Hello,
I have suffered with severe back pain for about six years. I was supermom caring for three children, active PTA member and pillar of the community. When my kids were 6,9, and 12 it was imperative that I go back to work. I continued all of my activities ,raising my children relatively alone, working six days a week, and had some back pain which I attributed to lifting. and I ignored it. In 2004, my children were grown, I moved to NJ to be with my now husband. I was working full time and I began to have several serious sciatica attacks. When it became so disabling and painful I saw a spine specialist followed by a spine surgeon. In 2005 I had a fusion which cured the sciatica, however, I still had lower back pain. About three months after the surgery, I fell apart. Diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia my world began to crumble. I had a laminectomy and several steroid injections, epidurals and a neuro stimulator. One year after the stimulator it was removed as it did not work anymore.(removed in Sept. 2011. Since then I cannot stand for more than 5-10 minutes without severe lower back pain, I cannot exert my body for more than 5-10 minutes and I only have relief if I am in bed(most of the time). Unfortunately, to add to my issues, I have been diagnosed with CVID(Common variable Immuno Deficiency for the past two years making it necessary to have IV gamma every four weeks. It is believed that a possible cause was from treatment of severe asthma with heavy steroids. I also have recently been diagnosed with COPD. My rheumatologist has tried three IV treatments to relieve some of the RA pain but unfortunately I suffered anaphalaxis each time. Obviously, I was fortunate to be in the hospital and I came back!(LOL) no too funny.
I was treated for several years with morphine time release drugs for my back pain as well as a nerve dissection in my wrist.
That being said, I just became so fed up with myself and doctors, that I did not see my spine doctor for seven months(I had been seeing him monthly).
My rheumatologist insisted I see my spine doc to try to determine where some of the pain is actually coming from. Finally, I had an MRI last week and saw doctor today. I have the report and disc, and my doc feels I should not have any future surgery, so he will try to give me some nerve blocks while anesthisized in a surgery center.
After reading the report, I think I have more bulges, herniations and other issues going on in my back then there are disc!(LOL).
I live in NJ, am a 66 year old female, married for the past eight years(2nd marriage) and very lucky to have a great husband who has been doing all of my duties. He retired last year and I would so love to becoming his real partner to share a somewhat healthy lifestyle with.Sorry I have been so wordy, but I felt that I had to describe whatever I was able to.
My question is.....finally...... can you help. I read today about endoscopic treatment and it sounded awesome. Not sure if that was the term but I am sure you know what I mean. Thank you so very much for taking the time to read my lengthy letter.
Sincerely,
Marsha Gonzalez email- YYYY@YYYY phone # 1-917-715-1325
I have noticed that many of the doctors available now are not spine specialists and that is only the type of specialist I would like to hear from. I will be willing to pay for the service but only if I am assured the answer will come from said specialist. Thank you again