I have now had 3 back surgeries. Two in the past eight months. The first 2 were just disc repairs at L4-L5 as well as arthritis and scar tissue removal after losing feeling in both legs again. In January I inherited a titanium joint at L4-L5 when we found a facet joint fractured in half. After months of ridiculous pain causing muscle spasms throughout my entire body, I not so politely advised the neurosurgeon that I needed him to "practice" medicine as my current condition at 39 was unacceptable.
I was put on muscle relaxers and pain meds and I was able to function like what I would consider to be a normal person. I then advised him that he needed to figure out a way for me to get here without the pills.
Today I went in and they burned the nerves on my left side that send the pain signal from L4 down. Ouch. More like electrocuted.
He then advised that my options at this point will be to add a titanium joint at L5-S1, install an electro stimulator (battery powered nerve override. My wife liked this option if it had an off button , or take pills for pain management for the rest of my life.
Now at 40 I just don't like any of the options.
The frustrating thing is that my discs are extremely healthy looking. They cannot isolate the pain signal that is causing the muscles to spasm, thus causing the nerve compressions. I am on my 5th doctor. At least his team is trying to practice medicine. The others advised that there was nothing wrong with me.
He did ask if I would consider not riding for 3 to 6 months to see if my symptoms changed. I had to remind him of our winter that some thought would never end so the bike causing issues was ruled out.
I did make it almost 1600 miles to CreSTOC on my 40th which was a goal of mine for mental well being. I figured what the doctors didn't know wouldn't hurt them... I advised them today and they just shook their heads at me..
CreSTOC gave me the energy to keep fighting this daily nightmare. Thanks to everyone for the support!! I will be back next year.
Eric
I was put on muscle relaxers and pain meds and I was able to function like what I would consider to be a normal person. I then advised him that he needed to figure out a way for me to get here without the pills.
Today I went in and they burned the nerves on my left side that send the pain signal from L4 down. Ouch. More like electrocuted.
He then advised that my options at this point will be to add a titanium joint at L5-S1, install an electro stimulator (battery powered nerve override. My wife liked this option if it had an off button , or take pills for pain management for the rest of my life.
Now at 40 I just don't like any of the options.
The frustrating thing is that my discs are extremely healthy looking. They cannot isolate the pain signal that is causing the muscles to spasm, thus causing the nerve compressions. I am on my 5th doctor. At least his team is trying to practice medicine. The others advised that there was nothing wrong with me.
He did ask if I would consider not riding for 3 to 6 months to see if my symptoms changed. I had to remind him of our winter that some thought would never end so the bike causing issues was ruled out.
I did make it almost 1600 miles to CreSTOC on my 40th which was a goal of mine for mental well being. I figured what the doctors didn't know wouldn't hurt them... I advised them today and they just shook their heads at me..
CreSTOC gave me the energy to keep fighting this daily nightmare. Thanks to everyone for the support!! I will be back next year.
Eric