My apologies

[Fishing Freak]

I was to meet a couple guys on Thursday, on Lake X. I ended up in KGH again. I'm sorry I couldn't get ahold of you before-hand.

As most of you already know I have a on going Kindey problem that occured this fall. That was not the problem though, I also have 2 Discs that have been acting up the past couple years. They seem to be getting worse every time they flare up. The problem in the past was, no meds would releave the pain. So I suffered for several weeks until the swelling went down enough. I literally couldn't walk, or dress myself.
This time I wasn't leaving until I had something to releave the pain enough to walk. They tried Morphen, demerol, neith worked. Finally I get stuck taking percoset. It actually takes the pain away, without me being in a zombie state.
Now I'm scheduled to see a neurologist (sp), and now have to look at surgery.


Question?

Have any of my fellow Hawkers been through this, (Back problems) and what can I expect?

I hear lots of horror stories, about being worse after the surgery.

Any advice would be very helpful.

Thanks all
Dave

Once again I'm soory to the fellows I was to meet.
We will get together soon.

[Bass assassin]

Fishing Freak,
Sorry to hear you are laid up. Being a chiropractor I can tell you that I have seen first hand that surgeries are a real pain. If you are lucky to get through the first few months/years, you will be staring down another surgery in a few years. Sorry, to tell you that. That said, have you ever tried corrective chiropractic? Not just the run of the mill type. I mean a protocol that works to restructure the spine properly. I myself practice this type here in Ottawa. I know of another in Kingston - Sheldon Cook (Nelson St).
Also, not knowing the history of why your kidneys are troubling you, I can tell you for certain that there is probably more of a relationship between your low back pain and the kidneys than you first suspected. The same nerves that are hurting, are the probably the same ones that control your kidney function.
I would suggst looking into corrective chiropractic care. Explore ALL of your conservative measures before the surgery.
If I can be of any other help please contact me.
Bass Assassin

[Mikey]

Sorry to hear about your predicament FF. My wife had back surgery a few years ago. She was in such bad pain in the end there was nothing she could be given to releive the pain, (including chiro care) unable to walk or anything else for that matter. She was apprehensive about the surgery for same reasons as you, but 2 weeks after....she wondered why she hasn't had it done sooner. Since then, no back issues. Sit a speak with the surgeon, they'll explain the process to you and that will releive some of your concerns. Back surgery is not what it used to be....good luck FF.

Mikey

[plowjock]

Hello FF. My wife needed surgery after 4 years of going to a roughshod chiropractic unit. I believe in chiro treatment as it has kept me going for the last 15 years.
My wife had a tumor in her lower back which was about the size of a mini sizzler sausage, and it had put pressure on the nerves running to her legs, caused GREAT PAIN. After 5 trips to emergency and only being shot up with halucinating drugs we finally convinced her Doctor to get her to a neurologist. within a week she had been tested, MRI done and in the Civic hospital for surgery.That was 4 years ago now and she has had no other problems since and has had MRI,s done yearly just to check up what the cause was and to check for no regrowths of the tumor.
At the time of surgery she had no use of her right leg and her left leg was going bad also. You would be surprised how fast muscle atrophy can set in and weaken these muscles. Her thighs went to about the size of my upper arms. Since then with about 6 months of rehab work her legs and thighs are fully working again. The person that put me up to going for first MRI and being denied one at the general was my own Chiropractor who worked on my wife twice and said there was more here than meets the needs of a chiropractor.Ron Burman was my chiro and still is a great friend.
Brian

[Fishing Freak]

Thanks for all the info.

I'll be asking a gazillion questions when I meet this neurologist.

I'll also look into chiropractic options, before any decision is made as to the next step.

Bass assassin:

I strongly beleive there is a relationship between the Kidney failure affecting the back pain. It seems that every time I put on fluids the pain subsides, and when the swelling goes down the back pain gets alot worse. The back pain has been getting worse since The Kidney's have been acting up.

This is something I'll also be discussing with me Renal Doc, the next time I'm there.


Once again, Thank you for the Help so far.

Dave

[wolfe]

FishingFreak,

Keeping you in my prayers....easier said than done, but try not to get discouraged.

Keep us posted and best of luck. Hope you're feeling a little better, anyway.

W.

