Wellness

[smoochy]

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@AuntG wrote:

Sorry to read this @smoochy. I know what you mean about appointments - our calendar is full of them, and we feel pretty good. Still, there are dental and preventative tests scheduled, plus we drive a neighbor to those appointments that require a driver.

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thats so sweet and neighborly of you 😍

Honestly I just kind of laugh about how our life has become a medical merry go round. What can we do but find humor in even small things. I try. Its what keeps me fresh even though my body is getting ever closer to its expiration date 😆😅🤣

[smoochy]

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@rockygems123 wrote:

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@smoochy wrote:

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@rockygems123 wrote:

@smoochy 

From what I remember from your earlier posts you were very active in square dancing was it?

You'd think being active for so long would help us later in life geez getting old is tough

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no I have never square danced in my life

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@smoochy 

Ok sorry my memory failed.  Thought you had a past background in dance. 

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Nope. I sang in barbershop choruses and quartets for 30 years. choreography was a big part of performing 

[Tinkrbl44]

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@smoochy wrote:

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@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

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@smoochy wrote:

CT scan results weren't good. Lots of bad things going on from L1 on down. Also something that couldn't be identified but needs further evaluation, according to the radiologist. He recommended an MRI which is now scheduled. My doc has referred me to a spinal surgeon. 

Still on the tramadol for pain. 

Sure hoping I won't need surgery, as the risks would be high. Given my age and comorbidities. But one step at a time, we'll see what the MRI shows. 

My social life-my retirement activities-now center around medical appointments. 🤪

Hey! Glad to be upright and taking nourishment as mom used to say, lol

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@smoochy 

Yikes!

About 10 years ago, I had about 5 spinal epidurals over a 3-year time frame.

Some were better than others, but they had a cumulative effect.   

They worked well enough not to require surgery.  

Just fyi.

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oh hey that could be a possibility. I may end up in the pain mgmt clinic. Good to know that worked for you. Im glad 😊 but how are you doing now? Do you still have back pain?

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@smoochy 

Actually, no, but I have both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis, so I still have plenty of aches and joint pain ... but none of it is back pain.   

I just wanted to let you know what I did ....  that wasn't back surgery.   

[kze]

@smoochy 

My lumbar spine is a mess.  Lol.  I've seen two neurosurgeons.   The last one said surgery wouldn't work on me.  I was glad to hear that and appreciated his honesty. 

Over my many years of treatment nerve blocks and radio frequency ablation have worked.  They have to be repeated over time but they haven't been painful for me.

There's a new procedure you might ask your doctor about.  It's called Intracept and if it works it lasts about 5 years.  It has about a 65 % success rate.  It didn't work on me but my friend had it and it did work for her.

[LizzieInSRQ]

@smoochy fingers crossed for ya with good news from your MRI. I have compression fracture T12 & L1 that spinal orthapedic surgeon said he didnt recommend surgery.. i can only take tylenol ( cant have Aleve because of affects to kidney). Tylenol does nothing for me.

I may look into the epidural that @Tinkrbl44  suggested here.i cannot take this much longer. I cant stand for longer than a minute.

I hope you get some relief. Thanks for sharing your story.

[Shelbelle]

Keep in mind that if you were referred to a surgeon, a surgeon loves to cut, so be sure to ask what can be done in lieu of surgery first, surgery should be a last resort if possible, many do get injections in the spine. You can also try seeing a pain mgmt specialist. 

[Zhills]

@smoochy So sorry you are having these problems.  At least I know you live in a good Medical Community!

Lakeland has some of the best!  Hope you have one!

Wish I could share with you.  I do not have aches and pains!

[CarolinaGirl88]

I'm hoping your pain will ease and that you will have the best possible outcome with all of this. 

[haddon9]

@smoochy I'm so sorry to hear of your back troubles!  I hope things turn out well for you and you get to be pain free.  Do you have pain constantly or does it come & go?

Just curious since I'm OK most of the time but once in a while if I'm standing for too long my lower back can hurt a lot!

[smoochy]

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@haddon9 wrote:

@smoochy I'm so sorry to hear of your back troubles!  I hope things turn out well for you and you get to be pain free.  Do you have pain constantly or does it come & go?

Just curious since I'm OK most of the time but once in a while if I'm standing for too long my lower back can hurt a lot!

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it is constant -worse when trying to get up or move around after sitting or lying down. The tramadol helps a lot. Yeah I can imagine that standing for a long period would be bad

Thanks for asking 🙂