Chronic pain and spinal fusion

@lynnydave12 Im sorry to hear of your problem The only thing
I can suggest is shoulder exercises slowly increase till you see some differences .I would try this before surgery this should be last result ask your Dr.about P.T also they maybe have specific exercises.

@gingerw
Hi Ginger,
I read your reply to Irene regarding food addition.
I was just discussing that today.
An addiction is when you take or do something beyond the commonly suggested dose.
Those who go beyond the suggested amounts and can cause a 'real' illness either mentally or physically is an addiction.
I often hear people say that you cannot have a food addiction.
All you need to do is meet a food addict and have a conversation.
The food addict does not know how to eat a standard amount of food.
You might have a 1/4 cup of pasta with your meatballs, where an addict will probably have 1 cup of pasta for the meatballs
Addicts are usually hungry ALL the time and eat mindlessly. Rather than having a cupcake for a snack, the addicit will eat the box.
I am sure you can think of several more examples in reference to food.
Buth there is another symptom.
The food addict eats themself sick.
I don't mean a belly ache, I mean something serious.
Many addicts develop the following as they gain more and more weither: high blood pressure, diabetes, high triglycerides, high cholosterol, heart disease, huge growths on their body, the inability to walk any distance, breathing difficulties, etc.
How do I know if I am NOT in the medical field?
I know because I am a food addict.
I kept eating and eating, even though most of the meals were good healthyfood, my portions were way OUT OF CONTROL!
I developed pre-diabetis, I was pre-diabetic, high blook poressure, high tryglycerol, and others.
I hope thins information brings light to your thoughts.

Have a nice weekend!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

@grandmar Like you, I am a food addict. There, I said it out loud for the first time in my life, although I have privately known it almost all my life. Food held court over my emotions, good and bad, and has been a refuge. And thanks to you, now I feel ready to address it.
Ginger

@ginger first step is admitting it whatever it may be. Congrats now you can do something about it right? Me too Ive struggled with my weight all my life so I'm in it with you

@ginger and @lioness

Those posts deserve a round of applause!

Hear, hear!!! Bravo!!!!

That's sounds so Horrible I am so sorry that you had to go through all that. I sure hope you're able to find help real soon. I also had two Different spinal fusion. I have a 3 level fusion in my neck and a 4 level fusion in my back. I had real good Success in my neck surgery. Wish I could say the same for my back I have had 7 back surgery's over all the Fusion was the last one. That was 8 years ago and now I'm dealing with Chronic pain and now I have RSD wish has Completely changed and ruin my life. I now have two Spinal stimulators and a morphine pump to help control the pain. It all Started with me exercising one afternoon riding my bicycle And someone decided to go get drunk and get behind the wheel of his car and thought it was ok to drive. I have had 43 surgery's yes 43 that's right. Life is hard enough without someone else making it harder. Thank you all for letting me share its 3:41am sleep is something that was Taken away from me when he decided to drive drunk. Not sure What is in stored for me for the rest of my life I understand that I have to change my life and Learn how to live it differently now and I'm trying to Except the fact that life as I'v known it will never be that way again but I'm trying I haven't given up but I sure do miss my old life that I worked so hard for. But I know God didn't bring me this far for nothing. Thanks again for Allowing me to share.

@james2189
Thank you for sharing your story!!!
I am so sorry for all you have been through.
I cannot imagine having so many surgeries.
Drunk driving is a whole other topic that I am sure many members can relate to.

I did not have any accidents that required the 2 spinal surgeries.
A major reason for these problems come from aging (I am 63 yo), weight (I lost 80 lbs.) and I believe that all the years I worked out inappropriately.
Whatever the reason, it is what it is!!!
For years I went to pain doctors for help.
When they could no longer help, surgery was the next option.

I know that the surgeries (c5/6 and L 4/5) may not be the entire answer but it has to be better than what I was experiencing.
My pain doctor told me a long time ago, something that you mentioned.
Regardless if I have surgery (which I did), I still need to be careful and adjust my life accordingly.
I retired 5 years ago at the age of 48 on SSI.
My retirement is nothing like I expected.
My pain doc said the same thing you did, I have to get used to living a different life style.
I refuse to become a cripple and do whatever they suggest in order to get back to my old self.

One last thing, I promise.
No one knows what life will be like.
None of us have asked to live in pain or a restrictive life.
So, we have to make the best of things and work our butts off in order to get some quality of life.
Remember, we don't have any alternatives (except death) that are acceptable.

Have a pain free day and keep writing.
You are not venting, you are sharing.
There are people who will find something you said as that AH, HA moment.

Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

Thank you so much for your reply wasn't sure if I would get one or not. I have tried this before on other site but it was full of people Complaining that they couldn't find a good pain clinic to give them more pills. I would be so happy if I didn't need any at all. It's good to be able to talk to other people who are going through the same thing as you are. It breaks my heart to here some of the stores. I will be 54 in March and had to go on SSI 6 years ago What a eye open that was for me as far as money I had a Really good job working for myself. Never once did I ever think about how much money I spent at the grocery store. All I can say is thank God for coupon lol .. I'm with you about not trying to live like a Cripple most people dont even know What kind of pain I'm in each day. Life goes on just need to fine a Purpose too much time on my hands. I hope your day is better then yesterday and you can fine a reason to smile. 🙂

@james2189 Thank you for sharing. I am sure that you have made a difference in someone's life today. Wishing you a Wednesday as pain-free as possible,
Ginger