate to figure out, we still are

paying on my husband's car until Xmas, and I have to figure out how

to get to all my drs. My neck fusion really was a success though, and

I was healing and had no pain after doing PT for it. I hope

everything gets better for you.

Sincerely,

Jeannie

[Guest guest]

Dear and Jeannie,

Thanks for the messages. From what I've been reading already around

the files and links, it looks like I found a great place. Everything

I'm hearing/reading hits me like " OMG ME TOO " !! I never had doctors

previously who told me anything about what to expect. I still didn't

catch on to things being related to the spine when I started

dropping and breaking anything I touched (all the glasses and plates

in the house once) It seemed like I'd be holding something fine in

one second and then the next it was broken on the floor and I

thought I was still holding it. Weird. Now (8 yrs later - duh!) I

can say that I am least better educated about what's connected to

what and I understand more when weird things happen or pop up

hurting.

I waited for years to apply for SS, since I kept thinking that I was

going to get better from this...I didn't as you all know. I did

finally get my day in court and just got my award letter this week.

The numbers are all wrong as far as $$ goes, but at least I finally

got into the system, now lots to figure out with medicare stuff and

looking to see what kind of help is available - or programs - for

trasportation, or if I qualify for any sort of utility assistance or

what ever might be there that I don't know of. And of course dealing

some more with SS to get things straightened up and adjust the $$

amount...which of course means back in the waiting game. I can't

believe how many years it's taken me to get to this point.

I'd like to go back to the car accident and do sooo many things

different, I did alot wrong since I wasn't getting very much doc

advice, didn't research anything, and thought I'd be good as new in

no time. I had NO idea that this was going to gradually keep getting

worse and will effect me for the rest of my life.

I think one of the hardest things to hold on to is hope. But I'm

still hangin' on!

Thanks again for the replies, I wish you both all the best. I'm

sorry to hear of your problems too!

And Jeannie, Wow, talk about adding insult to injury by getting your

car stolen for your birthday. That's awfull! Sorry to hear about

your accident too.

Debbie

>

>

> >

> Dear Debbie,

> I'm so sorry to hear about all your problems and pain you've had

to

> endure. I think all of us in the group have similiar stories to

tell,

> but all of them are unique in their own ways. I've learned a lot

in

> the time I've belonged, and everyone is sympathetic.

> I've had back surgery, anterior/posterior lumbar fusion, and the

dr.

> disabled me from work. Last year I had a neck fusion and in

January

> had begun to feel better, and was getting my strength back with

the

> ability to lift more, when just before Valentine's Day, I was

> involved in an auto accident that wasn't my fault. I had to hire

an

> attorney, wnet back to the surgeon who had dome my back and neck

> fusions, and they found from the MRI's that more damage had been

> done, caused by the auto accident. So I've been going to PT, and

> having Toradol injections for pain, and have an appt. next month

to

> see if having PT has helped, and if I need an epidural in my neck,

as

> they found I've got nerve damage in both shoulders, down to my

> wrists. I was wondering why I couldn't lift as much, and couldn't

> unscrew jars! My husband and I went to Calif. for a couple days

for

> my birthday, and came home to find out my car has been stolen! I'm

> going to quit having birthdays, everything wrong seems to happen

in

> April! So we have a bit more on our plate to figure out, we still

are

> paying on my husband's car until Xmas, and I have to figure out

how

> to get to all my drs. My neck fusion really was a success though,

and

> I was healing and had no pain after doing PT for it. I hope

> everything gets better for you.

> Sincerely,

> Jeannie

>

[Guest guest]

Dear and Jeannie,

Thanks for the messages. From what I've been reading already around

the files and links, it looks like I found a great place. Everything

I'm hearing/reading hits me like " OMG ME TOO " !! I never had doctors

previously who told me anything about what to expect. I still didn't

catch on to things being related to the spine when I started

dropping and breaking anything I touched (all the glasses and plates

in the house once) It seemed like I'd be holding something fine in

one second and then the next it was broken on the floor and I

thought I was still holding it. Weird. Now (8 yrs later - duh!) I

can say that I am least better educated about what's connected to

what and I understand more when weird things happen or pop up

hurting.

I waited for years to apply for SS, since I kept thinking that I was

going to get better from this...I didn't as you all know. I did

finally get my day in court and just got my award letter this week.

The numbers are all wrong as far as $$ goes, but at least I finally

got into the system, now lots to figure out with medicare stuff and

looking to see what kind of help is available - or programs - for

trasportation, or if I qualify for any sort of utility assistance or

what ever might be there that I don't know of. And of course dealing

some more with SS to get things straightened up and adjust the $$

amount...which of course means back in the waiting game. I can't

believe how many years it's taken me to get to this point.

