The herniated disc pain continues
Well again the pain continues. Yesterday was probably the worst back and leg pain I’ve had. I couldn’t stand or sit as it felt like my leg was catching fire, then cramping, making me double over in pain hurting my back even more.
The GP made a home visit (I’m sure the invoice is in the mail) last night to prescribe me some higher pain meds so I can try to make my way to the car at midday for my appointment with the orthopedic surgeon. As I said in a previous post, and from what the specialist has said over the phone it would appear an epidural shot to the back is ineviitable.
I find a good position is on all fours on the bed, and arching my back up and down seems to free me up enough to make a dash for the toilet. If I try to stand up or move without any stretching basically I cramp and cry on the spot…. it really is a terrible affliction.
It’s at this point I’d also like to point out that having to go through this on your own in life would be an absolute mess and a nightmare. Which I wouldn’t even wish on the very few ‘enemies’ in life that I have.
I’m extremely fortunate to have a partner who’s basically hiring me DVD’s, helps me up, rubs in creams, heats up heat pads, and remembers what time I’ve got to take medication (seriously, last night’s concoction would have put a rhinoceros to sleep). I honestly couldn’t get through this without help, and having someone who cares and shares the emotions with you makes a massive difference.
I’m reaching a point where I don’t have a comfortable position… it was on my side, left leg cocked, but now it’s on my back and I find myself moving every minute or so.
Other side effects of this back problem:
1. I’m on steriods to shrink the discs, so I find that I have amazing clarity of mind, and the valium at night makes sure I rest well. So I find the days extremely frustrating as I can’t move, can’t help out, can’t do anything… so it gets you thinking about other things.
For instance, business ideas is a big one…. You start thinking, right my back is screwed, but life goes on. What can I do to make money if I have no back function. I think I’ve come up with about 5 different business ideas that if I had to I’d put into place.
I’m also doing a lot of thinking about web based businesses, e-commerece, blogs etc. For instance I haven’t found a blog site for people with bad backs… the orthopedic surgeon who I’m seeing later today doesn’t even have a website… I think I’m going to offer to create him one for free, and each of his patients can have a blog that hang off of it.
I remember when I heard herniated disc L4 L5, the first thing I thought was ‘google it’.
I did, and I got shit scared. There are a lot of horror stories, but from everything I’ve gathered, up to 90% of herniated/ruptured discs heal themselves within 2 - 6 months.
Not so good when you’re in the middle of a career that’s just starting to boom and you’ve got 50+ direct reports waiting on you, but none-the-less there is meant to be light at the end of the tunnel, and that’s how I’m looking at it.
2. The other stuff you start thinking about is why me…. Have I been a bad person (which implies you believe in god), physically what have I done, what could I have done to prevent this etc etc.
I think for me I need to turn it into a life changing event. I probably carry an extra 15kg, which I’ve always known I had to lose, it’s just now there is more of an urgency, more of a reason… I seriously don’t want another herniated disc, EVER!
The problem now is that I have no mobility, my back feels terrible, and I’ve got to lose the weight.
My action plan is this:
1. Meet the orthopedic surgeon
2. Ask for some basic exercises to strengthen back and stomach muscles without doing more damage and placing more pressure on bad discs.
3. Get the epidural shot (there are some risks, which I’ll publish in a later blog).
4. Hope that I get mobility and can return to work.
5. Start a routine that allows me to etch away the weight. I’d like to say I’m going to binge and knock it all of in a few months, but I’ve done it before, and it never sticks, this has to be a longer term goal, that isn’t just to lose the weight, but includes the desire to travel, reduce the burden on my partner etc… if it was just a weight lose goal then I’d get there, and I’d ask the question what now, and probably start gaining again.
6. Take my partner to Manhattan NY where I visited with work a few years ago, and take my partner for a jog in and through central park, and along the water near the UN.
If I can achieve all of this within the next 12 months then that will be amazing, but I guess as the weeks progress by, you’ll find out how my epidural shot goes and what’s ahead.
PS: If anyone is carrying a few extra kilos out there, and thinks they’ve never had back problems before (like me) don’t dismiss this. I can happen and if/when it does you will curse yourself for being so stupid not to do something about it…. the pain, the burden, the thought of back surgery is sooo hard to cope with…
I guess the same applies for smoking and cancer, but it turns out I can’t stand/walk/sit so I can’t get outside for the smokes…. so in that sense, I’ve quit.
THE RISKS OF THE EPIDURAL:
Risks Associated with Spinal Injections
Spinal injections are minimal invasive medical procedures and therefore their potential risks associated. Generally, however, there are a few risks associated and fortunately they tend to be rare. Risks may include:
Infections. Minor infections occur in 1% to 2% of all injections. Severe infections are rare occurring in 0.1% to 0.01% of injections.
Bleeding. Bleeding is a rare complication and is more common for patients with underlying bleeding disorders.
Nerve damage. While extremely rare, nerve damage can occur from direct trauma from the needle, or secondarily from infection or bleeding.
Dural Puncture (“wet tap”) – A dural puncture occurs in 0.5% of injections. It may cause a post-dural puncture headache (also called a spinal headache) that usually gets better within a few days. Although rare, a blood patch may be necessary to alleviate the headache.
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July 28th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
The epidurals caused me extreme pain, did not help at all and made me bleed under the skin. Yikes!
September 30th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
I’m encouraged to hear this b/c before I herniated my disc, and had the surgery to just clip the bit that was protruding, I rode my bike quite a bit, including triathalons.
i was surprised about a few things:
* I though the running was what did me in - my doctor said no, running is harder on knees.
* Biking is very hard because of the lean forward and it’s hard to keep stomach muscles tight during a really vigorous class, which I was used to. Any tips for helping your back during bike riding, or were you just lucky or maybe using gym bikes?
* Do you swim? Swimming seemed obvious but it actually is about 50% likely to throw my back out again.
I feel like I’m constantly paying attention to my form - especially strong core. But it’s very difficult to sustain a program - my back acts up if I’m not perfectly consistent, which means many starts and stops, weight gain and discouragement.
Suggestions would be welcome. I’ve tried swimming and biking on Darvocet - fun but ineffective.