yesterday's thoracic attack

[Mark N]

Yesterday I got a nasty blast from the past and it wasn't a fond memory. Funny how I forget how bad they can be until another one occurs. I had just been up for a short time [I haven't been doing very well the past two weeks] and my wife was telling me about our neighbor having car problems and they were blocking the alley. I guess they had been at it for about an hour with a starter wire short and had drained the battery. I got our charger/booster and took it out to help while my son got the electrical cord unwound to get electricity out there. We got is started after some effort but I was just watching not doing any work.

I started carrying the charger in and at the back door a massive thoracic spasm hit that felt like I had been severed just below the fusion site. It collapsed me to the floor so I sat there afraid to move while it scared my wife to death. She took the charger and got the computer off my chair and I scooted down the stairs and made it to my chair before I couldn't move again. The good news is that now 3:30am I have things under control and don't feel like I am in danger of locking up.

The bad news is I am going to have to quit toughing out the increasing symptoms and pain and work on getting an appointment to see my OSS. He is out of network so I will have to do some calling to get him approved. I can handle the constant pain day by day but this unexpected attacks have to stop or I have to know they aren't harbingers of worse problems with my spine. Thanks for being there for me and those that have pushed for me to get an MRI it wil happen as soon as the insurance approves the pics.

[BrokenBladder]

Mark I'm sending you ((((HUGS))))
I'm so sorry your having to endure this right now, but I think it's imortant to get that mRI and get to your OSS. You need the peace of mind and so does your family.
Hang in there and talk to us as much as possible, it helps me just to talk about it.:)

[Mark N]

Lisa, thanks, my peace of mind is fine as I have accepted my lot in life and fight what I can while accepting what can't be conquered. It is important though to see my OSS and get a MRI because I need to know the shape my spine is in right now while it is getting my attention.

I was hoping my hypnosis on your sleep thread would work and you would be snoozing by now but I guess my career as a hypnotist is out the window:D .

[Kathi49]

Mark,

I hope you start making those calls today and I hope you can get approval for your OSS. :) I know we talked a little bit about this yesterday but boy your story makes me cringe. I know, I don't have the thoracic spine problems with the exception of just a little facet osteo at one level...nothing to write home about. But I know what it is like to have a "massive spasm" that WILL bring you to your knees. I said a long time ago after that second fusion I had ONE spasm that was a killer and sent me to the ER. I didn't realize it then but it was due to the decompression and the nerve(s) being angry from being freed up. The only way I could explain it to my husband and the ER doc is that my arm felt like it had been severed and put back on!

Did the Soma help at all? I just mean getting the spasms under control a little. Valium has always helped me with those horrific spasms.

Anyway, I think you hit the nail on the head by saying quit "toughing it out". You're right daily pain is one thing when it is manageable..even though tough to do. But when you start having attacks and hitting the floor and no meds are touching it; time for an MRI to find out what is really going on.

Please keep us all posted. I feel for you with all that is going on. And I hope you can get an appointment with your OSS ASAP.

[Mark N]

Kathi, the soma seems to have the spasms under control and my spine feels like it is one piece once again. I don't feel as fragile when I am up. As far as today is concerned, I move a bit slower than that . But I will be working on getting an MRI and an appointment with my OSS it just may take a while to get it done. I just know I will push to get the MRI instead of slacking off on it like last time. Takes for the concern.

[debhun]

Mark I am so very sorry you are not doing well. I do pray you get the MRI done and start feeling better soon. You are alway here for us and now we need to be here for you. So here coming some soft HUGS (((((((((((((((((((((Hug))))))))))))))))))

Deb

[Mark N]

Deb, thanks for the hugs but be sure that you are focusing on your surgery coming up as I want you to get one of your health problems taken care of. I will get my MRI I am just not sure how soon I can get it done. Something is going on and it is time to find out what is changing and how much it is changing.

[Jyes]

Mark, just reading about your pain made me weak and brought back some not so fond memories. Yes, us guys like to tough it out, we bad, aren't we!

