I have had severe back pain since March of
this year. Before the pain, I would have
numb or weakness in my legs where I had to
sit down right away when I lifted things
because I felt like my legs were not going
to hold me if I didn't. That went on for a
couple of years before the pain. The MRI I
had showed both mild and moderate
herniated disks on my lower lumbar region.
I had both two series of ijections,
sacrococcygeal joint injections and lumbar
facet block, both without success. I go
back the 11th of this month for the
diskogram to see if they can reproduce my
pain and find the source. To tell the
truth, I am really scared of this
procedure. They have me on both Dilaudid
and Methadone to lessen the pain,
sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't.
Has anyone out there had this procedure?
What is it like?
Alittle bit of the subject but, has anyone
that has applied for Social Security
Disability, or State Disability gotten it
without waiting for months? My doctor says
I can't work, and I am in a serious
financial fix.
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lonestarguy
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 592 Location: , Hoosierland, USA
Thanks: 10
Thanked:1
Sorry, the Truth Posted: 09-02-07 11:01am
Marijo....You are not going to want to
hear what I have to say about any of your
questions, but I'll go ahead.
First of all, the discogram was a
nightmare for me. You are right to be
scared of this procedure. If they
explained it to you, then you know
basically what is going to happen and what
the results mean.
They have to have you awake during so you
can tell them where it hurts. You get
injected with dye so they can see your
discs on a flouroscope and know where to
stick the needle. I won't lie to you, it
was one of the most painful, uncomfortable
procedures I have been through. Keep in
mine, I have had DDD for seven years as
well as every injection and procedure
short of back surgery. Also, I have had
four other major surgeries, been wounded
in war, kidney stones and a broken kneecap
and the pain for the discogram was right
up at the top.
I also have weakness and numbness in my
legs and feet and still get back spasms. I
was not a candidate for spinal fusion
because of the location of my bad discs. I
am presently in pain management with
massage and acupuncture. I finally got off
of heavy pain meds--Norco, Oxycontin,
Morphine--in February after four years and
it was the hardest thing I have ever done.
It took until May before I really felt
over the drugs.
I'm so sorry to be nothing but negative
for you, but I am on disability insurance
right now after being forced to retire
from my job. The insurance makes you apply
for social security disability, so they
don't have to pay you for the rest of your
life. I applied for SSD in June, 2006, and
I just found out that my case has finally
made it to the court calendar. That
doesn't mean it's going to be fast, just
on somebody's radar screen now.
I'm so sorry that you are stuck in the
conundrum of not working and little money.
Good luck to you and pm me if you have any
other questions.
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brokeback
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Wa.
Posted: 09-05-07 00:27am
Dude........ I have a ruptured l4 l5 disk
and was told I had to do a diskogram to "
PROVE " my pain. I did no research on it.
When I went into the room there was a very
large man there for "secruity reasons "
They told me to lay face down on this
table ,so I did. Then they STRAP my arms
and legs down so I can not get away or "
HURT MY SELF " It went slow at first then
they pump that disk and WOW I was
screaming for them to stop right there ,
but " UM NO WE NEED TO DOUBLE CHECK IT '.
I was so bent after that exam I really
wanted to hurt someone. I was told after
that I positively have a rupture and need
a fusion. Now my WC is beating me up with
psycolgy exams I mean what the hell did I
go threw that for . If I was asked to do
it again I would decline, very nasty !!
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The Ginger 1
Moderator
Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 556 Location: Loony-tune-land, England
Posted: 09-05-07 03:36am
Hey guys
I feel so lucky that I didn't have to go
thru this ..... and I feel so heartbroken,
that you are all going / went thru so much
pain.
This procedure, and with some 'Security'
body being in there, must have felt so
undignafied and bloody frightening ... and
to be straped down .. my mind races with
nasty images...
I can't imagine ever being put thru this
.... I had my disc removed, I had a MRI ..
and when I said I couldn't feel my bladder
or bowles, they instantly got me into the
operating theatre and whipped that 'bad
boy' out. I'm recovering now, it will take
time, and it's now 16 months since the op.
I still have difficulties walking, as I
have damaged / severed a nerve which
'motors' my right foot.
The only undignafied time I had, was when
I went for 'Steriod Injecions' and he
didn't allow the anesetic to fully work,
so when he put the needles in my back ...
I called him the 'C' word ... which I
don't like or use .. I did apologies tho
...
All you guys take care .... and keep your
chin up Marijo.... keep insisting on more
information, and alternative treatment if
you ain't satisfied with what you are
being told. I can't help with your SSD
thing, as I'm English and we have a
different system to you...sorry bud...
