Hi, my name is NikkiS!

NikkiS

Good Evening
Thank you for accepting me to the community!
I have been suffering for just over 12 years with my back/legs which for a few years now includes feet/facet joints.
I have had two major surgeries, approx 9 and half hours first and 12 hours second.  This is aside from the infiltration and now waiting for infiltration again / possible ablation.
Eventually was told I have spinal stenosis and facet joint syndrome/degeneration too. 

The first op I had interspacious dividers in - Titanium.  They tried to do it through key hole but the drill bit broke in me (twice my Hubby says) and they opened me up.  I had a bad infection which was sepsis that I did have to have drained.  But cracked back on and in six weeks got back into work.

The second I had a laminectomy that seemed to work for a while.

I am currently in acute pain but go between chronic and acute.  Sadly this episode just does not want to give me a break.  I Just want to return to work and be with my amazing Team.  I went sick last Monday and have been praying that I will be able to return this Monday!  I have had two telephone consultations an emergency appointment and shed loads of medication.  Naproxen/co-codamol/diazepam/voltarol injections and now second day on lidocaine 12 hour on and 12 hours off patches.  Lets see.  I do my exercises even in pain. 

Its sole destroying most of the time when all you want to do is be positive.

Its changed our life enormously and its daunting when we know its getting progressively worse.  

I pray I can go to work on Monday.

I wish everyone the strength to get through this pain and positive thoughts.

Thank you for letting me share my experiences.

chiarieds

Hi @NikkiS - & welcome to the community. Yes. you are a very positive person, & much tho you'd like to return to work next Monday, perhaps give yourself a while longer & therefore give yourself time to feel better. It sounds like you work with an incredible team, so I'm sure they'll understand.

It may take time for the Lidocaine patches to help, & you haven't been on them for long, & very gentle exercises may help.

I'm all for exercising, as a long retired physio, but anything that increases your pain, & then you get in a vicious cycle of even more pain, so you should only do these within your pain free zone. What exercises are you doing, if I may ask?

Thank you for relating your experience, & please be assured of my best wishes too.

Ross_Alumni

Hello @NickyS and welcome to the community from me too.

Thank you for joining, it's lovely to have you aboard, and thank you for telling us about what you have been through, it sounds like it's been a long, challenging journey but hopefully things improve soon and you can get back to work as you wish.

This is a very supportive and welcoming community so I'm sure you'll enjoy getting involved, please feel free to have a look around and get involved wherever you'd like. If I may, I'd like to recommend having a look in the virtual coffee lounge and getting involved i the various games going on there, they're good fun!

Danielle_2022

Morning @NikkiS,
I’d just like to join the others in welcoming you to the community. Thank-you for taking the time to share your story here, too. I always feel so honoured when people trust this space with the hardest parts of their lives & I hope that you will feel supported through it all. 

I’d also like to echo what @chiarieds said about considering taking some extra time off work, even if only for a couple of weeks. I understand how important it is to feel occupied & productive, but the very last thing you want to is push yourself too hard now and further set back your fullest recovery. In the meantime, please consider joining in with some of the games linked above. They’re a great way to pass the time and feel connected with other people, if nothing else!

NikkiS

Hi Everyone I took your ad ice and am off resting and taking the pain relief.  It doesn't kill the pain but is taking the edge off.

I was pushed through for an urgent appointment with pain management Dr Miranda who, on looking at me saw I was in a terrible way.  I am having 3 day surgeries gor infiltration starting on 3rd March and each Thursday thereafter.  Burning he nervescin thechope the pain will be mire bearable.  The final surgery the length of spine facet joints. Bit can give 6 to 24 months respite.  Fingers crossed as so want to go back to work.

Wishing everyone all the pain freevmiments they can get xxxx

chiarieds

Hi @NikkiS - I'm pleased that resting that bit more has dampened your pain down a little, & thank you for the update. I do so hope your upcoming procedures prove helpful; please kindly let us know how you get on. We'll all have our fingers crossed for you.

Danielle_2022

Hiya @NikkiS,
I’m so thankful for this update and pleased that you’re taking care of yourself. I know it can be so difficult sometimes.

I really hope that everything goes well for you in the coming weeks and will wait for an update on it all whenever you’re ready. In the meantime, though, is there anything we can do to support you emotionally beforehand? We’re here for you