Operation Backbone options for soldier, Hashimoto's (Thyroid)chronic neck, back pain, opiates not an option, quality of life gone, options & hardware.

Operation Backbone contact

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Mike,

I would like to introduce you to xxx- xx he is Army and is having issues with the system and pain management, I am sure he can go farther in depth with them to explain exactly what they are. He is in the VA system and has tried to comply with the system as best he can, but as we all know you reach a certain point and just give up on the system, I believe he is at or past that point. He has continually gotten the usual run around and just medicate till he goes away. He too is looking to improve his quality of life.

In 2003 when we crossed into Iraq I hurt my back pretty badly. I cannot remember what it was specifically, but it was a mess when I returned home. I went to the Air Force clinic in Albu- querque to get it looked at and they told me my hamstrings were tight and to stretch. So, I stretched, with no relief. I went to a chiropractor who told me that he wouldn't touch me and that I needed to see orthopedics. I went back to the Air Force clinic and was told that there was noth-ing wrong with the exception of my hamstrings being tight.

3 deployments later and multiple vis- its to the Dr. at my units Recon Bn and 1st Marine Special Operations, I was taking Percocet regularly to keep the pain down. ----------, I finally broke on a Saturday morning after surfing with my kids and was unable to move. I crawled to my car on Monday, crawled into the oath/spine office and demanded to see the surgeon. I was in surgery before the end of the week where I had a discectomy/laminectomy on L4- L5- S1.

That was in the spring of 2009. Over the last few years I have been very careful to take good care of my back, stay mobile, exercise intelligently and keep on top of it. Unfortunately lately I am a mess, I have extreme pain. If I sneeze or cough or move wrong it almost drops me to the ground. I am unable to do the things I am used to doing, one being exercise. I have unfortunately been diagnosed with Hashimoto's (Thyroid) disease and have gained almost 40 pounds since February, which is really exacerbating the pain. I saw a surgeon last week at First Health in -------- who told me that fusion was the only answer, but I am too young. He said L5 looks very unhealthy and dark on the Xray and that L4 is close behind it. He does not consider me a surgical candidate right now.

The downward spiral of back pain and weight gain is wearing me out. I am on meds for the Hashimoto's but not losing weight. I feel like if I could get over some of the pain I could get more active again. ------------------------------------------

Thanks for looking after me, xxxxxxx

Thanks Mike for looking at him.