Prayers needed

[Lisa Kammel]

I know that this is in the family forum so I don't know if I should be posting her but I am in need of prayers. The last 6 months I have been struggling with back pain. I have had inflamed SI joint pain in the past that therapy has resolved. Thinking that my rescent pain was the same I have been doing therapy. It hasn't gotten better and has even gotten worse so my doctor ordered an MRI today. It isn't good news. I have a herniated disk at L5-S1. This really scares me. Along with my photography business I work in the hospital. If any of you work in the hospital you know what I mean when I say there are high rates of back injury in our fields. Sometimes to the point of not being able to do our jobs. I also have 2 more weddings scheduled to do this year so I don't know where that all comes into play with my prognosis. I know that some kind of intervention is needed or it won't get better. I just pray that it doesn't include surgery. Has anyone out ther experienced a herniated disk at it was resolved through other means other than surgery? Thank you so much for listening. Right now I am scared and don't know what is next.

[Marcus Momma]

I will be praying for you because for the past 7 months I have had really bad lower back pains on one side and I am only 23 they think its a bulging disk but they can't do any x rays or won't because i am pregnant right now. I will have to deal with this with tylenol until feb. and tylenol does not work flexeril does not work. I can't stand it some days I just lay there and cry. One of my friends had a herniated disk. She never had surgery I think just a lot of physical therapy on it.

[Kirk Kief]

Lisa,
I feel your pain...literally. I've been pretty much out of commission the last week and a half. I've been under treatment on my back for the past 20 years. Only in the past 5 years, or so, it has escalated. Two weeks ago I picked up my camera bag, I heard a pop. I've been out of commission ever since. I've already had the MRI, and we are beginning to look at surgery. The good news is that as of tuesday, i was no longer walking like an Ape.
However, my wife called me and told me of a couple of her co workers that had severe back problems. They underwent acupuncture. One of the ladies went in with a pain rating of about 9, and left with about a 4.
Personally, I'm skeptical. I'm going to wait till this current run of steroid treatment is finished to see what next. I have a bad habit of passing out when I get e needle stuck into me, especially in my back (last week with a cortisone shot-I'm such a Manly Man!).
But, you might investigate this.

[Janice]

I am a massage therapist and work in a chiropractic clinic. Both chiropractic and massage can decrease the pain. There are also vitamins and minerals that can help. If you have more questions you can send me a personal message. Every case is different but there are alot of treatment options out there.

[Tasha Nicholls]

Ugh... Lisa, I'm so sorry! I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers that you can get this resolved and be pain free and back to normal, soon!


Lisa,
I feel your pain...literally. I've been pretty much out of commission the last week and a half. I've been under treatment on my back for the past 20 years. Only in the past 5 years, or so, it has escalated. Two weeks ago I picked up my camera bag, I heard a pop. I've been out of commission ever since. I've already had the MRI, and we are beginning to look at surgery. The good news is that as of tuesday, i was no longer walking like an Ape.
However, my wife called me and told me of a couple of her co workers that had severe back problems. They underwent acupuncture. One of the ladies went in with a pain rating of about 9, and left with about a 4.
Personally, I'm skeptical. I'm going to wait till this current run of steroid treatment is finished to see what next. I have a bad habit of passing out when I get e needle stuck into me, especially in my back (last week with a cortisone shot-I'm such a Manly Man!).
But, you might investigate this.

Ummm.... way to suffer in silence! I haven't seen any mention of this in the forum until now! :mad:

I'll be praying for you, too!

[Nancy Reeves]

Lisa,

I will keep you in my prayers - back pain is no fun. I've had mild, but relatively chronic pain since 1985.

Two things that were helpful to me (one of which I'm sure you don't want to hear). The first was to go to a back clinic which includes a variety of specialists. Surgeons tend to want to do surgery - pain management people tend to want to manage pain, physical therapists want to do massage, TENS, etc. If you have access to all of them in the same place they are more likely to come up with a solution somewhere in the middle rather than pushing you to the extremes of any specialty.

