Failed back surgery, depression and weight gain
Posted , 6 users are following.
I had lumbar surgery in 08 following a car accident. I had cervical surgery a few years prior (same incident). The neck surgery was great. Full range of motion. Not so with the back. I've heard it's not so uncommon. A lot of Dr's will do surgery like mine. A fusion and when it doesn't work you find out they never correctly diagnoised it. I would caution every person considering surgery to make sure. As sure as you can be that the correct thing is being done. I was warned that as a result of the fusion, the disc above and below the area would lose stability. All I know for sure is that I live in pain. Even with strong meds. My husband won't even read up on chronic pain so he has no sympathy at all. Depression is an every day occurence and thought of sucicide. I love my grandchildren and would never hurt myself but I think of it at least once a week. I'm afraid to do anything for the fear of making it worse. I have become a hermit. I don't socialize unless I have to and I find no pleasure in anything except my kids. 15 years I've lived like this. I used to ride horses and was up for anything. I'm so ashamed of who I've become. It's good to read some of your posts. At least I know I'm not alone in this. This is my first post on any kind of site. Good luck to all.
1 like, 8 replies
paulbklyn hippiechick1122
Posted
Hi Hippie
I feel your pain, as I have posthepetic neurlgia ( pain after shingles).
I've gained weight too but last week I went back on my diet. Sorry
about your husband, Ive learned to rely on myself ( yes I'm a male ).
You have your kids push on thru to other side where there is love,
and the sun. Take baby steps but keep on going forward. Start a
diet and after a week weeks your feel much better about yourself.
Don't be ashamed your alive smile smile and smile
This community is all about sharing and helping each other.
Get a hobby, I took up adult coloring books, takes my mind off
the pain, and I like coloring but you can pick up anything
Go on you tube and see how many people transformed them selves.
Go for it
hippiechick1122 paulbklyn
Posted
Hey Paul: Thanks for the lift. I also had shingles. I know we've all had these kinds of stories but I had my husband take me to the ER once. I had the worst back pain and none of my strong medicines were helping. The doctor I saw was so rude to me and basically accused me of looking for stronger meds. I don't know what she thought I was after. I was taking pretty strong sh*t. Anyway, I told her I didn't want her to treat me anyway because she didn't believe in me and I left. When I got home I called the hospital to file a complaint. I was asked to come back in at give the attending ER doctor a chance. (by the way, they knew which doctor I was referring to, not the first complaint.) So, I go back to the ER and the Attending Dr. and his assistant come out and start the exam. The assistant asks the doctor to take a look at my back. (First Dr. didn't bother) She says, " Isn't this shingles?" Turns out I had shingles on my back and that was where the pain came from. I took some med's and it eventually went away. They did give me a shot that was worth the second trip to the ER. Ha Ha. Sorry your pain is on-going. It's no fun. I took your advice and joined the Y. We will see how it goes but for now I'm just excited to get out of the house and do something pro-active. Wish me luck.
michael54457 hippiechick1122
Posted
Also sorry to hear about your husband, cannot believe people having an attitude like that.
I am almost two years post surgery and still in a lot of pain (at times) back and feet.
Always looking for new ways to ease the pain. Have tried vitamins, massage, acupuncture, magnets, heat pads, anything is worth a shot. Trying to get off the prescribed painkillers and look for natural remedies.
Don't be ashamed of who you have become, it's not your fault. I was feeling like that for a while in hospital when I had nurses doing things for me that my mother used to do when I was a baby. Then I thought I am better off putting all my energy into learning how to walk again, rather than feeling sorry for myself.
Be positive and get through this for your kid's and grandkid's sakes.
Good luck !
hippiechick1122 michael54457
Posted
Thank you michael. I feel sorry for my husband in a way. He has never had to face problems like we deal with daily and I think if he ever had something come up out of the blue he would have no idea how to deal with it. I've had 15 years to get used to the pain and the old adage "that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger" is very true. I know we all have a kind of strength that we've gained from living with pain every day. How else would we have survived? I was raised to be very independent and it was hardest for me to learn how to ask for help. I still feel like I have to prove that I can do it all myself. I will get thru this for my kids and grandkids sake. I have no other choice. Hang in there.
CHICO_MARX hippiechick1122
Posted
#1... NEVER EVER BE ASHAMED!!! Period. Screw everyone else! This is your life and your body and you have to answer to NO ONE. Got that? Depression is just anger turned inward. Don't do that!!! Take control of your life...make good decisions. You don't have to live with the pain!!!
Next... It is true about the surrounding vertebrae. Doc was going to fuse L4-S1 two years ago and saw that L3 was probably going to fail within 24 months...so he fused me L3-S1. Perfect. But now I've developed bilateral stenosis in L2/L3 above the fusion. He gave me the choice of removing all my hardware and fusing me L2-S1 with a new spacer at L2/L3. 10 days in the hospital...6 months of rehab. On the other hand...
He could get a General Surgeon to open up a path to my spine FROM THE SIDE and insert an EXPANDABLE spacer in L2/L3. Once in place, they use an Allen wrench to open up the space (like a jack lifting a car) relieving all the pressure on the nerves. One night in the hospital...immediate pain relief...zero rehab.
I'll take one from Column B...thank you very much. Check out the procedure...may help.
hippiechick1122 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Thank you for responding to my blog. You are of course right. After I posted that I went to the local YMCA and joined a water zumba class. I had so much fun and was able to go at my own pace. It gave me the needed lift I needed and I have decided to quit feeling sorry for myself and the things I can't do and be thankful for the things I can do. There are so many people who can't walk period. It may hurt for me to do things but at least I can do them. It's time to think positive for a change. I also attended a "Rehabilitation Yoga class". I encourage anyone with our kind of problems to google it and see what you think. It heals the mind as well as the body and I met several people with similar challenges. Thank all of you for reaching out to me. I will pray for you all. I'm not well yet but at least I'm traveling forward instead of backwards.
jessica_78456 hippiechick1122
Posted
The wallis ligament spinal surgery is supposed to be a better choice they don't use rods they use straps so the pressure on the rest of yr back is greatly reduced and u still have the flexibility
hippiechick1122 jessica_78456
Posted
Never heard of it but I will look it up. I'm going to try and avoid other surgery unless it is non-avasive. I'm also going to steer clear of more injections. They just add to my weight issues and really don't help. Thanks for the advice.