anxiety

[Camdong47]

anxiety due to pain and back problems. Need to learn to accept and like myself regardless of these issues.

[Crochetchica]

I’m in the same position and finding it very difficult to accept, but fingers crossed we will learn to love and accept ourselves pain and all. Take care.

[Camdong47 in reply to Crochetchica]

thank you for responding

[Ruthy24 in reply to Crochetchica]

I have chronic pain too which can actually cause depression but I know I have depression stemming from other things too. I think learning to like yourself again is key to overcome depression but it is awfully hard to do sometimes!

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Ruthy24]

Chronic pain is causing me to be depressed. I’m frustrated at how limited I am in being able to do anything much. It’s difficult to come to terms with.

[Camdong47 in reply to Rachmaninov2]

i am ao sorry. I relate as i have chronic pain and limitations.

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Camdong47]

Thank you, I’m sorry you are in a similar position. I hope you may be able to find a way of relieving your pain.

[Ruthy24 in reply to Rachmaninov2]

Where is your pain? Mine is in my lower back and goes partly down one leg. It's often hard to walk.

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Ruthy24]

Yes similar, the base of my spine, legs and feet mainly. Increasing difficulty in walking too. The Neurosurgeon has recommended an operation on my spine.

Are you having medication or any treatment for your condition?

[Ruthy24 in reply to Rachmaninov2]

The pain Dr. wants to put something called a Spinal Cord Stimulator in my back. It will zap the nerve before it sends the pain signal to my brain. But it has a battery that I'm sure I will feel. I don't want that. Or I could have a minimally invasive decompression surgery which has a quick recovery period. I would much rather do that. I have had injections and a nerve block but they didn't help much. What are your plans?

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Ruthy24]

I’m still waiting to hear from the neurosurgeon following my consultation nine weeks ago. He said he would send me a follow up letter and details of the proposed operation. I told him I wouldn’t agree until I had all the facts so I could weigh up the pros and cons. I think it may well be decompression surgery. I had read about injections, but I think any benefit doesn’t last very long. I have crowded cauda equina which has become more painful during the past nine weeks, and have been advised that I should monitor the symptoms. If they intensify it could be serious and I would need to go straight to A and E. So feeling quite concerned at the moment.

Have you got to a stage where you are finding it hard to cope? How long would you have to wait before you could have the decompression surgery?

[Camdong47 in reply to Rachmaninov2]

please be really cautious about spinal surgery…

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Camdong47]

Thank you, I will do research before making a decision.

[Ruthy24 in reply to Rachmaninov2]

Every morning it is hard to walk. It is scary. I have herniated discs at L4 and L5. I don't know how it happened. I didn't have an injury. My physical therapist tells me it is because I carried a heavy backpack when I was a lot younger. I honestly feel like I'm ready for Assisted Living but I have a home I like and I am too young. I am 66.

[Camdong47 in reply to Ruthy24]

so sorry. I know it is scary. I get scared also.

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Ruthy24]

Are you able to get help in your home? I am in UK and thinking about paying for help with household chores/personal care etc. I have also looked into wheelchairs and mobility scooters. It takes time to accept this painful situation but things may improve, we need to keep hope alive.

[Ruthy24 in reply to Rachmaninov2]

Unfortunately I live in a relatively small town and there is not really help like that here. I was just thinking...I might be able to get a friend to come help me but on second thought she is really busy so it's doubtful. I will ask her though. I will pay her which might help. I'm glad you can get people to come in. The UK, huh? I've never been there. I've been to other parts of Europe.

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Ruthy24]

Perhaps you could ask around, let people know that you are looking for some help for which you are willing to pay. Your friend might not be able to help but she may know someone who could.

I haven’t been to the US. I read that a high proportion of the US population haven’t traveled outside of the country, not sure if it’s true though.

[Ruthy24 in reply to Rachmaninov2]

Good ideas! Thank you!

Yes it is true that not many U.S. citizens travel outside of our country. It is too expensive for most people and not as easy to go from one country to another as it is where you are. Just my take on it, of course.

[Camdong47 in reply to Ruthy24]

what is decompression surgery? I had kypoplasty last Aug. had fracture at T11. Have had pain ever since.

