Back from my doctor

[Remali]

As you all probably have read on my previous threads (or, maybe not....lol) I've had some back troubles from an old back injury that resulted in two herniated disks in my lumbar spine. Long story short, I met with my doctor today and we went over the latest images from my back (x-rays). The disks are entirely gone now, and the vertebraes at L3 - 4 and L4 - 5 have actually fused themselves together, so bone on bone. I have arthritis of the facets, and I also have scoliosis, and spinal stenosis. I will be going in to have an MRI in a couple weeks, and then following up with the Pain Clinic for possible injections to help control the pain. Surgery would be a fusion, a nasty surgery where I'd be laid up for 6 months....no guarantee I would be better and all indications that it would not help me at this point, and could, in fact, make thing worse in the long run by putting extra stress on the disks above and below that area, and surgery not really warranted at this time anyway (unless I should start having more leg pain, etc.). Sooooo..... my doctor has me on more limited hours at work, let's hope that flies with my supervisor......and I can still do my job..... hoping I can perhaps be placed in another department at my job.

Now....where do I apply for my Scooter Chair?! :doh:

[dame_wolf]

I'm sorry Renee. I hope you supervisor is understanding. Could you possibly get a desk job or is that out of the question?

[Remali]

I've been trying to get a desk job for months now, had a couple interviews..... so far nothing. Trouble is, I also have IBS and that is also preventing me from holding down any job, even a desk job... with IBS I have to literally jump up and run to the bathroom (think colonoscopy prep and you are not too far off), and some days, quite often 3 or more times a week I can't even make it to work on time.... because of that I have lost jobs.... So, that is why after consulting my doctor and a disability attorney, I have applied for SSI disability. But that process can take months or years..... in the meantime I am trying to figure out how to pay bills and live..... so that is why I'm trying to find work I can do at least part time, and I'm hoping the current jod will work with me and let me drop down to the hours my doctor has recommended, or better yet another department.... If I had family left and could move in with family, I'd be doing that right now and then I wouldn't have to worry about a job or rent, and etc., but I have no family left.....so I'm trying to muddle thru all this with some county assistance. It sucks. I went from having a very good paying job at a hospital years ago and I am now making $10 an hour less than I used to.... I'm so frustrated, and praying the SSI comes thru this time (I already got my first denial but that is not uncommon I am told). So, fingers crossed for SSI coming thru for me soon.

[dame_wolf]

I know what you mean about it taking years. My late brother fought with the disability people for over a year before finally getting approved just before he passed. They tried to tell him he wasn't disabled and that they had no record of him ever being on disability. He was placed on disability throughout his childhood until he told them to take him off, he found a job he could do and didn't need it anymore. He had to get a lawyer and he literally got his approval and back pay little more then a month before he passed. At least that paid the hospital bills and cremation expenses.

Hang in there Renee. What about a work at home job? I've got a friend that does medical billing at home and therefore sets her own schedule. As long as she logs the required hours they don't care what time she works.

[Remali]

I wish I could work from home.....but they do require that you work in the office for at least a year, or so, before they send you home, to be sure you are getting your quota out and all that. Two of the prior jobs I had did place people to work from home, unfortunately those were the two desk jobs I lost due to my IBS.

That is so sad about your dad and how long they made him wait. At least he got it, but they should have done so much sooner. A guy I know waited three years to get his SSI, yet another person I know got theirs approved right away.... makes no sense to me at all, especially seeing as this person who was approved right way is now going out and still working part time for cash, that really infuriates me.

[CaddoCinnamon]

I hope that things start looking up for you. I will keep you in my prayers.

[natisha]

Dang Girl :(

[Remali]

I always used to joke and say when I got old and couldn't ride, I'd get myself a mini horse and a cart.....lol.
I may have to do that earlier than I'd planned..... ;)

[natisha]

I always used to joke and say when I got old and couldn't ride, I'd get myself a mini horse and a cart.....lol.
I may have to do that earlier than I'd planned..... ;) Get a second or third opinion.. You're too young to be that old.

[Gypsy Rose]

Yikes! That's awful! I guess I don't understand why voc. rehab can't get you in if nothing else in the interim- sheesh!

[Remali]

I'm going to see a specialist eventually.... but I looked at the x-rays myself, it was really clear to see it all, even on plan old x-rays (I had some imaging classes while going to school for ultrasound), my doctor pointed out a few things to me, and I could really see for myself a lot of it even before he told me.

Hmmm..... I could always get a gaited breed horse some day too.... :)

I did qualify for Voc Rehab, but they are so swamped and under-funded right now I am on the waiting list to start their program......

