[Amysue1112]

have not posted much about my personal struggles latey, but after some encouragement from some of my dear friends I have decided to come here to ask my wonderful forum friends for their prayers.

As many of you know, I have had some pretty significant back problems for the last 5 yrs. I had a procedure done last year to try to fix 2 ruptured discs. However, we got "the call" only 4 days later...I couldn't stick to my post-op restrictions (uh..no sitting for more than 15 minutes..) For a few months I did get some relief, but in the last few months in has become unbearable. I am taking more pain meds and able to do less activity. So I decided to get another MRI to see what was going on. I prayed and prayed for "answers"..but I got many more answers then I was prepared for.
The tests found 2 herniated discs in my thoracic vertebre (middle back) and in my lumbar (lower back) it was a big mess. Only one verebrae was "normal"....there were 2 herniated, 2 "dried out" (non-technical term), some nerve-clumping and a 2cm "probable" synovial cyst. It also reported some "arachnoiditis" which is basically inflammation that cannot be "fixed" but only treated. I have tried EVERYTHING...3 pain managment docs, injections, epidurals, 3 orthopedics, massage, 2 accupuncturists, 3 chiropractors with different methods, lots of ice, lots of heat, all sorts of pain management homeopathic methods and treatments and every vitamin and mineral and herbal supplement that they make. I know I have done all I can do, but I just can't get the pain under control.

I have a neurosurgeon reviewing my MRI...I have an appt. with my pain managment doctor to discuss the results...I may try to get into Shands or Mayo Clinic or some place that deals with "strange" or complicated cases.

To complicate things, I have a shunt that was put in when I was very young to drain fluid off my brain. We don't think it works anymore, but it is inserted right in the lumbar spine...the plate in my forehead is broken and swells, and they don't know what it is. THis is one of the reasons they have not wanted to do anything surgically b/c they don't want to cause more problems. My physical therapist said that by looking at my MRI one would think I was a skydiver or stunt person..


Soooo...I don't know quite which way to go...I am sorry if this is TMI...but it does help so much to talk to my friends here and share with you my life.
I know you guys are great prayer warriors and it is so comforting that I have all of you behind me. I promise I will keep you up to date and let you know how things are going.

Even with this back mess, I still feel very VERY blessed. I have such a wonderful and supportive husband and those of you who have met our Hannah know she is a ray of sunshine. I don't know what the docs can do for me but my biggest prayer is for some pain relief and that the damage can be stopped or reversed.

Thank you all for listening and for always being there for me and our other forum friends. This is truly an amazing place.

VM...loved your blog post..the music video is the reason I decided to reach out to my forum friends..thank you!
Mike and Debi..thank you so much for your support..you guys are awesome!

[Mommy24]

I will keep you in my prayers! Hang in there! (((Hugs))

[EmmaLeigh2882]

Ill be praying- I also passed on the prayer request to some friends! May God touch you and give you healing!

[aspenhall]

I *just* saw this machine on a commercial this morning, for treatment of back pain issues...you lie on your stomach and do hyper extension leg lifts...a pro weight lifter who crushed his back somehow, invented it.
I can't recall the name

[Juliana13]

Sending hugs and prayers your way!! It's no fun to have back pain, especially when you just want to play with and chase after your little angel. Hope you find some relief and good advice and care.

[Amysue1112]

Thank you soo much..I "accidently" posted this here instead of on the Russian board, but now I see it was not an accident at all...Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and prayers...I will keep you updated.