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Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself
Chronic Pain | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (7075)Comment receiving replies
Hello, I can't believe I'm Reading your story this night. I'm 70, severe lumbar stenosis, L4,5 nerve impingement, +++pain, numbness, tingling both calves to summarize. Mobility +++compromised.
Former chaplain, palliative care if that matters. Canadian, wintering in a Florida, checked out minimally invasive spine surgery (won't mention clinic). Lengthy assessment resulting in denial for surgery; major surgery required yada yada.
Yes I'm devastated. However I just cannot seem to figure Providence into this equation. Yes, the God who never changes, changes everything. Oh and the many times I've encouraged others to stay strong, believe...all sounding like "noise" now that's it's me, the needy one. And He is seeming so far away. These beautiful Florida sunsets on the gulf...feel empty. Pain rages.
May I just ask, have you figured this out?
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@katie215
Hi Katie,
I just read your post and I know how you feel!
I am 63 (closer to 64...lol) and have suffered with cervical and lumbar stenosis. I currently live in Central Florida. The pain was so great that I stopped walking for long periods of time and I had to retire early on disability.
For years I tried to find a pain doctor to help me. I saw 3 different pain doctors when I lived in New Jersey, 1 in Florida. It was after I saw the one pain doc in Florida that I did an extensive search before I found "the one." I found a pain doctor in Altamonte, Florida. This doctor worked wonders on my lumbar spine for about 4 years. After 4 years, I was no longer getting relief. Then, my cervical spine started and he couldn't help me with that either.
My cervical spine was giving me HORRIBLE headaches that woke me up every day. Once I was out of bed, they would go away within an hour or so. However, with these headaches and the inability to get relief for my lower back, I decided to see a neurosurgeon. I did a lot of research and found a surgeon in Lutz, Florida. We decided on surgery. Feb. 2018, I had two discs replaced. Surgery went well. Within 3 weeks, the headaches were totally gone. A few months ago, I had what is called an X-Lift Fusion. I will admit that the recovery was VERY difficult and painful. Then at approx. 2 months, I woke up and the pain was just about gone. A miracle?
I have to tell you that I went through many, many no-invasive procedures before surgery (that really didn't work). I had no quality of life and I was in constant pain that no only inpacted my mobility, but it left my head in a cloud. I did not take pain meds (I was afraid of addicition since I would have probably needed it on a regular basis) and a couple of years ago, I was no longer to able to take anything like asprin or Advil.
I hope you find some sort of relief!
Here's to a pain free day....
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)