03-10-2017, 02:09 PM
Hi guys and gals,
I've never registered to any message boards like this one so I'm not quite sure what to say...
I have been using IOP's for 11 years now and remember a time when the number of quality and trustworthy websites were abundant. Obviously since then there's been a huge decline.
I myself have degenerative disc disease (at the ripe age of 26 was diagnosed with this) and told by every orthopedic surgeon that saw my MRI that I have the back of a 70 year-old. Every 3 weeks or so I would make a wrong movement and scream out in pain as my knees would buckle. Many times I had to skip work because I simply could not move. It would take about 10 minutes for me to get from a lying position to a standing one.
I have spinal fragmentation at S1 and multiple torn discs at L3-L4 and L5-L6. Even being completely covered by insurance I was looking at a $60,000 surgery...I attribute the condition of my back not only to genetics but also heavy weight lifting from age 17 to 25. Too much deadlifting with poor form is the most likely reason.
I had many consultations with orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons but ultimately decided not to have the surgery. Not only due to the cost but the inherant risks involved considering the tears in my discs were protruding through the anterior. Meaning the back surgery would have to take place by going in through my stomach area and there were serious concerns about "knicking" an area that would render me sterile. With my fiancee and I wanting to start a family I said "no way".
I opted for physical therapy, which worked only slightly, then finally went to pain management. I had a doc try and give me buprenorphine patches but told her "no, thank you" and asked for the only opioid that I've found to control my pain well, which was hydrocodone. From the first visit I was prescribed 90 10/325s a month and after a few months became dependent. After a year of emotional ups and downs I eventually stopped going to pain clinic and stopped cold turkey. It wasn't the first time either. Hard, yes. But necessary if I wanted to get control of my life again.
I started exercising again and eliminated many movements that would compress my spine or put my back in a flexed position. After 2 years I was able to strengthen my posterior muscles and "train" them essentially to "absorb" (for lack of a better word) any force that my back would feel otherwise. My back went from a sharp pains, down to dull aches, and today I'm happy to say that only after "leg day" do I feel a slight ache in my lower back.
I think that's probably the best introduction I can give myself. My fiancee and I are expecting a baby girl in a few months and I can't wait to become a father.
If anybody has any questions for me don't hesitate to ask!
Hopefully my posts here will provide valuable insight for others.
I've never registered to any message boards like this one so I'm not quite sure what to say...
I have been using IOP's for 11 years now and remember a time when the number of quality and trustworthy websites were abundant. Obviously since then there's been a huge decline.
I myself have degenerative disc disease (at the ripe age of 26 was diagnosed with this) and told by every orthopedic surgeon that saw my MRI that I have the back of a 70 year-old. Every 3 weeks or so I would make a wrong movement and scream out in pain as my knees would buckle. Many times I had to skip work because I simply could not move. It would take about 10 minutes for me to get from a lying position to a standing one.
I have spinal fragmentation at S1 and multiple torn discs at L3-L4 and L5-L6. Even being completely covered by insurance I was looking at a $60,000 surgery...I attribute the condition of my back not only to genetics but also heavy weight lifting from age 17 to 25. Too much deadlifting with poor form is the most likely reason.
I had many consultations with orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons but ultimately decided not to have the surgery. Not only due to the cost but the inherant risks involved considering the tears in my discs were protruding through the anterior. Meaning the back surgery would have to take place by going in through my stomach area and there were serious concerns about "knicking" an area that would render me sterile. With my fiancee and I wanting to start a family I said "no way".
I opted for physical therapy, which worked only slightly, then finally went to pain management. I had a doc try and give me buprenorphine patches but told her "no, thank you" and asked for the only opioid that I've found to control my pain well, which was hydrocodone. From the first visit I was prescribed 90 10/325s a month and after a few months became dependent. After a year of emotional ups and downs I eventually stopped going to pain clinic and stopped cold turkey. It wasn't the first time either. Hard, yes. But necessary if I wanted to get control of my life again.
I started exercising again and eliminated many movements that would compress my spine or put my back in a flexed position. After 2 years I was able to strengthen my posterior muscles and "train" them essentially to "absorb" (for lack of a better word) any force that my back would feel otherwise. My back went from a sharp pains, down to dull aches, and today I'm happy to say that only after "leg day" do I feel a slight ache in my lower back.
I think that's probably the best introduction I can give myself. My fiancee and I are expecting a baby girl in a few months and I can't wait to become a father.
If anybody has any questions for me don't hesitate to ask!
Hopefully my posts here will provide valuable insight for others.
It is Well with My Soul 
