Re: jenny

[Guest guest]

I've been MIA and here as time allows and was thinking of you if you

decided to go with the laminectomy. Sorry if I already missed an update

-- Help and support needed...send me your opinions

please!

Hello...Ok, Im telling you my story, and I need your input, info and

opinions.....HELP! That is what I need, HELP! I just dont know what to do!

Alright, on Christmas Eve 04, I fell off my icy porch, broke my wrist and

then, my back got gradually worse for the next few months until August 05

when it put me DOWN....I couldnt even walk upright for 2 weeks. I finally

gave in and went to the Chiropractor (Im an RN and we make the worse

patients AND we also will not go until we are really near DEATH! lol)

Ok, so he tried to help me out until around Christmas time, when he finally

told me to go ask my PCP about having some tests done and see if there is

something serious going on. Well, thats what we did. At the first of this

year, I started with a couple MRI's (cervical and lumbar spine have a total

of 7 bulging and 1 herniated discs PLUS some pinched nerves, also, severe

rheumatoid arthritis, and severe DDD too) Ok, well, then I had an EMG of my

right leg because it has been in EXCRUTIATING pain since last August. This

pain has become unbearable. I was on so much Vicodin ES that now they put

me on Duragesic patches to and Neurontin to try to control it. Ok, so now I

have seen a neurosurgeon because the pinched nerve is affecting my leg in

such a way that it killing it basically. So, heres where I need your help.

The surgeon (plus another one for a second opinion) told me to have a

laminectomy like NOW. He said that he thinks it will help with the leg pain

only, and the back will continue to get worse from now on and doesnt think

that any surgery will help that. Ok, well, my PCP does NOT want me to have

the surgery yet. He said that if I start with surgeries at my age (34) that

I will end up with half my spine fused before Im 50. He said that I need to

stick it out FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE before I ever start with even one

surgery. WHAT DO I DO? My hubby says go ahead, but he knows nothing

medical! My mother had a laminectomy when she was 30 and it took her over a

year to recooperate just from that, AND she was younger than me, and had

ONLY one herniated disc to deal with. NOT anything else like I do....OH,

did I mention that I have trochanteric bursitis (hips), sacroilitis, and

fibromyalgia on top of the rheum arthritis? I have lots to deal with anyway

..but surgery to boot??

Well, Im rambling on and on, so I will quit, but please let me know what you

think. I mean, at this point I stay in a drug induced fog just to stand the

pain, and have little quality of life....so is it worth it to go under the

knife?

I know Im terrible, this should be a no brainer, but remember, Im an RN, I

help other people, cant help myself at all tho!

Blessings,

When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong

in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given