- Arachnoiditis
- Interviews
Beth's interview
How did all start?
In 2004, I had some back issues and was given injections at L4-L5 which helped drastically. In 2012, I had a car accident that resulted in a herniated disc at L5-S1. I had injections, the 1st one was fine, the 2nd one, caused me to come off the table, the doc said "oh I probably just hit a nerve". I left the office not being able to stand straight up. A few weeks after that I had a microdiscectomy and was again pain free. In 2014, I tripped and fell up the stairs at work and the pain was instantaneous. I went to the ER and was told nothing was wrong. I kept getting worse so I went to the same orthopedic doc that did my surgery in 2012. He told me I had a bulging disc, to lose weight and I'd be fine. Still, not getting better, in July, i went to the ambulatory care for an antibiotic. It was super depressing being in so much pain and not being able to do what I used to. She obliged but also recommended I see the pain management doc in our area for a 2nd opinion, which I did in August 2014
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
Yes, I was diagnosis on August 18, 2014 by my pain management doctor. He took one look at the MRI and said "uh-oh". He confirmed where my pain was, said the orthopedic doc was right, I did have a bulging disc but that was on the opposite side of my pain.
I began with the awful pain in April 2014 and was diagnosed in August 2014.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
Since diagnosis, I have only dealt with my pain management doctor who has done wonders for my pain.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
I started out with a severe 10+/10 pain level, getting out of bed or the recliner was a huge ordeal, much less leaving the house. Now, after a spinal cord stimulator and the right pain meds regimen, I am at a 4-5/10 most of the time, I have bad days where it is 10+ but most days I can get up and do things now, not like I used too but more than laying in bed. I still can't sit or stand for more than 10-15 minutes and I wear out very easy but overall I feel like the stimulator has helped drastically.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Being able to work and be a mom are 2 of the hardest things. Working is difficult when you can't sit or stand for very long and you need a nap every few hours. As far as being a mom, it is very difficult to do the laundry and cook when you have no energy and high pain. Thankfully, my kids are teens and while they don't necessarily like it, they understand.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
People don't know how to react and sometimes I don't think they truly understand how bad the pain is. I have learned to put on a front to make everyone think I'm fine and then when I'm alone, I cry and cry because no one understands or really seems to care, they expect as much from me as if I was 100% healthy.
What things have you stopped doing?
I have stopped hanging with friends, going out except for maybe dinner with my boyfriend and kids, working. Basically my life has done a 180. I'm in bed at 8, if not before (used to be at least 10). I sleep awful so take a few naps a day. My weekends used to be nonstop running and now they are spent in the recliner.
What do you think about the future?
I have a goal to live til my kids are 18 and then if I die, I won't be sad. Obviously, I want to continue to watch them grow, I don't want to die but I also know things aren't getting better. I'm praying they will find a cure soon.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
Every year is a good year, even with the pain. I have enjoyed watching my kids grow, even with the pain.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Live normal. Get married, raise my family. Basically, what I'm already doing, just without the pain. Travelling would be nice too but the pain stops that.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
Even with the pain, my life is blessed, God tells us in Psalm 46:10a to be still and know He is God.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
God has a plan. We may not know what it is or why we are going through this trial but He has a plan that will glorify Him. My faith is one thing, the most important thing, that has gotten me through this much. I often have to repeat my favorite Bible verse where we are told to BE STILL.
