A royal pain in the...

As most of you know, I've been experiencing serious back pain for the past several months. I finally had enough. I made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon at Seton Northwest. He got me in right away (they normally are booked for months). Upon my arrival for my appt, paperwork filled out, the nurse takes me to a private room to change into some goofy looking plastic-ish shorts and takes me on what I call the "walk of shame" to the X-ray rooms. Of course I'm passing all the attractive younger doctors and staff... looking my absolute worst.

A few quick x-rays of my lower back and I'm back through the halls for my second "walk of shame." Thankfully the surgeon comes in with my x-rays rather quickly because those shorts were uncomfortable to say the least. *chuckle*

He asked me if I had had any prior accidents or back injuries. I told him no. He asked if back degeneration ran in my family. I said "Not that I know of." (little did I know, yesterday my Granny told me she had the EXACT same thing wrong with her back and she had the surgery. Apparently it runs in our family....crap!) Then he showed me my x-ray....



He explained that my L5 vertibrae had shifted forward by approximately half an inch. As he saw the stunned look on my face and the color quickly turning pale, he reassured me that he wants me to start aggressive physical therapy three times a week for three weeks. *insert a big fat YA RIGHT with a two year old* And alternating muscle relaxers, pain meds and an anti-inflamitory to help relieve some of the pressure on my spine. He also suggested, politely that I lose a "few lbs." He was such a sweet guy. He also assured me that he was a very conservative surgeon. I explained to him that my husband had his L4 and L5 fused roughly 20 years ago and I didn't want to go that route. He said that yes fusing my L5 would be a "cure all" but would not eliminate my pain. *sigh* So I'm trying to find a physical therapist that won't drain my bank account and my insurance will pick up majority if not all of the cost. So if you know anyone that is a physical therapist, you know how to get ahold of me.

The meds are helping some. Some days are better than others. Yesterday was a really bad day. I guess because Saturday we spent alot of time in the sun and I was doing alot more physical activity than normal. Then again we spent some time in a pool too so that was refreshing and helped my back in more ways than one.

Here's hoping I can find a PT and it helps in the long run....