Oh sh$% ! I think I might have to get fusion on my back! What will this mean for my future?!

[Wintw]

Oh sh$% ! I think I might have to get fusion on my back! What will this mean for my future?! I am SO scared! Last year I had successful back surgery to get rid of a herniated disc and have four more bulging discs. The thing is the one (a fifth other disc) that was worked on last year is now 2/3 of the way crushed! I am to get four weeks of physical therapy in the mean time. But I am SO scared of what this means for my future! I was told by my doctor that fusion was something a person does not want to have happen because it causes problems such as balance issues for the rest of the upper back! I am 42years old with height of 5'9" and 245 pounds. I lost 40 pounds (from weighing 270) real quick over two months last year but went by to my regular diet because my hair was falling out. Ever since I did that as far as I can tell it genuinely quit doing so. (Unfortunately I have gained the fifteen pounds.) I know I need to keep losing weight now again. Sigh. I am just so, so scared. Dealing with this and getting tinnitus on March 1 of this year from the stress of getting prepared for the lockdown.

 

[Tijn Von Ingersleben]

I am 42years old with height of 5'9" and 245 pounds. I lost 40 pounds (from weighing 270)

That's a biscuit!

 

[Harry Dresden]

all the guys i knew at the PO who had back surgery were not able to carry mail anymore they had to become clerks or they went on disability.....the Chiropractor was the guy who saved my back....

 

[BasicHumanUnit]

Oh sh$% ! I think I might have to get fusion on my back! What will this mean for my future?! I am SO scared! Last year I had successful back surgery to get rid of a herniated disc and have four more bulging discs. The thing is the one (a fifth other disc) that was worked on last year is now 2/3 of the way crushed! I am to get four weeks of physical therapy in the mean time. But I am SO scared of what this means for my future! I was told by my doctor that fusion was something a person does not want to have happen because it causes problems such as balance issues for the rest of the upper back! I am 42years old with height of 5'9" and 245 pounds. I lost 40 pounds (from weighing 270) real quick over two months last year but went by to my regular diet because my hair was falling out. Ever since I did that as far as I can tell it genuinely quit doing so. (Unfortunately I have gained the fifteen pounds.) I know I need to keep losing weight now again. Sigh. I am just so, so scared. Dealing with this and getting tinnitus on March 1 of this year from the stress of getting prepared for the lockdown.

Man, that sounds serious. The lighter you are the better probably.
But one question (kinda off the wall) are you a man of faith?

 

[fncceo]

It's not so bad ...

 

[Marion Morrison]

I would try the Chinese acupressure/spinal manipulation stuff first.
If nothing else, they can lessen the pain if you find the right one.

 

[MarathonMike]

Oh sh$% ! I think I might have to get fusion on my back! What will this mean for my future?! I am SO scared! Last year I had successful back surgery to get rid of a herniated disc and have four more bulging discs. The thing is the one (a fifth other disc) that was worked on last year is now 2/3 of the way crushed! I am to get four weeks of physical therapy in the mean time. But I am SO scared of what this means for my future! I was told by my doctor that fusion was something a person does not want to have happen because it causes problems such as balance issues for the rest of the upper back! I am 42years old with height of 5'9" and 245 pounds. I lost 40 pounds (from weighing 270) real quick over two months last year but went by to my regular diet because my hair was falling out. Ever since I did that as far as I can tell it genuinely quit doing so. (Unfortunately I have gained the fifteen pounds.) I know I need to keep losing weight now again. Sigh. I am just so, so scared. Dealing with this and getting tinnitus on March 1 of this year from the stress of getting prepared for the lockdown.

Fusion isn't the end of the world. Tiger Woods had fusion surgery on his back and still plays at world class level. Not to get personal but it would help you a lot to lose 40 or 50 pounds. You are carrying way too much weight for your height.

