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Ow...ow....ow....

Second Weddings

Ow...ow....ow....

Making a second (or third) trip down the aisle? Chat with others in the same boat here.

I've got a herniated disk in my back and have been in constant pain since November. Every day I think I can't stand this anymore, and then I realize it's gone on since November. It doesn't seem real.

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Second Weddings

Ow...ow....ow....

Making a second (or third) trip down the aisle? Chat with others in the same boat here.

I've got a herniated disk in my back and have been in constant pain since November. Every day I think I can't stand this anymore, and then I realize it's gone on since November. It doesn't seem real.

Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:35

Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:35Discussion:cae3e850-8263-4582-85ff-3b22557c26b8

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Forums > Special Topic Wedding Boards > Second Weddings > Ow...ow....ow....

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Ow...ow....ow....

posted at 2/5/2012 1:23 PM EST on theknot.com

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RetreadBride

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I've got a herniated disk in my back and have been in constant pain since November.

Every day I think I can't stand this anymore, and then I realize it's gone on since November. It doesn't seem real.

Anybody had disc replacement surgery? Did it work? How long were you out?

I have no idea how it happened. I was a figure skater, so perhaps the thousands of crash landings I took left me with something that was just waiting to give way.

"I'm not crazy. I've just been in a very bad mood for 40 years."

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Re: Ow...ow....ow....

posted at 2/5/2012 2:13 PM EST on theknot.com

Avion22

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Oh, ouch! That sounds painful, and really limiting. It must be agony!

I'm assuming you've seen a doctor about it, and they've given you the option of surgery. I'd assume that with a herniated disc surgery might be your only option at actually fixing the problem.....

Have you tried any alternative therapies? I don't know if accupuncture could help aleviate your pain, but it might be able to get you by until you get to a more convenient time to have surgery.

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Re: Ow...ow....ow....

posted at 2/5/2012 6:36 PM EST on theknot.com

right1thistime

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I have not had the surgery, but have seen plenty of cases. If it works, it can be a huge relief and after PT you are good to go. I don't know the percentage of time that it works, but if I were to guess, it would be 50%. I'd say that's the issue. ~Donna

Pay less attention to the details; it's the moments that you will remember.

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Re: Ow...ow....ow....

posted at 2/5/2012 7:41 PM EST on theknot.com

handfast4me

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I have been married to two men (not at the same time) who've had this condition. Neither have had surgery and its been 20 years for one, over 10 for my current dh. Both were due to service related injuries.

I would definitely get a second opinion if you can. Feel better!

Don't mess with the old dogs; age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill! BS and brilliance only come with age and experience.

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Re: Ow...ow....ow....

posted at 2/5/2012 8:15 PM EST on theknot.com

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RetreadBride

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Last: 5/24/2012

Thanks. I'm in physical therapy, and tried steroids, but nothing has worked so far.

I wish I knew what caused it. That's the really scary part, along with the drugs I'm having to take for the pain. I don't want to end up in detox when this is over.

"I'm not crazy. I've just been in a very bad mood for 40 years."

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Re: Ow...ow....ow....

posted at 2/6/2012 12:13 PM EST on theknot.com

MikesAngie

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I don't know what degree your herniated disc is, mine was explained to me that it was a 2 out of 4 and not needing surgery.

Mine was work related and aggrivated by the fact that I am hyperflexible. I returned to work after 103 days and then only part time because I was in therapy and couldn't sit or stand for more than 30 minutes at a time.

Once the pain was managed (and I lost 30#) the pain remained around 4 out of 10 I started Pilates/Yoga class and I have to say it was the only thing that helped. Now I only have pain when I over exert the area or gain weight. I have great exercises and tools that helped along the way PM me if you would like to know more.

Sorry that you are having to deal with this.

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Re: Ow...ow....ow....

posted at 2/6/2012 6:17 PM EST on theknot.com

Sue-n-Kevin

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Retreadbride, I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. I oversee insurance claims and know that back pain is the number one problem that is difficult to resolve.

