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Chemical irritation of lumbar nerves
Spine Health | Last Active: 2 hours ago | Replies (10)Comment receiving replies
@calmmylife57 hi Calm
Interesting story . I totally sympathise with you . For five years now I have been struggling terribly with lumbar spine pain which controls and ruins my whole enjoyment of life . Disrupts my sleep and causes me all sorts of problems .! Almost ten months ago I underwent a major spine operation. Anterior lumbar interbody fusion at L4/5 with screws and cage . Considering I had been previously diagnosed with severe osteoporosis it was real brave of me to go ahead , they had a meeting of six spine surgeons and a rheumatologist who all agreed to go ahead . The op itself was successful and my recovery from the actual op has been long and still continues. However The depressing part is that it hasn’t solved my pain issue at all. In fact it hasn’t worsened. I am sensitive to medication so it’s all a nightmare !! I had a London surgeon perform my op but now we are all confused because MRI with gadolinium still shows no compression anywhere . My pain is very low down around S4/5 is burning day and night I can’t sit, lie down or stand for too long without pain . Had injections in the past to no avail .Tried everything. I was a very fit person all my life and miss it. I make myself walk every day even when I feel exhausted from lack of sleep . I am approaching 76 years old female . Don’t know what the way forward is now . Who is your doctor and hospital as I am also in UK.
Replies to "@calmmylife57 hi Calm Interesting story . I totally sympathise with you . For five years now..."
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@tiny28,
This is exactly why I will always listen to the private African female doctor who evaluated me during my car crash compensation claim. Hearing so many stories of people undergoing major surgery for L4, L5, and S1 only to remain in pain made me step back. Why risk major surgery, and the very real threat of paralysis, when the outcome isn't guaranteed?
I also had nerve root block injections for 6 years until I suffered a severe reaction: intense swelling in my left leg, severe skin reddening, foot drop, and excruciating pelvic pain. When my long standing GP of 30 years and the first Hospital in Birmingham, that managed my pain refused to acknowledge it, I reported it to the Yellow Card Scheme myself, and foundself a new GP and hospital. The Royal Orthopedic Hospital looks after my care now, I trained in sports and holistic therapies so I understand how to take care of my body, sometimes when it gets too challenging I need a reminder and that extra support.
It's been 13 years of living with severe pain daily, but I refuse to let it define me or hold me back. I utilse all the accomdations and services I need to live and function. There are mornings I wake up in agony, and several times when I have booked a train to see a London art exhibition. Rather than cancel, waste the ticket, or give up, I adapted. I took taxis from one location to another, moved at my own pace, and leaned on gallery staff for support when I arrived. It cost me more, but I couldn't afford to rebook and miss an artist's work that I love.
Pain might change how I do things, but I refuse to let it stop me from living!