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Chronic pain and spinal fusion
Spine Health | Last Active: Apr 4, 2023 | Replies (173)Comment receiving replies
Mary. I have a terrible spine and neck. I have RA and only God knows how long before I cannot walk anymore. I force myself to walk my dog 4 times a day. I come home hurting so bad that I must lie down. They did shot a week ago and doctor "warned" me that if this did not help at all, he cannot do anymore shots. First time I had shots and I cannot believe he is giving up that easy. Doctors today.. I just don't know what to say anymore about them. After telling him HE IS GOING TO DO MY NECK again, I have an appt on Monday. The neck shots hurt terrible, but if it will work HELP ME. And of course, no pain pills. I would not even be able to tolerate the pain if I did not have the Hemp Lotion. I know I don't want to get addicted to heavy duty pain meds, but what else can we do? My spine doctor said he could fit me with a brace. Oh great wonder what that would be like? I fell about 6 months ago and have concrete in my Veritibra. Keep my spirits up and keep going.
Replies to "Mary. I have a terrible spine and neck. I have RA and only God knows how..."
Mary..Oh my goodness. so many surgeries. If he suggests surgery to me, I will leave his office and go home. My shots that I got last week made my entire body hurt so bad. I could barely put my foot down on the ground to walk. The a day later no pain. It must be the medicine going into my body. My kids have finally talked me into moving into an INDEPENDENT living facility. Well, you know how that will go. Once I fall, they will require me to have ASSISTANCE. My daughter lives in Idaho so, that is where I would go. I love San Antonio and Oregon for over 11 years. Idaho does not excite me. She is in southern Idaho. Only nice thing is she is close to the Oregon border. I can cross the border go get some Marijuana and smoke it or use it and then drive back Actually, I don't smoke it, I use the oil. I have not had any since I left Oregon. It is by far MUCH BETTER than the pain drugs. You do not get HOOKED on the MJ. That is a lie the drug companies put out.
@oregongirl
Good Morning!
I am so sorry your shots hurt so much. That is actually a good thing because it means that the medication is going where is needed. When I used to get my shots, I could actually feel the steroids going down my legs and up my back. It is painful. The reason there is pain is because your nerve endings are inflamed and the medication is trying to calm it down.
If your shots work, I agree that surgery should not be a thought. I took shots for over 10 years. Some were better than others. Some pain docs were better than others. I went through 5 pain docs before I found one that actually helped me. It takes a knowledgeable doctor who can find the right spot and use the right meds to help. My last pain doc was FANTASTIC! However, after 4 years, the shots stopped working as PT has. Now it is surgery all the way.
Have a terrific weekend with as little pain as possible!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)
@oregongirl I live in an Independent building but there are alot of caretakers here for people some you pay others are from the service coordinators a program from government I dont know what it is as I pay my housekeeper twice a month but there are some people here have daily caregivers so you may have options I don't know your situation there .
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@oregongirl
We sound like we have some similar pain issues as I can only walk a bit in my home. You are wise to force yourself into walking your dog as it helps to keep you active so that is something to be proud about. I have degeneration in my neck from C5-C7 but I will hold off having that surgery as long as I can based on my previous experience with my failed fusion. Not really keen on more surgeries as I have had 14 surgeries already. I am a firm believer in mediation to help me to relax when the pain is too bad and I also watch my own “self talk” so that I don’t become too negative.