[shewasmyshadow]

I'm so sorry Rem. What did you do in a hospital? Were you a nurse? Could you apply to be a phone triage line? My mom is an RN and she did that for awhile. Made excellent money ($25 hr) and she could run to the potty whenever she wanted. ;)

[Palogal]

Get a second or third opinion.. You're too young to be that old.

I agree.. Hang in there Rene.:grouphug: Crap! I hope that didin't hurt to much ;)

[Remali]

I was in medical records/health information doing Coding and Data Abstracting..... had my own desk, next to a window (I could even open the window in the summer, it was lovely), had a radio playing low, it was such a great job, I loved it. I gathered info for lots of reasons, entered it into the computer database, also did stuff like going thru charts to make sure transfusions that were done met the requirements, etc. It was very interesting, paid well. After I took care of my dad tho, when he was so sick, he was on home hospice care, I got sick again....and lost my job due to my IBS issues (my boss was not very understanding of anything, even called me into her office my very first day back to work after my dad's funeral because I took three extra days off after the funeral when I was ill..... needless to say I told her what I thought....).

Anyway..... most places are not good about any work missed for any medical reason and my symptoms have gotten worse instead of better.

[shewasmyshadow]

I was in medical records/health information doing Coding and Data Abstracting..... had my own desk, next to a window (I could even open the window in the summer, it was lovely), had a radio playing low, it was such a great job, I loved it. I gathered info for lots of reasons, entered it into the computer database, also did stuff like going thru charts to make sure transfusions that were done met the requirements, etc. It was very interesting, paid well. After I took care of my dad tho, when he was so sick, he was on home hospice care, I got sick again....and lost my job due to my IBS issues (my boss was not very understanding of anything, even called me into her office my very first day back to work after my dad's funeral because I took three extra days off after the funeral when I was ill..... needless to say I told her what I thought....).

Anyway..... most places are not good about any work missed for any medical reason and my symptoms have gotten worse instead of better.

And nothing can be done for IBS? All my cousins have IBS and I know they take something for it. Not sure what...

[Remali]

I've tried it all..... I've had this since I was a kid. Actually, quite a few immediate family members have/had colitis..... my nephew had to have his colon removed he got ulcerative colitis. Some forms of IBS can get bad, mine gets to the point where it just can't be controlled..... I am not real happy with the new GI doc I have tho, so I may go back to my former GI doc, he did notice some inflammation so my family doctor had wondered if I may have colitis or Crohns rather than IBS. But, there are different types of IBS....

[valleyrider]

Oh Remali so sorry to hear this:(:grouphug: Chin up girl,, hopefully there is something that can be done to help you with your back and IBS.. I was diagnosed with IBS when I was in my 20s.. Mine must have been a mild case cause Doc. gave me some meds and I felt better.. Still have to be careful on what I eat though..

[Remali]

Yeah, the docs I saw about my IBS think I may actually have colitis, and this new GI doc I saw wasn't very good at all, so it's still sort of up in the air. Seeing as so many immediate family members had or have colitis, it's more than likely that is what I'm dealing with seeing as my symptoms are more severe and uncontrollable, and exactly the same as my sister's symptoms and what my mother had. The pain I get from the colitis (or IBS) makes me nearly pass out. I'm just being careful and taking it easy today, my back was pretty sore yet this morning, I imagine driving the 35 miles roundtrip to my doctor's office yesterday didn't help me any, but I don't have anyone to drive me. I did find a volunteer driver service tho, thru the Aging and Disability dept., but they can't get me going until February, but that isn't too far away.

[Remali]

My disability attorney just called me. My disability claim was denied. He told me not to get discouraged, he is sending in the appeal today. But that will take at least about a year, I'm not sure after yesterday's bad news at the doctor how I am going to make it a year.

Anyway...... geez..... Glad I have my pets, they keep me from looking for the nearest bridge to go jump off of....

[Gypsy Rose]

That really stinks! Wonder how society expects people to survive nowadays!

[Remali]

Well, the guy across the street from me had a very serious back surgery..... it took him THREE YEARS to get social security disability..... he said that he borrowed money from his parents until his SSI was approved.
I guess I am going to have to talk to my doctor about stronger pain meds, and go in for those injections sooner now.....

[farmers_wife]

So sorry to hear about this. It is sad you have to be in pain all the time. I will say a prayer for you.

[Remali]

Thank you Faith. I'm trying to keep my chin up, but it gets mighty hard to do at times.
Being on the forums, and my pets, keep me going tho.