Spinal fusion S1 L5

I have a serious decision to make. Here is my story. I have been  in the US Army for 14 yrs and i have i always been in shape. I did have some back problems in the past at those times i went to the doctor and i was good for at least  2-3 days. One day my back went out and i never recovered. The doctor told me i had see the Neurological & spine institute. They told me that i would have to take injections in the right S1 with Transrominal Epidural Steroid for intervertibral disc degeneration and spinal joint disease. I actually took the first set of injection, didn't work. The second injection after a mouth work really well. I took a physical fitness test and did really well. Ran like a horse at the race track. After 3mth the pain came back. The Spine institute said that they would give me a different kind of injection. They gave me two more type of injection that didn't work. I continue to have back pain to were i could not run, jump, tie my shoe or put on my sock with out discomfort. The Doctor finally told me to go and get an MRI ( which i recommend anyone with back, shoulder, or neck injury to get that MRI done before letting the doctors tell you what they think. MRI doesn't lie) After getting the MRI the doctor said thay i had degenerating disc, 2 bulging disc, and one was touching the nerve. Needed Spinal fusion on S1/L5. So as a person who was on his last leg, i did some research and i seen a 50/50 change on reading the outcome of this precedure.Some people went back to normal after 2-4 mth but  the others where nightmares. (me!)  I had the surgery and that was the worst felling in the world. I have Never been in so much pain that my scale rating was 1-20. Most of the time 15-20. I was in pain, constipated, sore, spasm and other things for about 3mth. I thought i was getting better for a min but for the next 8mth i have been in and out of the  Emergency room at least 1 to 4 time a mouth. My Right upper foot is numb and the more i walk on it the more it hurts. I finally told the doctor that i was feed up with the pain and that i wanted to do a medical retirement, so he stated that he needed to do a Cat Scan before he makes that decision.  When i visit the doctor on the 18 of August, the same day i had my surgery, he told me that he understood why i was still in pain. The Bone from the spine fusion never grew so the doctor said they would have to redo the surgery by getting the bone from my hip area to replace it and also replace the hardware.  If not ii will get worst. At this point i had to go to the ER 3 time this mouth, and this pain is unreal. I am working outside of my MOS (Truck driver) in a desk job until i heal. I just hate to go back through that pain again. I told myself if i get out and i have to have surgery i will have to pay for some of fee, but if i let the army do it, it will be free. What to do. For u guys who had this surgery and was in pain no my fear.

[jackson1368]

I have a serious decision to make. Here is my story. I have been  in the US Army for 14 yrs and i have i always been in shape. I did have some back problems in the past at those times i went to the doctor and i was good for at least  2-3 days. One day my back went out and i never recovered. The doctor told me i had see the Neurological & spine institute. They told me that i would have to take injections in the right S1 with Transrominal Epidural Steroid for intervertibral disc degeneration and spinal joint disease. I actually took the first set of injection, didn't work. The second injection after a mouth work really well. I took a physical fitness test and did really well. Ran like a horse at the race track. After 3mth the pain came back. The Spine institute said that they would give me a different kind of injection. They gave me two more type of injection that didn't work. I continue to have back pain to were i could not run, jump, tie my shoe or put on my sock with out discomfort. The Doctor finally told me to go and get an MRI ( which i recommend anyone with back, shoulder, or neck injury to get that MRI done before letting the doctors tell you what they think. MRI doesn't lie) After getting the MRI the doctor said thay i had degenerating disc, 2 bulging disc, and one was touching the nerve. Needed Spinal fusion on S1/L5. So as a person who was on his last leg, i did some research and i seen a 50/50 change on reading the outcome of this precedure.Some people went back to normal after 2-4 mth but  the others where nightmares. (me!)  I had the surgery and that was the worst felling in the world. I have Never been in so much pain that my scale rating was 1-20. Most of the time 15-20. I was in pain, constipated, sore, spasm and other things for about 3mth. I thought i was getting better for a min but for the next 8mth i have been in and out of the  Emergency room at least 1 to 4 time a mouth. My Right upper foot is numb and the more i walk on it the more it hurts. I finally told the doctor that i was feed up with the pain and that i wanted to do a medical retirement, so he stated that he needed to do a Cat Scan before he makes that decision.  When i visit the doctor on the 18 of August, the same day i had my surgery, he told me that he understood why i was still in pain. The Bone from the spine fusion never grew so the doctor said they would have to redo the surgery by getting the bone from my hip area to replace it and also replace the hardware.  If not ii will get worst. At this point i had to go to the ER 3 time this mouth, and this pain is unreal. I am working outside of my MOS (Truck driver) in a desk job until i heal. I just hate to go back through that pain again. I told myself if i get out and i have to have surgery i will have to pay for some of fee, but if i let the army do it, it will be free. What to do. For u guys who had this surgery and was in pain no my fear.

[wimpyweaklingguy]

Get home and let a real, Doctor look, after you. Get out of that mess and come home.

[bigsissie]

Don't really know what to say but here is another thing to consider. If you get out and try to find a personal dr. they may not take you. I had surgery and two weeks later moved and it took me months getting a doctor to even take me as a regular patient much less deal with my back. One medication that helps calm nerves that I take is Valium. It works better for me on spasms ect then others I have tried.  Best of luck to you, I sincerely hope things are better soon.

Sissie

[Alaskaman43]

This sounds familiar to me that's how my Fussion went more pain and yes like the guy above said your civilian Dr. Might not take Tri are or VA medical.I opted out of the second surgery.To be completely honest I am not sure it was my best decision now. I have went to and through the same process you are now going through in the Army I was forced retired or as you and I would call it Medicaly Retired @60% of my base pay I was an E-6 I would advise you to contact DAV in your area I was At Ft.Hood.I tell you this only because the PEB WILL try to get you Out cheap they started me at 20% till I got a DAV Lawyer to help me.All I can now tell you is it's really up to you and it is a tough decision with 14 years in. talk to DAV and see what they can do its all free of charge to talk to them and I am sure they can help guide you to a decision that will work for YOU. PS watch out for the pain MEDs they can suck you up if your not careful. Take Care hope this helps and Stay" Army Strong " Brad