Ugh. *Talked to the Dr. today*

[minkydog]

I have a question for all of you. How do you keep from being scared. My problems have been increasing again. I put off going to the doctor, because sometimes they come and then go away after a few weeks of being careful and walking. And because my PCM was an *** that told me "You're no spring chicken." When I asked him what to expect from my back issues in regards to healing. I was 40. That was devastating.

But this time they haven't gone away yet. I'm not in terrible pain, but I think my feet might feel a tiny bet numb. Or am I imagining it because I am so panicked. I know I have to go to the doctor, and I will make an appointment tomorrow morning, but I am terrified.

You read so many horror stories online. I don't want to be in pain for the rest of my life. I feel like my whole life revolves around my back.

I overcame my fear the night my back shot down my leg and out my foot. I felt like I had been struck by lightning. I knew exactly what it was. I had to literally crawl up 2 flights of stairs to get to my bedroom and it took me 20 minutes to lie down in bed. Yep, time to go to the doctor.

Since then I have learned to take care of these things while they are still small. If your foot is going numb off and on, you probably have a pinched nerve. I doubt you have xray vision, and really, how would you see your back anyway. I'd strongly suggest you see what a doctor would say. They don't usually jump right to surgery--that's reserved for really serious problems. Most docs will go for PT first, and steroid injections if the pain is really severe. I was in 8 wks of PT, which worked great and I never had to have a steroid shot. But I did have to do the exercises at home every day to get better. At first there was some pain, but the PT started off really slow and easy--the whole point is to restore function, not whip you into shape in 2 wks. Its not boot camp.

I know you're nervous, but really, you stand nothing to lose and everything to gain. What's the worst he can say--that you need surgery? Get another opinion. I think you can find a doctor who's willing to work with you and not get hung up on your age. EVeryone's back changes with age, but that does NOT mean that you have to give in and just live with pain. THere are things that can help but you have to ask for it. He's not going to come to your house and invite you to stop by for a chat.

 

[KCK]

I had the pinched nerve thing in my neck vertebrae a few years ago. I was 43. Intense pain of course, missed 3 months of work. I was put on PT which I followed religiously. It helped only a little. They started pushing the surgery. I asked a relative in another state, a nurse, who talked to her boss, a surgeon. Sent her all the info, MRI, etc. She called back and said 'surgery is unavoidable'.

Started the epidural shots. One... two... nothing. Three and it started getting better. Held my neck up a lot more, followed PT the whole time. It got better and went away, only a month or so before surgery was scheduled.

Even better story, a close friend had the same thing. Only for a longer time... finally he was scheduled for surgery on Tuesday. On Monday he backed out and decided to focus on PT which he had been lax about. He got ok a couple of months later.

Now what worked for the two of us may not work for you and I know it's in your back and may even be worse, but you MUST try everything first as surgery is, in my view, an action of resort just after the last one. In other words, do all you can to avoid it.

I also hold the view that doctors push surgery due to its financial benefits... for them! Sure some might dispute that, but that is what I believe.

Good luck.