I'd like to go back to the car accident and do sooo many things

different, I did alot wrong since I wasn't getting very much doc

advice, didn't research anything, and thought I'd be good as new in

no time. I had NO idea that this was going to gradually keep getting

worse and will effect me for the rest of my life.

I think one of the hardest things to hold on to is hope. But I'm

still hangin' on!

Thanks again for the replies, I wish you both all the best. I'm

sorry to hear of your problems too!

And Jeannie, Wow, talk about adding insult to injury by getting your

car stolen for your birthday. That's awfull! Sorry to hear about

your accident too.

Debbie

>

>

> >

> Dear Debbie,

> I'm so sorry to hear about all your problems and pain you've had

to

> endure. I think all of us in the group have similiar stories to

tell,

> but all of them are unique in their own ways. I've learned a lot

in

> the time I've belonged, and everyone is sympathetic.

> I've had back surgery, anterior/posterior lumbar fusion, and the

dr.

> disabled me from work. Last year I had a neck fusion and in

January

> had begun to feel better, and was getting my strength back with

the

> ability to lift more, when just before Valentine's Day, I was

> involved in an auto accident that wasn't my fault. I had to hire

an

> attorney, wnet back to the surgeon who had dome my back and neck

> fusions, and they found from the MRI's that more damage had been

> done, caused by the auto accident. So I've been going to PT, and

> having Toradol injections for pain, and have an appt. next month

to

> see if having PT has helped, and if I need an epidural in my neck,

as

> they found I've got nerve damage in both shoulders, down to my

> wrists. I was wondering why I couldn't lift as much, and couldn't

> unscrew jars! My husband and I went to Calif. for a couple days

for

> my birthday, and came home to find out my car has been stolen! I'm

> going to quit having birthdays, everything wrong seems to happen

in

> April! So we have a bit more on our plate to figure out, we still

are

> paying on my husband's car until Xmas, and I have to figure out

how

> to get to all my drs. My neck fusion really was a success though,

and

> I was healing and had no pain after doing PT for it. I hope

> everything gets better for you.

> Sincerely,

> Jeannie

>

[Guest guest]

> >

>

Dear Debbie,

I don't know what city you live in, but even in my small city

(Vegas), we have an organization that helps guide people to guides

and resources regarding Medicare, RX plans, and even supplemental

insurance if you want additional insurance to cover what Medicare

doesn't. Depending on how busy they are, it may take a couple days to

get back to you, but they really helped me out, and it's not only for

people who are " senior citizens " like some people think. The name of

it here is State Health Insurance Advisory Program or SHIP for

short. It's probably in your phone book. I also have it in my

Medicare handbook, but I didn't receive it for awhile. It's an 800

number, so i guess it's statewide. But they were very helpful to me,

and I had a ton of questions.

They found my poor car, it needs some work from where they used a

screwdriver to start the engine, and break into the trunk, everything

personal I had in the car was stolen, even 2 umbrellas, and it hardly

ever rains here! I guess I'm lucky they didn't break the windows, but

it's still going to be costly. The mechanic is going to put a kill

switch on it. I guess it was used for joy-riding, they ran it out of

gas and dumped it. I'm still in shock, and had a totally sleepless

nite worrying about somebody breaking in the house. I guess it takes

time, my husband works nites, and I get panicky a lot.

Well, take care, hope I've been able to help you out a bit

Jeannie

[Guest guest]

HI Debbie welcome to the group. I should be able to remember your

name (same as my sisters was). Sorry to hear about all the pain you

have gone thru. I too have had neck problems and back. I had my neck

fused a few years ago and a double layer fusion from L4 to S1 just a

year ago. I still suffer from some of the sciatic pain I had but its

not as bad as it was before my surgery. Has your dr ever thought of

using a SpinalCord stimulator for your sciatic problems?? I had one

for a few years and it helped me quite a bit until my back got worse

then my dr decided a fusion was the only thing that would help me.

You might look into it, a stimulator is hooked up to the nerve

bundle in your upper back and implanted in your hip, what it does is

send an electric signal out to the nerves to block the pain before it

gets to your legs. They can wire it for both sides, thats how I had

mine done. They do a test with an external one before they do the

surgery so you can tell if its going to help you enough to have it

done. Something for you to think about anyway. I am sure you will

find this is a nice group of very supportive, caring people who all

understand exactly what you are going thru. welcome again, Sharon

Group Owner

>

> Hi I'm new to the group, wanted to introduce myself before I start

> peeking around at the files & stuff here.

