NS whitetail Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 As most of you know, I am a comercial lobster fisherman ( which pays big ). This life involves alot of physical labour. Back in 2002, I had spinal fusion. As of now, I am in a mess again and taking dilaudids every day to keep me going. Is it worth popping pain killers every day to keep my style of life or do I try and change my life style ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkoholic Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 Let me start by saying that I am currently looking at surgery to repair a ruptured disc at L4-L5 (looks like your fusion level) with a disc fragment compressing the nerve root where it exits the vertebral foramen. I may need a fusion. Upon standing there is excruciating sciatic pain with pain radiating down my leg with accompanying muscle weakness making it difficult to walk or stand. Sitting is painful. I have already had one surgery (microdiscectomy and foramenotomy) and multiple steroid injections. Once a bad back, always a bad back. It has been a roller coaster ride for the past twenty years with a return to school and a change in careers. Packing out elk quarters this past September may have been the beginning of the my current state. I know where you are coming from. Now, the advise. Seriously, you need to look at a change. An employment change may mean a life style change, but that is nothing compared to the change that would happen if you end up totally disabled, maybe in a wheel chair, and unable to enjoy many of the simple things in life. You are probably aware that a fusion increases stress on the discs above and below the fusion increasing the risks of the need for a multilevel fusion. As far as using pain relievers to be able to maintain your life style, I think that in the short term it is probably okay but remember that numbing the pain may be masking other symptoms. Pain is not "weakness leaving the body" as the Marines would say but a way for the body to let you know something is wrong and needs attention. Life style changes can be a challenge, but life is an adventure and somewhere down the road your back will appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 Good advice above! I agree Lewis, may be time for a change. If you can't let go and let a deck hand do what you do physically (which I'm guessing you can't lol) then maybe you should consider something else. Strenuous work with a fusion, and narcotics is no long term solution my friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 Gotta agree with the above as well Lewis. Dave made a great point about the pain killers masking the problem, could be doing worse damage and like he said end up being forced to not be able to continue doing the work you are doing. Best of luck with whatever you decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 (edited) This thread makes me cringe and my back hurt all over again!...I do know what you guys are feeling..been there! Yes..you need to change occcupations, OR stop lifting heavy objects you need to watch what you lift (less than 30 to 40#) Probably will need surgury, that worked for me the 1st time Steriod injection may work..it did for me the 2nd time..I gort lucky Once you have that operated on..the Surgeon is VERY reluctant to go back in that very area again, because of scar tissue...I was told that he has to dig his way down through it and separate all the tissue, and the possability of accadentally severing a nerve is very possible as you know back pain can put you out fix it and change meds are NOT the answer, and what they do not tell you about the meds; getting off them can cause severe depression Edited January 19, 2013 by Mathews XT Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 Living with pain What happens right now pales in comparison down the road. If you want to enjoy your grandchildren and quality of life then you need to stop. Money is great, but it is worth being confined to a wheelchair later on...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 If you have to take pain pills to work, you have to stop. The more you work while on them the worse you hurt yourself. Pain pills don't heal anything. You will start need more and more for them to do anything. Find something to do you don't need them for. Get off that path of taking them so you can work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 As much as you may love your job, probably time for a change. There comes a time to ask your self "Do I want quantity or quality of life?" Maybe time to re-consider now while you can so you can enjoy life later on. Leo is right, pain pills help the pain but don't cure anything and if you keep taking them and working, your body will build up a tolerance and then it's a whole new game to find something that works. Nothing wrong withneeding pain meds but keep working through the pain and your back will be worse off down the road than if you change now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Lewis, I have worked with guys in the heavy steel industry who went through the surgeries and worked through back injuries on painkillers. A couple I have kept contact with are not doing very well at all. One is walking with a cane and another is pretty much bed and home bound. Both are in their late forties. Both wish they would have gone on to less strenuous jobs, but the money was too good. Sometimes we don't learn until it is too late. My body is feeling the effects of all the buggy lugging and labor I have done over the years. I can't do a lot of things I used to. There are times, while feeling the affects of age, I ask myself why I busted my butt like I did. I am most fortunate that I was spared of any serious injury. Knowing this today I would rather see you doing something less laborious that will keep you on your feet rather than on your back or in a chair. Life is short enough without compromising it any further.....Maybe you could drive the boat! Good luck my friend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 lots of good advice here, lewis. i'd listen. you are damaging your body to a point it may not be repairable. hey, i'm guessing there are quality boat crews up there available to work on a percentage. they are broke, and need your boat, your license, and equipment. just like renting out a farm. there are lots of good farmers out there who can't afford to but a farm, a tractor, a plow, you get the idea. so, they go to an old farmer, like you, and sharecrop. let the young guys go for it. you sit on the dock, wave goodby, and they get (?) percent of the take. besides, you have a better, new business plan if i remember past conversations. leave your back alone and start using your head. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NS whitetail Posted January 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 thanks everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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