15/12/2024
🔥For all who have been asking and know what's been going on with my Back these last few months🔥
I've had back issues as long as I can remember they come and go or come and stay, Charlie was trained as my Service Dog at a time I couldn't bend over much less pickup anything over 20lbs but over the years I have managed, many hospital visits, being stuck on the ground (hence Charlie) unable to walk, getting off work and just bawling for hours, my doctors always telling me. "If youd don't stop grooming and working with animals like you do, you'll be in a wheelchair and very hurt soon enough" Yah Doc leme just take off these boots and hang up my life.
They could never give me real answers though as to what was going on, I was diagnosed with Arthritis and Scoliosis years ago but it always came back to my job and life within the Animal World and all that comes with who I am.
For the past 3 months I haven't had any feelings in my left foot, I've had pain I have never experienced before, shooting down my left leg, coming out of nowhere, kicking me down, dragging my leg and being unable to stand, squat, bend over or kneel... basically pains that take the wind out of my lungs and force me to be on bed rest (I am absolutely horrible at this) pain that makes it impossible to do my lifeline and back at the end of the work day bawling. I have been pushing for an MRI for 2 months, in the begining thinking I just pinched something it will work itself out, shake it off, work it off, it's just more painful because your older now...well. I guess it was a bit worse than I thought.
I don't even know what I did, nothing different I suppose, no different big dogs, no accidents per say to cause what they found but what was found was what was warned and now here we are.
My life and existence withing the Animal World and all that I am as I human on this planet. The passion and drive to Save Lives that makes me everything of who I am came at a cost, we finally have answers but at what cost, I finally had an MRI last week and go the results today.
While what I have going on is common I don't pretend to be special, I'm sure most of you have had the same thing at some point, unfortunately she said the difference is in 3 months of doing your best to stay down, heat and ice therepy, gabapentin *doesn't touch the pain* chiropractic and more nothing has changed infact it's gotten worse, your down more, pain level higher and it's now effecting your every day and hour, she said this is why I am at a level
8-10 on the scale for pain and disability, your doubled up with two issues and the second is one of the worst she has seen in awhile.
I have a Lumbar Disk Hernia from my L5 thru S1 and Spinal Stenosis.
I have a level 8-10 Hernia my the scale which is why I'm in so much pain.
Disc herniation is a serious condition that can cause pain, numbness, and weakness. If the herniated disc presses on the spinal cord or nerves, it can cause more severe symptoms such as bowel or bladder control loss, paralysis, or difficulty walking.
Which I already have numbness loss of feeling and difficulty walking bending ECT.
The lumbar spine at L4-5 and L5-S1 Disk hernia is rated at as 50 percent disabling for those who have this and can cause numerous issues on their lives.
A herniated disc L5-S1 resulting in numbness and loss of motion may and will result in a designation of permanent disability and make you eligible for disability benefits
Pain pattern:
Pain typically radiates down the back of the leg, sometimes reaching the foot, often felt in the buttocks and back of the thigh.
Symptoms:
Besides pain, numbness, tingling, weakness in the leg, and difficulty with foot movement can occur.
Surgery may be considered if neurological problems such as weakness and numbness persist despite nonsurgical treatment.
Vertebral and disc pain from L5-S1 may occur suddenly following an injury or gradually develop over a period of time. Typically, a dull ache or sharp pain may be felt in the lower back. Discogenic pain is typically worsened by prolonged sitting, standing in one place, and repetitive lifting and bending activities....so basically my life and everyday.
Compression or inflammation of the L5 and/or S1 spinal nerve root
Pain, generally felt as a sharp, shooting, and/or searing feeling in the buttock, thigh, leg, foot, and/or toes
Numbness in the foot and/or toes
Weakness in the leg and/or foot muscles and an inability to lift the foot off the floor
All of which I have
It is also possible for a stabbing pain or ache to be isolated to these issues as well, which I also have.
Spinal stenosis happens when the space inside the backbone is too small. This can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that travel through the spine.
Spinal stenosis is a rare but serious back condition which can lead to permanent damage or disability.
Spinal stenosis can cause significant pain and mobility issues.
Spinal stenosias symptoms just to worsen the more you walk exercise or move your body, this diagnosis will last your lifetime.
I'm being refered to a spine specialist and we'll go from there.
As far as Mayhem Mutts everything is still normal per usual, I'm doing the best I can throughout my days to make it to the end of the day, if my pain is high that day I just may need a bit of help holding up dogs, high tables or counters at my waist are best so I don't have to get down, I may need a break to just stand upright and stretch it out but those won't stop me from doing my job and continuing to serve all my amazing customers the best as I always have.
Thank you all so much for understanding and being as supportive as always, the moment something changes I will do my best to let everyone know ASAP.
Peace Love & Dog Paws 🐾 💙 🐾
Hey PawParents 🐾 🩵
