Now to the nuerosurgeons.

[nighthawk]

Had a long visit with my doc the yesterday. Lots of pain with the back. Pain radiating from the thoracic and lumbar spine down the legs to the feet. Also burning and numbing. When I move in my sleep the pain wakes me up. I end up cat napping instead of getting good restful sleep. I also have to sleep sitting up most of the time.

I have to be very careful lifting anything at work. The maximum one man lift is 40 lb. In order to stay qualified for my job I must be able to lift that amount. I can do it but I can really feel the strain in my back. All of this occurs even after taking large doses of ibuprofen. We tried Celebrex but it doesn't work for me. The doc wants me to take Vicadin at night along with minimizing the ibuprofen as much as possible because of what it is doing to my stomach.

Well she also told me it is time for me to go to the neurosurgeon. I know I need to loose weight especially after what my thyroid has done to me but she told me even though that would help a little my latest M.R.I. shows the damage is to the point where a neurosurgeon is needed. She was really encouraged by my hiking again but also said she doesn't know how I do it. I said it hurts like **** but I just take my time, lean on my hiking stick and do it.

I can't fly fish anymore. Can't stand for long periods of time plus it just isn't any fun when I have to deal with the pain caused by casting. If things don''t get better you will likely see some of my gear up for sale here on the board. I will wait and see what the specialist can do so it may be a while before anything happens. I am heading out to the trails today too.

Thanks folks. I just needed to ramble on a bit.

God Bless,
Eric