I have herniated L4 and L5. Yes, I have what they call "Slipped disc".
Since 2012, I have chronic uncomfortable pain sa lower back. It feels like swelling because of a pinched nerve and the core is in my right sacroiliac joint.
Sa mga friends ko, una nilang sasabihin "Parang wala ka namang sakit kasi ang energetic mo!" "Parang hindi ka naman injured eh, niloloko mo lang kami!"
Kasi tinitiis ko.
I remember when I was a teen, I lifted something that I know wasn't the right way, and I felt a crack from my lower right. Pain wasn't significant back then. Massage and spa worked to manage the slight pain. It only started bothering me when I started working and sitting for 8 hours. That was the time I started seeing an Ortho. Hence, diagnosed with Herniated L4L5.
Did MRI, EMG, X-Rays and all. Name it, I've done that. Prescribed and took meds for 6 months, Celecoxib and Tramadol, which later I learned that these are high grade pain killers. My Ortho eventually told me to stop taking them since they're not working or else it will become a "kidney killer".
Physical therapy came. Standard traction, warm compress, and stretching. It eased the pain for a while but didn't really remove the core pain.
My Orthos suggested to do Epidural Steroid Injection for Php 30,000 which is the conservative approach,
Or
Surgery, a more definitive aggressive approach.
I ran away from them, scared and looked for alternatives. I found Chiropractic.
I did Chiro for approx 40+ sessions in 2 clinics. Again eased the pain for a while, but core pain still there. Don't know who's wrong, me or my Chiro. I Stopped because I feel like I'm wasting money.
All the while I thought this was just physical pain, I thought I can handle it. I thought I can overcome this and allow my positive and lively personality eat up all the pain I'm feeling. But over the years, it's now creeping in my emotions. I'm starting to feel sad. I hate to use the term, but this is really depressing.
Depressing to the point that I feel like nothing is working for me. Everything doesn't go the way I want to. What's even worse is, they're going to the opposite direction.
I prefer not to walk for long periods, lift heavy stuff, play badminton, do jogging. If i do, the pain will kill me and my entire lower back will swell for 2-3 days. Laptop is too heavy for me. Can't do trekking, can't do badminton. Madali mapagod.
This lower back pain really affects quality of life.
It's really difficult to concentrate in studying and trading if you feel physical pain. I don't have the energy to move and make things better. Too lazy to see friends. Nandun na ko sa point na wala na kong gana.
My girlfriend gifted me with a gem. This book changed me, rather, yung intro pa nga lang eh. Yung kwento ng isang individual na nag-quit mag yosi kasi nag-set sya ng personal goals nya. Everything else followed and headed to the right direction.
I need to set goals. I need to see things differently. Yung mga goals, dapat dahan dahang gawin, huwag lahat sabay sabayin. Step by step, magagawa din yan.
I went back to my Ortho last Saturday, not scared anymore and asked for more information about the approaches that they're suggesting. More open minded on what's ahead. This time, optimistic as what my core personality really is.
I pray na sana what's ahead is really the right direction.
2019, lagot ka sakin.
