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Just went to the Flight Doc in Guam

catpealer111catpealer111 Member Posts: 10,695
edited December 2008 in General Discussion
My back is back with a vengeance. The doc thinks it might be a bulged disk but he doesn't want to order an MRI because he thinks they might ship me home if that happens. So, I got 4 different drugs to take, I have to set up physical therapy, and I'm on profile for my back again. That makes two time during the same year I've been on profile for my back.

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    Old-ColtsOld-Colts Member Posts: 22,700 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Try to take care of your back and not make things worse. That's one of the worse problems you can have later on in life!

    If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!

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    tomahawktomahawk Member Posts: 11,826
    edited November -1
    cat,it will only get worse if it is bulged , it will tear and will blow. i now have no feeling in my right side from the wast down due to surgery that was put off too long.. they can correct bulges with decompression called vax-d. if it tears its surgery. do not chance it[V]
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    jimdeerejimdeere Member, Moderator Posts: 25,663 ******
    edited November -1
    I don't have to tell you:
    Don't lift anything heavier than a shoe.
    Don't bend over to pick something up, bend at the knees.
    Don't sleep too much.
    Don't slouch.
    Don't sit or drive for too long.
    Don't think it will ever be like new.
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    HonestBluesHonestBlues Member Posts: 859 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am also going down that rough road.My back problems have forced my earlier than expected retirement.About all I can do some days is take my meds and hang out with y'all on my computer.It just sucks to get old and worn out.[:(]Then again,I didn't think I would last this long.[:)]
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    catpealer111catpealer111 Member Posts: 10,695
    edited November -1
    I'm praying that it isn't too serious. I'm getting ready to reenlist in a few months and I'm suppose to test for Staff Sargent in the spring. Maybe it's time to look at cross training. I'd hate to be worn-out and spent-up by the time I'm 30.
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    tr foxtr fox Member Posts: 13,856
    edited November -1
    Probably better to drop everything, get it fixed, and then try your best to recreate your world that you now are living and appear to like. Once your back is gone for good, so is the world you now have.

    Just my 2 cents.
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    mogley98mogley98 Member Posts: 18,297 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Don't sweat it you will draw disability income from Uncle for ever
    Why don't we go to school and work on the weekends and take the week off!
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    catpealer111catpealer111 Member Posts: 10,695
    edited November -1
    I don't want disability at my age, I need to work my * off.
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    KEVD18KEVD18 Member Posts: 15,037
    edited November -1
    well then what you need to do is get it fixed and stop half assing abotu because you dont want the brass to find on you're on shaky footing.

    if it were me, i would have been swinging for the fences the last time around. full tickle. mris, operations, whatever will get the job done. if you let this go for too long(and time isnt even a factor), you could end up being legit disabled forver. by that i mean handicapped placard for the car, cant take more than 6 steps without setting down a bit. constant mind numbing pain so bad you cant sit stand or lie down. what i mean by time isnt a factor is, as mentioned before, just bending down for your cell phone could do it and that could happen tommorow.

    it not my life, so your decision wont readily affect me in any way. but if your future matters to you, you'll seek care to the fullest extent possible tommorow.
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    jon ojon o Member Posts: 1,755 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Go to a specialist and learn the appropriate back exercises. It worked for me.
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    grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 53,466
    edited November -1
    The longer you let it go the more pain you will be in.

    Get the physical therapy going and soon.

    Cause the next time it goes you may just be stuck in bed. From just bending over and getting a pencil. Or even worse a piece of paper.

    Never know whan mine may go.

    I was on Okinanwa when I 1st injured mine. Sent a crew to help my welder move his anvil. 4 guys with metal bars could not move the anvil. Being the crazy Sgt I picked it up and put it on the table the welder wanted it moved to.

    Back goes out from time to time since.
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    MercuryMercury Member Posts: 7,809 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Absolutely correct. DO IT NOW. Stop being stupid about it!

    Merc



    quote:Originally posted by KEVD18
    well then what you need to do is get it fixed and stop half assing abotu because you dont want the brass to find on you're on shaky footing.

    if it were me, i would have been swinging for the fences the last time around. full tickle. mris, operations, whatever will get the job done. if you let this go for too long(and time isnt even a factor), you could end up being legit disabled forver. by that i mean handicapped placard for the car, cant take more than 6 steps without setting down a bit. constant mind numbing pain so bad you cant sit stand or lie down. what i mean by time isnt a factor is, as mentioned before, just bending down for your cell phone could do it and that could happen tommorow.

    it not my life, so your decision wont readily affect me in any way. but if your future matters to you, you'll seek care to the fullest extent possible tommorow.
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    Jacob2008Jacob2008 Member Posts: 19,528 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by catpealer111
    I don't want disability at my age, I need to work my * off.
    Need more with your attitude.
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    FEENIXFEENIX Member Posts: 10,559 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I had a co-worker that was medically retired for the same problem after Gulf War 1 and is getting 40% of pay since 1992 - not bad for one enlistment - he's still able to work and is now a GS-11 for the VA somewhere in NC. I got 50% for putting in 20+ years.

    I too have a bad back (L3/4, no nerve problems) but hasn't acted up bad since I retired in 2007 ... my doctor(s) and I opted for no surgery.

    Good luck!
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    spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,724 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    if no back surgeries or fusions try comfortrac stretcher(spinal decompression)...has worked for me for years
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    ManygunsManyguns Member Posts: 3,837
    edited November -1
    I've said it before on here. I suffered for 30 years with back problems, Wasted alot of money on Chiropractors (quacks as far as I'm concerned) Finally went to a specialist and had an MRI. Found out what the real problem was (bulging discs) was offered a fusion surgery and opted for that. Did me a world of good and the surgery wasn't bad at all, even though they operated through the abdomen. Find out what the real problem is and quit monkeying around.
    Tom
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    v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Have it on your Service medical record. Without it you'll have no future claim.
    Without an MRI, you have no reliable diagnosis.
    If you retire and look for a civilian job, a record of back injury will prejudice your employment.
    As far as getting it fixed is concerned, you need to know the extent of injury to know what you're getting into.
    If they are set up to give you an epidural, I'd go for that right now. It'll do you no harm.
    Meanwhile watch your lifting and bending where you can.
    I'm nursing a bad back operation since April. Pain for a couple of months was out of this world. Any kind of work or bending is out of the question.
    All my lumbar discs are flattened.
    Protect your back with a belt if you have to do physical work.
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