[Ruthy24 in reply to Camdong47]

What is kypoplasty? I need to do some research but what I know is that with decompression surgery they go in and remove some of the material that is pressing on the nerve.

[Camdong47 in reply to Ruthy24]

kypoplasty is when they fill the fractured vertebrae with concrete to re. Inflate it

[Ruthy24 in reply to Camdong47]

I have herniated discs at L4 and L5. It sounds like you have a much different problem. I don't know how my back got hurt. It wasn't an injury.

[Camdong47 in reply to Ruthy24]

Yes. You don’t feel like you used to and i find it’s hard to like me as i am now. They say you need to love yourself before you can love others. I find it easy to love others with their limitations. Hope i can somehow to do that for me. Just realizing this and being aware is just the beginning.

[Ruthy24 in reply to Camdong47]

Yes. That is true about loving yourself. I feel like I'm in a rut. I don't feel like my usual self and I don't like it.

[Camdong47 in reply to Ruthy24]

I totally understand.

[Ruthy24]

I'm sorry you're in pain. It is no fun at all! I hope it lessens.

[Camdong47 in reply to Ruthy24]

thank you for your kind words.

[QuiltLady]

I seem to have anxiety pop up when I'm dealing with health issues too. I once told a doctor that I always think the worst possible scenario when dealing with health problems, and he said, "Why would you do that to yourself?" I've never forgotten his comment. I don't know why I do that, maybe to just prepare myself for the worst? It's not fun. I hope you feel better soon.

[Camdong47 in reply to QuiltLady]

i am that way, too. Exactly. Thank you for your comments. Wonder why we do that?

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Camdong47]

I think anxiety often makes us blow things out of proportion, it can be a symptom of the condition.

[Camdong47 in reply to Rachmaninov2]

i think you are right. It can make you cry and feel out of control.

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Camdong47]

I am on the waiting list for CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) which I hope may help with these feelings. Is it possible that you could get help of this kind?

[Camdong47 in reply to Rachmaninov2]

i am going to call a counseling and psychological service and see what they have.

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Camdong47]

I wish you luck with it.🍀

[AnonymousUsername13 in reply to QuiltLady]

I do that, too, but it's not that we choose to do that. Our minds are inquisitive & always want to know what, why, how, etc. So, we naturally think about those things, but our minds wonder deeper than "normal" ppl, who can just let go of things they don't necessarily believe, whereas we are more methodical, following everything to it's logical conclusion, which can be anything when dealing with an illness. I think it's because our normal way of thinking just can't work when dealing with sickness, so we have to train ourselves to avoid it when thinking about that topic. We don't do it to punish ourselves, it's just a habit of our minds, because we think about everything in that manner. That's how i feel about myself, anyways,but it's hard for "normal" ppl to understand the way we think, & the different types of thoughts we get than they do. My opinion, ofc.

[Camdong47 in reply to AnonymousUsername13]

you make a good point. I do want to know answers to the why and when it will improve and think in deeper terms. Its a habit from years ago. Also we want to control the pain or illness …make it go away and get back to normal, whatever that is for each person.

[Ruthy24 in reply to QuiltLady]

I always think of the worst possible scenario and I do think it is so I can plan ahead and prepare myself for it. It is much better to be optimistic. I think I'll try that for a change!

[AnonymousUsername13]

I will pray for you. I wish i had answers to help u, but i dealt with this after covid & it gave me severe kidney damage, back (shoulder blade), stomach (gallbladder? Is what they thought, but it was fine 3 months after i healed from covid, but that lasted 1 month itself) & chest pain for 3 months. I thought it was permanent, but thankfully it healed. I was having a hard time dealing & understanding why this happened to me, & how to live with it. I was bed ridden for 3 months. I didn't so well, especially with health anxiety already. I hope u find ways to cope, or eventually heal, also. Do ur best to eat healthy & exercise (safe exercises, of course, but there are even some u can do laying down, etc), so ur body has what it needs to heal itself.

[Camdong47 in reply to AnonymousUsername13]

thank you for sharing. And thank you so much for your prayers. I am so happy you healed. We never know if issues are permanent or if they will go away.