MRI and doctor visit.

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Just-Clayton

Senior Member
I had spinal surgery over 5 years ago. 2 discs removed and a plate put in place.I knew things were not going to be perfect after. I returned to work 4 months later. Now, 5 years later I have arthritis building up on the good disc above and below. Today I have an MRI and on Tuesday I see the neurologist. So, we will see. The work I do isn't helping and if it comes to it I will retire and find something else. Hey!! They say photography is a fun hobby!LOL
Here is me after the surgery.
th_mefile1Page1.jpgth_mefile1Page2-1-1.jpg
 
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FastGlass

Senior Member
I was in the same position as you a number of years ago. The doctor told me to change professions as he thought I would no longer do what I was doing. Well 7 years later and I'm still at it. The injury healed better than anticipated and hasn't slowed me down in the least. When handed news such as your's take it with a grain of salt. You never know what the future holds. Good luck to you.
 
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TedG954

Senior Member
Just-Clayton said:
The work I do isn't helping and if it comes to it I will retire and find something else.
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Best wishes for today!

In all seriousness, retire in any case. Sometimes we get messages and fail to understand. If you are able (under any circumstances) retire ASAP and smell the roses.
 
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mikew_RIP

Senior Member
I took early retirement from my career :D job due to stress,that was at 55 and took my pension.then spent the next 10 years doing mainly agency work have had great fun in that time, i spent three years moving new BMW cars and autotrail motor homes,with my first pension and the agency work i was earning as much as before i retired and had no stress,now i get my state pension as well so dont work any more.
 
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LensWork

Senior Member
I had the same surgery over ten years ago. My range of motion is limited and my neck hurts depending upon the weather (cold) and activity, but it is still much better than it was immediately preceeding the operation.
 
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Mike D90

Senior Member
Just-Clayton said:
I had spinal surgery over 5 years ago. 2 discs removed and a plate put in place.I knew things were not going to be perfect after. I returned to work 4 months later. Now, 5 years later I have arthritis building up on the good disc above and below. Today I have an MRI and on Tuesday I see the neurologist. So, we will see. The work I do isn't helping and if it comes to it I will retire and find something else. Hey!! They say photography is a fun hobby!LOL
Here is me after the surgery.
View attachment 75066View attachment 75067
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What post processing did you do to those?!? Maybe needs a little Lightroom work and they will be just fine! :chuncky::biggrin-new:


Seriously though, what are your symptoms with disc issues like that? I am having some problems myself and have an MRI scheduled for May 6th.
 
J

Just-Clayton

Senior Member
Mike, before I found out I had neck issues, my fingers would go numb, off balance and severe pains in neck and arms. I was actually diagnosed with rotator cup problems first. When I finally went to the doctors for severe neck pains, my doctor figured due to my age (41) it was just muscle spasms from carrying the mail. So, I got an x-ray. Within 10 minutes of me getting home, the Dr. calls and says I need an MRI and that she was sorry for not listening to me on my symptoms. Turns out I had everything wrong. Bone spurs compressing 50% of my spinal cord, one disc degenerative and one severely herniated. I also found out that I was born with a narrow spinal column. Which means less space and spinal fluid. So now, I am getting some of the issues again. I want to make sure everything is OK and to get a specialists word on whether I should keep carrying mail.

Mike d90 said:
What post processing did you do to those?!? Maybe needs a little Lightroom work and they will be just fine! :chuncky::biggrin-new:


Seriously though, what are your symptoms with disc issues like that? I am having some problems myself and have an MRI scheduled for May 6th.
Click to expand...
 
J

Just-Clayton

Senior Member
MRI is done,now to visit surgeon. It's not a big surprise to expect the outcome. I knew since the surgery that things wouldn't get better. I wanted to make it as far as I could. I can find other jobs to do. I have my photography to fall back on. I don't give up so easily.
 
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Mike D90

Senior Member
Just-Clayton said:
Mike, before I found out I had neck issues, my fingers would go numb, off balance and severe pains in neck and arms. I was actually diagnosed with rotator cup problems first. When I finally went to the doctors for severe neck pains, my doctor figured due to my age (41) it was just muscle spasms from carrying the mail. So, I got an x-ray. Within 10 minutes of me getting home, the Dr. calls and says I need an MRI and that she was sorry for not listening to me on my symptoms. Turns out I had everything wrong. Bone spurs compressing 50% of my spinal cord, one disc degenerative and one severely herniated. I also found out that I was born with a narrow spinal column. Which means less space and spinal fluid. So now, I am getting some of the issues again. I want to make sure everything is OK and to get a specialists word on whether I should keep carrying mail.
Click to expand...

This is what I am afraid of too. My doctor thinks it may be rotator cuff issues as well but I think it is not. I can use my arms and shoulder just fine. I feel mine is more of a posture/spinal related issue and I get the problem when I sit or lie down and not when working. I have an MRI scheduled in May.
 
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Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
I was having leg problems for a while but though it was caused by my first knee surgery. Come to find out it was a back problem I ended up having a Lumbar Laminectomy. I have had lots of surgeries but that one was the worse by far. Problem is that it did not take care of the problem. The leg no longer goes to sleep but now I have a backache 75% of the time. Rotator cuff problems are very pronounced. I couldn't lift my arm up to the outside. I would get it out maybe 6 to 8 inches and it would about kill me. I could lift it straight out in front of me pretty good. It was just going to the outside that hurt. That surgery was interesting to say the least. You end up sleeping in a chair for a month of so. I ended up retiring because of knee, back and ankle problems. Was easier to just stay home and do things at my own schedule.

The neck/spine is nothing to take chances with. Do what you have to do to get it fixed and take care of it.
 
J

Just-Clayton

Senior Member
It's amazing what the spinal cord and the nerves control. Another symptom I had was my breathing. I had an elliptical machine and when I used it I could only last a few minutes and gasp for air.. When the surgery was over I went 30 minutes with no problem..
 
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RON_RIP

Senior Member
In my 36th year my back had become so bad that I had to give up my job, a good job with benefits. I finally went to work for myself so that I could work at my own pace. I have never looked back, despite the lean years. I survived and have had 30 years of total job satisfaction, and brother, so will you.
get your health problems fixed or at least as fixed as can be, and then find what you love to do and do it. We are all pulling for you.
 
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