I can relate with you. I had my first lower lumbar fusion done in 1978, but after a year of recovery i went back to work. In 2003 I had another back surgery with 2 more fusions above the original one done in 1978. I have had titanium rods inserted and my Doctor told me I can no longer work. That news has made a negative impact in my life.

After the surgery, I was still in major pain and have been on medications ever since, but my quality of life was taken away. At times even with the pain medications that I was taking, I was still in pain. I then had to take 300 mg of effexor for depression. I had a hard time living with all this pain, that I went as far as trying to commit suicide in July of 2007. I could not take it anymore and people did not understand what I was going through.

Today I am still in pain, but my Doctor will not help me with medications. I live in my bed most of the time, and it is a cycle that will not stop. The depression brings on the pain and the pain brings on the depression The only reason that I am still here is because of my kids. Now it has affected my right leg. I sometimes have no feeling in my leg. I am always tired and can’t do the day to day things I used to do. I also lost my marriage of 26 years because of my situation. So therefore, I can relate with your pain.

Best to you all!!!!

Gord