Thursday, July 26, 2007
Health update
Some of you have heard that I've had back problems for a few years, but they recently have taken a turn for the worse. It appears from an x-ray I had done on Monday that I've got a compressed disk, that may be herniated. They can't tell from the x-ray, and I'll maybe be going to Bangkok for an MRI in the next few weeks, but for the moment I'm just seeing a physical therapist a few times each week. I'm getting good care, no need to worry, but I am learning a bit about chronic pain. No fun. So if you get a grumpy e-mail or phone call, you'll know what's going on.
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3 comments:
Yikes...that does NOT sound like fun, particularly for someone with lots of heavy lifting (a.k.a. young children) to do! Keep up posted.
I'm sorry, Nathan! That sounds miserable. I hope they discover the trouble and can treat it quickly. Like my Jessica said, keep us posted.
Ed,
Sorry to hear about your back problems. Having gone through it myself, I know it's no fun. Also, I just got back from an ALJ conference focussing on cervical and lumbar problems.
The MRI definitely is the gold standard with regard to evaluating disc issues. However, even if an MRI shows a serious disc problem, surgery is not inevitable. They usually recommend a period of conservative treatment first (though you are already into that). Often disc problems get better with conservative treatment without the need of surgery. A herniated disc with radicular pain into the legs (which does not go away), is often a signal that a surgical approach is warranted.
And, despite what you may hear to the contrary, back surgery is usually successful. Both neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons perform back surgery. For what it's worth, when I had my successful surgery (about 15 years ago) I was advised that a neurosurgeon was a better choice than an orthopedic surgeon (because of a neurosurgeon's supposed superior fine manipulation skills). But, I think you can get good results from good practioners in either specialty.
John
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