Still SufferingI'm 27 years old and completely miserable. I first injured my back running track at 16 - I somehow thought that would be safer than football, how wrong I turned out to be. Every time I went over the high hurdle I sent a shock wave into my spine, devastating the right side of my L5 disc. I couldn't believe I was 16 and barely able to move. It was the worst feeling in the world, especially at that age. I did 4 months of physical therapy and was almost completely cured...Until 10 years later, at 26 I threw it out again. The symptoms came back and I couldn't make them go away this time. I tried seeing a chiropractor, that failed. I had spinal decompression done, that failed. At a friend's recommendation I started doing yoga, and success! I felt better than I'd felt in years, I was like a whole new person! I felt I had a new lease on life, all of a sudden I was able to do everything I was able to do before. I started a rigorous new exercise program and started really living my life to the fullest. Until about 6 months later... it came back. I quit doing yoga, that hurts now. I started doing acupuncture, but it didn't work. I went back into physical therapy, but it's not working either. I'm in pain as I write this. I've had to give up everything I love to do - again. I have cuts on my hand from all the things I've punched out of anger, anger that I can no longer alleviate by working out. I'm massively depressed and I want to cry all the time. I have an appointment with an Orthopedic Surgeon to see if I finally have to throw in the towel and do a surgery that I can't afford because I don't have insurance. That's my wonderful story. - Rob
|