The second is to give your back a break. I ended up hospitalized in 1988 for a month (for something totally unrelated) and was forced to give my back a good long rest. That was actually the first real relief I had - much more helpful than the specialty clinic.

I hope you find something that works for you.

[Nancy Reeves]

I have a bad habit of passing out when I get e needle stuck into me, especially in my back (last week with a cortisone shot-I'm such a Manly Man!).
Been there - done that - didn't help much. If yours was the same as mine, it's darn close to an epidural - so you're entitled to pass out. Accupuncture needles should be a real breeze after that.

[Marcus Momma]

I know my mom has a lot of back problems do to a cyanatic nerve. Her legs give out and so does her back like everyother month. She has to go to the hospital and get pain shots. They want her to have surgery but she is scared she loved having my kids there and doesn't want to not be able to keep them. I have a 2 year old son that weighs 35lbs and is 35 in tall. And still has to be picked up to be put in highchair and diaper changed and stuff like that. Working on the potty training though now.

[motherofthree]

Lisa, My mother has had a herniated disk as well as a degenerative back problem. I have witnessed how painful this is for her. She continued to live with it because she is scared of the surgery, but I wish she would do it...I hate to see her in that pain.

I will definitely pray for you and a working solution to your back problem. You have done so much for so many of us (myself included), and hope that in some way, my little prayers will help you, too.

Beth

[Tammy]

Lisa~
Keeping you in my prayers and hope you find a solution that works. Back issues are never fun. If you need, take some time to rest and get healthy. (eaiser said than done, right?)

[Kirk Kief]

Lisa,
Now, as far as surgery. I know of many very successful cases of folks that did have the surgery and are completely, and 100% back to normal with no pain and full strength. Yes, of course, there are cases that do not come out as planned. But, if you end up going that route, do so with a positive attitude. The odds of a successful operation far out weigh the failures. It just may be the best thing you ever did.

[Margaret Hatcher]

Lisa,
I will keep you in my prayers and add your name to our prayer list at church.
Margie

[Lisa Kammel]

Thanks for all the prayers and concerns. At the hospital where I work ( Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse WI ) they have a very advanced Neuro Department and pain clinic so there is a good chance this can be taken care of without sugery. I have an appointment on Monday so I will find out then. I will keep you updated . I always believed in God but since joining NILMDTS my belief has gotten stronger. I guess I have bonded with these little babies and their families. I just feel that there has to be something more than just the earth here because these little babies have to have more than their life here on earth. Does that make any sense?

[KEA's Mom]

It does make sense and I'll keep you in my prayers!

[LiseB]

Hi Lisa-

It all sounds so familiar! After trying all the suggested routes and more, I had back surgery. I couldn't believe the immediate pain relief. Felt so good I went right back to my regular activities. Long story short, I had my second back surgery 12 months later. But with a different outcome.

Sometimes doctors DO know what they are talking about. ;-) After the 2nd surgery I followed doc's orders very carefully. I did what the physical therapist told me to do/not do. I was very limited in what I could do for about 3 months. But that allowed my back to heal properly.

All that was almost ten years ago now. And life is GOOD!! I even took up golfing this summer. I'll be praying for you as you carefully consider what you need to do.

--lise

[Christine Barrack]

