Re: The monster and back problems -- delurking

[Guest guest]

Thinking of you Teri!

Teri Wallner wrote:

> Good morning.

>

>

>

> I have fibro.diagnosed 3 years ago, but have dealt with it for many years.

> I also don't seem to have a day that is pain free - the level just varies.

> My meds take the edge off and allow me to function day to day, but it's

> always present. I've kind of learned to just accept that it's a fact of

> life for me and have had to make various lifestyle changes as I'm sure many

> of you have too. I found a way to work from home doing transcription but

> even that affects the monster. But along with that I have back problems.

>

>

>

> A little background - 49 year old female with back problems for over 10

> years. I have now what they call an " end stage " herniated lumbar disk.

> First MRI in '98 showed a herniated disk and treatment was suggested.

> Second MRI in '03 showed progression of the herniation and degeneration.

> Surgery was suggested. I was told I could either have the surgery or live

> with it. Third MRI showed " Marked disk space narrowing L4-5, with loss of

> hydration and subligamentous disk bulging at L4-5, posterolaterally, more

> severe on the right with some root sheath compromise on the right at L4-5.

> There is some bony diskogenic sclerosis of the vertebral bodies L4 and L5

> anteriorly " .

>

>

>

> My pain level has increased since this all first started and I take meds

> daily just to be able to be productive. The fibromyalgia which only adds to

> the problem. On a daily basis I take Tylenol 4's, morphine 30 mg ER,

> anti-inflammatories, anti-depressants and muscle relaxers.

>

>

>

> I've run the gamut through doctors and pain clinics for what seems like

> every imaginable type of treatment out there. Nothing. So I take my meds

> and have adjusted my lifestyle to include the chronic pain.

>

>

>

> Finally decided after a number of people telling me I should have the

> surgery, including my own family doc, to go ahead and look into it. The

> first surgeon said I was a prime candidate for a fusion or disk replacement

> but he wouldn't do it because of my fibro. He said that would make it

> worse. I sort of understand that logic, but then again, I don't.

>

>

>

> The second surgeon said he would be willing to do the surgery, but said it

> wouldn't help my fibro. Well, that's a given. But if it would lessen my

> back and leg pain, I would be willing. He said he would do a Direct Lateral

> Interbody Fusion, meaning they go in from the side, which I've never heard

> of. I've been denying having surgery always saying I've never seen anyone

> get better from back surgery, only worse. He also said I didn't " have " to

> have it. But what are my options? Chronic pain for the rest of my life,

> which it seems I'm going to have anyway because of the fibro? Or having

> surgery that " might " help or might not. They are also a very anti-narcotic

> clinic and I was told I would have to wean off my meds for a few weeks and

> then be totally narcotic free for a solid two weeks.

>

>

>

> I would die. I would not be able to function much less work or anything

> else. Again, not only because of the back problems but because of my fibro

> and typing doesn't help, but it pays the bills and I have no choice but to

> work.

>

>

>

> The one doctor told me if he could put me in a time capsule and launched me

> ahead 10 years or so, my back would not be as bad. My father, a long time

> ago, said the same thing, that they sort of " fuse " themselves.

>

>

>

> I have no idea what to think anymore. I am totally confused. I'm almost

> thinking I should just not have the surgery because there is a good chance

> of the surgery NOT working and even if it does, I'll have chronic pain

> anyway because of my fibro. I'm afraid that the surgery would just flare my

> fibro immensely. I know how bad my fibro gets just from a common cold. I

> would think having major trauma such as surgery would send me to the moon.

> Is it true about the " self-fusion " thing? If anyone has any opinions,

> advice or suggestions on anything I've said - I would welcome them.

>

>

>

> Thank you all for listening as I'm sure many of you know what chronic pain

> is.

>

>

>

> Confused -

>

> Teri

>

>

>

>