Depressed............

My lower spine is totalled, and the success of surgery is 10%...

I loaded up the back of my truck with some shit from my buddy's garage to haul away and I was in so much freaking pain...

Not to mention last week I tore cartilage in my knee... which hurt like hell...

But nooooooo.... I'm on the verge of blowing my knee out and needing surgery on it... some small tendons (I can't think of the name) are torn... and there is blood behind the knee...

I'm going to get it aspirated and get a scope sent in...

I'm SICK of pain meds...

I LOVE them, but don't want to take them anymore (if this makes sense)

Hydrocodone is good for just enough numbness, but it wears off...

I'll NEVER take any Class 2 Narcotic again, so Oxy, Morphine and Fentanyl are out...

IDK...

Any thoughts?

Get new friends that wont make you load up shit when you have a hurt back.

Seriously.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nesagwa

Get new friends that wont make you load up shit when you have a hurt back.

Seriously.

---

That was an example... I do more than that daily...

Always irritated...

hurry up and retire.

or move up in rank so you give the orders.

youre gonna kill yourself mang.

Chicks dig the chair
http://www.fleshbot.com/sex/2004_11_29_paragirls.jpg

Damn...

I got nothing.

Although, this might help for the moment:

http://85.17.46.4/gj/up3/837/888837/ebonymale1.JPG

Beyond that?

Sorry, nothing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by not sonic

hurry up and retire.

or move up in rank so you give the orders.

youre gonna kill yourself mang.

---

I don't want to be the guy that sits around...

I'm not ready to completely overtake the company...

And I don't want to for a while...

I like what I do, and want to continue doing it...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shiggityputz

Serious question:

What is exactly wrong with your back? Ruptured disc? Subluxation?

If you haven't actually ruptured a disc, and it's just herniated (sp?) try looking up Spinal Decompression. A lot of chiro doctors now do it, and it's an alternative to surgery. It's *basically* traction, but the way it's done doesn't give you traction results. Your body doesn't react to it like traction.

Here's some quick info I pulled off of Google: link. You might already be too fargone to try it, but you never know. I've read that spinal decompression has something like an 86% success rate.

Don't quote me of course, but whatever.

---

I'm already $75,000+ lighter, why not?

Thanks for the link, I'll mention this to my doctor and see what he says, but we ruled out any possible non-surgical recovery with the Cleveland Clinic...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TonK

My lower spine is totalled, and the success of surgery is 10%...

I loaded up the back of my truck with some shit from my buddy's garage to haul away and I was in so much freaking pain...

Not to mention last week I tore cartilage in my knee... which hurt like hell...

But nooooooo.... I'm on the verge of blowing my knee out and needing surgery on it... some small tendons (I can't think of the name) are torn... and there is blood behind the knee...

I'm going to get it aspirated and get a scope sent in...

I'm SICK of pain meds...

I LOVE them, but don't want to take them anymore (if this makes sense)

Hydrocodone is good for just enough numbness, but it wears off...

I'll NEVER take any Class 2 Narcotic again, so Oxy, Morphine and Fentanyl are out...

IDK...

Any thoughts?

---

Dude, you didn't tear your ACL (anterior cruciate ligament in your knee) did you? Because that's a bitch. I blew mine out and didn't have surgery on it for 3 years. After I was finally able to afford the surgery, I got it done and then after recovering I realized I had less pain in the knee before the surgery.

God damn, TonK. Sorry to hear about you situation. If I were you I wouldn't bother with the back surgery, they'd probably fuck it up worse. The spine is a really dangerous thing to play with.

you seriously have to change professions

or you'll keep fucking up your back

My mom had knee surgery and had to get some scar tissue removed but her knee still hurts a little bit though. I have stainless steel rods grafted to my spine to keep me sitting up straight and I am not as flexable either. My back hurts all the time. :spock:

I hope that the doctor can help you fix your back so that you won't have to much pain. Meds suck. :spock:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ki_atsushi

If I were you I wouldn't bother with the back surgery, they'd probably fuck it up worse. The spine is a really dangerous thing to play with.

---

QFT.


Definitely look into seeing a chiropractor.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TonK

I don't want to be the guy that sits around...

I'm not ready to completely overtake the company...

And I don't want to for a while...

I like what I do, and want to continue doing it...

---

Your body is giving out on you man. It’s not a matter of doing what you want to do anymore. It’s a matter of taking care of your future. I suggest you give the orders for at least a yr. And rebuild your strength in physiotherapy sessions while mildly exercising it to build up the strength again. It’s the only way you are going to be able to insure the money coming in for your family. If your body gives out then wtf are you going to do then?

I pmed you about something. Get back to me. Thx

IDK...

I could retire now if I wanted, but I'm too young and the fact that my mind will turn into a black hole without activity...

My father, uncle and I are all built like gorillas... and all 3 of us have back problems...

Couldn't you take an extended leave?

I can't imagine that taking a year off wouldn't do anything but help.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TonK

My lower spine is totalled, and the success of surgery is 10%...

I loaded up the back of my truck with some shit from my buddy's garage to haul away and I was in so much freaking pain...

