first post in this community here. I’ve had chronic backpain for 20 years (since I was a teenager) - I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease in my L5-S1 and I managed for many years with corti steroid injections.
About 2 years ago- those injections stopped working and I got new imagining. My L5-S1 disc was completely gone. My back pain sucked but was manageable. I decided to take my health seriously and get in shape. I was at the gym 5 days a week lifting with a trainer for 2 of those days and walking anywhere between 3-5 miles a day. I felt the best physically I did in a while but my back was getting worse.
I cut the gym back to 4 days. Then 3. Then I barely walk Or function.
i was referred to a surgeon who wanted to do a fusion. Got a second opinion and that surgeon told me I was crazy for getting one at 40. That I would be back by 55 for another fusion likely in my l4.
they noticed on my ct scan and mri that I had modic 1 changes and severe inflammation in my spine.
my pain was insane - any time I would misstep with my left foot - I would have crippling pain shoot through my lower back. Bending was impossible - when it was bad - I would have such extreme pain from bending that I would fall to my knees and had to crawl to a counter to get the strength to get back up.
my left leg has been weaker than my right - confirmed by body scans I was getting at the gym that even with targeted strength training - my left leg weighed less than my right. No one has been able to tell me why.
with the new symptoms - I qualified for the intracept procedure and I got it 3 weeks ago to the day.
immediate changes I noticed was that bending was still difficult but easier. I don’t have to walk with a back brace anymore. Though walking for more than a 2 miles so far has been challenging after the fact. Feels like inflammation comes back with a vengeance post walking.
the extreme surges of pain are mostly gone though I’ve gotten a couple since the procedure which has scared the hell out of me. I still feel a lot of pressure in my back but it feels better overall. I didn’t realize how tired I was all the time before the procedure. Sitting was impossible and now I can handle 30 min or so of sitting before I have to stand.
there have been days where I’ve been mostly pain free followed by days that feel like I was pre surgery.
It’s hard to calibrate the recovery process - I know I’m early and that it can take upwards of 3 months and even longer but hard to say how it all works.
so I’m waiting - taking the good days with the bad and remaining hopeful. I just want to get back to the gym and take control of my life again vs this dictating everything I do.
anyone else go through this procedure who are further out and can comment on the recovery process?