back issues

[shinnekodo]

Way back in Mar 2006 I herniated my L5-S1 disc in my lower back and was in incredible pain, I could not even walk across the floor. I ended up having a partial discectomy (all of the protruding disc parts were removed) and I got better and resumed normal activities.

Around Nov 14, 2006, I reinjured my back again (imagine having to bend over the sink to brush one's teeth).

Now, after 5 wks, I am left with some sporadic partial numbness, some sporadic soreness, a slight limp which seems to come from a part of my foot not working properly (kind of hard to explain in text). My symptoms on the whole seem to be improving, albeit slowly. I am in no pain. I can do things again, I just do them slowly and carefully.

I finally broke down and had an MRI. The radiologist has had difficulty specifying my problem IE disc herniation vs scar tissue. I have had 2 MRIs now with the same problem. The radiologist says that the MRI did not "get down far enough", whatever that means.

I am to see my orthopedic surgeon (the one who did my back sgy the 1st time). I have been in a chronic state of anxiety over having to have more surgery and miss more work (still paying off my 1st sgy and barely have enough time saved up to be off).

I am adamant about not having surgery a 2nd time. I have several reasons which may or may not be the right frame of mind: (1) my present symptoms are tolerable and seem to be improving (at least that is my opinion, some say it is wishful thinking); (2) I am in no pain; (3) I do not want to and cannot afford to miss more work; (4) surgery did not "fix" it the 1st time, how many surgeries does it take? (I have heard many back horror stories.) It is my thought not to pursue surgical intervention now, unless my symptoms come to a point I cannot function (as in the pain of the 1st time). These are my thoughts however, I am not certain what the MD will say.

And, finally, the thing that irritates me the most about this most aggravating situation is all of the people, who upon hearing of my problems, immediately blame my martial arts activities. I have been doing goju karate for 13 yrs + now and cannot even conceive of not doing it anymore, it is a part of my life. Granted I have had to modify my activities, but no one seems to give me any credit for this, they hear that I still do karate and just shake their head as if I am in denial (maybe I am, I have never been much for psychobabble).

Thanks for listening/reading.

[bushido_man96]

Wow, man, that all sounds pretty rough. Much rougher than what I have been whining about lately. I hope things work out for you, so that you don't have to have another surgery. Stay positive!

[shinnekodo]

I saw the MD on Dec 19. I received a good report. I do have another herniated disc but he says that the disc only "bruised" the nerve and that I should make a full recovery without surgery. He says that he has "hundreds" of pts walking around with herniated discs in their backs.

He alleviated a lot of my anxiety and I feel much better.

Thanks for listening/reading.

[bushido_man96]

Glad to hear that all is well!