It's my first time here and I'm trying to figure out how to use this. I've had chronic pain for almost ten years. My pain is in my low back and left leg. I've had five low back surgeries and two nerve releases in my left leg. Now I have scar tissue wrapped around my nerve roots. As a result I have severe pain and nerve damage.




22 years ago I had a spinal fusion. L3,4 & 5 and two bridges onto my hips. The pain was controlled enough to allow me to walk again and also to be able to play with my young children. Bliss.
However, now in a wheelchair, pain in my lower back and left leg (Oh and upper back, neck, left arm, right arm right leg, hips and ankles and both feet... I'll stop there) I have been told that really I would probably be better off if I had not had the op at that time. Is that why it is called 'Medical Practice.'
The problem is, You probably feel the same, I will do anything to try and ease the pain.
I was asked recently if I would accept paralysis below the waist for life, with a garentee of full pain relief. Can you guess the answer?
At least I would be able to do something other than just sit and hurt all day. Don't even get me started on the side effects, but my daughter bought me a bra for christmas to try and make me laugh. Methadone does that to a man sometimes. However i'll not describe the worse side effects on this site as someone of a younger age may be reading this. Suffice it to say that the joke this time was to do with a change of religion.....
Thank you for answering my post. I'm so sorry that things got worse for you after they were already bad enough. I'm not in a wheelchair YET, but I do use a battery operated scooter at the store. I also would do anything to get rid of my pain. I worked as an emergency room secretary for 20 years. Three years ago the pain got worse and now I'm unable to work anymore. Thank God that I qualified for disability. Of coarse I have bad money problems because it's no where near what I made when I was able to work. Do you have government disability where you live? My life has gone steadily down hill since this all happened. My pain all started because I fell down a flight of stairs. When are you getting the pain pump? I'm scared to do that. My doctor offered to put one in, but for now I'm going to wait. Good luck to you.
Hi Scooter-
Boy, I think there is an echo in here. I too had 5 failed back surgeries. I also had a broken hip they repaired with pins. By the time I went to get the sutures out, all 3 pins had broken away. They did a hip replacement that didn't go too well either. I also had 3 pelvic fractures that they could do nothing with. I was a mess!!! I have been in pain 24/7 for the last 11 years. They decided to do the intrathecal morphine pump about four years ago. What a life saver. It doesn't take away all the pain but at least I can get around now. However, if there is no furniture, walls or walker around, I flop over like a ragdoll.
And, in response to your original comment: If one more person says: "why don't you take another pain pill", I think I will go postal. My own kids are the worst! They hurt my feelings all the time with thier snide remarks. I wouldn't wish this on anyone, but I wish people would understand!!! Thanks for letting me air my anger.