Unable to sit for long periods. . . . Long post but need input

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone,

Okay, so to give everyone a quick update, I had Chiari decompression (in MT

2002), detethered at TCI (in 2006) along with numerous other non-related Chiari

surgeries previous to those surgeries. In 2010, I had my gallbladder removed

and appt with Dr. Oro because of this type of pain I'm going through now. In

July/August, had severe abdominal/thoracic (mid back pain) and they were unsure

what that was, first it was possibly a kidney stone, then an ulcer and then they

settled on an abdominal muscle strain from what we don't know.

So, when I started physical therapy for the abdominal muscle strain it went well

for the abdominal pain. However, I began with upper back pain and severe neck

pain, etc. . . good old Chiari-type symptoms. I thought it was stress and I was

tired and sitting badly at my desk job. I had gotten a new chair and work-site

set up because we moved to a new building. But, we did a work-site evaluation

and everything was reevaluated and found to be good for ergonomics.

I type notes for a physical therapist so trust me I hear everyday about postural

alignment. . . blah, blah, blah and when you hear it you actually fix your

posture because you are reminded every minute.

Slowly, everything is progressively getting worse. I can no longer sit for

longer than 10-15 minutes without getting severe upper back pain, pain in my

neck and headaches. I have even left work crying. Sometimes it goes into my

right leg and sometimes my toes feel a bit numb. I am not sleeping well.

So, here is what I did. Called my PCP who has given everything she knows what to

do and referred me to a orthopedist for trigger point injections. Couldn't get

into one until December 15th which is fine because I don't think it's muscle

related really. She also thought I might go back to Dr. Oro who I saw earlier

this year when this was also occuring (probably forgot to say that earlier -

memory is an issue too!)

Called Dr. Oro's office. Had a conference call with his nurse. She said his

last notes states I probably would be best to seek another re-evaluation at TCI

because it may be a micro-instability at the occipital junction (I hope I got

that right).

So, I did that. I see them on January 10th. Has anyone else had something

similar to this happen to them. Earlier this year, Dr. Oro said that my MRI's

look good, 3D CT looked good, my decompression is very wide but CSF flow is

good. If all this is true and I don't have a reason to disbelieve him, why am I

in so much pain that I am brought to tears when I'm sitting for longer than

10-15 minutes.

I have actually starting using my Aspen collar again while driving and sitting

at the computer typing. I am feeling like this is just never-ending which I

guess it's not and someday I will accept it.

I'm worried about not being able to continue my job as a medical

transcriptionist. . going from 5 hour days to 3hour days now. Urggh!

Take care guys,

Wyoming