Lisa,
I am so sorry. I know the pain all to well. I have 3 herniated and buldging disk in my neck. I was in an auto accident about 5 years ago along with my family. When going in for surgery I was told I would need to make some decisions as I was pregnant. Not expecting to be pregnant and totally shocked with all that was going on I did not have the surgery. I have lived with the pain for so long. I found the best relief through Physical Therapy, MRT technique to be exact and water therapy. Due to the pinched nerve on my right side and other factors the risks are to high for me to have the surgery. Until the medical society developes a new treatment my body can manage I will live in this pain. There are more good days than bad days right now so that helps. The surgery at this point would render me unable to carry a valid drivers license, have very limited range of movement in my neck and possible extensive nerve damage. I have already had to retrain my body to work on the right side and it took several years.
I don't like weddings and since the accident have cut way back to 4-6 a year now. I do have a back up and back up plan of that because I never know when I will have a bad day. So I know what you are going through with your sessions.
I have done a lot of research on this for my personal case. I would be happy to share it with you. But I am no doctor. I take in all the information and make decisions that will work best for me. I am so scared of the surgery myself.
I can't go into it all on the forum. If you need to talk you can call me. I will be keeping you in my prayers.
Blessings,
Christine

[Lisa Kammel]

I just wanted to update everyone on my disc herniation problems. I have been going thru this since June and actually started therapy in late July. The diagnosis of herniated disc just happened a month ago. Things are not getting better and I will be seeing a sugeon next wed. I have been working half days but today was not good. My boss wants me to stay home until after the surgery because I just can't do patient care anymore and sitting doing desk work would be shear torture. As matter of fact my computer is on the ground and I lay on my stomach propped up on my elbows. It is the only way to work on the computer. I have a wedding this Saturday and one a week from Friday. I recruited my husband to help with my equipment at those two weddings. He isn't overly excited but he realizes that I need to do them . Luckily I don't have another wedding booked until next spring. I am also out of PTO at work so I will be getting no pay until my short term disability kicks in after 4 weeks ( I have short and long term disability insurance through work). That just adds to the stress on me , my husband and our marriage. I am also scared to death about a surgeon cutting into my back!!!! Please remember me and my family in your prayers. It is going to be a long road for the next couple of months.

[marylouise]

Lisa, keping you in my prayers. I have back problems so I know the pain your in. Please keep us updated.
Hugs

[Vicki]

Lisa . . .

I just read thru all of this thread . . . I don't know how I missed this . . .

I am so sorry that you have had so much pain but I think that your surgery will end up being the best thing to alleviate that. Do you know what method they will be using for your surgery? Some of the proceedures are mimimally invasive and recovery times are fairly quick.

I fell through a deck about 11 years ago and injured my back. It took years for me to get back full strength. I used exercise and yoga and a treatment called trigger point therapy. But I found a great website for back health:
http://www.spine-health.com/

I still occasionally have problems, especially after a long session and if I was bending over in weird positions to get a shot . . . so I've gone to this website just for stretching tips, etc.

Lisa . . . you are very much in my thoughts!!! I don't want you to have pain . . . pain sucks! If you have been laid off maybe you can get unemployment until your FMLA/disability kicks in . . . it might be worth checking out . . .

BIG HUGS ( oops! sorry I squeezed you too hard, hope that didn't hurt:D ) . . .

Keep us posted!!!

Vicki

[Lisa Kammel]

Thanks Mary Louise and Vicki for your thoughts and prayers. As for the type of surgery I won't know until wed. at my appointment with the surgeon. I think it will be fairly "easy" if you want to call it that. The allignment of my spine is good with no narrowing of the spinal canal. It is only the disk bulging so they should only have to go in and clean up the disk. "Simple" right??? I need to have this done so I can get back into life. I never thought I would miss work this much!!!!

[motherofthree]

Lisa, I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I am glad you are able to take action and see your surgeon. It's scary, but I hope that it does everything to improve your pain levels and life quality.

Beth

[JenniferBrown]

Oh Lisa, I'm so sorry to hear that you will have to have surgery and all the stress added with that (time off and lack of pay).
I'm laying in bed right now with my neck and lower back in extreme pain. Yep, laying on my stomach propped up on my elbow's.
I feel your pain sista! I've dealt with back pain from a car wreck when I was 16.... WOW 18 years of it. Maybe I should finally go in and ask for an MRI.

I'll be praying for you hon. Please keep us updated on how you are.

