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Post by Ronv69 on Jul 25, 2018 15:42:00 GMT -5
Agreed. I know several people who have had major improvement from back surgery. The methods are better now. But all had to give up physical work before they had the surgery. Time marches om, as does entropy. I don't have an office chair now. I've sat on a big blow up ball for ten years. Retired now but had to get permission from the corporation because it was against policy, admittedly looks pretty silly for an adult professional but it works on strengthening your core gently and takes pressure off your lower back at the same time. Win/win and highly recommended. The company that I retired from always let everyone have whatever they wanted ergonomically speaking. Keyboards, trackballs, elevated monitors, 26" monitors, and even electric elevating, stand up desks. That was the policy for 20+ years and it paid off. I had an ergonomic chair, but I still spent to much time in it. By the time I knew about the standing desks until I was ready to retire. |
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Post by Lady Margaret on Jul 26, 2018 13:43:52 GMT -5
FINALLY he has heard something from the VA. They said the xray showed that L5 and L6 show severe degenerative changes (DUH!!!) and an MRI is being scheduled for his neck and back. There was minor space showing between C5 and C6. So now we get to wait and see when that fun event will be happening.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2018 13:59:14 GMT -5
☹️frustrating😠
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Post by Lady Margaret on Jul 26, 2018 14:13:44 GMT -5
more news -- he actually just spoke to his doctor, and because he has worked with grinders they have to do an xray of his eyes, because if there could be any metal shavings the MRI would rip them out because it is magnetic. WOW. She told him he has severe arthritis in his back (I'm going to refrain from commenting at this point....) But see here is the problem, they ask him to tell them how severe his pain is based on a 10 point scale with 10 being high. He usually tells them 3. Well, for them, three is hardly anything. I told the nurse last week when he said "3" that for any other human being that would be a 7 or an 8. She kind of laughed, but I'M BEING SERIOUS! He doesn't rate pain the same way other people do. He has been living with constant pain since he was discharged from the Marines. For him a 3 means there is pain but he has gotten used to ignoring it and pushing through anyway. For him an 8 or 9 would be he can't move, and 10 he would be unconscious.
BUT at least we seem to be getting somewhere *sigh* Slow, but at least that is still progress (hopefully)
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2018 14:25:42 GMT -5
I have never understood the 1-10 pain scale. It is all relative to what you have experienced before as pain. Your husband has obviously experienced enough, that he has learned to live with it, grit his teeth and soldier on through a lot of pain. Some people are going to say a sprained ankle is a high level of pain, but unless they have ever passed a stone, given birth or had an exposed nerve in a tooth, they have not experienced pain. I know what two of those feel like. I haven't passed a stone yet though. 😉
Seriously though, it sounds like you are making some progress. Back problems suck, especially bulged or ruptured discs. I am dealing with a torn labrum in one shoulder and am glad that is all it is. I can work around it for the most part. Advil be praised! Your husband can't be sleeping well or much. I hope he gets a course of action, treatment and relief soon. If I was him, I would lobby for extensive back rubs and shoulder massages.🤡
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Post by Legend Lover on Jul 26, 2018 17:20:45 GMT -5
Sounds like slow progress, but progress nonetheless...thanks for the update.
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Post by Wolfman on Jul 26, 2018 17:31:51 GMT -5
Lady Margaret I’m sorry to hear the news. I know it’s frustrating, but at least you can make some headway to take the next steps.
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Post by Lady Margaret on Jul 26, 2018 17:39:02 GMT -5
I have never understood the 1-10 pain scale. It is all relative to what you have experienced before as pain. Your husband has obviously experienced enough, that he has learned to live with it, grit his teeth and soldier on through a lot of pain. Some people are going to say a sprained ankle is a high level of pain, but unless they have ever passed a stone, given birth or had an exposed nerve in a tooth, they have not experienced pain. I know what two of those feel like. I haven't passed a stone yet though. 😉 Seriously though, it sounds like you are making some progress. Back problems suck, especially bulged or ruptured discs. I am dealing with a torn labrum in one shoulder and am glad that is all it is. I can work around it for the most part. Advil be praised! Your husband can't be sleeping well or much. I hope he gets a course of action, treatment and relief soon. If I was him, I would lobby for extensive back rubs and shoulder massages.🤡 agreed, Don, the pain scale is horribly subjective. it was obvious to him from the comments the doctor was making that she felt he should be in more pain than he is saying he is. oh, and he finally got through to her that he is in pain CONSTANTLY. she commented that they would see about doing something about that. we will discuss options once we are at that point. he is open to going to a chiropractor, not sure if the VA would spring for that. I'm willing to get him and inversion table, but we aren't doing the extensive back rubs  |
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Post by Lady Margaret on Jul 26, 2018 17:46:52 GMT -5
Sounds like slow progress, but progress nonetheless...thanks for the update. thanks! |
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Post by Lady Margaret on Jul 26, 2018 17:48:11 GMT -5
Lady Margaret I’m sorry to hear the news. I know it’s frustrating, but at least you can make some headway to take the next steps. yes, indeed. it is a HUGE relief that the doctor is finally beginning the grasp the extent of hubby's condition and is looking into the problems. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2018 18:00:28 GMT -5
Lady M, hope your husband feels much better ASAP! His primary care physician needs too also have him see a pain management doctor. I’ve been on some heavy duty pain Meds that could knock out a 🐎 horse 🐎, yet at times I have severe pain! After finally seeing a PMD, my pain level is much more tolerable, I’m on a time release patch. If your husband starts walking around the house asking “ are we at Disneyland “, it’s time he gets off the Opioids and discuss with his doctor about a time release pain patch that will suit his type of pain.
