eightball776
Well known member
Chronic low back pain has taken a lot from me over the past 10 years, but I find myself in a position now that I never thought I’d get to. I am about to lose my independence & have started the process for getting a wheelchair. While my case has grown more complicated over the years, and now includes things that are the result of efforts to treat the pain over such a long period of time, I have no doubt the original source is TMS. I have grown even more suspicious lately having developed a new pain syndrome in my right foot about 6 weeks ago, in the same place I stubbed my toe about 11 months ago. My TMS “training” has taught me that multiple chronic pain syndromes are often a telltale sign of an active MBS.
There's no doubt that years of powerful medications, primarily the corticosteroids, have resulted in some severe hormonal imbalances that are also contributing to my pain syndrome. Hyper-analgesia is also no doubt playing a prominent role. The underlying autoimmune disorder (Crohn's Disease), has been in a persistent 'flare' for several years now, elevating inflammatory markers in my blood. A significant percentage of Crohn’s patients develop back pain and painful inflammation in the joints. I’m sure there’s no way to know for sure, but one could argue it is for the same reason 85% also suffer from anxiety and depression at some point – dealing with a chronic, debilitating, and incurable illness, usually diagnosed in early childhood, is as good a reason as any to be anxious or depressed!
I’ve posted all of this before, but I’m here today because of the crossroads I find myself at today. I’ve felt like I was “at the end of my rope” before, but now I am in a place where this pain has left me unable to take care of myself in just about every way - physically, financially, even emotionally, as I find myself less and less able to cope with the amount of pain I’m dealing with day-to-day. The prospect of moving in with my parents in my forties and learning how to manage in a wheelchair is difficult to accept. My next statement may surprise some people.
Despite my complete acceptance of TMS as the source of my chronic pain, I am seriously considering back surgery. I completely understand that the “impinged nerve root” mentioned on my MRI reports may not be a factor at all. Despite 4 different unbiased neurosurgeons arriving at the same conclusion about my need for surgery, I wasn’t convinced I needed an operation. I believe my TMS has resulted in an inflammatory condition that has taken advantage of this sensitive area. If this is in fact the case, then a surgical intervention could, theoretically, eliminate the pain. Sure, I may wind up developing a pain syndrome somewhere else, but I think that’s still a better outcome than I’m living with today. Or maybe it’ll be a huge disaster, weaken my spine, and cause more pain in the end. I’m just at a point where I think it’s worth the risk. It’s not a decision that should be made out of desperation, yet that’s exactly where I’m at. Despite all of the uncertainty about the recovery and the horrible statistics, one thing is clear – all of the efforts to treat the TMS have failed. Everything else – has failed.
I’d very much like to try and see Dr. David Hanscom (Back in Control) or Dr. Howard Schubiner (Unlearn your Pain) for a final opinion. Anyone on here gone that route?
There's no doubt that years of powerful medications, primarily the corticosteroids, have resulted in some severe hormonal imbalances that are also contributing to my pain syndrome. Hyper-analgesia is also no doubt playing a prominent role. The underlying autoimmune disorder (Crohn's Disease), has been in a persistent 'flare' for several years now, elevating inflammatory markers in my blood. A significant percentage of Crohn’s patients develop back pain and painful inflammation in the joints. I’m sure there’s no way to know for sure, but one could argue it is for the same reason 85% also suffer from anxiety and depression at some point – dealing with a chronic, debilitating, and incurable illness, usually diagnosed in early childhood, is as good a reason as any to be anxious or depressed!
I’ve posted all of this before, but I’m here today because of the crossroads I find myself at today. I’ve felt like I was “at the end of my rope” before, but now I am in a place where this pain has left me unable to take care of myself in just about every way - physically, financially, even emotionally, as I find myself less and less able to cope with the amount of pain I’m dealing with day-to-day. The prospect of moving in with my parents in my forties and learning how to manage in a wheelchair is difficult to accept. My next statement may surprise some people.
Despite my complete acceptance of TMS as the source of my chronic pain, I am seriously considering back surgery. I completely understand that the “impinged nerve root” mentioned on my MRI reports may not be a factor at all. Despite 4 different unbiased neurosurgeons arriving at the same conclusion about my need for surgery, I wasn’t convinced I needed an operation. I believe my TMS has resulted in an inflammatory condition that has taken advantage of this sensitive area. If this is in fact the case, then a surgical intervention could, theoretically, eliminate the pain. Sure, I may wind up developing a pain syndrome somewhere else, but I think that’s still a better outcome than I’m living with today. Or maybe it’ll be a huge disaster, weaken my spine, and cause more pain in the end. I’m just at a point where I think it’s worth the risk. It’s not a decision that should be made out of desperation, yet that’s exactly where I’m at. Despite all of the uncertainty about the recovery and the horrible statistics, one thing is clear – all of the efforts to treat the TMS have failed. Everything else – has failed.
I’d very much like to try and see Dr. David Hanscom (Back in Control) or Dr. Howard Schubiner (Unlearn your Pain) for a final opinion. Anyone on here gone that route?
