Damn That's Sweet

Now that I am on stronger meds I can actually sit down at a computer and type... and explain why I am on narcotics.

Way back in college I hurt my back.  My lower back has bothered me off and on ever since.  Sometimes it would "go out" on me so bad that I couldn't walk around very well and had to be very careful with it for a few days while it worked itself out.  I also have dealt with this wicked cramp in my hip off and on over the last few years, which is related to my back but I didn't know that till recently.  Anyway, I have been to physical therapists, had ex-rays and so forth through out the years.  The doctors never found anything wrong.  The therapy never made any difference, as my back would still throw a hissy fit every few months or so, regardless of how in shape I was or how carefully I took care of it.

So, about a month ago it was acting up again and I decided to take money out of our emergency savings to go to a chiropractor.  He took x-rays and discovered that my 5th lumbar was pretty much fused to my sacrum, probably because I had a messed up disk and my body was trying to protect it.  He worked on me for a few weeks and was able to make a huge difference with my lower back.  It hasn't felt this good in years.  But somehow it also allowed things to shift, causing insane pain going down my legs.

One CT scan later and we now know I have two herniated discs (one between my 4th and 5th and one between my 5th and the sacrum for those of you who are anatomically savvy).  I am on a super dose of Norco to get me by until I can see the Anesthesiologist for a steroid shot, which I am not to happy about but it is better than getting addicted to the norco.  I am also going to see a surgeon and am hoping this can be taken care of with a micro surgery where they go in and shave off the offending disks.

I will give updates as they come.  Annoyingly, none of the doctors think this is as urgent as I do.  I rather like being able to drive, and sit, and walk... you know, fun stuff like that!  But now that I am on pain meds I should be much better, in between the dizzy spells and the naps.  *grin*  I am just really glad the rest of my life isn't too demanding right now, which I will tell you about in my next few posts.