Maybe, just maybe....

**Darwin** · #1 10-13-2012, 02:04 PM

Over the last 15 years I have been fighting a losing battle with lumbar spinal stenosis. For the younger crowd in the group, that is a condition that most of us will have intimate knowledge of in our later years. Briefly put, as one ages, the spinal disks lose moisture and compress, which pushes back on the spinal cord. And, for a large portion of us, arthritis also sets in, which causes growth of bone spurs in the vertebra that push forward on the spinal cord. In essence, the spinal cord is in a slowly closing vise, which leads not just to back pain, but pain and weakness in the leg muscles. Mine was more an irritant than serious problem until a couple of years ago. Over the last year it has all but crippled me. Even a trip to the grocery store is now an adventure in agony before it is over. Needless to say, the chronic and steadily worsening physical problems bled over into emotional problems as well, so I have been contending with severe depression as well (which is probably why I haven't done more than stockpile model kits over the last year in hopes that maybe one day I will be up to wanting to build them. Last month my doctor finally agreed the condition was to the point something needed to be done about it...it was time to go under the knife and try correcting the problem. Only trouble is....by now I am on mediscam, as my prior employer cut off it's medical insurance for retirees once they become medicare eligible. And....even though the town I live near is touted as the regional medical center for the intermountain area, I was told there are no local neurosurgeons left that accept medicare patients on anything other than an emergency basis....my only choice locally was to go to a pain specialist to treat the symptoms. I finally gave in, deciding that was maybe better than doing nothing at all. I'm glad I did...the doctor I was referred to not only confirmed the diagnosis within ten minutes of talking with her, but can and will do the 'minimal invasive' surgery needed to correct the condition, even with medicare as my insurance provider. What was almost comedy relief was that she kept bringing in her interns and almost-a-doctors to see the 'classic textbook case' of spinal stenosis I seem to be. So, there does seem to be an end to what I've been going though other than a dirt nap and you will have to contend with more of my build threads.

**Vermin_King** · #2 10-13-2012, 02:10 PM

Excellent news. My mom has now passed the point where medicare will cover the knee surgery she should have had done ten years ago. My dad has spinal stenosis, but his doctor told him a couple years ago, you'd best get this done now while you are vigorous enough to recuperate and while it is still covered. He did it and is ever so glad.

I wish you all the best in your treatment and recovery, and I look forward to seeing more of your build threads

**rickstef** · #3 10-13-2012, 02:18 PM

Darwin less ornery?

Perish the thought

Great News Darwin

**Darwin** · #4 10-13-2012, 02:31 PM

Rick, once a curmudgeon, always a curmudgeon. No need to worry on that. Just maybe a more productive curmudgeon.

**Bionic Modeler** · #5 10-13-2012, 04:07 PM

I know what you mean about the medicare issues. I was told by my pain speciilalist that botox injections in the piriformis would help me a lot. So he put in for it and it was denied. Seems they only approve botox for direct spinal injections not muscles. that was so they wouldn't be paying for cosmetic surgeries. I asked them how two shots in the ass could possibly be construed as cosmetic. they said they have to operate with the rules as written. I have been down the road you are on for 8 years and my Dr. said "I don't know how you couldn't be". I saw a Phyc. dr. at the VA and he said he could understand why people like me blow their brains out he probably would too. I don't keep guns around for that reason.

**airdave** · #6 10-13-2012, 08:16 PM

Well, I for one am very very very happy to hear there is a
favorable outlook!!!!!!

You know, its great to say you've got the best Armed Forces
and the best defenses....but at some point you have to think
about what you are defending. Isn't it about time for a national
Health Care system? Its times like this that I am grateful for my
British passport and Canadian status!

Anyway...all the best to you sir!
I have problems with back and knees, so I can appreciate the pain.

**Yale** · #7 10-13-2012, 10:14 PM

20 years ago, I had to have an ankle partially fused, Darwin -- obviously a less severe problem than yours. But that surgery completely eliminated the pain, and I wish you the same success WRT yours. Have a good recovery and get well quickly. And stick to modelling -- don't get cocky and sign up for a tumbling class.

**Kevin WS** · #8 10-14-2012, 07:37 AM

Good luck!

I am faced with a similar issues in my shoulder joints. Manageable for now - i had a blood clot recently, and ops, and that and the recovery is of more concern at this stage.

My wife has just had major back surgery as well - her disks in her lower back gave up and after a year on painkillers she could stand it no more. She is recovering well and into her 3rd month. Another 3 months to go!

Old age creeping up??!!