Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

@catherinelewis
Hi and Welcome!

I am so sorry to hear about your back pain.
I had an X-lift Fusion on L3/4, almost 7 weeks ago.
I am hoping once I heal I'll be feeling better.
This past February, I had 2 cervical discs removed and replaced with artificial ones. So far, so good.
The cervical surgery was a piece of cake for me. Healing went ahead of schedule. I know that it takes about a year for the internal parts to be 100% healed.
As for the lumar. Holy cow, this has been HORRIBLE and PAINFUL!! At my last checkup, last week, at 6 weeks, I was behind healing schedule.
I know that spinal surgery has a high failure rate, but after you try everything else and nothing works, only surgery remains. I hope I have a positive outcome.

Have you tried a procedure called PRP? I need new knees but I can't have it done until I am 100% healed from my spinal surgeries. I can't have steroid injections either because it can have a negative impact on the healing. A pain doctor mentioned this PRP. Other than a little internet searching, I don't know too much about it. The research says many sports figures are getting this. It is new so most insurance companies will not cover it. I don't know how much it will cost. They do something with your blood. They clean it and remove the parts they need for healing. It isn't the well known one (even though I forgot the name. Lol). I also read something about cryotherapy. I know that is more readily available.
Just some thoughts about possible alternatives. I am NOT in the medical field in any way. I am in the acute pain field, every day.

Good luck!
Ronnie (GRANDMA r)

Hi Teresa no physical thairpy doesn't help at all, and neither does my strong pain meds that I get from my pain manigment doctor. It really sucks that this pain will not go any lower than a 9.5 all the time, and I had my L5-S1 disk fused in 2013, and it still is the exact pain now than it was when I had the surgery done. How do I send u a privit message on here so we can talk one on one with each other? Would u please let me no I would really appreciate the info.

Hi Kathy how do I send u a private message on here so we can talk back and forth one on one to each other? Will you please let me no how to send private messages on here please I would really appreciate the info.

@catherinelewis Hi Catherine:

It is preferred that those on Connect use the public forum (like you are doing now). The reason for this is when you share on the public forum everyone on Connect can learn from the conversations. Please know that if you do send me a PM my reply will be much slower than using the regular Connect forum.
If you still choose to send a PM just click on my name (@hopeful33250) and it will bring up my profile page and you will see an option to send a Private Message.
Once again, I do prefer you stay on the public Connect forum.

Hi @catherinelewis, I have to agree with Teresa. Posting to the forum has many advantages over private messaging. Consider the forum like a support group where you can benefit from the insights and support from a group of people. Everyone brings a little something from their experience. Not only that, you also make a bigger contribution by posting on the forum. Your experiences, questions and notes of encouragement go a long way to help others, including people who may only read the discussions.

As they say, it takes a village. Does that make sense?

@hopeful33250 Ok I will just stay on the public page instead I apologize for offending anyone by asking the question about how to send private messages again I am extremely sorry I will not do that ever again I promise

No problem, @catherinelewis. The public forum works best for Connect. Thanks for your cooperation!

@Catherine39,you're fine! No worries. We are all in this together as a team. You learn from me, sometimes, and I learn from you. We all have gifts and experiences that in some wise, wonderful way rub off on each other. As they say, iron sharpens iron. It's really pretty neat to know that these wonderful people have our backs. I hope I run into you again soon! Until then!

Hello , blessed morning ...here from India.....

Good morning @samanthaezu, so nice to hear from you, my friend. My goodness, you are a long way from little ol' Decatur, AL. I am so happy to have you here in Mayo Clinic Connect!

This little group started getting together because of a common life experience that bonds us together like no other. We have all tried many different avenues, medications, diets and exercises, to attempt what seems the impossible....a pain free life.

What works for one, does not necessarily work for another. Yet we share our stories here and learn from each other. I am Mamacita, and I welcome you here!

Is this your first time here or are you a long time regular? I admit I am not a medical practitioner. I have no training in that area. Just a lifetime of chronic pain and experience to encourage and give hope.

I learn so much from the other members here. The general consensus is that we work better as a team, having our physicians aware and part of the entire experience, as we discover what works and what doesn't. I take supplements as well as medication, but it all has to be under the watchful eye of an excellent doctor who is devoted to his patients.

Sorry this is so long. I can't wait to hear more of your experiences and how you are controlling your pain levels. Self care is vitally important. Time for coffee! I hope you will join me soon! Or would that be tea, instead? Have a great day, my friend....namaste.

Mamacita