Well, not knowing what to expect, I left home an hour earlier than normal because I was afraid the traffic would be terrible in/around Cleveland today... As it turned out, everything was normal.....well , as normal as Cleveland ever gets..lol. I arrived for my appointment an hour ahead of schedule and am now just sitting around waiting to be seen by the Dr. I will take waiting here over waiting in traffic any day!... Now just to figure out what to do about this pain in my back.....

How was the traffic on the way home?

 

Did the doctor have any ideas regading the back pain?

How was the traffic on the way home?

 

Did the doctor have any ideas regading the back pain?

The trip home was uneventful, but awful crowded. I have to say, the city of Cleveland done a great job of keeping traffic flowing, at least on this first day. A lot of the streets down town were closed because of the convention, which meant that everything needed rerouted.....making all the streets bumper to bumper the whole way out of the city......but...it DID flow nicely. However, I still went about an hour out of my way and went south first, before heading back west so I am sure that saved me a lot of headaches....

 

The Dr. has to have a few more tests, but the MRI shows protuding disc at L5, and slightly protruding disc at L4. That's the same ones I had surgery on 1 1/2 years ago.(I had a laminectomy along with decompression, and repairs to the discs) He knows the L5 disc is such that it is what's causing the pains in my left

leg, but nothing is showing up as a reason for the lower back pain. He wants an X-Ray and a CT scan so he can see if there is any slipping...if so..., depending on how bad it is,... he said a fusion may be the only option. I have an appointment on Aug.4th with the pain Managment clinic, and they will discuss less invasive options....epidurals, PT, possible medication (non narcotic, non opioids ... More like muscle relaxants and an anti inflammatory).. But, as of now, the Dr. Is calling it "fail back surgery syndrome"...because there doesn't seem to be an obvious cause...hopefully something shows up that can be fixed... Until then, I guess I need to sit back with my feet up and rest.........lol.....no, he said to stay active , without getting to physical.. Lots of walking would be good....

Oh, dear friend, lots of prayers coming your way!  Or, I could send prayers and tequila?

Joe said, "Lots of walking would be good..."

Nancy said, "I could send prayers and tequila?"

 

I guess walking to the liquor store instead of driving your lawn mower like George Jones used to do ?

 

Pain SUCKS.  So sorry, Joe. :(

:(  yea, so sorry.  Back pain is so hard.  I'll drink some tequila if it'll make you feel better.

Awww....poor joe....take it easy buddy...sorry you are in pain...

Tony has a wheel support walking aid...with a seat....give me a shout ,if you want to borrow it...xxxx