Which way is worse?

[Dawgfan1980]

So, I've been on disability for 4 months due to a catastrophic injury to my back suffered on the job (who knew cleaning beakers was so damn dangerous?!?). I'm finished with my INJECTIONS INTO MY SPINE tomorrow. If that goes as expected, I'll be at a crossroads.

Currently, there has been extensive physical therapy, coupled with medication to end alot of the residual pain (the pain in my legs was the worst), but the pain in my back is still there. Last week, my meds ran out, and I had a four day gap until my refill sans medication. Needless to say, any doubts about how the medication was effecting my back were cleared up quickly.

So, here is the questioning. Through all this, I finally met with someone about my job future. It breaks down somewhat like this, simplified.

Have back surgery, and get retrained in a less physical, more high paying job

or

Have my back get back to close to normal, and continue to work at my job which is physically demanding (on my feet 8 hours, walking about 5 miles and carrying objects 20-30 lbs for 4-6 of those hours) and not go through surgery, and not be on disability for another year or so.

On top of this is coupled with the need to refinance a house, and L&I does not count as income, since it is not guarenteed for 3 years, and I will be without health insurance from my employeer come March 1. Which way should I lean?

[cartman]

If it were me, I'd take into account the odds of re-injuring my back. If it were more than 10%, I'd take the less physical route. You only get one back, they are still a long way off from being able to perform spine transplants.

[miami_fan]

Maybe I am missing something. What are the disadvantages of the less physical higher paying job option?

[Dawgfan1980]

Well, the kicker with that is then going through the rehab of post-surgery. Actually, not so much the rehab (which is 3-6 months) it is the being on disability for that long. To get the training for a new job, I HAVE to have the surgery, basically (there are other ways, but it is basically surgery = new job).... Is it right to wish for a surgery on your back/spine?!?

[Izulde]

Go with the less physical job. Your back will thank you for it and so will your account when you feed it more money.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Not sure how to read part of this, so I'll ask (since it's pretty important before giving a final answer).

Does this surgery+retraining option come with a basically guaranteed job (presumably with the present employer) or does that phrase mean surgery + retraining and then go out & look for a new job?

[Lathum]

Dawg, last year I herniated 3 disks in my back and it was awefull. I am familiar with the leg pain and the injections. As a bartender when I went back to work on my feet 8-10 hours a time I was in agony. I would literaly come home and cry at times.

IT sounds like your back problem is worse. A year later I still have pain and probably always will. My advice is take the lesser physical job.

[st.cronin]

This is the easiest question ever. Translated: Should I do something that will likely cause me agonizing pain or not?

[SunDevil]

I do not know if this fits your condition, but my girlfriends mother used this type of back surgery. It was an out-patient procedure and her back was fixed, whereas some doctors suggested actually back surgery and would of been out a couple of months. I hope this helps and good luck.

http://laserspineinstitute.com/

[SunDevil]

dola,

These types of procedures are done all over the country, just provided a link to one to give you an idea of what can be done with this type of surgery.

--Also the annoying music can be turned off in the top right corner.

[Dawgfan1980]

Jon: Basically, I should still have an option for a job with the company I am with, if they have one open for the job I retrain for, but the job market shouldn't be too bad (I'm leaning toward Pharmacy, and how many cities don't have a pharmacy if I can't get on at my hospital?), so to answer your question, yes, but with an if.

Lathum: Yes, I have two severe herniation at L4-L5 and L5-S1, plus a cyst on the L5-S1 plus my facet joints in the back are at a severe degridated state. Translation: I'm not booking my trip on the PGA this summer. The leg pain was pretty bad, and has been better with the shots, but I don't really like those either. At this point, the thought of my old job of lifting and carrying instrument trays and sorting them makes me want to cry. My fear is kind of the boat you are in. I want a solution, and the fear is that even with surgery, the pain may never leave.

