A discussion of my pain history.

Do you have long term chronic pain?

In January 2003 I underwent back surgery for stenosis. Stenosis is a condition where the bones expand and the disks expand, growing together and pinching the nerves. In my case, I had lower back pain, pain in my legs, down into my feet. I had moved from enjoying long walks to being unable to move very far. I suffered greatly especially after sitting for more than half-an-hour. After several months of attempting medical treatments, it was decided to try surgery. 

The medical treatments included physical therapy, medicines, and needles. None provided any significant relief. 

In the process, it was determined that along with the stenosis, my disks were deteriorated. The disks at L3-L4-L5-S1 were all "bad." None of the orthopedic surgeons I discussed the issues with wanted to fuse the disks since there were multiple, low level disks. So, it was decided to see how much relief the stenosis surgery would accomplish. 

My surgery was one of those which are successful, but . . .

My stenosis was apparently resolved. My lower back and leg pain were gone. I could walk again with ease (once I recovered from the surgery). However, I awoke with new issues. I arose with three new pains. These included a "numb / pressure pain" right heal, a severe changing pain in my right rump, and a strange occasional pain that runs from the section of rump pain through my groin into my upper thigh. This pain was like a rubber ban stretching tight. It comes and goes. 

Almost three years later, these pains remain. I have undergone both conventional (drugs, needles) and unconventional (acupuncture, chiropractors) as well as physical therapy and massage therapy. None helped, some hurt. In addition, I underwent a rhizotomy, a procedure where radio frequency waves are used to burn away the nerves. This did not help either. 

There is a possibility that additional surgery may help. I probably will accept this alternative. The area around L2 will be operated for stenosis, as well as having metal placed in / around the disks all the way down. Plus scare tissue and arthritis growth will be cleaned away. The theory is that by stabilizing the spine, there will be less shifting and less pinching curing the pain. Time will tell.

At this point I use a large amount of narcotics in differing forms to treat the pain but not the problem. I have not worked in over a year and, as you can tell from other parts of the web, that my upgrading of this site has been very slow. 

So much for pain . . . I offer this initial comment so that you have a place to respond. I offer your thoughts and comments, and will respond to them as appropriate.

Jim