I'm semi bionic you know....
On the 23rd of September 2011, I became the second person in the world to have pioneering surgery. I shit you not. What most people have implanted into their spinal cords, I have stitched into my Multifidus Muscles in the lumbar region of my back. I have a Neurostimulator, consisting of two rods, two leads (60cm long & 45cm long) and one huge battery pack to power them up nestled nicely in my arse cheek.
I have for many years suffered with debilitating back pain, that the GP's have either not been interested in or just didn't know what caused it. I have been dependant on a multitude of prescription drugs, mostly opiates, to just get through a normal day. All aspects of what some deem normal are to me, challenging. For instance, I can't carry my 5 year old girl. I can't lift her, let alone hold her. I have to shuffle downstairs on my backside,with her on my knees if she 'needs' ferrying downstairs, when she is in one of her lazy moods. I can't do a weekly food shop without help; I cant swim, exercise, run, jog, dance or basically enjoy myself socially. Social life?? That died moons ago. I cannot even wear high heels, the pain is too great. etc..
So, anyway, I was on a Codiene trial, as I am one of the unlucky bastards that get minimal relief from Opiates too! and the lady who was monitoring my trial, upon looking at my 'body/pain map' immediately diagnosed me. She instantly knew what the cause of my pain was. I looked at her as if she had just cracked a piss poor joke and asked her what made her so special?..." How do you think you know whats wrong, when my GP hasn't a clue and all my MRI's and Xrays have come back 'normal'?" her response?, "They dont know what they're looking for" So she grabbed my latest MRI pics and boom, there it was... Multifidus Muscle Atrophy. The muscle that stabilises my back has wasted away, leaving my spine a bit wobbly..thus causing the pain.
I was then told about a new medical trial that was in the planning stages, and she would present her findings of my back to the panel and put me forward for eligibility for this trail. After a few scans, meetings and measurements it was decided that I was a suitable candidate and surgery was scheduled for 23/09/11.
4 hours in theatre, AWAKE, on mild sedation, gas and air and local anaesthetic I was ready to rock and roll. Actually, I didnt realise how major the surgery was. I felt like I had been run over by a bus for a few weeks after. There was a lot of chopping away of muscles to get to the ones they needed and then some re-stitching up of said muscles, then a large pouch was created to house the power pack. Lots of tunnels gorged out to place the wires etc.. I was in PAIN for some time after I'll tell you!!
So the upshot is, I have to lay on my stomach 2x a day (morning and night) and set the power on for 20 mins. It feels funky.. well, NOW it feels funky LOL, at first post surgery it felt like I was being slashed my Freddie Krueger for 10 second bursts with 20 second rest between contractions LOL. The real feeling is like someone is squeezing my back, and making my arse reach for my head. It does feel strange, theres no denying it.
Im now 3 weeks post op, and the surgery pain has all but gone. I am finding myself able to get out of bed without help, and while on my normal medication I am having NO breakthrough pain or 'Dips' as they are known (which I was plagued with) but as Im still heavily medicated for dry Socket (another post) I cant tell yet how effective this surgery has been.
I have everything crossed for being able to be Opiate free by the new year.
I have for many years suffered with debilitating back pain, that the GP's have either not been interested in or just didn't know what caused it. I have been dependant on a multitude of prescription drugs, mostly opiates, to just get through a normal day. All aspects of what some deem normal are to me, challenging. For instance, I can't carry my 5 year old girl. I can't lift her, let alone hold her. I have to shuffle downstairs on my backside,with her on my knees if she 'needs' ferrying downstairs, when she is in one of her lazy moods. I can't do a weekly food shop without help; I cant swim, exercise, run, jog, dance or basically enjoy myself socially. Social life?? That died moons ago. I cannot even wear high heels, the pain is too great. etc..
So, anyway, I was on a Codiene trial, as I am one of the unlucky bastards that get minimal relief from Opiates too! and the lady who was monitoring my trial, upon looking at my 'body/pain map' immediately diagnosed me. She instantly knew what the cause of my pain was. I looked at her as if she had just cracked a piss poor joke and asked her what made her so special?..." How do you think you know whats wrong, when my GP hasn't a clue and all my MRI's and Xrays have come back 'normal'?" her response?, "They dont know what they're looking for" So she grabbed my latest MRI pics and boom, there it was... Multifidus Muscle Atrophy. The muscle that stabilises my back has wasted away, leaving my spine a bit wobbly..thus causing the pain.
I was then told about a new medical trial that was in the planning stages, and she would present her findings of my back to the panel and put me forward for eligibility for this trail. After a few scans, meetings and measurements it was decided that I was a suitable candidate and surgery was scheduled for 23/09/11.
So the upshot is, I have to lay on my stomach 2x a day (morning and night) and set the power on for 20 mins. It feels funky.. well, NOW it feels funky LOL, at first post surgery it felt like I was being slashed my Freddie Krueger for 10 second bursts with 20 second rest between contractions LOL. The real feeling is like someone is squeezing my back, and making my arse reach for my head. It does feel strange, theres no denying it.
Im now 3 weeks post op, and the surgery pain has all but gone. I am finding myself able to get out of bed without help, and while on my normal medication I am having NO breakthrough pain or 'Dips' as they are known (which I was plagued with) but as Im still heavily medicated for dry Socket (another post) I cant tell yet how effective this surgery has been.
I have everything crossed for being able to be Opiate free by the new year.
Comments
Post a Comment