> I'm 42 and disabled from a car accident almost 8 yrs ago. Before

> that point I have never had a neck or back ache...lucky me!...but

> since then...well, not so lucky. I herniated 5 discs, 4 in my

neck :

> c 3/4, 4/5, 5/6 & 6/7...the 5/6 was bulged into my spinal cord and

> in Aug. 2000, I had it removed and fused w/cadaver bone, plate and

> screws. I was told I was very lucky that if it went in 1mm more I

> would have been a quadrapalegic. Also I have herniated my L5/S1

> which causes me to have daily lower back and sciatic pain down both

> legs. Needless to say...my neck hurts!!! After the surgery (fusion)

> on my neck the pain that was supposed to get better (or so they

> said) got worse. More mri's & xrays showed that the pressure from

> the surgery caused the disc's above and below to get worse and they

> wanted to take the fused 5/6 apart and fuse all 3 together. My Q

was

> what would then stop the ones above and below it from going bad. No

> one could give me a good answer on that. Kind of like domino's in

my

> neck I'd say. Since surgery I also developed scar tissue, bone

> spurs, spinal stenosis C3-7, and arthritis. Have daily pain that

> radiated through my whole body, daily headaches and migraines and

> tons of medications...seems like alot to take, but on the other

hand

> seems like not enough as well. I have been through many series of

> epidurals both cervical and lumbar, also RF (radio frequency)

> cervical and lumbar. The point I'm at is that all I can do is deal

> with it and keep it from getting worse as best as I can. The last

> spinal surgeons said there is not so much that can be done for

> cervical and before I should have more surgery done I should make

> sure I feel like I am ready to jump out of a 10th story window from

> the pain because if I do more surgery then that's how I might feel

> once that one is done. Just like I felt worse after the first one

> and explained that now my neck bends in two places and the pain is

> probably coming from that more than the 5/6 I had repaired.

> I've been through many types of PT both land based and aquatherapy.

> It helps as long as I keep it up, but I quit driving - my own

> decision because of so many drugs and lack of confidence as well as

> now have axiety and panic attacks especially in a car. If one car

> accident could do so much damage...then one more bump could do me

in

> and I don't feel like I could take any more pain! So I was told in

> PT that I plateaued and came as far as I could...I disagreed with

> them, tried to do things on my own, bought work out equiptment

which

> I couldn't budge even without the weights and just hurt myself and

> then I bought an above ground pool to move around weightless in and

> do some stretches...that got blown down in the hurricane (Wilma I

> think). Now, everything I seem to try, even the little things can

> set me back for days or a week. I know I need to try harder....this

> is a tiring fight! Recently (beginning of March) my dog had some

> major surgery on his leg...now he's disabled too...we've had alot

of

> complications but he's coming along alright. Looking forward to his

> PT & walks coming up because that will also be PT for me to go for

> walks with him at the same speed (I hope), his surgery has me doing

> and moving more than I have in almost 8 years. It's exausting and

> painful but I'm pushing through it. Also he got 2 strains of a

> bacterial infection in his leg (pseudomonus and MRSA staph) I'm

> needing to be sooo careful as these are contageous to people and

> love to harbor under plates, so if I get them it could be a

> disaster. As for now, my treatments are on hold because of this.

Not

> the best time to be sticking needles around the spinal area untill

> we kick the infections out for good. Don't know when that'll be.

> Well, that was all a mouthful, thanks for reading my long winded

> introduction. I've tried once before (years ago) to contact a group

> through the spinal injury association (something like that) I spoke

> with one person who wasn't very friendly and told me that there was

> nothing that could be done to help me. I stopped looking for

someone

> to talk to after that. Now I found this group and I'm hoping (not

> for a cure although that would be nice, but unrealistic) to just

> meet people who understand what I am talking about and who can

> relate with how it feels to be in constant daily pain with out end.

> And maybe pick up an idea or two on how to deal with all of this.

> Although I am sorry that you are all here because of the same

> reasons that I am...pain and injuries...I'm hoping to meet and talk

> to people " get " me.

> With that, I will stop rambling and continue on to read your files

> and messages. Thanks again for listening to me.

>

> Sincerely, Debbie

>

[Guest guest]

HI Debbie welcome to the group. I should be able to remember your

name (same as my sisters was). Sorry to hear about all the pain you

have gone thru. I too have had neck problems and back. I had my neck

fused a few years ago and a double layer fusion from L4 to S1 just a

year ago. I still suffer from some of the sciatic pain I had but its

not as bad as it was before my surgery. Has your dr ever thought of

using a SpinalCord stimulator for your sciatic problems?? I had one

for a few years and it helped me quite a bit until my back got worse

then my dr decided a fusion was the only thing that would help me.

