And about 3 weeks ago he started to have more back pain.
It started as what we thought (still think?) as muscle pain and we've been using one of those deep tissue TheraGun type massagers and it seemed to have helped a bit.
But then he started to get the dreaded sciatic nerve pain. Which as per usual, started in the buttcheek and radiated down.
He's been taking anti-inflammatory meds for about a week.
But we're now at the point again that he's using pillows to prop his feet up, he's leaning over to "stretch" that side.
And I'm a nervous wreck.
I know he's also nervous.
This sucks so much.
When he had his surgery last year, they told us he had degenerative disc disease. So his discs are in shitty shape, he hasn't been doing his workouts, so he doesn't have the strongest core to help keep his back supported. And I understand why he's nervous about working out too.
So it just sucks.
I've been pushing my workouts off to the afternoon so I can get up and get the girls ready for school (or at least help him out). So I usually get up, get breakfast done and he will slowly get out of bed, stretch a bit, etc. and then go get the girls.
I'll also pack their lunches and make my coffee before he takes over with finishing up breakfast with them, cleaning up a little and then making sure they get dressed, brush hair, brush teeth, etc. This is the time I take to get myself ready for the work day.
Then he takes the kids to school and comes home to do chores around the house or rest.
The more he moves, the better he feels. But the fact that he has nerve pain...that's the most concerning and I'm legit terrified.
If he sleeps on his stomach, which is his preferred way, he wakes up in a lot of pain. And it's not good for his back to be in that arched position.
He forced himself to sleep on his back last night and he woke up feeling better. Granted, I swear he suffers from sleep apnea because his snoring is SO FUCKING LOUD.
I know it's worse for him. But I don't think I can survive that again.
Granted this time the kids are in school full time.
I don't want to get ahead of ourselves either and just immediately think the worst. But it's hard not to.
Three weeks. It's been going on for 3 weeks....
Steve went through all of his old medication (I know, I know, he shouldn't) that he had leftover. It helped take the edge off while he waited to go see his surgeon's office.
He went in today (Monday, November 8) to get seen and they prescribed him some heavy steroids for two weeks to see if that helps. From there, they will consider a cortisone shot (epidural) for relief. Trying the conservative route again here.
He does need to schedule another MRI for the doctor to really be able to see what's going on. We're hoping to get that scheduled for this month, if possible.
It's horrible watching him be in pain. I hate feeling this helpless.
The doctor also prescribed muscle relaxers and I'm hoping that will allow him to get some sleep.
Fingers crossed this approach will give him some relief soon.
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