Just thought Id share my issues with my lower back, normally I dont share my personal health issues, but wanted to, as it may help others having similar problems. I have had lower back problems for the past 2 years, which have been very painful for me at times-Id try to tolerate the pain, but some days were very bad and I lost lots of sleep. I have a thinning of L 2 3 disc and protruding disc L 4 5. I have been doing everything to avoid major surgery and have had epidural steroid injections, massages, acupuncture, physical therapies, referrals to Traditional Healing, had lidocaine patches, medications, used tens unit and have done excercises and stretches. Recently, I was a candidate for a Radio Frequency Abalation (RFA) per a neurologist at ANMC. After giving me a lidocaine injection (deblocking of the nerves) on my lower back, I was to keep an hourly pain diary throughout the day, up to the point where the lidocaine wore off and the pain came back. Than the testing came where I went through a painful procedure in July and last month-the neurosurgeon pinpointed the nerves that were being affected by those degenerative disc and with x-rays and a long needle, he poke through and hit the nerves, the more pain the better so he can identify those nerves to be burned . After this procedure was done, I was scheduled for the RFA later on. I happened to be the first patient at ANMC Day Surgery to use this incredible machine! In July, the neurosurgeon did a 90 minute procedure (non-invasive surgery) under conscious sedation, (this was the first time) and burned 6 nerves-3 on each side of my back-I did not feel any pain. For two weeks I was pain free, but after that I started having pain on my lower left back. So I got reevaluated again and was determined that maybe a nerve was missed. So I had another 2nd RFA on Sept. 10th= a half hour non-invasive Day Surgery and one nerve on my lower left lumbar was burned. I know I am not elderly, but it affects those of us not so elderly! The degeneration of those discs can be hereditary or from heavy lifting or a repetitive work related activity or just wear and tear from aging. I probably also made it worse by my yearly dip netting for salmon! Right now, so far, I am pain free, although when I forget that I dont have degenerative discs, I tend to overdo activities and I get some tightness and some lower level of pain on both sides of my lower lumbar. So I am very careful this time and learning to limit my activities that may affect the back. This month, I am going to a wonderful chiropractor at PCC Comp med, twice weekly to stretch out my spine,and let fluid flow into those discs, so they are not rubbing against the bones. I have to take it easy for 7 weeks! You might want to ask your Health provider about RFA to see if you are a candidate for this procedure. You can also look it up online-(Radio Frequency Abalation). Now after all this, I am sad to say that I cannot go to my daughters wedding next Tuesday and my daughter does not want me to travel alone and deal with the mess at DC airport. I am truly disappointed and very sad and little depressed that I cannot attend my paniks wedding. But she is such an understanding daughter of mine! My son, their dad and I have all agreed and Lord willing - we will be having a big three day wedding reception for Jill and Chris here in Anchorage next summer!!! That is something to look forward to. A date has not been set yet, but I know it will be a three day reception for the two of them!!
Posted on: Sat, 27 Sep 2014 02:04:34 +0000
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