Back Pain Support Group
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. In fact, about 3 in 4 adults will experience back pain during their lifetime! The term back pain includes pain affecting the neck, midback and low back. Acute back pain may begin suddenly with intense pain but typically lasts fewer than three months. Usually, chronic back pain is persistent, steady, and...
and I've missed the love friendship and support that I've always received here.
I had back surgery in January 2011 and it didnt go so well for me.I now have even more problems walking.My left leg colapses and I fall frquently so I have to walk with a cane,I cant stand or walk much at all and I'm still fighting for my disability.I had to have a second surgery in September to remove a bone growth stimulator that wasnt working and never had from the start and had even come loose and was floating around in my back.I have constant pain and frequent muscle spasms.I do take muscle relaxers but try to not take anything stronger because of my aversion to pain meds.I do have them for the times when I just cant take any more of the pain.Some times I can go days without them and then I'll have times when I have to take several in a day and for several days in a roll.
I feel like I have lost all of my privacy because my daughter has to stay in the room with me when I shower because I have fallen getting out.Alot of times she has to help me with shaving my legs and drying off after a shower because its just too hard to bend down to do it myself.I dont know what I would do without her being here to help with the boys and the house,she is a true blessing to me and I realy do apriciate all that she does and all that she has given up to be here with me and helping like she does.But there are times when I get angry,not at her but at myself,because I dont have control of my home and
family anymore.Sometimes I feel like the child instead of the mother or just a visitor in my own home.I feel so helpless and a burden to my family.
Am I the only one who is going through this? Is this a normal part of what I have been through? I've had surgeries befoe and bounced right back with no problem but I'm just now getting over this at all,not physically or mentally.
I had back surgery in January 2011 and it didnt go so well for me.I now have even more problems walking.My left leg colapses and I fall frquently so I have to walk with a cane,I cant stand or walk much at all and I'm still fighting for my disability.I had to have a second surgery in September to remove a bone growth stimulator that wasnt working and never had from the start and had even come loose and was floating around in my back.I have constant pain and frequent muscle spasms.I do take muscle relaxers but try to not take anything stronger because of my aversion to pain meds.I do have them for the times when I just cant take any more of the pain.Some times I can go days without them and then I'll have times when I have to take several in a day and for several days in a roll.
I feel like I have lost all of my privacy because my daughter has to stay in the room with me when I shower because I have fallen getting out.Alot of times she has to help me with shaving my legs and drying off after a shower because its just too hard to bend down to do it myself.I dont know what I would do without her being here to help with the boys and the house,she is a true blessing to me and I realy do apriciate all that she does and all that she has given up to be here with me and helping like she does.But there are times when I get angry,not at her but at myself,because I dont have control of my home and
family anymore.Sometimes I feel like the child instead of the mother or just a visitor in my own home.I feel so helpless and a burden to my family.
Am I the only one who is going through this? Is this a normal part of what I have been through? I've had surgeries befoe and bounced right back with no problem but I'm just now getting over this at all,not physically or mentally.
The surgery should not have left you in this much new pain and new disability at this time. I have been told by several neuros and ER docs that a back surgery is 50/50 that it will solve the problem and not cause more pain. Those odds suck!
Your life has made a change now...unfortunately you will have to learn your life with new boundaries. I, too, have had to have my children help me many a time. They have bathed me, dried me off, got me dressed, put lotion on me, washed my hair and put me to bed. They have had to call an ambulance on more than one ocassion as well.
It is not fair to them and, it makes me feel like a horrible parent. On the other hand, I am so grateful that my children have learned how to help people. They have learned that a body is just a body. They have also learned true compassion.
My father was a paraplegic so I understand what they are going through. I helped my dad each day of his life. Toward the end of his life, I helped him clean up bowel movements when an accident happened. That was so hard for him to need that kind of help. While it was hard for me...I am so thankful that I was able to help him and that I knew what to do.
I know that your daughter loves you and, I know that it is not the way either of you want things right now. On the other hand... How would she feel if she knew that you had fallen again? She wants you to be ok.
I would get a shower bench and a hand held shower. If you can, also install some bars in your bathroom.
Your life is different now...you will have to find a new way to do many things. I am so sorry for your pain--both physical and emotional. You are still a good person though...being handicapped does not change who you are in the core...it only complicates things a little more.
HUGS to you and much support!
Brandi
I am getting an epideral and if this doesnt work, I will have to get the fusion surgery. I am scared now, because I have been reading that it does not help.
I hope things go well for you.