ADRSupport Community - New Member-16 years in pain

Hi Everyone!

My Story:
I began my life as competetive gymnast and dancer. At age 14 my back was so hypermobile I had a hard time keeping it where it was supposed to be. After recommendation from my first orthopedic surgeon and a few 4-letter words I hung up my dance shoes. In a few months with stretching and chiro I was just like any other 14 year old.

Feeling good I decided to try new things. GREAT IDEA! I became a varsity field hockey and ice hockey player during high school. Of course this also meant pain pain and more pain to go along with multiple ortho and chiro appointments. At MSU I played ice hockey my first year but quit playing due to the pain before my sophmore year. Lucky enough for me MSU's OMM department is world renowned and I got a referral to see them. Months of stretching, manipulation and PT helped a bit. On my last appointment the doctor said "if we see you again we will recommend fusion". I was 20.

The next 9 years were spent in 4-a-week chiro appointments because I refused to see another doctor. I knew what they were going to say. I had my terrible "I can't move weeks" but none made me think my back was bad enough to require surgery because I was too young. I kept telling myself that I would heal. So, stupidly I played golf, bowled, jetskiied and went out all under a shade of pain. I didn't want anyone to know how bad I hurt. Then I turned 30.

That is when I started to lose feeling in my left foot. I played golf, down for weeks. Tried to bowl and made it 3 frames. Taking the chairs down at work put me almost out of commission even before I had to bartend for 8 hours. Around New Years I finally decided to do something about my problem. This is where my new journey begins...

My Journey:

April 2011 I was accepted to be seen by the leading gymnastics injury specialist in the country who happens to be at MSU's Sports Med. X-Rays, MRI and a lovely steroid shot in the behind and another referral.

May 2011 Next doc did the range of motion tests of which I had none and then enter the epidural! Yeah that worked for 2 hours but it was nice to feel my foot for a while. Shipped to the surgeon. Surgeon did same range of motion tests and now i'm off for an EMG. EMG was abnormal I guess. I then get shipped to another doctor for a Discography.

June 2011 Consult with 4th doc in 2 months and my father wants to come see whats going on with me. He takes one look at my MRI and is astounded that I could make it this far. Finally someone sees my pain. They are worried that dicography will show too much wear on my L3-L4 disc. It is scheduled for 6-23.

Comments:
I'm looking for adivce from someone who has been through this and can give options or questions to ask or how to get ins to pay for 2-level or anything really. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks for reading my story!