Hazardous injury

[Hzrdous]

Back in Jan I was helping my boss unload a refrigerator from an enclosed trailer, with him on the dolly bearing the weight and me guiding it out. He had to lower it to fit underneath the roof and it was too much for him and took him to his knees. In didn’t think anything about it and ran around back and picked it up so he could move… and then I was fine…didn’t hurt at all…until about 4 hours later.

Finally had to get tests done in Feb because it was getting progressively worse. Went to a neurosurgeon and he said he found 3 things that will all need to be addressed at some point, but the most urgent was a “radiculopathy” caused by repeated compression of the spine in the military and Athletics growing up. They have given me shots in my spine twice with no effect and I have a nerve conduction study today at 1 pm.

Anybody with experience with this type of Back injury I would welcome your feedback as well as any specific questions that you recommend that I ask while I am there today. Thank you all in advance.

 

[Bigmurph6]

I deal with what seems to be sciatic nerve issues im not sure if it is even close to the same but just dealing with it because surgery is expensive.
Nerve pain sucks are you getting burning in your legs?
This is what I get its horrible at times and ibuprofen doesn’t cut it

 

[Poppy]

@Hzrdous

Sorry bout your ongoing injuries.

Were you anything airborne in the military?

Have you gone to VA?

You are due compensation if you injured yourself in the military.

 

[TBU]

Traction if you can afford it works wonders. I have an inversion table. Hang from my ankles 15 min every day when the pain gets bad. And like most, once the pain goes away, I stop and then repeat. . I and a big fan of Aleve and this is the second time today I’ve suggested that. I try to avoid back surgery since most my buddies have had a tough time with theres. But each case is different and needs to be discussed with your doctor. Also depending on the problems, physical therapy can help too. Good luck and hope everything works out for you.

 

[Kad1]

So I’ll got a bunch of questions for you then some recommendations on things to try provided the nerve test went well. I’m Jammed up right now but I’ll get back ASAP

 

[Hzrdous]

It started with nerve pain in the left leg and lower back … like it was on fire.

Then developed into what they cashed a “figure 5” nerve pain pattern that went from lower back to hamstring, to the outside of my leg, and around to the top of my foot.

Just had the emp nerve conduction test done today And was told that it was definitely a radiculopathy in my L5 – S1 which would require a spinal decompression and fusion.

It’s really fucking depressing.

 

[Hzrdous]

Sure was brother.

I definitely plan on hitting up the Va, I just can’t wait the length of time it takes bro-I needed this fixed last month-busy season is coming up at work

While things may have gotten better, they have Ava long dang way to go to get the VA squared away and running tight.

 

[Bigmurph6]

Yeah brother that’s basically what I have happening but I don’t believe mine is as bad as yours but I definitely have that burn. I have never felt anything past my knee.
I hope that your surgery goes well but traction means metal in your back doesn’t it?

Metal usually doesn’t go well I would definitely get a second opinion and see what your options are because they have laser surgeries that are doing really well with quick recovery. Metal is usually a problem.

 

[Bigmurph6]

You should go on disability for a year brother. You can do your surgery and recovery in a year off work and get a check and stamps to help with food. If you pay taxes you deserve this take advantage because everyone else is and does.

 

[herrubermensch]

This is scary for me because, along with my other multiple maladies, I have a grade 2 spondylolisthesis of L5-S1, meaning offset more than 25%. Apparently, it is genetic or something I did as a young kid because everything is fused in place, albeit offset. I’m always worried a particularly heavy DL pull will shake it loose or something and trigger nerve pain.

Regardless, I hope you get the surgery and that it turns out well for you, brother. Back maladies are the worst.

 

[Kad1]

What non invasive treatments have they tried other than shots? Like @TBU said an inversion table can work wonders. Is the nerve deteriorating? If so then surgery is unavoidable. Once that nerve dies next to impossible to get it back. If it’s just impinge but functioning we can work with that. I’ll get into your mental state next . I k ow it seems daunting but don’t let your head go there. We will get you through this. So let me k ow where we are with the nerves amd past treatment

 

[JLee]

I have two herniated disk and inversion table works for me when I use it regularly.

 

[DarthSocrates]

I would defiantly try the inversion table. I did a decompression and it helped my lower back quite a bit. I have something like thirteen bulges in my spine and had thoracic fusion at T9-10 and 10-11. I was trying not to take the damn narcos and was taking so many non-steroidal anti inflamitories that I started having kidney problems. As Kad said, cronic pain fucks with you mental state. Watch out for depression. Being an athlete most my life I had plenty of injuries, but the way the doctor said “you have a lot of problems in your back”, I knew things were not going back to normal. Thats ok. You find a new normal and learn to work with it. You will never catch me boasting my squat numbers or DL anymore, but I live a pretty active life (I just pay for it a bit more now). Good luck brother.

