Hi All!!

For those of you who are newer to the group, let me re-introduce myself. My name is Ronnie, I just turned 64 years old, I live in Central Florida where I retired to 5 years ago because my hubby and I could no longer tolerate the snow and cold in New Jersey. I have suffered with chronic back pain for more than 10 years. It took me 5 pain management doctors and a move to Florida before I found a doctor who could help me. I was taking shots that lasted betwen 3-12 weeks. Considering I got ZERO relief before, this was a blessing and he was my hero. Sadly, about 1-1/2 ago, not only did the shots stop working, but my cervical spine entered the game. I hadn't had cervical issues in years and years. He could not help me with that either. By this time, I had enough and decided to seek out a neurosurgeon who specializes in spine issues.

I found my new hero! Approximately one year ago, I had 2 discs replaced in my cervical spine. Within a few days, the symptoms and pain I was experienced faded away. No more violent headaches, pains down my arms, or pins and needles. Next, we worked on my lumbar spine. This summer I had an X-lIFT fUSION on L4/5. It was a long, hard and painful surgery but once the surgical pain started to go away, I realized I was no longer in pain! Other than my osteoarthris pain, it was the first time in over 10 years that I was pain free!!!!!

Just before my 2nd surgery, I noticed that when my feet were flat on the floor and I was sitting, I could not move my right foot from side to side; I couldn't wiggle my toes and I couldn't move my thumb toe at all. The issue was in my left foot, too, but to a much lesser extent. We now, both my legs are weak, I lose my balance (even with a cane) and fall, my right big toe drops (causing me to trip, not fall), and my left foot is worse. My neurosurgeon says I presnt like someone with a spinal trama, which I haven't had. He sent me to a neurologist for a work-up.

Fast forward to day.....I already had extensive blood work done. Today, more tests. So, I have severe nerve damage from S1 and L5 and neuropothy in both feet, which are probably coming from my back. II also have nerves that are clustering together near my spine as well as more lumbar stenosis. We don't think surgery will be the answer, but of course, we can only speculate. We think PT in order to try to keep this from getting any worse. We don't think I can reverse the damage. In 2 weeks we will go back to the neurologist and right after that, we hop in the car to the neurosurgeon. Between the two, we are hoping there will be some sort of a plan for action!!

In the meanwhile, my hubby and I have been discussing what to do IF surgery is suggested. For the first time in years I am pain free. Do I want to take a chance that the pain will come back??? Guess a lot will have to do with the prognosis of doing the surgery or not. As we drove home from the doctor's office I began to think.....perhaps if I had this surgery before instead of trying all the other interventions, maybe things would not have gone so far. I thought I was doing the right things....imagining, injections, chiropractor, accupuncture, cupping, theraputic massage, land and aquatic PT....so on and so on. The imaging did not look as bad as apparently my spine was (and is).

Oh well, hindsighti 20-20. Guess I need a new pair of glasses. In the meanwhile, I am going to try to live my life to the fullest and do the things I want to do with the people I want to do it with. None of us know what tomorrow will bring.......

Only the VERY BEST for us all.....
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)