Not to mention last week I tore cartilage in my knee... which hurt like hell...

But nooooooo.... I'm on the verge of blowing my knee out and needing surgery on it... some small tendons (I can't think of the name) are torn... and there is blood behind the knee...

I'm going to get it aspirated and get a scope sent in...

I'm SICK of pain meds...

I LOVE them, but don't want to take them anymore (if this makes sense)

Hydrocodone is good for just enough numbness, but it wears off...

I'll NEVER take any Class 2 Narcotic again, so Oxy, Morphine and Fentanyl are out...

IDK...

Any thoughts?

---

The WZA actually has a point with rehab.
Although you may be too far gone for it...ever try swimming? The sensation of weightlessness in the pool alone is really, really good. Not to mention the time you spend in a hot tub right after swimming. I was told by a doc that I'd need surgery about 13 months ago, due to compression in my L4 and L5 discs...I didn't wanna take a knife to it because of what it would mean to my school schedule and being set back months...it occasionally hurts a bit (especially when it gets cold) but it's vastly better and all I did was go swimming every fucking day for like 4 months. If you've got nothing to lose...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Average Joe

Couldn't you take an extended leave?

I can't imagine that taking a year off wouldn't do anything but help.

---

I did that...

And it did help for about 6 months...

get out of the construction industry........


and use your mind for once...hah!....but jk




become a contractor or something....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Loopz

The WZA actually has a point with rehab.
Although you may be too far gone for it...ever try swimming? The sensation of weightlessness in the pool alone is really, really good. Not to mention the time you spend in a hot tub right after swimming. I was told by a doc that I'd need surgery about 13 months ago, due to compression in my L4 and L5 discs...I didn't wanna take a knife to it because of what it would mean to my school schedule and being set back months...it occasionally hurts a bit (especially when it gets cold) but it's vastly better and all I did was go swimming every fucking day for like 4 months. If you've got nothing to lose...

---

My L4 and L5 are gone...

The doctor explained that discs are like jelly donuts...

The more compression you put on them, the better chance of the "fluid" leaking...

I have pancakes now...

And I would have never made this thread if you would have accepted roker and I's game invites... :annoyed:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NeoSneth

get out of the construction industry........


and use your mind for once...hah!....but jk




become a contractor or something....

---

Um...

I am a contractor...

(I also moonlight as a carpenter)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TonK

And I would have never made this thread if you would have accepted roker and I's game invites... :annoyed:

---

I love you TonKie...but facts are facts

Handjob during The Big Lebowski > GoW with el roker and Digital Shower.
If SFAC was BC, that might have changed things.

Here are some pics of the ER visit after my epidurals...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...NerveBlock.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...03-06_1606.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...03-06_1603.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...03-06_1601.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...03-06_1545.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...03-06_1607.jpg

The nurses are all fat and old. We have some pretty nice nurses in our hospitals. At least in the ones around here.

Date says march 17 06 of last yr?

Pain level. 9.5? Ouch

I'd suggest you make a slight career change.

I've been a shop monkey for years, but decided I'd rather be more involved in the design process than the execution.

Granted, I study engineering (which is rather disconnected from reality sometimes).

I'd also suggest you learn a level above where you're at (level above in the design process, not meaning superior). You don't have to quit contracting (I'm a contractor). I design systems and supervise installation according to code. I'm not stuck in the office, a good deal of time is spent on the road or in the field.

The certification exams are not difficult if you have a math leaning. It also helps that I make more money at this level, call it level for having to deal with pipefitters who cry like babies.

Hope this helps

PS, there is much more freedom here also

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Magnaflux

I'd suggest you make a slight career change.

I've been a shop monkey for years, but decided I'd rather be more involved in the design process than the execution.

Granted, I study engineering (which is rather disconnected from reality sometimes).

I'd also suggest you learn a level above where you're at (level above in the design process, not meaning superior). You don't have to quit contracting (I'm a contractor). I design systems and supervise installation according to code. I'm not stuck in the office, a good deal of time is spent on the road or in the field.

The certification exams are not difficult if you have a math leaning. It also helps that I make more money at this level, call it level for having to deal with pipefitters who cry like babies.

Hope this helps

PS, there is much more freedom here also

---

@ Wizzy - those were my last sets of epidurals as of March last year while on the Oxy...

@ Magna...

I've sat and dealt with my subs and material providers...

I just can't see myself doing that all the time...

I'm not trying to act tough or anything, but I LOVE working "hands-on" as often as possible...

I'm 1 of 2 people on our crew that will blow out a 10/12 without stopping to place kickers or any other support system down...

I did sit and rebuild our Paslodes one day, but that got old...

As long as we arent "stick" framing and using prefabbed walls, I'm cool with that... but cost is always a factor...

Wow, it is depressing to have all this pain/ailment! How old are you? Definitely a career change is in order, you want to live painfree for as long as possible.... not like this! Best of luck.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TonK

@ Wizzy - those were my last sets of epidurals as of March last year while on the Oxy...

.

---

Oh I wasnt contesting. Just wondered about the date. Thats all. One thing is for sure. You need to change your every day routine.

