looking for friends and advice after third back surgery

jeremy, you have a long way's to go from here the s.s. people don't get in any hurry to help you and realy don't care about you in any way i was young when i got down in my back and couldn't do any thing  the doctor told me to sign up on s.s. so i did . it was 2 years then i got it BUT NOT WITH OUT A FIGHT....  learn to do thing's that you can do and things that you can't do  that will help you alot. but  don't give up .... the pain want leave and people will  stand tall as you can and wait for the thing's to come to you and they will  i'am 51 now and still can't work or do any thing i want but i can enjoy a few thing inlife like church  and the freinds you make there want leave you they will help you  hope and wishes for you treena

Hi Jeremy, I'm so sorry that you have to go through all of this. I know exactly how you feel. I've been in pain for over ten years now after having five back surgeries. It's been almost four years since I was last able to work. I got my disabilty on the first try. It only took five months without the use of a lawyer. I think lawyers take up to 33%. With both of your doctors backing you shouldn't have a problem. You need to see a pain management doctor. After my last surgery my neurosurgeon referred me to one.They are usually more understanding about giving you meds that actually work. I also understand what you are going through with your friends. I lost a few of mine. When you don't have anything in common anymore,it's hard.Don't give up. I loved my job also and I know how you feel about that too. I'll be your friend.Anytime you need to vent go for it. I think it helps.  Sharon

Jeremy hi I commented u before.My name is Sarah I'am 28 yeard old and have had two Thoracic Lamnectomys in which my spine has been decompressed twice having 5 bones removed all together.I was told that if this was a disc issue drs never would have operated on my thoacic but it was an emergency.The first was when I woke up screaming in pain one day when I was 26 in Oct 07 and was rushed to the hospital to find that I had an Arachnoid cyst pressing on my spinal cord.That was a C5-C6 and had nothing to do with a disc issue.I was told that this was something that started building while I was till developmenting and could never have been detected prior to having these pains.My surgery was very serious my surgeon had said that if I didn't go to the hosp when I did I could have been paralyzed and had more serious damage.I never fully recovered and then in June 08 I went for my 6month mri and it was all accumulating again 3inches above where the incial cut was.I went in for another surgery having to have 3 more bones remove to get to the cord again.My incision is about 81/2 in long due to both surgerys.I have been on disability and have just applied for ssi benefits b/c I'am no longer able to work.I'am on 5 different meds everyday and have not been able to do anything that I used to including drive.I can just about type on the computer and not even for very long.I too talk alot about what has happened to me ecspecially since I'am still in shock it all happened and I'am so young.I wud never wish this on anyone.I just have to take one day at a time and go for 6month mri's to see if it's coming back.I still can't do physical therapy either.I could go on and on but I won't.I wish you luck with everything and hope u get better.

hi jeremy, altho i have not had any surguries, i can certainly relate to your pain and what goes with it....i was walking acroos the road one sunny, beautiful autumn day, when an idiot ran a stop sign and hit me, this was almost 4 years ago. i have chronic back pain because of it ,,my L4 and L5 disc are protruding, after 10 injections, none that have  worked (except one and only for 2 weeks :(  i am currently taking 75 mg. fentanyl patch and vicodin every 4-6 hours for b/t pain. i agree with scooter, i think it was that said you may have to go to a pain specialist and also to not feel dicouraged if the pain management drs. are not commpassionate to your pain, keep on trying until you find one that is ( i had to)....i also can relate to what is happening to you and your friends....my friends and my husband and i used to get together with our friends once a month to do things, because my cancelling all the time (because i know 1 hr. into whatever we are doing , i will be in horrific pain and begging for my bed and heating pad ).. and pretty soon most stopped calling :(...i am also afraid this has , this meaning PAIN , has unfortunately hurt my marriage.....we all go thru a depression but now i am just plain pisssed!! i know what i can and cannot do and altho  i want my life back, i am trying hard to live the life i now have and keep on hoping there will be something more or insted of ppain meds to get my life back. i hope the best for you and if you ever need a shoulder, i have a BIG one , that is why you are here to vent and to share and maybe help someone as i hope someone can do for you! cindi