St. Cronin: Yes, the question is do I hope for pain and surgery that will involve an overnight stay, coupled with a financial situation that is less then great, plus with a wedding looming and a family, or do I hope for a 90% recovery, allowing me to go back to my old job and have about a 25% chance of a reaggrivation?

Really it is do I hope for more pain and a surgery (with the risks involved), but a really good chance for a better job, but maybe worse living short-term, or do I hope for a fairly close to good recovery (I doubt really much wiffleball is in my future, or much basketball anymore for an extended period of time, since it hurt to get a branch off the roof with a garden hoe, which is much easier to use and cheaper then a crack ho) but go back to a job that is physically demanding, and honestly is boring, but makes better then good money, and the perks that go with it?

[Dawgfan1980]

Dola...

Sundevil: The problem I fear with that is getting it approved with the wonderfully free-thinking L&I. It sounds a good idea. You know it is bad though, when the employement counselor asks if you have thought about a surgeon yet. I hope he said surgeon, and not sturgeon. I don't know many sturgeons.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Okay, just wanted to make sure about the job situation before offering the same advice I would have almost certainly offered anyway.

Get it fixed & find another line of work. I watched my dad suffer through back problems (disc related) while trying to make it to retirement & although he did get there & is reasonably healthy, there are limitations that came from the problems & the continued abuse he put his back through made those worse. Back problems ain't nothing to screw around with IMO.

[Bee]

I'd do whatever was best for my back if I were you (I assume that would be the surgery).

[Raiders Army]

Go for less physical and the surgery.

[st.cronin]

Definitely take the less strenuous job, is my meaning. I think it's really obvious.

[Dawgfan1980]

I thank everyone for the input. I am getting ready right now for the last Steriod Injection directly into my spine (for those of you who haven't had back injuries, yes, it is as much fun as it sounds), and the hope is that on the 28th, the doctor gives me options, and L&I starts the process in motion for the next step of my recovery, whether it is surgery or something else.

I just was wondering if it was odd to almost be hoping for surgery (which is not a hope most of us ever hope for), and thank god this happened in Winter, so I'm not trying to go out and play golf and basketball.

On the plus side, it has given me time to sink into ALOT of video games and reading.

[Dawgfan1980]

*Dola w/ an update!*

Just had my last of a series of injections, but a different set, with 2 on the left side, and 2 on the right. See the doc on the 28th, and the injection doctor in three weeks. Until then, just more rehab! Woo Hoo!

[MacroGuru]

Well, I have to say, go with the surgery, and modify the way of life. My wife has the same identical injury as yours, and right now, she had to move from retail management to office management where she is sitting rather than standing, moving boxes around and such.

She helped a friend out at her store last week with inventory and she was in major pain the next day.

She is looking towards the surgery, knowing it will put her down for a bit, but the change of pain from ton to little or none is what has her excited.

[terpkristin]

i don't know if you're still seeking opinions/advice, but my advice would be to go for the surgery. your story reminded me quite a bit of what i went through when i had to decide to have my ankle fused. i had a catastrophic injury to my ankle in 2001 and by mid 2003 (and 2 surgeries later), i was in constant pain and could barely walk. i could do my job (it's always been a desk job for the most part) but without being able to walk and with the constant pain, my lifestyle had changed dramatically and i really feel like my quality of life went down, significantly so. it sounds like you're in a similar boat. for me, in the end, it came down to either:
a) having a surgery not typically done on those under 55 but regaining a lot of mobility and going on to a semi-normal lifestyle
or
b) going on in pain with various treatments but with potential for the problem with my ankle to cause other problems, and with no guarantee it would really get "any better" with other treatments (such as injections).

