I know I'm on meds but can one's spine right itself to a degree?
 

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Maria:
I certainly don't have the knowledge to answer on any but an emotional level. First, it is so wonderful that you are functioning well and enjoying life again. One of the crazy-making aspects of being a spiney is the sword of Damocles that hangs over us--namely, if we are doing okay now, what does the future hold? Is surgery to avoid further deterioration--which might or not happen--justified? And if so, when do you make that leap?? :confused:

Hi Maria,

I wonder if as time goes on that the areas of degeneration in your spine have have degenerated enough to a point that some of the painful areas have begun to fuse. - Immobilizing the painful joints. Just sharing a thought.

Whatever is happening, I hope that the trend continues to progress to less and less pain for you. God knows you have lived long enough with this.

Take care,
Poncho

Maria,

I was wondering the same as Poncho.

However, aside from what is or isn't happening back there, or per your doctor saying now or never and so on... the real question is - are you content with the quality of your life? Yes, you;re on some serious meds. Yes, you can't sit for long periods of time. Everyone is different and only you can decide for yourself if this is good enough. Could it be better with surgery? Maybe! Let's not forget that not everyone achieves the outcome they desire. If everyone advised you to have surgery and it wasn't successful, then it was the wrong call. If on the other hand, you wait so long that surgery is no longer an option and your life becomes less enjoyable, then that was the wrong call. There is no win/win here, only hopes and desires and prayers for guidence.

With knee or hip replacements, most are pretty sure of a positive outcome and most say they wish they had done it years earlier. Many of us say that about ADRs, but not everyone. So this is 100% your call. Just get the best advice for all your doctors and go with your gut, fear and all.

Best of luck to you, Dale

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I doubt that a new MRI will show reasons for reduction in pain. It's unlikely that dehydrated discs are rehydrated, or that collapsed disc spaces are restored. Possibly, disc bulges or protrusion will have shrunk?

The body does amazing things and reduced mobility (of some discs) may keep you outside of a range of motion that exacerbates your pain?

One interesting note is that when we are physcally dependant on opiates and try to cut back or extend periods without meds (more accurately, with lower meds), the reaction is not to think, "I need my drugs". The body's need for the medication can manifest itself with our familiar pain.... what better way for it to trick you into supplying it with what it needs? I wonder if it's possible that you can actually get by with less meds as you continue to improve? Interesting idea... I'm not suggesting that I know any answers... just some interesting questions to ask????

Talk to you soon.... all the best,

Mark

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Thanks Mark for your insights.
Looking forward to talking to you upon your return ~ safe travels home to you and Diane!