I'm afraid I have nothing to add but my support. My children say I was a
workaholic. I've loved every job I have ever had. I loved waking up in the
morning jumping out of bed and into life........... however I am permanently
disabled now. Acceptance has been one of the hardest parts of this disease for
me personally. You will find the people in this group are an invaluable asset.
Family and friends that love you will be hard pressed to understand your pain,
your frustration. Finding a great pain management doctor will be a lifesaver
for you as well. My number one coping skill is PRAYER. If I had not had a
relationship with Christ when all this began I do not want to know what would
have happened. I am so sorry to hear your pain and frustration through your
words. Do not be afraid to ask any questions of this group. One week topics
will be dealing with doctors, and then the following week will be about
constipation. Everyone that I have met through this group have given me
insight, support, and so so much more. We have been through divorce, death, the
celebration of new life, and again, so so much more. If you want to write me
directly at my email address as opposssed to posting, please feel free to. My
name is Jenn and I live in California with my daughters. I will pray for you
and keep you and your garden in my thoughts, lol.

--- In Arachnoiditis@yahoogroups.com, Teresa Schmied <teresaschmied30@...>
wrote:
>
> Ditto on everything Corey just wrote. I to am here to listen and pray for you.
Please use this group. You will find that there are people on here that are
living it daily also and they are the only people in this world who can say I
KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU FEEL LIKE. There are times with my husband who has been
suffering with this for the past 17 years the emotional part of not being able
to work, etc is sometimes or I should say most of time every bit as bad as the
pain.
>
>
>
> Teresa
>
> --- On Thu, 6/25/09, COREY GRIFFITH <coreykin@...> wrote:
>
>
> From: COREY GRIFFITH <coreykin@...>
> Subject: Re: [Arachnoiditis] Re: need help with learning to live with this
> To: Arachnoiditis@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009, 11:53 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I have been thru 6 spinal surgeries including 2 fusions over a course of 21
years. I wish I could tell you there was a quick fix but there isn't. I am on
disability and still attempted to work part time at a sit down job and after 2
years I had to quit my back just got worse. I would work a 4-5 hr shift and then
I would  spend 2 days in bed. It is not worth it, I want some quality of life
that if I do have one good day that I can do something I enjoy. the drs say
there is nothing they can do but keep me in the mininal pain range so I can
function day to day. You will get days that seem ok but unfortunately they don't
happen often.
> I just keep trying to be thankful that I am still here to see my kids. They
are what keep me going. Please take care and may god bless you. If  I can help
you in anyway please don't hesitate to ask. God Bless YOU
>
>
>
> --- On Thu, 6/25/09, giantgardener <giantgardener@ yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> From: giantgardener <giantgardener@ yahoo.com>
> Subject: [Arachnoiditis] Re: need help with learning to live with this
> To: Arachnoiditis@ yahoogroups. com
> Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009, 11:02 PM
>
>
>
>
> Yeah. I guess. Just hate to do it, involve a lawyer, but a friend helped me to
see the light tonight. It's just sad, after working there for over 20 years as a
stellar employee, there whenever they needed me. Now I need them, they are
trying to get rid of me it almost seems.
>
> I just want to go back to work without pain. is that gonna ever happen again?
I have my doubts. Can't work at my job w/o walking. Can't walk w/o growing
severe pain. Guess I'm gonna have to face that one, too. But it's hard.
>
> Why are some days better than others with this thing? I asked but he kind of
blamed it on my age, having arthritis, poor diet (?!--how would he know what I
eat? He's never asked, and I don't look unhealthy!)- -all over the map. It's not
arthritis or any of these things. Not even close. From my research it's an
inflamation of the spinal canal, right?, and in my case, caused by sudden trauma
to the spine.
>
> --- In Arachnoiditis@ yahoogroups. com, "COREY" <coreykin@ .> wrote:
> >
> > It is within your right to request a second opinion. I would do that and see
a lawyer. Don't quit because you will get nothing. Either let them fire you,
atleast then you would be able to file unemployment.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In Arachnoiditis@ yahoogroups. com, "giantgardener" <giantgardener@ >
wrote:
> > >
> > > Recently was dx'ed with what employee doc says is a "mild form". If this
is mild, what's considered severe!? Had extensive back surgery last year
resulting from a work injury, and was absolutely fine 6 mos. later. I worked
very, very, very hard at getting better, learning how to walk again, etc, and
succeeded way beyond the surgeon's expectations. Then got hurt by a careless
coworker, and life has spiraled back to pre-surgery pain level. I can't stand it
any more. Taking a shower, walking down stairs, stooping, etc. is agony on bad
days.
> > >
> > > Everyone I talk to says to contact a lawyer. They keep putting me back to
work, and the pain level escalates to a 9-10 by the end of 1 shift. Then out
again for 1-2 wks, pain lessens with PT/rest, but the minute I do more than
minimal walking, pain returns with a vengence. Was just told I can't keep doing
this, working for 1 day then out for 2 wks by my boss.
> > >
> > > What can I do, and what are my options? Surgery is out. NEVER want to go
through that horror again. Never had so much pain in my life, and I've had 4
kids naturally! Dread contacting a lawyer, but don't want them to toss me out
like last week's garbage either. I'd quit and suffer the consequences if this
was the result of MY stupidity, but it clearly is not. Should I keep going back
to work each time they make me, even in pain? Is this doing further harm to my
back nerves? Can't depend on the work doc. He's paid by them. Don't know who to
turn to for answers.
> > >
> >
>