after much deliberation and another surgery, i finally opted for the fusion in 2004. the recovery took me a long time--i couldn't walk for the better part of 2 years (including time pre-fusion) and the rehab was quite lengthy...about a year. there are things i've had to give up (for me, running and jumping, i.e. a good part of my previous active lifestyle) but i gained, too, especially in terms of my freedom to do most things and a whole new active lifestyle. it definitely sounds like the job change/shift that would come with the surgery would be a good thing...less stress on your back and more money. any surgery is scary, and there will be risks you'll have to talk to your doc about, but at the face of it, given what you've said here, i think i'd go the surgical route.

just my $0.02..
/tk

[CU Tiger]

One more thought.
Go with the surgery.
Another possible outcome you may not have considered. You rhab go back on the physical job and get laid off immediately after for some marginal offense (33 minute lunch 2 minutes late etc.) and have no job, a hurt back and even more questions.

Get the surgery and move forward is my vote.

[EagleFan]

I would think the biggest factor is the surgery itself.

Is it a dangerous surgery? Does the surgery become more dangerous if he back is reinjured and potnetially more involved? Is it a surgery that you can have later if you reinjure your back or could reinuring the back make the situation worse? If the situation is worse with a reinjury, how much worse (slightly or exponentially)? If you reinjure your back and have to have the surgery will the end result be the same? You mention getting to 90% without the surgery, what level would you reach with the surgery? You also mention a 25% chance of reaggrivation without the surgery, what is the chance with the surgery? Most importantly, are there any long term risks that could occur from either choice and what kind of odds are we talking?

I hate the idea of surgery and never want to tell someone to make that choice but from what I see, that may be the way to go. But again, I am only saying what I would consider doing.

I wish you the best no matter which option you choose.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Whether or not you get surgery, get a different line of work or career that won't hurt your back; even if its with a new employer.

[Dawgfan1980]

Thank you all for the advice.

CU Tiger: The odds of me getting laid off at my job without their being some massive offense (Ie. I grab a coworker and have relations with her on one of the tables, or throw scissors at someone) are slim and none. One of the benefits of working at a job with a strong union, and one that is for the State.

Terp: The surgery isn't scary, per se. Working as I have in and around surgery for 8+ years, I understand the risk involved with any surgery, but I also know who would be doing any procedures that I would have done, and I would know all the other variables (who my nurses are, who my techs are, who has cared for the instruments, etc..) so my worry isn't too great there. The fears are mainly financial and the long rehab time. I've already done about 3 months of twice a week therapy, and it gets grating to do it, and to be limited, especially with the basketball seasons starting up, and having to watch my teammates scrimmage and now play. It is one of the toughest things I've ever had to do.

Eaglefan: Yeah, that is kinda the boat I'm in. You are supposed to never hope for surgery, but in this case, it seems that with surgery, the odds of a more financially viable career, with more options for relocation are greater. I've been taught never to hope for surgery, and having had three of them, I don't relish the thought. The fact is the unknown is quite great with both the non-surgical or surgical options. Simply put, we don't know either way. In theory, I should be fine with either option, getting back to 90-99% (really, I won't ever get back to 100%, because with almost any injury, the chance of reinjury is higher then having the original injury), but which one will be quicker and "better" in the long run. Its one of those things in dealing with the human body that they try not to post too many odds at the sports book.

Vinatieri: If I get surgery, the financial aspects of schooling are much more attractive (see free) and it is difficult to give up a job at the UW. That being said, it is definatly an option I'm looking into. I'm lucky to have a strong support group around me, and even all you crazy folks on here. For that I am blessed, even if it does rain every freakin day here, and make road walks difficult.

Once again, thank you to everyone for posting your thoughts and experiences, it does really help.

*Update* One day out from the last series of injections, and I'm sore as hell. Probably over did it a little in terms of rearranging knick-knacks and things in the house and cleaning up some areas (the fiancee and I are moving in together, and there is clutter to be cleaned, including a garage to straighten up, Oy!) and today I am in a great deal of pain. The next step in the process doesn't happen until the 28th, and then the 13th of March. Until then, Rehab, Rehab, Rehab.