There are two things to getting better. Rest insures healing. And stimulation to strenghten. They go together like peas and carrots. You just need the right mixture. And that doesnt include doing the same shit every day.

I wish you the best man. But ultimately you are going to have to reprogram your thoughts in order to fix this. Compromise always has a price. But if that price is good. Its probably worth it.

Sounds like you actually really enjoy your job, which is rare and should not be easily given up, but it doesn't seem as if you have any other options.

As bad as you have it now, you certainly don't want to make it worse by keeping up a job that is so detrimental to your health and will eventually leave you literally crippled a few years down the road.

I was about to type then I read this, which covers my own thoughts:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Average Joe

Sounds like you actually really enjoy your job, which is rare and should not be easily given up, but it doesn't seem as if you don't have any other options.

As bad as you have it now, you certainly don't want to make it worse by keeping up a job that is so detrimental to your health and will eventually leave you literally crippled a few years down the road.

---

TonK, you should strongly consider either changing careers or positions within your (family owned?) company to not have to do much physical labor. Basically: you should get a desk job or something that doesn't demand lifting.

D-I-S-A-B-I-L-I-T-Y

It's a dream world

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by norton9478

D-I-S-A-B-I-L-I-T-Y

It's a dream world

---

...for some.

Others don't like to sit around. One day my dad and 2 others were carrying an I-beam and one of the guys lost his grip. The I-beam rolled over my dad's arm, tearing his right bicep completely off of the bones. It took 2 surgeries, and his right arm is still no good. I don't think he could lift more than 15-20 lbs. with it now.

He was out of work for about a year and a half. He hated being home all day.
Some people like to work, norton.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wizkid007

We have some pretty nice nurses in our hospitals.

---

You mean candystripers?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by StickmanLoser

You mean candystripers?

---

Holy shit... you mean they're real? :eek:

http://www.vcx.com/store/detail.aspx...&affiliate=126

Dude... socialized health care rocks!

if you don't lift anything over 50 lbs...
i bet you will be fine.

doesnt sound so hard, but i bet the doctors have told you that 100's of times already....

You also have a daughter to think about, as well as your wife. Not just yourself...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by StickmanLoser

You mean candystripers?

---

First time I ever heard that term.

That sucks. Sorry to hear about that. I myself would get out of the line of work you are doing.

I can kindof sympathize. I used to be a programmer and got carpal tunnel. It got to the point where I would sit down and it would hurt like after 10 mins of working. I barely even play games these days because that's how badly I don't want to deal with that again. Lots of other programmers would just get surgery and get it again, but I think your health is the most important thing.

You may not make as much money if you switch, but your health and happiness is more important. Just my 2 cents. Best of luck.

I made an appointment to try acupuncture...

I'm going to lighten up a little on the site...

What about one of those surgically implanted pumps? I don'[t know if any of them have the softer drugs in them.

It seems like if you're going to be in serious pain for the long term you should let your doctors know how strongly you feel about staying away from the harder painkillers.

But seriously- doing so much physical work sounds like it's fucking you up man.

i feel you man.
i've worked in an office job for years.
i'd rather be running around and taking care of things though.
it's a job satisfaction kind of thing.
sitting at a desk you dont feel like youre doing work.
but doing stuff you can be like.
i did that shit.
i know man.
but you got to take care of yourself.
life is not always just about the present.
but the future too.
if you think things are bad now, that should be justification enough
to change things so they don't get worse in the future.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TonK

I made an appointment to try acupuncture...

I'm going to lighten up a little on the site...

---

My dad does acupuncture. He's helped a lot of people with back problems. Hope it works for you.:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by neobuyer

What about one of those surgically implanted pumps? I don'[t know if any of them have the softer drugs in them.

It seems like if you're going to be in serious pain for the long term you should let your doctors know how strongly you feel about staying away from the harder painkillers.

But seriously- doing so much physical work sounds like it's fucking you up man.

---

I don't want to be on "hard" narcotics...

I was there at one point and hated myself for doing it...

I'm sure I'm going to only make maybe another 30 years...

I remember the day I started feeling the low back pain in 1998...

Should have taken care of it then...

but I was involved in 4 auto accidents including a head on collision, and the Christmas of 2000 I was barely able to stand up...

I hate it...

I'm guessing you've already tried the chiropractor and are way beyond that. All I can say is, if you're not already doing it, get some chiropractic therapy. It really does wonders and will compliment what you're doing in the hosptial.

Lift more heavy shit.

Eventually, it'll work itself out. ;)

After I injured my back I had to get my back realigned and then I had to take 6 weeks of physical therapy. At least the girl was hot as fuck. :drool: and stuff happened.......

My doctor already said he wants me to quit working "hands on" and sit back with the draws...

I guess I'll try to see whats up...

I havent worked with the tools for 2 weeks this Friday...

I'm really bored and edgy...

I really like what I do, but thought of school for becoming a pharmaceutical rep or a pharmacist since I have local ties to get a position in the industry...

No time as of now though...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wizkid007

First time I ever heard that term.

---

Bullshit... you're not Canadian. You're writing from Alaska, aren't you :smirk: