back pain

[mainmane]

Hey any suggestions for someone whose had 2 back operations (L5-S1 and L4-L5 diskectomy) Still struggling with my health and have tried everything, and I mean everything besides fusion. Haven't been able to surf on a regular basis for almost 4 years, I'm 30 now but feel more like 60 most days. Hurts everyday I wake up with some minor relief as the day unwinds but I'm unable to assert myself with any authority without aggravating the injury.
I'm contemplating a 2 level fusion, I miss surfing so much as it was my life's passion.
Anti-inflammatories are out of the question as I have run that course and my stomach can't take them. Also I've tried almost every course of therapy immaginable including steroid injections (painful and they only last a week or so)
So if anyone knows a miracle cure, I'd appreciate any feedback.....
It's been 3 months since my last operation and it seems to be the same as before. Also there is nerve damage to the L5-S1 nerve root so my right leg gets numb all the time down to my foot, if I do anything remotely physical(I don't think there is any cure for this).
Man, what happened I used to be strong. Now I'm just a **** weak has been surfer. My wife could probably take me.
Anyway just looking for a break from the pain.. I have a stockpile of Vicodin, but I only take them for pain, but not condusive for surfing.....
SCspook are you out there.....

[ February 03, 2003, 03:16 PM: Message edited by: bob01 ]

 

[vgsrules]

bob01...

Two questions...How did you screw your back up so bad and have you looked into a re-hab specializing in sports injuries? Maybe a guy or gal that's treated other surfers that's familiar with your surgery. I know it sounds corny but I know people who swear by yoga.Anything to get your flexibility back.

 

[SurfDoc]

Your situation is a tough one for sure. Sometimes back rehab takes 6 months or longer. A good physical therapist should help. Of course your orthopedic surgeon should be aggressively trying to figure out why you are still in pain. Also you need multimodal intervention with heat, ice, meds, therapy, injections, possibly surgery, hypnosis or guided imagery, and possibly counseling.

Good luck sir. The road is long but hopefully there is some good news ahead.
Surf Doc

 

[mainmane]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by bob01:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by vgsrules:
<strong>bob01...

Two questions...How did you screw your back up so bad and have you looked into a re-hab specializing in sports injuries? Maybe a guy or gal that's treated other surfers that's familiar with your surgery. I know it sounds corny but I know people who swear by yoga.Anything to get your flexibility back.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Well I used to do production work as a grip. I had previously torn a stomach muscle on the job. When I returned to work, on the first day I bent over to pick up a box, when I twisted to get up, my back felt like someone pulled a rip cord in it. It has hurt since then and that was July of 99'. I've had 4 MRI's since then which have showed varying degress of herniations in 3 discs. The worst being a 9mm protrusion in my L5-S1. That was removed in November. I had surgery 2 years previous on my two other discs which were not as seriously herniated. They still hurt everyday. Sometimes I'll get a break and feel allright but with limited ability to be physical before aggravating said injury. I tried yoga a few years ago but my back couldn't take the movements, or I would feel pretty good after I did it only to feel like someone stabbed me in the back the next day. I do therapy about 3 times a week, but that is mostly to stay lean as I don't want to gain weight to add to the problem. All forms of therapy I've tried(too numerous to list) have had little or a negative effect. Thanks for the reply. Take care, Bob. Vegas does rule....</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

[ February 04, 2003, 11:07 AM: Message edited by: bob01 ]

 

[mainmane]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by SurfDoc:
<strong>Your situation is a tough one for sure. Sometimes back rehab takes 6 months or longer. A good physical therapist should help. Of course your orthopedic surgeon should be aggressively trying to figure out why you are still in pain. Also you need multimodal intervention with heat, ice, meds, therapy, injections, possibly surgery, hypnosis or guided imagery, and possibly counseling.