[Braeside]

Dear FF,

Coming from a family who have kidney problems and associated back issues, my sincere sympathies. Approximately 4 months after my 41st birthday, and since then, I have been the displeased parent of many bouncing "large" kidney stones. Three rather invasive surgeries that year left me feeling better, and with both kidneys functioning. My lower back pain also subsided. After a few phone calls following the surgeries, I found out there is a long running family history, so it is genetic, and ongoing - good looks don't run in the family either, so I guess I've won the lottery.

I lost my first urologist during the Harris Gov't cuts, who went to the states, the second passed away, and the third has just retired. I'm batting 100 for sure.

I cannot speak to chiro care, though I know several folks who swear by it, and went to university with 3 or 4 folks who are now in the profession.

Take care of yourself!!

[Fishing Freak]

Wolfe

Thanks for the encouragment. I think I've fished 11 times since the Kindey's started in Aug. But trying my damnedest to keep from going crazy. I will keep you updated on the progress, and diagnoses.

Brea

No histroy of kidney disease here. It came out of the blue. I'm begining to think there may be a connection between the 2 though. The back is much worse since the kindey's started acting up.

Just taking my meds and hoping for the best.
Hoping to see some fishing soon.

Thanks
Dave

[Wallyboss]

Hey Fishing Freak!!!If you need anything let me know, Brockville is not too far away!!!!

Take care of yourself, and don't worry I'll drive the boat, all that you'll have to do is point me in the right direction for those wallys in the spring.

hope u get better soon.


Dan aka WB

[Fishing Freak]

Wallyboss,
As long as the heart is beating and the Brain is somewhat functioning, I'll be taking you to get some spring walleye.

Dave

[Lunker Larry]

I've had a double back fusion and 4 screws put in 14 years ago. Prior to the operation I rolled out of bed onto my knees to get up in the morning and if Iwashed my feet wrong in the shower my day was over. Had to pick socks with the most stretched tops so they were easier flip over my feet, stuff like that. Heaven help me when I had to sneeze. Did that for 14 years before they operated. Never knew how much pain I was in until they operated. It gave me a whole new life. Still have the odd spasm and such but that is from the damage to the muscles after 14 years of spasms. If your back is as bad as you say it is, chiro is not going to help. It's great to address the mechanical issues but not disk problems. For me I found chiro helps now in keeping my posture and alignment in check.
The best thing you can do is get yourself in the best shape you can prior to the operation. I know it's hard but any exercise from modified sit ups (even just laying flat and tightening your stomach or doing pelvic tilts) to walking will aid in your recouperation. I was doing close to a thousand situps a day as the only thing holding me up was my stomach muscles. Following the operation you'll have to work on exercising the back musles to get them back into doing what they're supposed to as they will be all out of wack due to the spasms you had. It's a long haul but surgery is getting better. Stay fit, treat it as gold and count your blessings afterwards. Good luck.

[Bobber]

Hey Dave,

Hope things are going well and sorry to hear about you back probs. I haven't experienced it personally, but a good friend of mine seems to have much of the same problem. I see what he's going through and can't even imagine it myself. Good luck and hope everything works out in the end.

[Fishing Freak]

LL

That is almost exactly the way I feel. Takes about 10 min to get out of bed in the mourning. Never mind the socks, just slip on the slippers.


Bobber

Just seeing what they go through gives you an idea of the pain involved. It is very hard for some-one with this kind of pain to describe it. I've felt alot of pain in my semi-short lifetime, But none as intense as this.

Now it is time for me to look into all option seriously, and hope for the best.

Thank you all for the support, It is greatly appreciated.

Dave

[Kpin]

Dave,

My sincerest wishes that this passes as quickly and painlessly as possible. Makes what I'm going through seem insignificant. All the very best wishes for the new year.

[Mike the 'Tender]

FF,

My neighbour had surgery, he had two slipped discs. As a firefighter, it still flares up on him now and again, but he says it nothing like what it used to be.

As for me, I've had my fair share of back spasms, and I'm a firm believer in Chiro. My back would get pulled very far out of alignment when it happened, and Chiro was the only thing that could get me up and running again. You just have to find a reputable Chiropractor because I had two that tried to pull some B.S. before I got into the one I've got to for the past 8 years.

The only other thing I can tell you is read everything you can on your condition. Get as much info as possible from your family doc and if possible a couple of specialists. Learn as much as possible, and ask everything you can when you talk to the surgeon. I'm going to be seeing an orthopedic surgeon for possible surgery on my shoulder capsule and I'm doing exactly that.

Hope that helps you out. Good luck with everything.

Mike