Author Topic: My story after all these years/ update/02/03/18 back surgery yesterday  (Read 70904 times)

Offline Sabinalu

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Oh, oh oooh I can do this costume fairly quickly and Miss Dulce looks very much like him. I haven't seen the movie yet though.
Mind if I steal your idea?

hammer

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After my last follow up after surgery check up I've found that trying to get things done this summer is almost hopeless!  Being I have a 35lbs lifting limited there isn't much that I can do as far as cleaning up and down sizing around here. Last year I got rid of a lot of radio/repeater equipment, and Debbie and I have been putting stuff out for free here and there out on the curb. This weekend it was the old big speakers from the old stereo system, and last weekend l sold one of my trailers. It's nice to see stuff go that's been just taking up space.

The big problem is, I take a few min and a 2 wheeler to move something, like the speakers to the end of the driveway and I'm down for the count for about 3 cups of coffee with pain! Then I might be able to help do 1 more small thing, I feel bad about not being able to help more. I'm able to mow, I've got a rider, I do the dishes from breakfast, I sit on my walker, still can't stand more then a few min, but can walk supported, and protected from falling!

Yesterday we went to a family get together at the brother in laws cabin, and that kind of thing alway takes its toll on me, so today I'll be resting all day! I came home with swollen feet and while driving I started to get cramps in my feet, and that I believe was caused by my neuropathy. I've never had that happen in that short of a drive before! It was 2 hours total and we were only on the road about an hour.


I'll just keep plugging away little by little and it will get done in time! We can only do what we can do, and we are getting closer to having the kitchen done too! We finally got the ceramic floor laid, a year plus later then planned. With Debbie falling and hurting her SI joint that set us back, but we have now ordered a bay window to be installed in the room off the dinning room that over looks the back yard (entryway room) about 10x12. We will get the painting done and window coverings can be done in the fall or winter if need be.

Well, that my mid summer update, I hope that you all are having a great summer!


Bob

Offline chestyoldman

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Hammer, I'm so sorry to hear of all your physical issues, but overall it sounds like you're maintaining a decent attitude about it.  Hang in there.  We need your comments and insights here!

hammer

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Thank you! I'm not planning to leave anytime soon, this forum is one place that gives me a place to talk to guys that understand what I'm going through as many of you are experiencing simular issues along with just having breast!

hammer

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I'm pleased to say that I'm very close to a 20 year anniversary of the heart attack that I had at the very young age of 37, and never had another problem since!

It was the end of September or the beginning of October 1995, I was the general contractor on a small office building near completion. I had about three days that I couldn't swallow food or water, so I finally went to the ER. First I was given a pain relieving cocktail, but no help! Then I was put on a nitroglycerin drip, and BINGO! No more pain!

I was admitted to the hospital for all the test and observations. I past every test I was given, the angiogram showed zero blockage, in fact the exact words the doc used were "your as clean as the day you were born"! (And I was a 4 eggs a day guy)!

While I was in the hospital I also went into VTACK so they needed to use the "shock paddles" on me! The next morning (it happen during the night) I asked the nurse what the hell happen last night? She said, "Bob, we thought we were going to lose you last night". And explain what happened.

Later my doc told me as well. He also told me that they had no idea what was going on with me, because you are passing all the test, and everything look great except for my EKG'S! They were all bad! They were all different from each other. If they were all alike they would figure it was just the way they were with my, but they were different.

I was discharged and told to Take it easy. And found that my lead carpenter and the owners of a couple of my sub-contactor companys  were doing a great job running the job site for me, and gave me hell the day I showed up to work, right out of the hospital! They told me, we got your back!

As I look back, we had no idea why then, but now with all the lawyers advertising for lawsuits for heart attacks and strokes caused be the use of testosterone hormone replacement. I had stopped using THR just before the heart attack happen and never thought that it could have had anything to do with it.
« Last Edit: September 15, 2015, 08:58:56 AM by hammer »

Offline Alchemist

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Hi Bob,
Some years back there was an oral form of testosterone that caused all sorts of problems and was removed from the market..  Also testosterone can cause an excessively high hematicrit making the blood too thick for pumping easily.  That can happen by higher altitude exposure as well, among other things.  Also, the "high limit" on the test has been lowered a couple of points.  I've been on testosterone for 15 years now and so far all is well.  I feel much better with than without.  However, my doc is monitoring that among other things.  Good luck with things.

hammer

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Good morning Alchemy, I don't think they knew anything about any issues 20 years ago! When this happened to me it wasn't even thought to be a problem at all!

The good thing is, I've never had any issues with my heart again, I've never been on HRT, either so I can't say for sure if that was the problem or not, but at this point it doesn't matter it was just my thoughts on the matter.

I was on injections for my replacement therapy.


hammer

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It has been a long time since I have posted any updates here on my story, even though as you all know I'm very active here on the forum!

Since my last back surgery I've been through pain clinic which inclined occupational therapy, which at best was nothing more but a waist of time!

The one thing the the pain clinic doctor said was the that my nerves still worked, in fact to much and the bad news all the usual pain meds don't work on me, ya I already knew that one from the surgeries I've had!