Hoping you do not experience another attack like that and that a future MRI does show a reason for it and that the Doc can come up with a treatment.

I am hoping for some MRI results today or tomorrow on a non-spinal issue, and I am hoping for a result that shows something wrong, otherwise I will be left sort of hanging on what is causing my pain. (Knee).

Jyes

[JAVISI]

Dear Friends,
I don't post here much. I too have chronic back and rihght sided abdominal pain. Yesterday while going through things in my grandma's garage. I lost my balance and fell. I usually have lower back pain to to an inpingement on my nerve. Now my midback is killing me, It has slowly gotten worse as time goes, I have been up since midnight trying to get some releif. The last 3 toes on my right foot are numb.

I push myself and do too much at times. I want to stay active as possible but living with constant pain is so tiring. I don't know if I even should go to the Dr. No pain meds will help, due too taking many meds and recepter sites. I really don't know what to do.

just wanted to vent a lttle, Thanks for lisening!

Still Reaching for the Stars and Dreamimg Big, Javisi

[simby]

Mark,
Ouch, i broke out in a sweat just reading your post. I am glad you didn't bang yourself all up and that you are feeling better now.
I hope you get approved for the doc and mri soon. I also would want to know what was going on in there.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((Jav)))))))))))))))))))
feel better soon.

hugs,
sims

[Mark N]

Jyes and Sims, thanks for the concern. I was ready to blow off the MRI for the attack I had back in May that kept me from being able to breathe for several minutes but yesterday's attack will push me to follow through and get it checked out.

Javisi, sorry to hear of your pain and the lack of relief for what you have. Don't be too sure that no medicine can help. Each med works somewhat differently for each of us and it can be a long trial and error process before finding the right med for you. It is possible that you won't be pain free, I never have days without severe pain, but you should find some relief from some pain medicine.I hope you see a good pain doctor and a good spinal doctor. Your new pain has a source and a good spinal doctor can determine if it is spinal related or from some other source.

[simby]

hi Mark,
two attacks like that in just a bit over 2 months is definately something you should act on right away. (push push nag nag).

I hope you called today. If not, i will be sending out the dogs to get over to your house and STALK you.

ahem,

i done ranting at you now.

(a gentle, kindly rant it was)

sims

[lucidmaster]

Yesterday I got a nasty blast from the past and it wasn't a fond memory. Funny how I forget how bad they can be until another one occurs. I had just been up for a short time [I haven't been doing very well the past two weeks] and my wife was telling me about our neighbor having car problems and they were blocking the alley. I guess they had been at it for about an hour with a starter wire short and had drained the battery. I got our charger/booster and took it out to help while my son got the electrical cord unwound to get electricity out there. We got is started after some effort but I was just watching not doing any work.

I started carrying the charger in and at the back door a massive thoracic spasm hit that felt like I had been severed just below the fusion site. It collapsed me to the floor so I sat there afraid to move while it scared my wife to death. She took the charger and got the computer off my chair and I scooted down the stairs and made it to my chair before I couldn't move again. The good news is that now 3:30am I have things under control and don't feel like I am in danger of locking up.

The bad news is I am going to have to quit toughing out the increasing symptoms and pain and work on getting an appointment to see my OSS. He is out of network so I will have to do some calling to get him approved. I can handle the constant pain day by day but this unexpected attacks have to stop or I have to know they aren't harbingers of worse problems with my spine. Thanks for being there for me and those that have pushed for me to get an MRI it wil happen as soon as the insurance approves the pics.

Really sorry to hear of this Mark. I am glad you are feeling a bit better. Yes, you should get that MRI done soon, but the chances are it might not be that telling--meaning the compression might have not gotten worse, but the irritation it is causing can be increasing regardless. In the end, you might need to listen to and weigh your symptoms and make a decision, but you know all that as you've been through it several times. All I can say is that I hope things get better for you one way or another. Best, -Ozgur.