Good luck sir. The road is long but hopefully there is some good news ahead.
Surf Doc</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thanks for the reply. I've tried pretty much everything you said besides the hypnosis and couseling. The latter would probably be my best bet since all forms of treatment have been futile. Maybe it's time to reconcile with myself that I'll never be the same.. I'm still fighting it, but you know when your back is screwed fighting through the pain does not work well in surfing because of the torque on your spine when you transfer weight from your upper to lower body and vice-versa, eventually my back would get so week I couldn't pull my feet under myself to stand up. This would be very depressing, then having to struggle for 15 minutes to pull my suit off. It did get better sometimes where I could surf for a while when I took Motrin and Vicodin. The side effects sucked though. Anyway thanks thanks for replying. I do have a neuro-surgeon, but he's taking the wait and see approach before deciding anything. I already know nothing has changed though. Maybe fusion. Take Care, bob

 

[vgsrules]

Sounds like your work comp settlement better be a big one...What did they rate your disability at?
By the way, it's VG's as in donut shop in Cardiff, not Vegas.
Take care

 

[mainmane]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by vgsrules:
<strong>Sounds like your work comp settlement better be a big one...What did they rate your disability at?
By the way, it's VG's as in donut shop in Cardiff, not Vegas.
Take care</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">cardiff is great, I actually settled already, and it wasn't much because of the cap on settlements. The disability rating was 45%, it was determined by an arbitrating physician who I was referred by my lawyer. Funny thing is I think the insurance company would have given me a better one.That ship has sailed though, and hindsight is 20/20. I've seen other people with more manageable disabilities get a much better rating. So I guess I'm saying choose your lawyer carefully. It also took forever to settle. F-ing lawyers.

 

[vgsrules]

You should have lifetime medical on that injury so at least if you have to have another surgery and/or specialized therapy it won't cost you anything. Were you retrained for a different occupation as well?

By the way, do you know when a work comp adjuster is lying?

Their lips are moving <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[mainmane]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by vgsrules:
<strong>You should have lifetime medical on that injury so at least if you have to have another surgery and/or specialized therapy it won't cost you anything. Were you retrained for a different occupation as well?

By the way, do you know when a work comp adjuster is lying?

Their lips are moving <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">ha, ha.... Yeah that goes for lawyers too..... Yes before I settled I made sure that my current insurance would cover any future problems, which they did with the surgery in November. I settled the case in april of 01'.... I took the lump sum when I new I would be covered in the future. It was only a difference of 10 g's. I guess you could say after a 2 year lawsuit with all the lip service from both sides I just wanted to put it behind me. I was retrained in computers, but the school sucked really. I probably retained about as much computer knowledge as a 2nd grader. I'm in Real Estate now though.
It's almost like my surfing life was a dream now. I try not to look at the ocean too much, Especially this winter with the amount of swell. It's like every time I drove PCH it was at least head high.

 

[vgsrules]

You'll surf again, just be positive. If you don't like what your doc has to say, find another.The internet is an invaluable tool for research.Plenty of BB's with lot's of people like yourself that have some answers. Keep trying.You just might hook up with the right doc that can get you in the water. Be patient. Your still young and the surf will always be there. Just more crowded.
Good luck...

 

[mainmane]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by vgsrules:
<strong>You'll surf again, just be positive. If you don't like what your doc has to say, find another.The internet is an invaluable tool for research.Plenty of BB's with lot's of people like yourself that have some answers. Keep trying.You just might hook up with the right doc that can get you in the water. Be patient. Your still young and the surf will always be there. Just more crowded.
Good luck...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thanks man, that's what keeps me going, Hey do you surf suckout at all(I think that's what it's called) I surfed there a while back and got some nice waves there a few years back????

 

[vgsrules]

Yep...

 

[jmh]

Dude, your story makes me more grateful than ever that my problems are so small. I've got herniated disks in my back also (and maybe from lifting cases, too), but I've been very fortunate to be able to surf still. I do stretching exercises every morning, especially the cobra pose for my back. I know what you mean about the numbness in your leg or foot, and I'm also on the verge of a charleyhorse in my calf or foot much of the time. Dude, hang in and be positive. Pray. Medical technology is advancing continually. It's gonna be all the sweeter when you finally get back in the water.

 

[mainmane]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by jmh:
<strong>Dude, your story makes me more grateful than ever that my problems are so small. I've got herniated disks in my back also (and maybe from lifting cases, too), but I've been very fortunate to be able to surf still. I do stretching exercises every morning, especially the cobra pose for my back. I know what you mean about the numbness in your leg or foot, and I'm also on the verge of a charleyhorse in my calf or foot much of the time. Dude, hang in and be positive. Pray. Medical technology is advancing continually. It's gonna be all the sweeter when you finally get back in the water.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thanks my man, Yeah I try to keep positive, it's been hard after all this time though..... I stay in shape, but it doesn't translate to the surf, whenever I try it starts to get to me.... Yeah, it will be all the sweeter when I get back out there. peace man