He suggested that we try Gabapentin!  The only problem would be is that my kidneys are already showing signs of damage from my diabetes so we would be limited on the amount or dosage. I was willing to give it a try!

It this point it has allowed me to do my activities in my work shop/garage longer then the half hour I used to without the crushing pain, but that was after 1 increase on the dose! I'm keeping my fingers crossed it keeps working!

Here in Minnesota they have legalized pot for chronic pain, but I'm not sure if the VA will ever get on board with that, if they do I'll be willing to give that a try, even though I never was a pot smoker.

It this point we have also decided not to do anymore back surgeries since the last two didn't help much, but will continue to monitor the back conditions through Xray and the other means.

Offline Bman41

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My mom is going through the dr's burning nerves to stop the pain in her back/hip.  They have done one now, and it is helping, so they have more go, but it is looking promising.


hammer

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My mom is going through the dr's burning nerves to stop the pain in her back/hip.  They have done one now, and it is helping, so they have more go, but it is looking promising.

The nerve burning did work for me for a while in the area that it was done, but we decided not to do it again! The only reason why we aren't going to is because it only takes care of such a small part of the big picture on me we don't feel it's worth going through the proceedure for such a small area.

hammer

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When I was in the Navy I originally was in cryptology which also required me to take Morris code (CW). I had came down with an ear infection in both ears for two weeks that was so bad that I needed help to go to the rest room or take a show because I couldn't stand up on my own!

After the infection cleared up I had severe problems with my hearing as far as the Morris Code was concerned, I could not understand it! After several test it was determined that I had a loss of hearing and I changed the job that I did in the Navy then, but it was thought that in time my hearing should improve!

Over the years I never thought that my hearing had improved but I got by! When I got my Ham Radio license I passed my CW part of the test just by sending and not by receiving, and that was fine with the testers. I've had problems though understanding higher pitch voices or any conversation with any kind of background noise.

I finally had a new hearing test today at the VA and even I was surprised at the results of the test to see just how poor my hearing is!

Needless to say I have 2 hearing aids on order! The nice thing is that they will work with my phone in stereo, so no more need for the blue tooth, and the VA provides everything!
« Last Edit: July 11, 2016, 07:01:03 AM by hammer »

Offline Alchemist

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Hi Bob,
Getting old is hell, doubled and redoubled and going down.  I have just added a ReBuilder to my routine, an TENS-EMS combo that can help nerves, pain and keep muscles from atrophy.  This is my third one in 15 + years.  It takes another 90 minutes out of my life as I set up the water bathes for my feet or hands, much better than sticky electrodes, 30 minutes daily for feet and 30 minutes for hands, and everything in between.  I would have to say it works pretty well but the first couple of weeks can be painful as the body accommodates.  Then there is 15+ minutes setting up and cleaning up.

It's different from your ordinary TENS or EMS unit.  It has a custom TENS wave form and frequency paired with a specific EMS pulse.    It comes with a 60 day money back guarantee of satisfaction and sometimes your insurance might pay some of it.  It is more expensive than the ordinary TENS.  I also tried one of those years ago and it was worthless. for my problems.

By now all the taking care of the parts that are still left and working takes me 2-3 hours a day.  Then helping my partner with her hour of treatments (similar problems from different causes,  damaged nerves and pain, takes more time.  If it works for a person it can be a life changer.  It's non-surgical and non-invasive.  Good luck.

hammer

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Hi Bob,
Getting old is hell, doubled and redoubled and going down.  I have just added a ReBuilder to my routine, an TENS-EMS combo that can help nerves, pain and keep muscles from atrophy.  This is my third one in 15 + years.  It takes another 90 minutes out of my life as I set up the water bathes for my feet or hands, much better than sticky electrodes, 30 minutes daily for feet and 30 minutes for hands, and everything in between.  I would have to say it works pretty well but the first couple of weeks can be painful as the body accommodates.  Then there is 15+ minutes setting up and cleaning up.

It's different from your ordinary TENS or EMS unit.  It has a custom TENS wave form and frequency paired with a specific EMS pulse.    It comes with a 60 day money back guarantee of satisfaction and sometimes your insurance might pay some of it.  It is more expensive than the ordinary TENS.  I also tried one of those years ago and it was worthless. for my problems.

By now all the taking care of the parts that are still left and working takes me 2-3 hours a day.  Then helping my partner with her hour of treatments (similar problems from different causes,  damaged nerves and pain, takes more time.  If it works for a person it can be a life changer.  It's non-surgical and non-invasive.  Good luck.

Good day my old friend, in the higher elevation area of this great country!

I have a regular tens unit from the VA and it feels good maybe 1 time in 5 that I use it, but my dad loved his!

It would be interesting to put yours on the oscilloscope and compare the wave forms it puts out to the regular tens unit. I put mine on the scope to show Debbie how it worked and the difference in all the settings makes, she was very impressed at the way you could see it on the scope!  

I've looked at some new thing being advertised that you put on your knee area and it helps your entire body that works on the tens idea, but I'm not going to spend the money on it!

