Focus Change

Well, I had my monthly appointment with my surgeon today, and we're finally getting somewhere.

The disk pain is almost gone. Now, the focus is, once again, on the scoliosis. In the last month, that's what's been causing me the most pain. Even today. Just another reminder that I really want to get something done about this.

He didn't cover anything I didn't already know. He mentioned that it wouldn't take away all the pain, just 70% at the best. Any amount of permanent relief will be a major help. He also told me the type of procedure: the spinal fusion, and that it would take awhile to recover from. As I have mentioned before. He also asked me to start considering when I would have it done. I already have the answer to that too: Summer. After all of that, he said "It sounds like you've thought a lot about this, which means that it really is affecting your life in a significant way." Also very true.

So, what's the next step? I'm going to get some more comprehensive x-rays done, including a full back, side bending and movement. I'm also going to go back in a month, probably to discuss the x-rays. Another thing: Dad wants me to get another opinion, which I am inclined to agree with. After that...maybe, finally, something will get done about this.

On a bit of a side note, there was a little replica sitting in the exam room. It's of a herniated disk. The disk that it's on is the same one I have, but the side is on the right instead of the left. Take a look:



Just gives you an idea.

Sensitivity

Today was much better, pain-wise.

I think the unusually warm weather had something to do with yesterday's pain. It was a good 40 degrees warmer than it has been. I have had problems with my knees being sensitive to precipitation, maybe this is similar.

Maybe I should try my hand at weather prediction. :)

Speaking Too Soon

It only figures that I have back pain two days before my appointment.

It was pretty bad today so far. I had to take hydrocodone for the first time in about a month, so the full force of the side effects is hitting me right about now. I really don't like it at all. I would rather not take anything, but I can only take so much before I cave and take something. Especially when I'm at work.

I'm done working today, so hopefully I don't have to take anymore.

Change of Pace

Most of what I post on here is negative. I realize this. I don't really ever post anything positive here, because that's not really the nature of this blog.

So, I'm going to change it up a bit.

I'm doing really well. Surprisingly, in fact. Over the last week or so, I've only hurt a little bit, and I haven't had to take anything for the pain. I haven't changed anything...I'm working and going to class just like before.

Will the pain come back? Inevitably. And probably soon. But for now, I'll just enjoy the relatively lower pain days that seem to be coming my way.

My back hurt really bad at work yesterday. And I mean really bad. I'm not entirely sure why, but it was worse than it usually is. I suppose, though, that some days I'm just going to have to deal with it. I really hope it starts getting better, though.

I guess the good news is that my herniated disk doesn't hurt much anymore. I haven't really even noticed much pain there. I'm sure, though, that if I did something stupid like trying to lift 50 lbs or so, that it would resurface very quickly.

I don't have work today, but I do have class. That, paired with the fact that I got lots of sleep last night, should help. I hope so.

Predicted Outcome

I suppose I'm not surprised that my back is hurting right now. It's my first true day back at work (by that, I mean that I worked more than an hour and a half), and I worked for a good 5 and a half hours today. It didn't start hurting until about 12:30 or so, which means I worked 3 1/2 hours without any pain. I guess that's a good start.

I knew this would happen. I've known for awhile. It's my first day really working and being out for an extended period of time since I got done with finals week. I just hope I get used to it.

The pain is very widespread through my mid-back. My knees also ache a bit. This is the old pain. The disk pain hasn't surfaced...yet. Give it time...

I took ibuprofen for it, but as expected, it didn't do a damn thing.

A new bit of info

I found this very interesting:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070614100445.htm

Basically, they think a deformed gene causes the physical deformity. Very interesting. Could this be the solution to the "unknown cause" of most cases of scoliosis?

Day of Reckoning....Or maybe not

So, today was the first day of work in a month. I thought I would be there for about 4 or 5 hours, so I was prepared for some pain when I left.

I was there for an hour.

I am in some amount of pain right now, but I doubt it's because of work. It's not so bad, but I'm aware that it could get worse, so I guess tonight is a night I stay home and rest.

Here's hoping work isn't bad tomorrow, either. I think I only work for an hour and a half, so it's not really that big of a deal.

Not-so Good Dreams

I'm not entirely sure why, but the last two nights, the dreaming has been back. The only reason I mention this here is that it's been wreaking havoc on my back. It's not good to wake up with back pain. While it hasn't been terrible, it certainly hasn't been great. I have noticed that getting out and moving around helps a little, as long as I don't exert myself. At this point, I'm not entirely sure how work will go. I'm just happy that my job isn't very physical, besides being on my feet. I suppose we'll have to see.

That's all things are, lately. "Wait and see what happens." I guess I'm okay with waiting, as long as, in the end, something gets done about it.

Nostalgia

The pain that's been bothering me for 5 years is here. The dull, intense pain that spreads the entire middle of my back along the spine. The pain that causes my muscles to tighten to the point of stone-hard. The pain that causes my back spasms.

This is the pain that drove me to finally go talk to a surgeon.

It doesn't matter where I sit. My couch, my friend's couch, my chair, my car...it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter how I sit, how much I stretch, or how much I move or don't move. Nothing helps.

Usually, when it's this bad, it almost inevitably comes down to spasms. I know a lot of you have seen them. I know a lot of you have not. I do have limited control over them. But repressing them hurts more than just letting them go. When I'm at home, I will usually let them run their course. They go for an hour, sometimes an hour and a half. I'm lucid during the whole thing.

Once they start, I have a muscle relaxant I take. It's called flexeril or cyclobenzaprine (I'll call it cyclo for short). The effect is a rag-doll relaxation that makes my limbs turn to jelly, but my back relax to what would be considered "normal". Sometimes, it makes me tired. I do know one thing, though. I can't usually do much after it starts working.

So, right now, I'm waiting for the hydrocodone and the cyclo to kick in. My back hasn't spasmed, yet. It got very close when I was at my friend's house, it was pretty close when I was in my car, and it has twitched a few times since then. There's not much the cyclo will do to stop it, but at least it will take the edge off the pain. At this point, it's a waiting game. I know it will spasm. I just hope it's not terribly bad.

I'll post an update tomorrow if anything happens.

*edit*
It's now the next day, and nothing happened. I managed to catch it in time. I usually don't. It still hurts, though.

Mind Dump

The appointment today went about as I expected. I waited an hour to see the doctor, and the only thing he decided was further observation. I'm actually happy about that. Hasty decisions aren't a good thing.

I go back on January 30th. The office is moving to the area between the Dome and the Wellness Center, which is great news. That means that it's now on campus.

After my appointment, I went to my storage garage and got my bass guitar out. I plan on learning how to play it. It's in my car until I clean up my room a little more. I was also going to get some wire shelves, but I couldn't find some pieces in the really low light. It was also just a little too cold.

As for now, I'm going to take some hydrocodone and deal with the high while I'm home. We'll see if I feel better tomorrow. If I do, I need to clean up my apartment more.

Appointment Day

I go to the surgeon today. I'm actually leaving in about 10 minutes.

It only figures that I hurt on the day of my appointment. It's not terrible, but I'm not so happy about it. I took one hydrocodone, because I don't want to be too high to drive. It's taken the edge off, but I still hurt.

I'm not sure what he's going to say. I will certainly post after I get back.