Gary's back

[gja1000]

Gary has always had lower back issues. He was born with bad bones in his lower back. Back pain is just something he lives with. But this week something else started. On Wed he went to the bathroom and when he reached down to lift the toilet lid, he got a shooting pain in his lower back, his legs went numb and he couldn't stand up. It happened again on Thurs so he went to see his chiropractor. She took an xray and didn't do anything. When he went back today she said he needed to see a neurologist and to go to the ER if it happened again. Well it happened 4 times today, so here we are in the ER. The ER doc thinks it is a pinched nerve that is causing a muscle spasm which pinches the nerve even more. It only lasts about 30-60 seconds, but it is very painful and scary in that if he didn't have something to hold onto, he would fall. They are giving him some muscle relaxers and I think we'll get to go home soon. A Friday evening in the ER, is not my cup of tea!

[Janet]

Just read about your trip to the ER on FB. Glad everything is okay. Pinched nerves are horrible to deal with whether it be pain or numbness. Hope Gary can catch up on his sleep.

[gja1000]

Hi All. We got home about midnight - so not too bad, we could have been there all night! Gary slept like a rock after we got home which is good.

I have to run to the pharmacy this morning to fill the muscle relaxant prescription. I sure hope this does the trick. The doctor doesn't think this is anything to be concerned about, e.g., he might be paralyzed or anything like that. His chiropractor told him she was afraid to manipulate his back because he could be paralyzed. But the ER doc said that was highly unlikely.

Now, what could happen is that the nerve becomes completely pinched and he is in pain with weakness in his legs all the time. However, he said with treatment, which we are hoping the muscle relaxants do the trick, it should get better.

We've been told in the past there is no surgical treatment for his back problem and that is good, no one should have back surgery unless it is absolutely the last resort. There are too many bad outcomes. And Gary SURE doesn't need surgery with all his other problems.

There are other treatments though, that are not surgical like cortisone injections and the like. Hopefully, the muscle relaxers will do the trick, if not then we'll have to explore the options. (sigh) It's always something!

[lynne b]

So sorry to hear about Gary and his back, i sure hope the meds work, nothing worse than a backache (except a toothache).

I know that even though surgery was a life saver for me i still have problems, but maybe it is just my age catching up with me LOL

Hope Gary is feeling better soon!!

[judy]

I hope Gary feels better, and that the muscle relaxants do the trick. That sounds like an awful thing to go through...pain and weakness!

[JJJ]

I'm so sorry to hear about Gary's back problems. My back hurts tremendously and I believe is from carrying three kids with a small body frame :(

And I so agree with you about not having back surgery, extremely risky.

Sending Gary lot's of positive energy so he can endure his back.

[gja1000]

We decided to go to the lake to see relatives his weekend. So far Garys back is doing good.

[judy]

Enjoy!!!

[DianaB]

I read your post on FB too. I'm so sorry that Gary has to deal with back pain because nothing is worse than that. I hope the meds help him!! Give him a hug from me and let him know that I'm praying. Have fun at the lake but don't let Gary over do!!

[gja1000]

Gary has not had any pain or weakness since he started the muscle relaxants. That's good news! He has one more day of high dose relaxants then he can go to as needed. I'm so glad he's responding to this treatment.

He's out on the lake fishing right now. Yep, it's dark here. They love to fish after dark. Much cooler and the fish bite better when it's cooler.

I dread the drive home tomorrow. The road will be packed! Yuk!

[Janet]

I'm so glad Gary is feeling better and getting to fish too. I always loved fishing after dark best too. We caught the best catfish at night. Hopefully the relaxants will continue to help and he'll have no more problems with his back.

[DianaB]

I'm glad to hear that the meds are working. And I hope he catches a lot of fish for you!!! Glen, Damon, and a friend went fishing on Saturday and caught a load of fish!!!! Damon took quite a bit home to freeze and I have a big bowl in my fridge as well!!! I think that we're having fried catfish tonight for supper!!!!

[Janet]

Oh Diana....that sounds soooo good. I haven't had really good fried catfish in such a long time.

[paula1961]

I'm so glad to hear that Gary is doing better Gayle! :)

[gja1000]

24 hours with no muscle relaxers and no "episodes". I got him an appointment with an orthopedic doc who specializes in non surgical spine treatment. He fixed Gary's frozen shoulder several years ago, with injections and therapy. I couldn't get in till Sept 24th, but they did say if he started having the problem again to call them and might be able to get him in more quickly.

[gja1000]

Well darn! Gary had a back pain/weakness episode this morning - but not nearly as bad as before. He has muscle relaxants to take and he took one right after it happened, and no more today (knock on wood). He also now knows EXACTLY what forward bending movement triggers it. He said an episode started yesterday as he began to lean forward, but he straightened up right away, and it stopped. I guess he wasn't as quick thinking today. LOL!

So, whatever it is, it is mechanical. I talked with an orthopedic nurse who seems to think the problem can be solved with physical therapy. Did I tell you Gary hates physical therapy!!! Actually, he has gotten lazy since he's been sick and doesn't like to do a lot of physical activity - which he NEEDS to do - but doesn't like to. The physical therapy (if that's what he has to do) will be good for him. He needs to get more exercise anyway! LOL!

