Hello All and thank you for your help. So a quick re-hap of this past year. Diagnoised with Severe Spinal Stenosis and several herniated disc and other things. Underwent Spinal Fusion of the C6-7 and Lumbar discectomy L5-S1. Been in constant pain since, have not gone back to work, currently on Percoset, SOMA, Xannax type med and still in severe pain.
Currently I have the normal neck pain(average 5-6), migraines, arm & shoulder pain but increasingly intense lower back, leg, buttocks, knee, and foot pain. If I stand up too fast I fall as quickly as I get up. The pain in my buttocks and behind my left knee is a steady 8 and up to a 10 when the percosets wear off. If I stretch my right foot feel the shooting pain in my left lower back, If I lift up my left leg it is instant tears, if I arch my feet the bottom of my feet (both) have instant pins and needles. The pan causes me to vomit and just be overall sick and GRUMPY to say the least. Can't think of anything else but the pain no matter how hard I try. I have became physically dependant on Oxycodone and do not know if my pain levels are increased due to sensitivity from being on Oxycodone for a year now or not. Hard to believe that two years ago I never even took so much as a Tylenol. Got a little off task there.
I have moved to a new state and have lost my medical insurance. I currently have a disability claim pending but have not been approved and now I am at the ALJ level and don't think that I will ever get approved. I have LTD through my employer and pays me a monthly salary but less that what I made when working and no Insurance.
So, my question is..............
If I let my leg pain and weakness go will I have permament damage? or will it just continue to be annoying. (its been this bad for about 3 months now) I am only 44 and not ready for a wheel chair! I can't afford to go to the doctor and can't afford not to. I did get Medi-Cal but have a 1250.00 share of cost every month so it is the same as not having any insurance at all. My main concern is I do not want any perment damage or to get so bad that I end up in a wheel chair permently because I waited to long. Any suggestions? Recommendations? Experience in this would be greatly appreciated. I am confused and in pain please help. Also suggestions since I do not have medical insurance I am going to a doctor each month and getting my pain meds and dealing with it but have no resolution nor do I know if I ever will have a resolution. I do not want to blow my chance at ssdi for insurance purpose and income but on the same note I go back and fourth with why can't I work, I am educated and loved my job with the state and miss it so very much. Any comments, advise, suggestions would help me dearly.