[Mark N]

Ozgur and Sims, I will get the MRI but with my PCP out recovering from his tricep surgery I will wait until he gets back in a month or so. He will order it and refer me to my OSS so the insurance will cover most of the visit. I don't have any rush symptoms but they do need to be followed up on so I will. Sims, I am not digging my heels in so don't push too hard:) but thanks for the nag and push so I don't ignore the symptoms. Thanks friends I will follow up even if it takes several weeks to get it set up.

[curiousforever]

Hugs...hope you can get in soon.

[Mark N]

cf, thanks.

[photonut]

Hey Mark;
I am so sorry this happened. You have endured enough. It seems that in our everyday lives we just settle in and BOOM one thing or another starts that nasty cycle all over again. Sometimes just by moving wrong or a twist at the wrong angle. Please keep us posted as we are your friends and can feel your pain. I hope it gets better soon. Maybe time for that MRI ? ...Allie

[GardeniaGirl]

mark - sorry to hear that you are dealing with this. I will admit i am woefully ignorant about spinal problems and can't pretend to understand all the terminology about them, but I hope you will sort out what is going on and what needs to be done.

It sounds beyond frustrating, regardless!

Take Care
GG

[Mark N]

Allie and GG, thanks for the concern. I am doing better and at least it doesn't feel like I am going to break in half in my mid spine. My testosterone injection is kicking in so I at least have more energy but I am being careful about the spinal problems. Allie, I will get the MRI the question is just how soon I can get it done.

It does seem like we adjust to the pain and our lives and then boom we get hit with new pains and it screws up with our adjustment and here we go again.

[suede]

Mark,
Sorry I haven't posted sooner, I haven't been able to get here.

I am really sorry to hear that this is going on and wish that there was something I could do or say to help, just know this you are in my thoughts and heart.

My T-spine has been really flaring since the ESI wore off, it feels like there is a baseball in my mid back lodged there and every which way I turn increases the pain, I understand because I know if I move the wrong way or any sudden moves can take me down.

I can't even begin to imagine how awful this has to be for you since you have already had the surgery and all.

Oh, the life of a spinney, it seems that for a group of people that don't have real active lives they are sure eventful.

Take care Mark and you know, don't push it.

Linda

[Boxerlover]

Mark, just wanted to add my support to the group. I know what it's like to get an attack of something that you've had the blessing of not having in awhile and you are right, you do forget how bad it can be.

I hope you don't have too much trouble following up on this and I'm sorry it happened.:(

Take care
Melissa

[Mark N]

Linda, yes for people that aren't very active we seem to have eventful lives. Thanks for the concern, I know we both suffer with this and how tough it is each day.

Melissa, Thanks for adding your concern.


I deal with this daily and am on the verge of an attack each day suffering them but can get them under control in a couple of hours. This attack Sunday was a reminder that my spine is getting worse and may not be something I can get under control in a few hours. It is frustrating because I wasn't doing anything or moving in any way to cause this, it just came from the blue and got my attention fast. It will take me time to get the appointment and MRI I need but I don't have severe impairment that makes it necessary to act quickly but to do it in a way that reduces the cost for my family. Thank you for all your thoughts and concern, it helps to know there are others that truly understand what I deal with.

[jimac]

Mark,

I hope that you are feeling better today.

Jim

[Mark N]

Jim, back to my 'normal' day. Thanks for the note.

[GJZH]

Mark,

Sorry to read this....I am getting ready to go away so I am not on the boards as much this week...I hope you are feeling better and calling for an appt for the MRI...I hope too that you can get in to see your doc....Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers...

Hugs,

Gloria

[Mark N]

Thanks Gloria, I hope you aren't gone too long. Please get back on the site soon to let us know how you are doing.

[Lea]

OH Mark!!

I am so sorry that happened. Definitely get the MRI at whatever cost. You can't live like that.

Hope today is a better one.

[Mark N]

Thanks Lea, I will get the MRI.