[Teresa Howell]

First of all, I feel for you!! I am a nurse and understand completely about the back injuries and back pain. I suffered a back injury 4 years ago and my back is just not the same. I have something called lipping of the vertebrae.....which means my entire spine has what the dr called chicken lips. It is very painful and have been told by the time I am 60 I will be in alot of pain. I laughed at him 15 years ago when he told me but as year passes, he was not lying to me. Back to your back, Charleston has an awesome Spine Clinic here. They only do surgery as their last resort. Many Nascar drivers and other athletes come here to see these wonderful doctors: http://southeasternspine.com/index.htmlI
I am not sure if they do what you are needing and I know it is a ways from Ohio but maybe they know someone close to your area to refer you to. I have made an appointment for myself. I am praying for you.

Teresa

[Lisa Kammel]

My surgery is set fro Dec 3. For the last few days I have not been using my "big" pain meds and thought that maybe I didn't need surgery. After everyone was in bed tonight I was changing into sweat pants and turned the wrong way and the pain in my back and right leg literally dropped me to the floor in pain and loss of feeling in rt leg. I laid there for 5-10 min ( seamed like forever) literally crying and swearing ( I normally don't swear) I was trying to find a position to releive the pain and get feeling in my leg so that I could get up. I ended up waking my 9 year old son. He went to my husband to get help. Once I was moving the pain subsided some and I got feeling back in my leg. I hope that the surgery works.

[Vicki]

Lisa . . .

Well, that sounds like a bad experience . . . I hope the surgery works too! Keep us posted!

[motherofthree]

Lisa,

Perhaps you needed that little confirmation that you are doing the right thing with the surgery (I know - that much pain is not so "little"). I'm sorry you are having to go through this. Know that you are in my prayers. I will be thinking about and praying for you on Dec 3rd. I hope the rest of your time before then is less eventful.

Beth

[JayJay]

Hello! Yup, I have one of those and they do suck, don't they (putting it mildly).

I did mine in working a job that required I shift probably about 50-80lb by myself, up and down stairs (among other things) repeatedly from th ages of 18-22. So, now I am approaching 27 and it's still a pain in the back.....side.

Basically the only thing that helped me was not lifting any more weight than my bone structure could handle. Luckily, it didn't require surgery (yet) but what it did do (and still does on occasion), is make it so my legs went numb and lost all control when I bent back. Basically the nerves were being compressed...not so good.

Lately, I've been seeing a chiropractor who has helped a lot. Of course, you have to keep going back to see the chiro, but for me, it's been really helpful. Then again that IS me - it may be that it doesn't help you at all.

I hope you feel better :)XXX

[Christine Barrack]

Lisa,
I was going to call again but not sure you would be up to talking. How did the surgery go today? I hope all went great and you are now home recovering and being pampered.
Hugs and happy thoughts!
Christine

[Lisa Kammel]

Thanks for calling the other night. It was a sweet surprise. All went great today. I was the first case of the morning. I went in at 7:15 am and was on my way home by 12:30 PM. My back hurts but I am sure that it is from the surgery only and not the disk. The pain is only at the incision site. The immense pain before was worse and went into my right butt cheek and all the way down the leg and my calf muscle was always in horirble spasms with pain in the back of the knee and ankle. All of that is gone!!!!! and I can put weight on my rt leg again. All the prayers and thoughts helped. Thanks so much for thinking of me. You are so sweet.

[linda]

Been thinking of you and praying...glad to see things went well.

[Vicki]

Lisa!!! Great news . . . here's to your continued recovery!!!

[motherofthree]

Lisa, that is wonderful! Sounds like it may be exactly what you needed. I'm so very happy it went well. Keep getting better!

Beth

[Lisa Kammel]

I knew that by working in the health field as an xray tech I needed to get this done. I wear a 20 lb lead apron off and on all day. I would get things fairly well but once I put that apron on it didn't work. I NEED to back to work.. My photography business brings in extra money but it doesn't provide health insurance.