My Story - Almost Ten Years of Issues
 

Hi all,

I appreciate this forum and all the info and support available.

I am a 34 year old male. I am from Bermuda.

My back issues started in 2008, caused by jet-skiing. My back has 'gone out' three or four times a year, since then.

In Feb, 2016, my back went out and never got fully better. I have been in constant pain, since, and my back has continued to go out. I, also, developed pain, in my neck, during the summer of 2017.

My daily symptoms are pain in my lower back, as well as a point in the middle of my back. Pain in my neck. Numbness, pain, and tingling in my right leg and my right hand. Very sore right hip. Overall heavy muscle fatigue and exhaustion. Over the years, I have developed heavy depression, as well as stomach issues.

I got insurance in the summer of 2016, and started seeing specialists. Ive been told that I have degenerative disc disease at L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1. It has also been mentioned to me that I have arthritis, spinal stenosis, and issues with my facet joints. I need to have a discogram and a CT scan done, which will offer more info. I, recently, had an MRI, of my neck, but I have not been told what the results were.

I had prolotherapy, during the fall of 2016. I got RFL done, on my lower right side, in September of 2017.

About three weeks ago, my back went out in a really severe way. I would usually have gotten somewhat better by now, but, while it has improved some, I am still in a very bad place.

I have been seeing a surgeon, that consults in Bermuda. He said I would need a three-level fusion, which he doesnt recommend, as it has low success rate. The only other option is an artificial disc replacement. It is not certain if I will be a suitable candidate, for this procedure, due to facet joint issues. He is based in Arizona, and is not covered by my insurance.

My local insurance covers some east coast hospitals, though, thankfully. I am looking into Lahey and Mount Sinai, in New York. They both seem to offer ADR, though I am still researching.

If anyone has any experience with these two facilities, please let me know. I would love to get to Europe, but I dont think I am physically able. I would, also, love to go to Texas Back Institute, or another facility that has a great track record, but I dont think I have time to go through fighting my insurance company.

I am hoping to go overseas asap. My ability to grin and bear has run out, and I am feeling broken, physically and emotionally. I may need to be taken by air ambulance, as I cannot sit upright, anymore.

I'm looking forward to getting my life back and to finding relief from pain.

Thanks for reading!

Nathan