bitt

Hi to all on the board. You were such great help to me when I was in a very painful place I wanted to update you to my condition and see if anyone had any more insights to help me.

I had a rhizotomy today in my thorasic nerves after my medial nerve branch blocks were successful. i was in such pain before the blocks, my facet injection had worn out and it was excrutiating pain. after the blocks, my pain was improved 90%. still aching at times. i am hoping the rhizotomy will increase the length of relief for me, as i am a teacher and i have to get back to work!

i am so lucky to have found this doctor. the first doctor who i saw referred me to one of his colleagues and he had basically no hope for me. it was depressing. i got a second opinion and these group of doctors were so much better. it just goes to show persistance pays off. don't ever let any doctor tell you there is nothing they can do. it took me almost a year to figure it out.

so now i am trying to figure out a recovery plan for myself. the pain is better but i want to prevent further arthritis in the spine and get my muscles looser in my back. i am considering chiropractic and physical therapy. i also have been increasing my activity level slowly doing elliptical machine and swimming primarily. ideally i would like to hike, do yoga, and ride my bike as well (all my old activities), but i am so scared of overdoing it.

i am looking for tips on recovery and getting back into shape, also good back excersise resources would be good.

thanks for being a great support. it has been hard to get the support i need at times. people just simply don't get it when they haven't had severe pain (not that I wish it on anyone).

merci. smiling for once

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bitt