I damaged my back over 25 years ago
First operation was a laminectomy to free the bulging disc but wasnt successful
Then about 25 years ago a second which was another laminectomy and a L4 L5 S1 fusion using self tappers and rods which are still in there
I returned to work after 3 months and continued living my life as normal.
But the advances since my operations are massive and the resulting down time are much less i think.
Long story short it surgery worked for me.
I'm so close to needing this op too. Meantime no painkiller are strong enough to work and keep me safe to drive.
A smart doctor gave me a script for APO. This was invented as an anti-depresant but over the years they discovered it's very effective
at stopping nerve pain. Consequently I can walk, drive and even do some manual work, things I couldn't do before.
It's not a cure but will buy me some years before going under the knife....
I am riddled with uncle Arthur. The lower back was the worst area for me, and I went to see a man in Canberra about it. He initially injected me with local anaesetic to see which of the joints and which side were giving me curry. This took a few visits, and eventually I was in such pain that he injected cortisone into a couple of the joints. Voila - all fixed for a few years. Locking discs together wasn't an option for me because I had too many joints affected.
The pain came back again and thsi time he couldn't stop it, and eventually suggested implanting a device above the lumbar area which would send an electrical signal to the brain and block out the affected area. I didn't really like that idea but apparently it works. As the pain gets worse, they simply crank up the current. From memory, the cost was going to be about $6000. I think the thought of that scared my back into submission and I haven't really had much trouble since he suggested that cure. I do take Chonditon and Glucosamine capsules each day and oddly enough, I think they work for my back. They don't do anything for my knees, but I can work around those. It is only when I start thinking about going away in our van that my back starts to act up, yet once away, it settles down nicely
Keeping fit and active . Not having too much weight ., Compounds issues as we get older . I've lost 35 Kg since 16 Nov ., I slipped on the rocks at Port Neil . The Mrs was upset she didn't seeme fall .. Lol sore after resting but after walking a few 100 Mtrs I come good . Walking the length of jetty at Port Elleston a few times I come good .. Enjoying being a real Nomad to feel pain .. If only true !! Aha
I've been totally incapacitated for two weeks at a time on two separate occasions, so I understand the excruciating nature of lower back pain. Fortunately I have recovered, but I am very mindful of the way that I lift, turn and bend. My father has been living with disc degeneration for the past 25 years, but surgery is not an option for him. He feels every bump in the car, and he winces every time he steps too heavily.
I don't know if it will help anyone, but I believe that the ABC's Catalyst program will devote next week's episode to medical advances in the treatment of lower back pain. My sincere commiserations to all sufferers.
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"No friend ever served me, and no enemy ever wronged me, whom I have not repaid in full."
