Saturday, May 08, 2010

Ouch.....

Well, I'm coming clean.  Most of you know that I got the band so I could lose weight (just like the rest of us).  My other issue is that I can't really exercise because i have a really bad back.  Three herniated disks and a cist in my neck. 

Some of you already knew this because I've commened about it on some of your blogs.  A couple of weeks ago when I was dog sitting for a friend of mine I slipped and fell.  Since then I've been experiencing pain that wasn't normal.  It didn't feel like what I had experienced the last few years.  So I called my doc to let him know that I fell down and he ordered an MRI.

Below are a couple of pictures of what the disk looked like before I fell.



Since a remarkable amount of us are in the medical industry (I think that's kinda odd by the way, but that's another post for another day) you know that the disks with the white fluid in them are normal; the one without the fluid, that is bulging, is not normal.

(Breaks into a verse of "Which of These Things is Not Like the Other") sorry about that.  Moving on.  :)

The picture below is what the disk looks like now, two weeks after I fell.  This is from the MRI I had yesterday.

This is bad.  And it hurts a lot.  I go back to the doc next Friday.  He only practices where I live every other Friday so I have to wait till then to see him or I have to drive about an hour and a half to get to his office.  I'm TERRIFIED he's going to operate this time.  I've pretty much  exhausted all of my options at this point. 

I've done steriod shots (did that for six months, they didn't work, and they sucked, so I won't be doing that again), I've done physical therapy (this actually helped, but insurance stopped paying after six months, don't know why, maybe I should show them my scans), and I've been taking various pain killers, muscle relaxers, and sleep aids for about 4 years now.  I change up my meds a lot due to the high risk of addiction associated with them. 

I.  am.  completely.  freaking.  the.  hell.  out!!  I knew it was eventually going to come to this, but at the same time it's not making it any easier to deal with.  Like when you're expecting ripping off the band-aid to hurt like hell, yet still it does.  Don't get it. 

While I have a very high tolerance to pain, due to the fact that I've had to deal with this for so many years, this is killing me.  I'm miserable.  I can't sleep, can hardly walk and don't really want to do anything.  As a result, I've gained a pound since Sunday when I weighed in for the Swimsuit Challenge.  So let's just rub salt in the wound right? 

In other, happier news, today is my nephews birthday party.  He's going to be 4 and is having a pirate themed birthday party.  This should be fun for the little boys and the big boys alike.  I plan to take many pictures. 

Well, that's all for now everybody.  Happy posting.


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know it has to hurt, I wish it was me not you. Everything will work out just fine I know it will. I will be there thru the whole thing, for you.
Love,
Mom

Bonnie said...

Hi, Erika - thanks for becoming a follower of my blog. I am so sorry to hear about how much pain you are in. It sounds like you have a great mom by your side. Take care.

Jen said...

Oh..I'm so sorry! That looks terrible. I hope you can get some relief soon. Take care and keep us posted.

Dirttrackdiva said...

yeah bonnie, my mom is pretty cool. thanx for the well wishes ladies. i'll keep you posted on what happens after i see the next week.

Lap Band Groupie said...

Oh sweetie, my back hurt just reading and seeing that! Ugh...there's nothing like back pain to bring you to your knees. PT has helped me some (maybe insurance will let you continue?). I've only had one time in my life where I was bedridden for an entire week (after moving a couch to steam the carpet)...I can't even imagine having that pain for years. If it means getting relief then surgery may be the right path...not something I know you are excited about, but you'll figure it out! ((gentle hugs))-BG

http://abebedorespgondufo.blogs.sapo.pt/ said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Cindylew said...

I can't say I understand what it is I'm looking at but I can tell you how sorry I am about the obvious discomfort you're experiencing.
Hope you feel better soon.

Dirttrackdiva said...

i guess i should have clarified. lol they are pictures of my spine and the herniated disk that's there. the mass that is sticking out from my spine is where the disk is not supposed to be. and the fact that it's all black instead of a little gray or white is cuz there's no fluid left.

-Grace- said...

I hope they don't have to operate! I'm sorry you are hurting. Back pain, I think, is the worst--it affects so much.

Kelly said...

I am sorry to hear that it is still getting worse. I hope they figure out a solution that helps soon.

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