Red Badger on the mend

[bmtshooter]

Anything that requires an oxycodone prescription is serious business deserving careful consideration.  Prayers up for quick healing.

[Patocazador]

Before a very recent law change, the doctors here handed out oxycodone prescriptions like they were gumballs. Now they are restricted by fines and loss of license if they write too many.

It is a good law.

[Red Badger]

Time for an update... Things are not going so well... Surgeon released me after two weeks followup appointment where I did not even see him, just his PA.  They removed the stitches and said looks good, go see the VA for Physical Therapy... He has since moved to a new hospital network and the VA Physical therapy is not working... something is going on with the sciatic nerve on my right side.  I can't stand straight or do any of the exercises without major pain.  PT guy is worried enough he has contacted my Primary care doc and we are going to try water therapy and do some tests to see what is going on...

[Hanshi]

You are not doing as well as I'd hoped.  I did water therapy for 4 months a few years ago and it did help.  Also my surgeon did a couple of de-enervations where the problem nerve is burned with an electrode/needle inserted into the nerve.  I also had a couple of epidurals which helped the pain from other nerves.  Thankfully I didn't have surgery like yours; the surgeon said he wasn't even sure it would make a difference in my case (multiple problems).  I wear a back brace for a few hours every evening (lower back) and it has helped the pain noticeably even when I am not wearing it.  You are not there yet, of course.  And I wish you the best and most complete recovery from your ordeal.  I've been disabled for over 12-14 years and received disability prior to going on ss.  Hang in there, my friend; you are not in this alone.

[Patocazador]

Back surgery always has been a crap shoot. You roll sevens or you come up with snake eyes. A friend of mine had back pain. An orthopedist talked him into surgery and he wound up worse. Another orthopedist told him the first one screwed up and redid the surgery. That put him on crutches and later a cane. Eventually, he wound up being disabled and an addict on opiates.

A surgeon told me to wait on back surgery "until you can't stand it  .. and then wait some more."
I hope your story turns out better. A week on a prednisone pack always helped my sciatica. You might want to try that.

Whichever way you go, I wish you the best of luck.

[Hanshi]

Back surgery doesn't have a great success rate and is best avoided unless absolutely necessary.

[Hawken50]

Dang ,,,hope it gets better bud,,,,Fighting the back pain myself...It aint fun

[beowulf]

hope you are feeling better soon ! I`ve had back problems for years ,  sometimes use a cane to walk , or I cant stay upright ! seldom use painkillers ( as they came close to killing me a while back ) and just tend to bull my way through the pain . still get out a couple or more times a week for a walk , usually 3 to 6 miles , cant do the 20 and 30 mile hikes anymore ! been told I`m to old for that , starting to think maybe they`re right !

[Hanshi]

I finally learned the "why" of all my back pain.  I was assured that in a former life I was a class "A" jerk nicknamed "Creepy".  Finally, an answer! 

[beowulf]

I finally learned the "why" of all my back pain.  I was assured that in a former life I was a class "A" jerk nicknamed "Creepy".  Finally, an answer! 

[old salt]

The military did back surgery on me back 67. I still have pain, some time I go off to my self and cry like a baby. I will not have back surgery again.
Old Salt.

[Red Badger]

Believe me, I thought long and hard before doing this surgery.. My Wife is a retired RN and we talked and talked... but seeing this guy and seeing the MRI showed  us that I needed to do it... We gambled and right now it looks like we lost, at least in the short run,  We'll see about the long run... still holding a positive attitude and hoping things will turn out for the best...

[DandJofAZ]

Get Well.  I'm the one supposed to be sick around here.  Every keystroke hurts, but I can usually sit up without to much pain...Walking not much fun, but have to get on with life.  I can crawl through huckleberry patch and pick berries.
Doug 

[Red Badger]

Update - Started Water Therapy yesterday, looks like twice a week for now, loved getting back in the water and was able to do all the activities the therapist showed me, I go back again on Friday... Also the conversation I had the other night with Doug was a boost to my morale which was starting to dip.  So things are looking good right now and I am in a positive frame of mind.... 

Jim AKA Red Badger

[Hanshi]

I actually do know how you can feel about your situation.  But you gotta get back in butt-kicking, out back of the woodshed, hard spanking shape.  These guys here are running wild and need your firm hand.