Please welcome Valerie Quick of North Carolina. Valerie's email address is crazy@nc.rr.com and she would welcome your email.
Below is the information submitted on May-12-2010 14:26 EST
Valerie says:
"Adhesive Arachnoiditis, Spondylolisthesis treated with posterolateral lumbar fusion Cage Fixation and pedicular instrumentation L4, L5, Spinal Stenosis, ~ Hernated Discs C5, C6, and C7~ Cervical Osteophytes ~ Cervical lordship. That all sounds like a Medical mouthful? Sure does to me, I am certainly missing missing some of the mumbojumbo of some Doctor's diagnosis somewhere.
Oh I know the last failed attempt of a Spinal Stimulator that was to make the pain better. Yet instead the trial itself made my back pain worse? Which ironically I have not had back pain except very deep pain for years, and for those of you with Arachnoiditis will understand that reference *sigh* and now I have good ole back pain back on my left side. I guess I can look at it like something new for my Brain to focus on for a bit. Sounds horrible I Know, I say that sometimes when I get a paper cut, or burn my finger cooking, my family thinks I am ready for a pretty jacket some days. Well not much of an introduction, I am terrible sorry, my name? Valerie, I own a small Computer company in North Carolina, I take care of 2 wonderful Girls that are now grown. Leslie is in Grad school for Criminal Justice. Danielle is a senior, Botany and Zoology. Married 28 years to a man I have known since I was 12 and now take care of for a severe head injury from a Parachute accident (US Paratrooper).
My story, broke my back in 1975.. I guess that started it all, sports after that, I Played to win, I played hard and many, many, back and neck injections later a few and various broken bones ligament repairs ect ect.. Surgeries you all know the drill I am certain. Spondylolisthesis, forced my hand to the fusion, I was unable to walk, so in 2006 had to have a back fusion followed by a neck fusion. My back fusion was text book went great, until 6-8 months after into my recovery, I started feeling like I was slipping, having more pain, but different.. Then they found out why. Well here I am. The Doctor RAN from the Neck fusion, and so I suffer still to this day, no one will touch my neck they are afraid of the chances. I still run just from the Adhesive Arachnoiditis, I guess no just searching for others that have this same pain. I know my family especially my Girls try and understand, they really do, and just not sure they really can. People ask me..
Well my Doctor says where is your pain.. Hmm I do not know how to answer that anymore.
That really scares me and that should be simple shouldn't it?
I do not know where to start, just relieved to have found you.
Valerie Quick crazy@nc.rr.com"
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My name is Vada. Have arach at the caudal region. I notice you mention a spinal stimulator -- is this the neurostimulation device implanted to block pain? I'm investigating getting one on advice of primary physician, but the new pain dr. I went to (who I REALLY will replace) gave me a epidural steroid shot first. Thought I would go through the roof with the pain! Anyway, was wondering about the stimulator you tried. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThanks for your question, sent you back your reply in an email. To let everyone else know the Stimulator Trial was not good, it was a failure. They could not even get it where it needed to be due to scaring. but got on lead in the middle for 4 days, all I could really handle as it was causing so much spasming of my muscles. The buzzing it was causing is really kinda what I run from everyday so not for me. I know it does help many, just not me and ended up disrupting my applecart. Will be a very long time before I let another disrupt the applecart again.
ReplyDeleteI had 2 failed spinal stim trials and the 2nd time not only did not work and made pain worse,befor it was over with I almost died. got MRSA and spinal meningitis and was in a coma in ICU for 30 days. I think that made my arach much wors and was the end of my walking without crutchs. that was 05, I was 42.at that point it had only cost me my 23 year Broadcasting career, 3 months ago it and my pain ended a 9 years relationship with a woman that said I was just too hard too live with.I moved out a house we bought and now live alone at 47. well I have a great 20 year old daughter that lives with me till I get her through college, butt after that I fell I will be alone forever. I am a nice looking guy , but I just cant see anyone ever wanting to be with me .its tough as I have either been married for 19 years or with alive in girlfriend of 9 years, I was just not the single type.Now on crutches for the last 5 years and chronic pain, I dont tell anyone this,but the mental pain I am in is or has me scared, I live in New Mexico now.
ReplyDeleteMike, I understand the fear. Please feel free to email me anytime. My email is kkovacik12@netzero.com
ReplyDeleteHang in there.
Karen Kovacik
South Fork, CO
Thank you ,Karen. I read your bio and found it very interesting,Look foward to getting to more.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for the kind word. Mike
I have always been scared to ever let anyone do surgery on my back after the original surgery 1981, I had to have 2 one foot steel harington rods placed in my spine after breaking my back in 8 places and crushing L 4 and L5, found out I had arachnoiditis in 2004 after trying everything in the book to fight New SEVERE pain that started in 2002.I never had anything close the that pain from 1981 till 2002, I wonder now if all of the injections into my spinal nerves and 2 failed spinal stimulator trials ect ect did not do tons more damage that helped send Arachnoiditis into Turbo Drive by the end of 04 when I found out I had Arachnoiditis. That Neuro surgeon said tring to go in and cut scar tissue out would only come back 3 and 4 fold so unlike back in the 80s they dont do that anymore, so for the last 5 years I have depended on pain meds to fight pain and my legs have become weaker every year for 5 years,thats how long I have used crutches to walk. I get by pretty good today 7/2010, but am reaching out to others like no time before, I dont think anyone else understands that does not have arachnoiditis. The pain is one thing,but the progressive nerve damage is another.The hardware has been in my back for 30 years and bone has grown all around them ect ect and all the specialist said it would do no good to try and chisel the rods out and all feared to try I may never feel anything below the waist again or worse.I just wanted to get a small part of my story out there and the more I read on this site, the more I question if there is alot more I should be doing besides accepting the quality of life I have now or the lack of ? .I will continue to stay close to this site knowing I am at a crossroads in my life where I know I cannot live like this anymore,I am in all the physical and mental pain I can stand, I don,t think I can remember what its like to not be depressed, I am alone in New Mexico,(well I have a 20 yr old daughter)and realize nobody is going so save me if I don't save myself.Im sorry if I write on and on,but AA I fell has stolen my life and I am desperate. My email address is msnielsen2262@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHas anyone suffered muscle atrophy from an epidural steroid injection? A doctor (I use that term loosely) gave me an epidural without my knowledge or permission and I am now losing muscle mass in my leg (maybe legs). The stuff he put in me (Kenolog) isn't even supposed to be used epidurally. Has anyone else had a problem with this? Thanks
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