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Tribbles71 · 03-02-2009, 07:54 PM

My Mom is 61 years old. She is daily having back problems, plus two pinched nerves, and she cannot close her left hand. It's not useful at this time. She also smokes and has emphysema. She's going through hard times. She is even asking if she is having carpal tunnel. Anyone who has any tidbits are welcomed to respond to this post message. Thank you.

megss · 03-03-2009, 01:46 PM

Hi

What are her exact back problems? Like, what has she been diagnosed with? If she cannot close her left hand it sounds like her problems are in the upper back. Mine are in the lower back, but I can tell you that she needs to quit smoking. Smoking is so bad for your discs. If she ends up with surgery they will make her quit anyway because it can limit the healing process. Every doctor I have seen asks me if I am a smoker. I am having surgery in a month, and I was told that my odds of a great outcome are 80%. If I was a smoker, it would only be 50%.

Tell me what her diagnosis is and maybe I can help a little more...

Tribbles71 · 03-04-2009, 05:58 PM

Hi there! Thank you for your reply and good advice. Yeah, Mom smokes it up alright. I tell her "Stop smoking Mom, it's bad for you!" .....but, she says "It's my only vice I have left!" I wish she would stop without me and my
younger brother getting on her case. She has several herniated disks in her back. She was offered surgery, but it would've be a 50-50 chance for her to possibly end up in a wheelchair! Oh no! She decided against it. I believe it is her lower back that's giving her the most trouble. I'll try to get more info from her and see what the specialist tells her.

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