Anyway, I think he has enough muscle relaxers to make it to his appointment with the doctor. Oh my, it's always something!

[Blueyes]

I'm sorry Gary is having problems. I hope physical therapy helps, if he does it. Back problems are so hard to deal with. At least it's not life threatening. But I think at this point, things that are quality of life threatening are almost as disturbing. Hang in there Gayle!

[gja1000]

Only one episode today and he didn't take any muscle relaxers - so maybe he can squeek by till he sees the doctor (keeping my fingers crossed).

Yes yes yes, I'm so thankful that this is not life threatening - I just am not ready for life threatening right now. However, it may impinge on his quality of life as you mentioned, Betsi, and he is not the easiest person to be around when he is unable to do what he wants. (yes, I'm rolling my eyes). Really though, I do understand. He has to put up with so much, it just doesn't seem fair.

[judy]

What was that expression you used a while back Betsi? Freeze my eyeballs?

[JJJ]

I'm sorry to hear that, hopefully he recuperates quick.

[gja1000]

Gary is doing OK with his back. He is very careful to not bend incorrectly. He hasn't had an episode in a few days. YAY!

[JJJ]

Gary is doing OK with his back. He is very careful to not bend incorrectly. He hasn't had an episode in a few days. YAY!

Glad to hear that :)

[gja1000]

Gary said he had 4 episodes yesterday - but I know it's because he wasn't being careful. :rolleyes: I'm glad his appt is this Friday!

This should go under VENT but since it's related to his back, I'll put it here. We got a copy of his ER bill - now mind you they hardly did ANYTHING for him and we were only there about 2 hours. They put him on a gurney, took his vital signs ONCE, took an x-ray, started an IV and gave him one IV medication and the doc talked to us about 5 minutes. THAT IS ALL THEY DID FOR HIM, NOTHING ELSE.


And the bill was - get ready (scroll down)































$3500.00 I almost DIED. Now, we don't have to pay a cent - he has a primary and secondary insurance. BUT THAT IS NOT THE POINT. That amount of money is in NO WAY reflective of what they did for him. $350 would be a lot of money considering what they did. $3500 is just ridiculous! I have half a mind to ask for an itemized bill just to see what they charged for the individual things. I'm not sure I can get one though, as we are not paying the bill.

GEESH! Talk about over charging!!!

[Janet]

I know what you mean Gayle....it's ridiculous what they charge in the ER.

[gja1000]

Well Gary's back appointment is today at 11:00, so hopefully things go well.

This must be medical care day because on Wednesday I had what appears to be an infected pore, maybe a boil (I've never had one, but there is the first time for everything) come up on my back, so I go to the dermatologist at 12:45. I'm sure it is going to have to be lanced or removed in some way (oh fun).

Then, for quite some time, I have had a bone density test scheduled today at 3:00. Fortunately, it is in the same location as the dermatologist, so if I have some procedure that makes me too uncomfortable for the bone density, I can go by there on the way out and reschedule. But I'd like to get everything over TODAY!

The only tricky thing will be getting from Gary's 11:00 appt, to my 12:45 appt. They are all the way across town, which really isn't that far, but Friday traffic can be bad. It will be no problem at all if Gary's doc is running on time, but you know how that goes sometimes. So, we are going to take separate cars to Gary's appt and then if I have to leave before he is completely done, I can make it to my appt.

WHEW!

[Janet]

Sounds like you have a plan Gayle. Let us know how you both make out at your appointments.

[gja1000]

Gary's appointment went OK, they need more tests to determine exactly what has happened. It appears his spine has shifted forward and is sitting on some nerves in the tailbone area. But of course, they need more studies to be sure what it is and what to do about it. The shifting is due to a malformation of the tailbone that he was born with.

So, he's scheduled for an external nerve test Oct. 13th and he also needs a mylogram (dye study of the nerves) but they have to get clearance from his heart and kidney doctors, so it may take a little while to find out when they will do that.

The doctor said that hopefully, we can treat with injections and physical therapy, but he just won't know for sure what to do till he has a better idea about the amount (if any) of nerve damage.

This doctor is VERY conservative, and surgery is always his last resort, so hopefully we can solve this without surgery!

Now, on to my two appointments.................:o

[gja1000]

Well, this isn't about Gary's back, but is related to my appointment today that I mentioned above. I have a big ole cyst on my back which has to be excised. I have to take antibiotics first though, because it is inflammed right now. They will cut it out the middle of October. Fun. Just a local in the office, no big deal. :eek:

[paula1961]

Wow Gayle! You've had a big day today with drs appts. Sorry about Gary's back, hopefully it can be fixed with no surgery.

Ewww a boil is sooo sore! I had one once and it was awful. Hope all goes well with your bone density test. Mine turned out to be low and I have to take Actonel for it. Hope yours is better.:)

[gja1000]

Thanks Paula. My bone density is low too, but getting better. I take Evista. This is just a routine test to see how I am doing. Hopefully OK, I'll find out in a week or so.

Re the thing on my back. It turned out to be an encapsulated cyst rather than a boil - which is not as painful. However, it will have to be surgically removed (just in the office). She injected it with cortisone today :eek: to reduce the inflammation and I have to take antibiotics for a week also. All the inflammation has to be gone when they remove it or they can't get it all and it will come back. I don't want that, for sure!