The hits keep coming and coming

[imschur]

So a few weeks back I mentioned all the shit was almost behind me. I must have smiled too much. End of August father in law gets a brain infection for his 81st birthday. Not a huge impact on me but the old lady is a nervous wreck and her vehicle is in constant motion. Toby is really winding down despite our best efforts but the real kicker is this.

When I was 15 I was diagnosed with a tumor on my spine. This tumor caused a scoliosis. No big deal, they ripped the beast out and inserted a harrington rod to straighten my spine. The rod was supposed to be removed but the docs decided my body accepted it so well that they would leave it in. Well my back has bothered me on and off for years but I deal with it. My right leg is sorta numb, and I lose control of both legs every now and then. Well a few weeks my back turned into a raging-fuck pain on 11. Go to my primary he says, another tumor, pin fucked-up or a brand new ailment. Decides to send me to a specialist. As luck would have it, the original installer is still practicing 33 years later. Off i go. He shoots some xrays, pokes and prods. Informs me my spine is in good shape, the rod looks good to. Doesnt think I have a new ailment. Ready for this, I lost so much weight and gained enough muscle that the ends of the rod are dragging across my back muscles. Says to remove it would be risky and probably more painful with possible nasty complications. The solution..take some pain meds for the rest of my life. Something called Ultram...

WTF

[blue109]

that blows man. id probably rather pain meds than surgery though. I never trust that knife.

[shepp]

Wow!!! Good luck with it

[Armed Eye Doc]

That does suck. If a surgeon tells you it's better not to do surgery, I would trust him much more than one who wants to cut when you walk in the door.

Ultram is a narcotic pain reliever that is not as strong as hydocodone (Vicodin) but also not as addictive.

[DNP]

You gotta have some good stories in there too....somewhere. If go back to eating mcdonalds, smoking, and drinking heavily. Might as well enjoy something...getting healthy is torturing you.

[Rsquared]

That blows brother. I don't even know what to say my man. Except, let me know if you EVER need anything from us guys. Technically, I guess Edge and I are the closest to you geographically.....in case you need somebody in person........to come slap you around, call you names and make fun of you and such.

 

Me = >:D

Greg = C:-)

 

Just trying to keep it light hearted brother.

[shepp]

That blows brother. I don't even know what to say my man. Except, let me know if you EVER need anything from us guys. Technically, I guess Edge and I are the closest to you geographically.....in case you need somebody in person........to come slap you around, call you names and make fun of you and such.

Me = >:D

Greg = C:-)

Just trying to keep it light hearted brother.

Agreed I've done it once, I can make it to eastern CT in 16 hours....

[edgecrusher]

It'll take me, 90 mins...... 40 with lights.....

[Robocop1051]

Damn, who needs to diet when you can just have all your parts cut out/off. At the rate you're going, we better get half off on your burial... and recycle value on the other half.

[jtallen83]

Hope the meds work for you. I have some back issues myself. I do my best to get by on ibuprofen but have Vicodin to supplement when absolutely needed. I use  Gabapentin daily for the leg pain, hardly any side effects with it. I was having good results with Lyrica but changed insurance and they wouldn't pay so it was priced out of my reach.

   Be careful with the narcotics, they had me on Fentanyl patches for about 4 years till I realized it was going to kill me,felt great the first 3 years, felt like death was near when getting off of it! I thought I was tough enough to go cold turkey, took 3 months of misery, never again, I'll just suck it up and Ranger on before getting hooked again.

  I've yet to find anyone that has had surgery after 3 years or more that recommends it......

[Microgunner]

Sounds like fat and lazy is the order of the day.

 

Seriously, hope you get it fixed.

[imschur]

Thanks guys!

These pictures are not me but it is EXACTLY like what I have

[edgecrusher]

Spare tire jack? That's not exactly comfortable looking. I'll keep in close observation of this, might be a tight fit in the fridge with Tom, but we will make sure you get through it.

In all seriousness, best of luck, I'm close enough and you know how to reach me if you need anything

[shibiwan]

Ouch... that looks painful even when it's working correctly. Hope you get it all worked out!!

[washguy]

Daaamn Drew...get back on the burgers and shakes ! Ive been on ultram/tramadol since 2003...they arnt addictive unless you run out.

they are pretty weak too...down 2 with a brew.... I feel so bad for Toby,he's been such a great pal ,and family for you :) Wash

Edited September 14, 2014 by washguy

[jtallen83]

Ouch! That hurts just looking at it  :( . Must be a bitch getting on an airplane with all that steel..............

[sketch]

Damn that is a long shank boss hope it pans out soon I'm on year two with screws and plate fuckin hate it when the weather changes over night or on a roof for more than an hour. Tequila hangover is ok most the time to drown the pain. Doc says I've at best got 20-30 years before I get it redone again... Wtf is he thinking!!

[survivalshop]

   Same doctor that put it in there , how about a second opinion . They are doing great things now a days & some old doctors just seem to stay in the Neanderthal age , which in some cases , not a bad deal .

    I think by the time your 60 years old , every thing you thought you survived when younger , catches up with you & everything starts to hurt . You just started early . I have never liked taking pain pills , but sometimes its the only answer.

[edgecrusher]

I agree with that ^^^^ my doc for my knee surgery is waaayyyyyy ahead compared to the first two I spoke with. Helps he's an ortho for a pro sports team, that's the kind of medicine you need.

[planeflyer21]

Call me cynical (who would have guessed?), but the doctor who 30 years ago installed the rod says "No problem, class-A job...how about some liver-bustin' drugs?"

 

In 30 years someone somewhere has made some sort of advances. IME doctors get comfortable and arrogant over time. It is the up and comers that look for solutions.

 

Second, third, and fourth opinions, from a University hospital if possible.

[imschur]

yes im getting other opinions

[Matt.Cross]

Hang in there brother, there's gotta be a good solution drifting around sawbones' mind somewhere...

[Robocop1051]

I think my XO has that same device installed.... Although, I believe his was inserted rectally.

[unforgiven]

Sorry to hear about you'r situation brother.Medicine changes by the day.Sorry to hear about Toby damn pet's break you'r heart.Good luck.

[Boerboel guy]

Wow man, that looks absolutely horrible to have to deal with. I've got back issues of my own but they fall far short of that. I can't even imagine.

Best of luck to you in your recovery. Ultram is the only thing they could give me that I wasn't afraid to go to work on. It took just enough of the edge off without any loopy feeling. I would never want to be on it long term though. I really hope you can find a good solution.