Updates on my situation and a few questions.

[adrigail]

Hi all, Thanks to those of you who take the time and interest in others suffering from back problems and who are walking the path that you have.

I had facet injections at L4-5 last week. The Physiatrist said "I am only injecting a local, it should last 4 or 6 hours and tell us if the facet joint is causing any pain." Frankly, I didn't notice anything different, except that i had some discomfort from the injection sites, but not what I would call "typical" pain. Is this normal if you are (negative) for Facet issues?
I'm asking this as most of my pain is sciatica. Rarely do I have intense low back pain...it's always present, but never what I would call critical?

In November, I put off my lumbar Prodisc ADR surgery (which is insurance approved) to continue with other conservative treatments and frankly because I was scared that my pain wasn't "bad" enough or my situation "serious" enough to warrant a painful life altering surgery. Since then, I have had the Facet injections, upped my lyrica and added Cymbalta, upped my used of Tramadol (although still fairly low dose) and tonight I'm getting "dry needling" at PT. (I had dry needling on my cervical spine last Thursday. I'm not impressed, it hurt like hell getting stabbed in already pissed off muscles and the electronic stim that they attached wasn't fun either) so my expectation for improvement in my lumbar is fairly low. Did anyone receive any relief from Dry Needling?

Today I read a post from someone on this site Icanraceit?? I think....
Whomever it was did a fantastic job of saying everything I would say if I was able to be in touch with my feelings. I feel so inadequate as a father, spouse, employee, friend. I have allowed my pain, and my fear of surgery to rule everything and I've become someone I never wanted to be.
5 years ago I was an active successful entrepreneur. Now I'm essentially a prisoner to pain that is barely masked by pharmaceuticals. I'm functional til about 4pm and then the wheels fall off for the rest of the evening. It's all I can do to get into my PJ's and help with the homework. My poor wife is doing everything and worrying about me on top of it all. My kids can't play with their dad like we used to (I'm the "never sit still type) always ready for a game of catch or HORSE). Everyone walks on eggshells around me never knowing if it's a "good" day or a "bad" day.

My surgeon Dr. Donner has glowing reviews, has been doing ADR's for a long time and has been fantastic at managing my care for 7 years. He told me a long time ago that I would know when the time was right for surgery and he would help me as long as it took. Well, I'm pretty sure it's time for me to suck it up and make it happen.

It wasn't until I read what the other person wrote about their story that I realized how much my life is important to other people. How my inability to be "me" is complicating so many other lives.

I'm going to finish checking off my question marks and commit to this surgery. I have to get healthy, whatever that means.

Thanks for this forum, even if it just lets me vent and rant.
Mike

[JeffR]

Amen. I too was sick of living a half life of pain. Today I rode the subway with no back support and it felt great, and its just going to keep getting better. :-)

[CanadianDean]

Hey Mike, I hear you....the pain can control your life...I have heard others on this site talk about having a plan and I agree...you can do this. If you ever want to talk just pm me...

Take care,

Dean

[Lillyth]

Mike,

You can do this. It is time. I can tell just from reading your post it is time. Your life is not workable. I've been living off chips and salsa because I can't stand (pun intended) to cook. My husband and son have to do everything, and I know my son resents my pain. Quite frankly, I don't think I can blame him.

Get the surgery done. Get your life back.

And don't worry, the good people of this forum? We got you. We got your back and we know how it is.

Welcome, and know that this will not last forever. You WILL get your life back!