You might look into it, a stimulator is hooked up to the nerve

bundle in your upper back and implanted in your hip, what it does is

send an electric signal out to the nerves to block the pain before it

gets to your legs. They can wire it for both sides, thats how I had

mine done. They do a test with an external one before they do the

surgery so you can tell if its going to help you enough to have it

done. Something for you to think about anyway. I am sure you will

find this is a nice group of very supportive, caring people who all

understand exactly what you are going thru. welcome again, Sharon

Group Owner

>

> Hi I'm new to the group, wanted to introduce myself before I start

> peeking around at the files & stuff here.

> I'm 42 and disabled from a car accident almost 8 yrs ago. Before

> that point I have never had a neck or back ache...lucky me!...but

> since then...well, not so lucky. I herniated 5 discs, 4 in my

neck :

> c 3/4, 4/5, 5/6 & 6/7...the 5/6 was bulged into my spinal cord and

> in Aug. 2000, I had it removed and fused w/cadaver bone, plate and

> screws. I was told I was very lucky that if it went in 1mm more I

> would have been a quadrapalegic. Also I have herniated my L5/S1

> which causes me to have daily lower back and sciatic pain down both

> legs. Needless to say...my neck hurts!!! After the surgery (fusion)

> on my neck the pain that was supposed to get better (or so they

> said) got worse. More mri's & xrays showed that the pressure from

> the surgery caused the disc's above and below to get worse and they

> wanted to take the fused 5/6 apart and fuse all 3 together. My Q

was

> what would then stop the ones above and below it from going bad. No

> one could give me a good answer on that. Kind of like domino's in

my

> neck I'd say. Since surgery I also developed scar tissue, bone

> spurs, spinal stenosis C3-7, and arthritis. Have daily pain that

> radiated through my whole body, daily headaches and migraines and

> tons of medications...seems like alot to take, but on the other

hand

> seems like not enough as well. I have been through many series of

> epidurals both cervical and lumbar, also RF (radio frequency)

> cervical and lumbar. The point I'm at is that all I can do is deal

> with it and keep it from getting worse as best as I can. The last

> spinal surgeons said there is not so much that can be done for

> cervical and before I should have more surgery done I should make

> sure I feel like I am ready to jump out of a 10th story window from

> the pain because if I do more surgery then that's how I might feel

> once that one is done. Just like I felt worse after the first one

> and explained that now my neck bends in two places and the pain is

> probably coming from that more than the 5/6 I had repaired.

> I've been through many types of PT both land based and aquatherapy.

> It helps as long as I keep it up, but I quit driving - my own

> decision because of so many drugs and lack of confidence as well as

> now have axiety and panic attacks especially in a car. If one car

> accident could do so much damage...then one more bump could do me

in

> and I don't feel like I could take any more pain! So I was told in

> PT that I plateaued and came as far as I could...I disagreed with

> them, tried to do things on my own, bought work out equiptment

which

> I couldn't budge even without the weights and just hurt myself and

> then I bought an above ground pool to move around weightless in and

> do some stretches...that got blown down in the hurricane (Wilma I

> think). Now, everything I seem to try, even the little things can

> set me back for days or a week. I know I need to try harder....this

> is a tiring fight! Recently (beginning of March) my dog had some

> major surgery on his leg...now he's disabled too...we've had alot

of

> complications but he's coming along alright. Looking forward to his

> PT & walks coming up because that will also be PT for me to go for

> walks with him at the same speed (I hope), his surgery has me doing

> and moving more than I have in almost 8 years. It's exausting and

> painful but I'm pushing through it. Also he got 2 strains of a

> bacterial infection in his leg (pseudomonus and MRSA staph) I'm

> needing to be sooo careful as these are contageous to people and

> love to harbor under plates, so if I get them it could be a

> disaster. As for now, my treatments are on hold because of this.

Not

> the best time to be sticking needles around the spinal area untill

> we kick the infections out for good. Don't know when that'll be.

> Well, that was all a mouthful, thanks for reading my long winded

> introduction. I've tried once before (years ago) to contact a group

> through the spinal injury association (something like that) I spoke

> with one person who wasn't very friendly and told me that there was

> nothing that could be done to help me. I stopped looking for

someone

> to talk to after that. Now I found this group and I'm hoping (not

> for a cure although that would be nice, but unrealistic) to just

> meet people who understand what I am talking about and who can

> relate with how it feels to be in constant daily pain with out end.

> And maybe pick up an idea or two on how to deal with all of this.

> Although I am sorry that you are all here because of the same

> reasons that I am...pain and injuries...I'm hoping to meet and talk

> to people " get " me.

> With that, I will stop rambling and continue on to read your files

> and messages. Thanks again for listening to me.

>

> Sincerely, Debbie

>