back problems (little long)

Well my saga continues!  For those of u have followed my medical story yesterday was a good day and a worrisome one.  For others I will fill u in briefly.  8 years ago I had emergency back surgery for a "huge" herniation, which resulted in nerve damage and yadda yadda.  Well after many months of rehab i was able to get back to work and lead a normal fat guy life.  Well 2 years ago back started to really bother me again.   After 2 years of being in pain, seeing every doctor i could, losing 195lbs, trying injections, therapy and whatever else i was told to do i still manage only through narcs and not doing mu*****luding work. Yesterday after meeting with the nuerosurgeon we talked about fusing my spine.  He said this Might help.  At that point i could have jumped if i could jump up and down at just the thought that there Might be help.  It has been awhile since anyone has come up with a plan other than drugs and getting rid of the weight. My point being to all of this that if you have disc problems or other major issue with ur back prior to wls it might not fix it like everyone says it will. Mentally I felt better as a fat guy because when others look at a fat guy they expect major health problems and disabilities.  But at 6'1" 190lbs I look normal except the stooped over stature and grimace I have at times.  I am sure 90% of it is me and my depression and perception but... it still sucks. After working in the mental health field for 14 years I have a new found respect for the powers of depression.  LOL Jim d

Have you tried seeing a pain specialist?

Unfortuantley, the pain specialist around my neck of the woods consisit of getting injections in the spine and drugs.  If surgery is not an option then he said inplanting an electic stimulator is the next step.  The bad part about living in a rural setting is if I want another opinion or a specialist I am forced to drive 3 plus hours. I am still shopping, surgery is my last option but right now it seems to be the only one if I want some form of normalcy. JIm D

In this area the medical center is on TV promoting its pain mnagement techniques. The Dr. interviewed said cronic pain is a disease and therefore can be treated. He too mentioned electrical implants to courteract the paid impuls. Don't give up, there must something somewhere that can be done. Gob bless. Doug