ALL THE BEST TO YOU BOTH🙏🙏🙏
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2018 18:22:17 GMT -5
After transporting people to and from Doctor visits for back pain and neck pain for over 10yrs. And having my lumbar back destroyed by being an above knee amputee for 30yrs.
I have had some people the surgery helped the and other say it didn't. Also pain management Doctors are licensed drug dealers. I saw very little from them in the form of physical therapy for these people.
As for the chiropractor use caution. They can do more damage in a short time. Remember X-Rays don't show it all. I was told to NOT have Chiropractor touch my back. I to have constant pain with no relief.
PRAYERS
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2018 18:33:23 GMT -5
With the Federal guidelines that have been in place Doctors that specialize in pain management are now much more cautious/careful with what, when and how pain medications are prescribed. Doctors for many years wrote way to many scripts for Opioids that were unnecessarily prescribed as needed/used! Those days are over!!!
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Post by Lady Margaret on Jul 27, 2018 10:28:10 GMT -5
hubby's MRI has been scheduled for September 7th, which is a Friday, at 11am. Don't think I will be around here much that day.
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Post by Cramptholomew on Jul 27, 2018 10:40:09 GMT -5
hubby's MRI has been scheduled for September 7th, which is a Friday, at 11am. Don't think I will be around here much that day. Sorry you guys have to deal with all of this, and now have to wait a month and a half for a scan. Hopefully some kind of relief comes of it. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Jul 27, 2018 10:44:56 GMT -5
hubby's MRI has been scheduled for September 7th, which is a Friday, at 11am. Don't think I will be around here much that day. I think we can forgive you for that. We'll be thinking of you both. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2018 10:58:32 GMT -5
hubby's MRI has been scheduled for September 7th, which is a Friday, at 11am. Don't think I will be around here much that day. Good luck Maggie. Been in the tube a bunch of times. I hope it can provide sufficient information to get y’all moving in the right direction. |
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Post by peterd-Buffalo Spirit on Jul 27, 2018 11:08:29 GMT -5
… all my best wishes during this time...
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Post by Darin on Jul 27, 2018 11:25:44 GMT -5
Hang in there ... all the best!  |
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Post by Lady Margaret on Jul 27, 2018 11:52:38 GMT -5
thanks, everyone, we appreciate it! hopefully we are on the right track now |
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Post by trailboss on Jul 27, 2018 12:14:25 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about the prognosis Margaret, I will pray that he gets a great team to help him with it all, and that he will have a good rebound.
Severe back issues are a tough road to travel.
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Post by Dramatwist on Jul 27, 2018 13:33:11 GMT -5
hubby's MRI has been scheduled for September 7th, which is a Friday, at 11am. Don't think I will be around here much that day. All of the warm wishes and good thoughts we can muster are with you and the hubby. |
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Post by Lady Margaret on Jul 27, 2018 14:04:41 GMT -5
thanks, guys!
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Post by just ol ed on Jul 27, 2018 15:05:21 GMT -5
just adding my good thoughts for good results on his MRI
Ed Duncan, Batavia, NY
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driftingfate
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Post by driftingfate on Jul 27, 2018 23:35:42 GMT -5
Missed this thread initially, so you have my late condolences. Yep, you hubby needs to realign his pain numbers to the general public who says a hangnail is a 4 and bad gas is a 7. Hate to say it, but it's just the way of the world.
May he meet knowledgable doctors, compassionate nurses, and sympathetic physical therapists.
He'll make it with you at his side, for you are his rock at this time.
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Post by Lady Margaret on Jul 28, 2018 10:04:57 GMT -5
just adding my good thoughts for good results on his MRI Ed Duncan, Batavia, NY thanks, Ed! |
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Post by Lady Margaret on Jul 28, 2018 10:09:21 GMT -5
Missed this thread initially, so you have my late condolences. Yep, you hubby needs to realign his pain numbers to the general public who says a hangnail is a 4 and bad gas is a 7. Hate to say it, but it's just the way of the world. May he meet knowledgable doctors, compassionate nurses, and sympathetic physical therapists. He'll make it with you at his side, for you are his rock at this time. thank you very much, sir! we are definitely in this together. he is my world. |
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Post by Matthew on Jul 28, 2018 11:06:44 GMT -5
Missed this thread initially, so you have my late condolences. Yep, you hubby needs to realign his pain numbers to the general public who says a hangnail is a 4 and bad gas is a 7. Hate to say it, but it's just the way of the world. May he meet knowledgable doctors, compassionate nurses, and sympathetic physical therapists. He'll make it with you at his side, for you are his rock at this time. thank you very much, sir! we are definitely in this together. he is my world. |
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Post by Lady Margaret on Jul 28, 2018 13:36:15 GMT -5
^^^^^^^^^^^ LOL!!! perfect  |
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Post by pepesdad1 on Jul 28, 2018 19:26:32 GMT -5
Lady M. Having had unsuccessful back surgery (but they did kill the sciatic nerve pain) PLEASE don't let a Chiropractor near him. Any slight movement that is incorrect could leave him paralyzed...I know from experience and had to convince the HMO that seeing a chiropractor was out of the equation. Now on serious opioids for the rest of my life. Still have daily pain but with the narcotics I can live with the pain. Opioids are no fun, but usually the only thing that works. Pain level for his pain is most likely 8-10...and he must let them know that. I tell all folks that I know that are on opioids that they should consider not driving unless absolutely necessary...DUI is not DUI except for Dr. approval. Having a serious car crash will result in a blood draw and if you have a level of opioids in your system, you are guilty and inviting a lawsuit. Just my .02.
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