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

Oh sh$% ! I think I might have to get fusion on my back! What will this mean for my future?! I am SO scared! Last year I had successful back surgery to get rid of a herniated disc and have four more bulging discs. The thing is the one (a fifth other disc) that was worked on last year is now 2/3 of the way crushed! I am to get four weeks of physical therapy in the mean time. But I am SO scared of what this means for my future! I was told by my doctor that fusion was something a person does not want to have happen because it causes problems such as balance issues for the rest of the upper back! I am 42years old with height of 5'9" and 245 pounds. I lost 40 pounds (from weighing 270) real quick over two months last year but went by to my regular diet because my hair was falling out. Ever since I did that as far as I can tell it genuinely quit doing so. (Unfortunately I have gained the fifteen pounds.) I know I need to keep losing weight now again. Sigh. I am just so, so scared. Dealing with this and getting tinnitus on March 1 of this year from the stress of getting prepared for the lockdown.

I'm 5'9" and 185. My hip failed at 50, a bit less than two years later my back took a shit on me.
Fixed the back and now i'm on my fifth hip surgery on the same hip with one more to go.
I know where you're coming from..I to have been thinking about my future. I'd just retired and I fell apart.
Everything I enjoy has been cut short,fishing,hunting,shooting,cooking,working on projects around the house. I have a good 50k in tools I can no longer use and a shit load of outdoor equipment I might as well sell if I cant get right.
Not giving up though...I've been working with the best Hip rebuild surgeon in Houston. Going to look for the top guy in the country next.

 

[Wintw]

Thank you all. I know...I want to loose like a hundred pounds, sigh. I am so fckn' scare you all. Do I have faith? Only when the sh. hits the fan. What would that be? No. But, yes, when I get scared enough, eh.

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

Thank you all. I know...I want to loose like a hundred pounds, sigh. I am so fckn' scare you all. Do I have faith? Only when the sh. hits the fan. What would that be? No. But, yes, when I get scared enough, eh.

As I said....I've been going through this shit for five years now. I've been able to walk for two of those years. The other three required a cane or walker.
I want to buy a new motorcycle so fucken bad I can taste it!!!!
Man the fuck up and be ready to face some serious hardships....although you might just come out fine.

 

[freyasman]

I got a couple fused vertebrae in my neck and I'm still chugging along just fine.
I lift, play Judo, brawl at work, and fuck like a pornstar.

Don't worry; you'll be fine.

 

[Wintw]

So from what all I am seeing throughout the internet (and my main doctor) is that fusion is something you do NOT want to do. So what is done when it becomes bone on bone?! I am SO scared and depressed but trying to find hope.

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

So from what all I am seeing throughout the internet (and my main doctor) is that fusion is something you do NOT want to do. So what is done when it becomes bone on bone?! I am SO scared and depressed but trying to find hope.

Of course it's not something ya wanna do. But sometimes you have no choice.
Spinal fusion success rates are around 80%.
I guess you'll need to reach the point where the pain is so great you'll have to make your decision.

 

[Correll]

So from what all I am seeing throughout the internet (and my main doctor) is that fusion is something you do NOT want to do. So what is done when it becomes bone on bone?! I am SO scared and depressed but trying to find hope.

loss the weight. fuck the hair. better bald and able to walk than the opposite.

 

[lennypartiv]

Try steroid shots.
Ask you doctor about at home traction kits. About 10 years ago I had one that helped some, hopefully they've gotten better since then.

 

[Wintw]

Yeah, you know what? I was put on a steroid (pill) a month and a half ago and the horrible shocking pain I had had for about a year has been VERY minimalized. The only "pain" has been some pressure in my back but wonderful Tylenol and Aleeve help with that very much so. So, I guess if the pain is kept under some level of pretty good control maybe I can/should hold off from the operation? Plus I haven't started physical therapy yet which I bet will help. I guess my life of being able to jog, run, and carry too much (including doing household chores) is over. I have a fear amongst all of this being able to take care of myself too much longer...AND to move somewhere else because I live in a second floor apartment with no elevator. Sigh. It's twenty steps on the stair case down and or up. Thanks for sharing you all's thoughts on all of this though I imagine I am still going to be looking for information et al for some time to come.