Freelance Writer

Well a few years ago I found out I had it. Began treatments, but since my divorce and moving to Michigan it has gotten worse. Not only that, I have not been exercising, put on more weight and I throw around a 4 year old on the weekends.

None of these are helpful and add to it the life stress and it was bound to “break.” This is not the first time this has happened since living in Michigan. Earlier this year before moving in with Matt, and another time after moving here in 2007 I was literally laid up in bed for a week because the pain was so severe , I was unable to move around. I had to crawl to the potty.

In all the time I have been here I have been unable to go to the chiropractor. That has changed. About three weeks ago I was stepping out of the shower and just stepped wrong. I did not slip or fall so it really does not make sense to me, but I could feel it go through my spine the moment I stepped down on the cold floor. After that, I was walking crooked , leaning to my left, sliding me feet to walk,and it got worse as the days went on. Soon I was walking around hunched about like the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

I could not stand up straight, walk around, and even going potty was an issue. After a week Matt had enough and called the chiropractor here in town which we found out was very reasonable for cash paying patients.

I have gone to see her about 5 times now. I can walk straight now, but there is still a very dull pain in my lower back/hip area on my right side.

For those of you new to my world, my DDD was diagnosed in my 4th and 5th Lumbar in the Fall of 2006.

This is an excerpt from the blog I wrote in Oct of 2006:
I have DDD. Degenerative Disk Disease. My bottom two disk/vertebrae are practically on top of each other. No space that should be there. He said it was not good for someone my age. And it is in a progressive stage. To make things worse, my right leg is shorter so my hips are crooked which is why all my pain is on my right side. So, we talked about all my treatments. Basically we are opting to do what we can without having to have any type of spinal surgery.


The good thing, I did all my treatments as directed until I moved here. Bad thing, I went two years with no treatment and only made myself go backwards and make things worse. The treatments I am getting now are a little different. They are not as aggressive. I am also going to be doing treatments with an exercise ball to strengthen my core as well as use a ball to sit on at my desk so I am forced to sit correctly.

She was able to get my records from my old chiropractor so at least I know she knows what is going on. I feel like I am in good hands. I know she has helped quite a few people.

Sadly, despite treatments I am still in a lot of pain. She said it would take up to 6 months for me to notice improvement due to my damage.

All I know is I have to lose weight get strong and feel better because I do not want to have to go in for spinal fusion surgery. That alone is hard because just about any type of movement hurts me right now.

It sucks. I am uncomfortable, unable to sleep (worse then ever!), in constant pain and sucks not being able to really play with Madison and the dogs. Matt has to be super careful with me now too.

Not a life I like to live one bit.

My blogs have slacked because of this. I sit only to write when I am getting paid. And I have to take a lot of breaks and sit with a heating pad. No fun!!

I am hoping, and praying the pain goes away and the numbness goes away that often shoots down my legs.
We shall see.