Oh, my aching back updated

General Discussion FSM Ready Room
1

So I had an MRI Monday, saw the spine specialist Monday afternoon, the Chiropractor on Wednesday, and a PT on Friday.

Results show all three of my lumbar discs are herniated. Two of them are desicated. This means they have completely blown out, with all of the “jelly” in the middle pushed out, and the disc collapsed. Scheduled for a cortisone injection into one of the spine joints.

The chiropractor’s response to my report was “Jesus, you have a lot of sh[cnsod] going on”. He suggested spinal decompression (I call it the rack) if surgery is indicated.

The PT said that physical therapy will be of limited help due to the severity of my issues, but gave me some stretches to try to balance the discs.

Only one of the discs is causing me issues due to pressing on the nerve root coming out of that joint. Causes pain in the back, and I am having pain in my right thigh as well as weakness in that leg. The Dr. did a reflex test, and there was a lessened response in that leg.

The PT was very honest with me, and said that the BEST case scenario is that my discs heal, but have scarring. She said I will always have stiffness, and will have to be careful not to overdo it, or I could have pain flares. I will never be able to shovel snow again. Gotta find someone I can hire to do that.

My wife has been very supportive, but everything I can’t do will fall on her, and this makes me feel like sh[cnsod]t.

I have modified the model table with a “lap desk” I was given that raises the desk and is tilted a bit, so I don’t have to bend much when I work. Can’t spend more than about a half an hour at a time, but I am grabbing every minute I can.

Sorry about the long whining,

D

2

That’s rough, but I can relate. I was medically discharged from the Army shortly after being diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, and my lumbar discs are affected by it. It sounds like we have a lot of the same issues. Just do what you can when you can, and follow the advice of the doctors. I know it sucks, but it is what it is and we can both get through it.

3

Thanks Bob. I hope you are doing well. I am trying hard to get past the “why me” phase, and realize that other folks have way worst than this to deal with.

I can still build models, and believe it or not, that is a great comfort. I was concerned I would have to give it up, and that was really upsetting.

4

Dang, Dwayne, sorry to hear about this. I’m in the same boat with you, and am awaiting the results of my MRI to see if I need surgery before the end of this year. My spinal issues are caused by arthritis, so I may not qualify for any surgery.

That thing you call the rack? I LOVE it! It works great on my back (usually). Somedays, as soon as I get off of it and get back in my car, the pain comes back immediately; other days, I can make it a couple of weeks before the pain returns.

Hope you get much better real soon, buddy!

Gary Mason

5

I hear you Dwayne. All you can do is take it one day at a time. Do what you can when you can. And I totally get the comfort you’d get from still being able to build, I was in the same boat. I don’t build as much as I would like (who really does?), but I do what I can.