Advise Please!! New Here

[Guest guest]

I have sent a couple of emails but not too much. I just joined

this group. I had a spinal fusion with Harrington Rods in 1989

after wearing a milwalkee back brace for 5 years. I had a

progessive S curve at the time and most of my spine is fused. (I

don't know the exact measurements). I think all of it except for a

small portion at the bottom is fused.

>

> I don't know what to think. I have been pretty much pain free

since my back surgery in 1989 (17 years ago) and now at 35 I can

barely deal with the pain sitting in my chair at work is causing.

Any exercise makes my back hurt, sitting makes it hurt, walking

makes it hurt and I can't sleep more than an hour at a time unless I

take sleep medication and maybe some wine. :-)

>

> My pain is across the top of my back and burning pain near my

tailbone and right hip. The right hip and right buttock is a

burning and shooting pain causing numbness in my right leg and foot.

>

> I begged my way into an appt with Dr. Hanson here in Houston on

August 15th and I am counting the days. I went to him one time a

couple of months ago and they ran some tests and nothing really came

of it. They suggested cortisone shots that I never followed up on

because I couldn't get back into him to discuss pros/cons and a

PLAN. The pain subsided somewhat but now is back with a vengence.

>

> Any suggestions based on what you have been through would be

WONDERFUL. I have no idea if I have flatback or sciatia or what.

Dr. Dickson did my surgery and has since retired. Hanson

apparently trained under him and took over his practice. He also

trained with Dr. Birdwell.

>

> Sorry for the long message but I really need some help and

advice. I am sure my family and friends are tired of hearing me

complain with nothing anyone can really do.

>

> Thanks, Cristl

>