Here in Minnesota pot has been approved for chronic pain, but it's in pill or vapor form. I'm hoping that the VA will adapt the use of it, even though I never smoked it I'm more then willing to give it a try as all the regular meds don't work for me.

Offline Alchemist

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Hi Bob,
Getting old is hell, doubled and redoubled and going down.  I have just added a ReBuilder to my routine, an TENS-EMS combo that can help nerves, pain and keep muscles from atrophy.  This is my third one in 15 + years.  It takes another 90 minutes out of my life as I set up the water bathes for my feet or hands, much better than sticky electrodes, 30 minutes daily for feet and 30 minutes for hands, and everything in between.  I would have to say it works pretty well but the first couple of weeks can be painful as the body accommodates.  Then there is 15+ minutes setting up and cleaning up.

It's different from your ordinary TENS or EMS unit.  It has a custom TENS wave form and frequency paired with a specific EMS pulse.    It comes with a 60 day money back guarantee of satisfaction and sometimes your insurance might pay some of it.  It is more expensive than the ordinary TENS.  I also tried one of those years ago and it was worthless. for my problems.

By now all the taking care of the parts that are still left and working takes me 2-3 hours a day.  Then helping my partner with her hour of treatments (similar problems from different causes,  damaged nerves and pain, takes more time.  If it works for a person it can be a life changer.  It's non-surgical and non-invasive.  Good luck.

Good day my old friend, in the higher elevation area of this great country!

I have a regular tens unit from the VA and it feels good maybe 1 time in 5 that I use it, but my dad loved his!

It would be interesting to put yours on the oscilloscope and compare the wave forms it puts out to the regular tens unit. I put mine on the scope to show Debbie how it worked and the difference in all the settings makes, she was very impressed at the way you could see it on the scope!  

I've looked at some new thing being advertised that you put on your knee area and it helps your entire body that works on the tens idea, but I'm not going to spend the money on it!

Here in Minnesota pot has been approved for chronic pain, but it's in pill or vapor form. I'm hoping that the VA will adapt the use of it, even though I never smoked it I'm more then willing to give it a try as all the regular meds don't work for me.

Hi Bob,

They have a picture of the 7.83 hz wave form for the nerves so you can compare, somewhere on the site.  I found it one time.  Others have asked the same questions..  There is also the EMS mode combined signal (or as separates).

http://www.rebuildermedical.com/different-than-tens.php


How is this different from TENS?
TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electronic Nerve Stimulation. Simply put, an electric signal applied to the nerves across the surface of the skin. Typically this is a foreign (to the nerves) square wave signal delivered at a high frequency to incapacitate the nerves, or to inhibit nerve function by over-stimulating them. Although some TENS devices are adjustable in terms of frequency or amplitude, once set, the outgoing signal would be the same for each user for the entire duration of treatment. A standard TENS machine sends its signal from one electrode to another placed in close proximity, usually 6-8" apart. This creates an electric analgesic effect; as it numbs the small treatment area. While this may offer some degree of temporary, localized pain relief, disrupting nerve function is no solution and usually exacerbates (or causes) numbness issues. these "toys" are factory permanently set to deliver their coarse signals via 2" x2" conductive electrodes and are not adjustable to the different impedance when different application methods are used such as conductive garments, etc. Thus they can cause great harm. Repeated use of a standard TENS can cause permanent numbness..
The ReBuilder® also sends electrical signals to the nerves across the surface of the skin, and therefore by FDA definition is also a TENS, but it is a very specialized and vastly more precisely controlled version of nerve stimulation, unlike anything you have ever seen before. The ReBuilder's intelligence incorporates 3 microprocessors to control its sophisticated biofeedback circuitry and at the same time, provides a muscle stimulus component to its output. This allows the ReBuilder to be used in a unique way and provides an altogether-different patient experience and treatment outcome. You see, it is not just that you stimulate the nerves, but more importantly, how  you stimulate them.






With a money back guarantee of satisfaction it might me worth trying.  It is very different from a TENS.  The ReBuilder uses feedback from your nerves to adjust the signal. which makes it unique.  It's helping my partner's spinal injury affected peripheral nerves pain and appears to be relieve the muscle pains as well.  I use it with the footbath method.  They also have conductive socks and gloves.  This allows all the nerves to feet or hands to be treated from the extremities to the spinal cord and back.  The paste on electrodes can work but not nearly as well and don't cover the shear number of nerves treating the entire legs and feet at a time.  The first week or two can be more painful then it starts feeling better.

 In Colorado, where I spend part of the summer, cannabis is allowed in various forms.  As the old advertising jingle goes "A little dab will do you".

"Dab" is basically an extracted hash as it might have been called.  It is far more efficient than smoking the vegetable stuff and is a form of vaping but takes a little skill to do easily.


hammer

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Alchemist, I looked at the Web site, at that price I hope that the VA pain clinic  takes a look at that! 

I totally get the tens unit theory and the last thing I want is more numb skin! I also can't stand to feelings the tens give you very long, sometimes ten minutes is it.

Bob


 

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