Had a bad week....

shawn474

Well, figured I'd post to alleviate some stress and anxiety. I've had chronic back pain for the last 12 years as a result of a sports injury and finally decided to do something about it so I had a lumbar disc laminectomy (removed a herniated disc) in November. That took care of all of my leg pain and numbness but had some complications in my recovery causing me to seek more opinions. Well after three more opinions from very respected doctors, I have been advised to undergo lumbar fusion to stabilize the vertabrae. All tell me the results are pretty good, but that I am too young to have the amount of degenrative disc disease that is evident on MRI's.

On top of that, the surgery goes through the belly button and there is a 10% chance of me being sterile after surgery :eek: . Needless to say, this is the one thing that would prevent me from doing it now. My wife and I had been discussing another rugrat, but were planning on trying next year. We have now discussed starting now and seeing what happens and if she can't get pregneant, I may have to visit the clinic to donate a little that can be used later.

Just nervous about the possibilities and the way that my life has been affected in the last few years. It's frustrating not being able to do the things that you like to do and are accustomed to doing.

All that being said, I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR MY HEALTH AND FOR WHAT I HAVE!!!! Just needed a place to vent a bit. Thanks.


Shawn

MrNightly

Shawn,

It will all work out as it's supposed to. Thanks for sharing, and I'll raise a glass to your well being!

Hang in there...

engtaz

Bless you,

engtaz

janmike

Hang in there Shawn. Our thoughts are with you bud. All will be well.

Shizelbs

Back pain sucks. Not to be offense, but I can't imagine trying to conceive a child with chronic back pain.

Best of luck to you. As I said, back pain sucks. Hope you can come to a happy result.

shawn474

Shizelbs,
No offense taken dude. That is one of the main things that really is hard to get used to. I have been married for close to nine years; the back pain has reeked havoc on that part of our life and our social life as well.

I appreciate all the kind posts; as I said I am very lucky to have a loving family, great job, friends, etc. I don't want it to seem like I am complaining. Just trying to vent a little and get rid of the anxiety!


Shawn

Strong Bad

Hang in there Shawn and try to stay positive.

Back pain sucks in the worst way. Back in '98 I tore up my low back in the gym doing squats. I went down and my low back popped. To make this short, I tore the soft tissue around my lowest vertebrae. I felt like I wanted to die! It was the worst pain in the world! Was out of the gym for almost 6 months.

It has healed up since then as I got back to basics and strengthened it along with numerous chiropractor visits.

Shawn, really man, best of luck to you!

John

read-alot

I can sympothize with you, in 1999 after many pit road wrecks I was diagnoised with degenerative disks
L3-L4 L4-L5 L5-S1, my doctors gave 50-50 shot at helping with operations.
Needless to say I didn't go under the knife.
I still work everyday, I had to give up chasing the cars though.

Fireman32

Shawn I can really feel your pain. I have the same problem that you have and my Dr wants me to go through the same surgury. I am in pain 24 hours a day. Most of the time its bearable and dont even notice it (thats how used to it i got) Then there soem days I will throw my back out and im shot for the next 2 weeks. I have been delaying the surgury personally as I can deal with the pain 90% of the time. When that figure gets less I will then get the operation. Hang in there and I hope everything goes well. A friend of mine had the same surgury as well so if you have any specific questions shoot me a PM and I will ask him for ya.

Dave

daboyz

I've been very lucky to never experience a long term back problem, all I can do is empathize. Prayers be w/you and hang in.

markmarc

Shawn:
You're definitely thinking right with getting multiple opinions, and making a donation or two just in case. My wife had to stop after 1 kid (she was widowed) due to severe childhood scoliosis. It bothered her for years that she couldn't give me a child of my own. So, be grateful and not the least bit embarassed to do what needs to be done.

wingnut4772

Good luck Shawn and hang in there. I am sure it will be ok and your pain will be gone.

dorokusai

Shawn - I'm thinking that you and I stalking some female joggers on the trail behind our houses would put you in a better mood. I have a great hiding place.

cfrizz

Wishing the best for you Shawn.

schwarcw

Hang in there Shawn!

shawn474

It's all actually pretty ironic. I work in sports medicine and spend my time rehabbing sports injuries for a living. It's a lot different when you're on the table instead of telling people what to do. It has actually given me great perspective and taught me a lot. That's the silver lining, I guess.

Again, thanks so much for the well wishes........and Mark let me know where that hiding place is, man! LOL

Shawn