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Originally Posted by cardinal Hi all, just wondering if its normal to still have severe pain when sitting, standing for small per of times? I am depressed having tried to attend a Good Friday church service and had to leave because of the neck pain. Most days I do alittle and then recline in my chair. If I go out for lunch and then some window shopping must return home due to pain. I'm getting into a bad "slump" of the big "d", wondering what is left to do? Could this mean the fusion did not take? Need to get an x ray but no insurance til August.( also have ddd, ostoarthtitis, L5 discectomy and l3-5 bulging)  |
Hi Cardinal
So sorry you are still having pain. Unfortunately with DDD and especially with arthritis it is quite possible you could have additional problems of spinal stenosis, Spondylolysis or other things wrong now. Two years is not a long time, but every body changes and heals at a different pace, so yes, it could be that your fusion is a problem. However, would have though that had been checked in the months following surgery.
Six more months is a long time to have to wait before you get it checked out. Have you checked to see if you qualify for some kind of assistance that may cover any tests or treatment you need in the mean time? If you haven't please do that. We all need help of some kind at various points in our life so don't delay in checking. The longer you are in pain, the more damage that can occur to a nerve that might not be reversable if it goes untreated too long. It sounds like you need a MRI or maybe even a myleogram with contrast, and of coruse those cost. Doubt that a standard x-ray will show what is causing your problem if it is related to the fusion you already have.
If you don't qualify for assistance, call your local AMA group and inquire about doctors with a spine speciality who might be willing to work with you contingent upon your ability to pay and explain your situation. There are usually some caring doctors out there who volunteer to go to foreign lands to help people, so they should also be willing to help those in their own community who have a need. You might also want to speak with the social services worker of the hospitals in your areas. They frequently can tell you who would be willing to see you and of course all hospitals have special programs to work with people who cannot afford to pay for needed care.
Hope you will check these out and will let us know you are going to see someone for a full diagnosis and treatment, whether conservative or major. Please let us know how you are doing and don't suffer alone.
We all understand the frustration of pain and how it can put us in the pits from time to time. Don't stay there when you can talk to us.
I pretty much know much of my situation is "irreversable", having suffered for about 20yrs with chronic back pain before getting a mri and diagnosis. When I called my neuro back in my old home state the nurse sd not to worry, that the fusion can not break...but my concern is maybe the donor bone did not take? then what? so , what happens next? more surgeries? if at this point I am ok with the hardware, I really am afraid to be opened up again to be subject to more scar damage etc. Unfortunatley I am in an area , very remote, no neuro's here, I would have to commute to Atlanta. Has anyone "healed" from ddd etc? can diet, exercise possibly reverse the damage? That is where I am at now, mind set, faith trying whatever natural means I can do. I wish I could take back the surgery. I often wonder if things would have healed without the fusion??? I sure do not want progressive damage, gosh, I am only 48 what will I be like in my 60's... 
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