 

[Hzrdous]

Sorry I’ve been offline a couple of days guys, I genuinely appreciate everybody’s feedback and help.

The pain management Dr that the neurosurgeon sent me to just did a nerve conduction study and upon finishing it he told me I had 2 options.

#1 He could try a double epidural. He couldn’t guarantee it would work and actually compared it to the kids game “operation” and asking me to use my off-hand to get the rubber band with out touching the side. He said that if he were to accidentally touch one of the other nerves that are literally all over this one that it could cause me to be in even more pain and have even more problems then I am already having.

#2 Refer back to the neurosurgeon for surgical options, and that While he cannot guarantee this is what the surgeon would suggest he thinks that it is going to require a spinal decompression and a fusion of the L5 S-1.

He said he was going to step outside and call the doctor (nuerosurgeon) to discuss the double epidural option. When he came back in he said that was no longer an option and that he would speak further with the surgeon and get back to me within the next few days.

I have tried an inversion table and it did help relieve the pain while using the table, but it quickly returned once I got off of it.

I have been in PT since the initial visit to the neuro, and have cut out all stretches or exercises that compress the spine.

I did get an unofficial second opinion from a radiologist at the church my dad preaches at-Duke alum, has worked at many of the premier hospitals in the country. While not a surgeon, he said he thought it would require surgery to repair and used that other term in addition to a radiculopathy…Spondylolisthesis as well.

Right now I’m waiting on the nuero to call to schedule an appointment, and using the pain meds as sparingly as possible. They gave me some crazy doses in my opinion and I’m not trying to add an addiction problem on top of the back problem.

Right now I have more questions than answers and no clue when in will have a resolution. It’s pissing me off-It shouldn’t take this long to get a callback. That’s just me bitching in my opinion.

 

[Hzrdous]

Also, The nerve is deteriorating a little bit, but they said not enough to worry about at this point. They attributed that to having what they referred to as a very muscular core. Whatever that means and how they are related, someone would have to explain to me.

 

[Bigmurph6]

They gave me some crazy doses in my opinion and I’m not trying to add an addiction problem on top of the back problem

Just to say this is exactly how my drug problem started. I got everything from doctors so I like that you already know where it will and can become.

I believe that it sounds like surgery is in your future brother. That sucks but research and get as much information as you can basically so you can quiz the doctor before he starts to cut into your body.

There are multiple options for back surgery available nowadays and I haven’t seen your films so im not sure how bad it really is but it sounds bad to be honest. Still though try to go the least invasive route and if you have to get metal and such make sure that the doctor you use is the right one.

Im glad that you let us know what’s happening I wish you the best through this journey. Injuries are the worst especially something that requires surgery.

The very muscular core comment I actually had a nurse say to me that my nerve pain was probably due to my size??
I didn’t understand it either but she said it can put pressure on the nerve, still didn’t make sense to me but I guess its a thing

 

[herrubermensch]

What grade is the spondy? 1 (up to 25% offset), 2 (up to 50% offset), 3 (up to 75% offset), or 4 (up to100% offset)? If you have an x-ray of your spine, please post. A lot of great knowledge and experience on this board to help guide you through the welter of doctors’ opinions you have and will receive. My personal view is that back surgery of any type is an absolute last resort because it is fraught with complication and so frequently turns out poorly. Ask Steve Nash. I have a very similar back malady and avoided surgery so far and feel very lucky to do so.

 

[Hzrdous]

Much appreciated brother. The prescription pill problem in this country is out of control. It can take a man making 6 figures who has everything in the world and put him on the streets and unemployed in the blink of an eye. I am glad you were able to beat your drug problem brother, I’ve lost a couple friends and 2 family members (cousins) to addiction in one way or another. They are either dead, in jail, or so far gone you have to wonder if the real them is left. Very same…major props for kicking the habit man.

 

[Hzrdous]

Stage 2.

And I have asked for my MRI & X-Rays more times than I can count. First I asked the hospital, they said they would get back to me and then never did. Then I asked the neurosurgeon and he said I had to get them from the hospital. And I asked the pain management specialist who did my injections and he said the same thing - that I had to get them from the hospital. So I have been bugging the shit out of the hospital for copies of them and can’t even get a call back.

I think the only way to get a hold of them is going to be to hire an attorney and have him send An official letter declaring my intent to file a lawsuit if they don’t provide the images I have requested.

 

[JLee]

If you can obtain an email for the hospital I would do that. Anytime I have problems with any agency I find email works best. The paper trail never lies. If you live close by try dropping in and requesting it. They hate it but at least you’ll be talking to someone face to face.