I agree with Donna, surgery only helps about 50% of the time. Even if it helps the pain, it doesn't always improve functionality. My hubby has back pain and my advice to him is to hold off as long as he can, because there are just no guarantees. Luckily for him it comes and goes and is not an isse every day. Also, once you have surgery, the vertebrae levels above and below the fused or resolved discs can become more susceptible to herniation. This makes sense because they are now at more risk as you move around as a normal human being does.....the corrected discs don't move any longer, placing more of a burden on the others.

Some issues that can help resolve the problem:

- not sure of your weight (and would never inquire into this), but as we age, we tend to put some weight on in the middle/belly area. This pulls on your back when you are standing, and makes your back pain worse. This is my hubby's problem

- improve as much flexibility as you can with Yoga (as Angie recommends), stretching, sometimes therapy helps too

- you are totally correct to worry about the drugs. I have seen SO MANY people (including my mother-in-law after knee replacement surgery) become addicted to prescribed narcotics. It's a major problem in this country. My MIL lost her appetite, wouldn't eat, wouldn't move, felt "out of it", was really not herself. My daughter was prescribed narcotics after her gall bladder surgery right after our wedding, and was totally out of it.........after 2 days, I put her on Naproxen over the counter and it resolved all her problems.

I'm not a doctor and it's up to you and your doctor to determine what the best course is. But I would recommend seeking another opinion, especially if you have a Pain Management facility in your area. They treat the "whole problem" with a combination of medication, psychological treatments that help you learn how to cope, to focus away from your pain, and many other things. Often when people are in serious pain, they can only focus on the pain and that itself is unhealthy. A Pain Management Clinic can often help.

Good luck. Please come back with good news and tell us you are better!

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Re: Ow...ow....ow....

posted at 2/7/2012 10:43 PM EST on theknot.com

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RetreadBride

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Thanks, everybody.

I don't mind telling you my age. 48 this week.

I can move around just fine, except during the muscle spasm, which are horrendous at times. I limp, but that's from the pain.

I hate taking these meds. I did go for twelve hours on Saturday without needing a pill, which was good. No nausea, sweats, or the other stuff an addict might get.

I'll find out what the doc thinks on Thursday, and the MRI results. I do know that he specializes in some kind of implant for spinal pain. It's supposed to cut the signal from the nerves to the brain, so it doesn't send pain signals. Maybe I can get one of those if surgery doesn't kill the pain.

I'm not so worried about the bones....it's the pain. Broken bones, migraines, six miscarriages, multiple dislocated shoulders and knees, but this is by far the worst thing I've ever felt.

"I'm not crazy. I've just been in a very bad mood for 40 years."

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Re: Ow...ow....ow....

posted at 2/8/2012 10:40 PM EST on theknot.com

Hays2be

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Sorry to hear about your back pain. There are several pain clinics in the area as well as the teaching hospitals (stinking blue teams playing right now) I've worked with a few of the docs that were at Wake and they are pretty good.

You were a figure skater? How long and to what level? I've been skating for about 10 years--with a three year layoff when life got in the way. I skate once a week now and would like to go more often. Working on half/single jumps. Spin bites.

C+D, Four kids, two kids-in-law, four grandkids

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Re: Ow...ow....ow....

posted at 2/10/2012 10:15 PM EST on theknot.com

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RetreadBride

Joined on
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Last: 5/24/2012

Hays, where are you in North Carolina? I'm in Johnston County.

Do you do ISI or USFSA? I did both. I tested up to bronze in ice dance, Intermediate in singles, and Adult Silver. I had to stop because I was doing fertility treatments, but always planned to skate again. I had decided to make one more run for the nationals (at the adult level) when this crap with my back began. I also want to coach someday.

I found out yesterday that the discs aren't herniated. I have bulging discs at L-4 and L-5. The doc says it wasn't an injury....the discs were degenerating and this was waiting to happen. All those falls I took DID contribute to this.

He doesn't think I need surgery at this point. I'm in physical therapy, and will be getting steroid shots into the spine. Not looking forward to that, but whatever works.

I would LOVE to see you skate. Let me know if you enter a competition. I'll come to cheer you on!

Some friends and I went to nationals in Greensboro last year, and Skate America last fall. We're planning to go to the 2014 nationals and cheer Alissa Czisny to the Olympic team.

"I'm not crazy. I've just been in a very bad mood for 40 years."

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