This is my story:
WHen I was 15, I fell off of a latter. At the time it didn't cause much pain at all, and if any I didn't pay much attention to it at all. At the age of 17, I joined the Army National Guard, and at 18 fell while running during a PT test. A MRI showed I had a "bulging disc". I was discharged and sent home. I am now married and have a 16 month old little boy. Between the age of 18 and now, I have been treated by several doctors including PT, injections, tens unit, chiropractor, numerous medications, and MRI after MRI. Slowly my activity has become slower because the pain has increased severely. At this moment, I have no feeling in the outer two right toes, my right leg does not have ANY reflex at all from the knee down, my right leg muscle is smaller than my left, and the pain from the lower back through my butt and hip is so extreme I can barely function. I am not one for pain killers, and have gone 7 years without them, but at this point I would take anything to funcion again. I don't think I have slept in weeks. The pain increases every day. It's almost as I am in the body of an 89 year old woman. I guess I am on here not so much for opinions, but more for support. Themost recent MRI shows I have 4 lumbar issues going on ( don't know the medical terms). but pretty much the L5-S1 is cutting off two nerves and is completely herniated. How is it that my back is so weak? I really hope this surgery helps me and does not make things worse. At this point, if I get any worse, you might as well stick me in a home somewhere because I will not be functioning. All the prayers are appreciated and please keep me in your thoughts. Friday, February 29'th is the make or break it point for me. Realistically.