Very glad to hear this new tech unit is helping you. I made the decision to have the operation (herniated disc). Knew the risks going in. But following 6 months of being off work doing physical therapy and taking vicodin & soma...... I knew it was what I had to do even if I ended up in a wheel chair or didn't make it through the operation.
Had a good surgeon and the operation went well. Pain was not completely gone afterward, but it was a lot better and I can handle it. I spent 6 more months doing physical therapy following the operation before returning to work with restrictions. Was off work a year in all. The vicodin and soma, I continued for a year following surgery.
Next challenge was to get off the meds. Didn't realize it until I put them down (the first time), but I had become hooked on them. After a month or so, they were out of my system and the physical dependence was gone. The hard part was not taking them to take the edge off when the pain came back from time to time. Or just to catch a buzz to be honest about it. That took nearly a year. During the first several months, I had to put them down 3 times. And 24 years later, I still have to be mindful of it and just say 'No' if the thought crosses my mind. But as time goes by, its easier...... Just a matter of making your mind up and doing it.
Must admit that as I have grown older and chronic pain from knees, right shoulder and neck have come on me, I must be ever mindful not to allow myself to take strong prescription pain meds such as I did with the back when I was younger. But anyone can do it if they really want to badly enough.
Best regards and G-d bless,
Harry
P.S. >>> Thanks for your well wishes. We made it through the storm OK. Need to do some fence work after things dry out, but house and trees came through it well.
