Lower Back Injury - Mental Crisis

[Concerned-pa 17]

So I'm starting to accept the fact that messed up my back this time. Three weeks ago after doing heavy work on the weekend, my back locked up on me and I spent four days at home basically lying around trying to get comfortable. Since then, I have seen some improvement in my ability to walk with discomfort but not excruciating pain (getting out of a vehicle makes me pretty stiff for a few minutes). But I still have a lot of discomfort if I move wrong or cough, etc. I'm losing a lot flexibility. Putting socks on is even a challenge. I have been seeing a chiropractor for a few weeks which I'm not sure is helping, but I start PT next week. I have hurt my back before, but I always recover in a few days.

 

I joined a herniated disc support group on Facebook and that was an even worse idea. Everyone one there is chronically in pain and non functional. Their lives are admittedly ruined now and most say that there is no Tru recover from this. My mind is racing now. As an active 37 year old and a father of two little boys who want dad to play again and pick them up, I keep spiraling thinking what if I never get to do those things again? I'm tearing up as I'm typing this as they are my whole world and this can't be the end for me. I have so much more to do.

 

What should I do? Anyone have herniation success stories? Is this really possibly the end of my active life?

[MARC 431]

When I was 20 years old, which was some time ago, I had a compression fracture of the T-10 or T-11 vertebrae, due to an injury. I was hospitalized for 6 days for observation and had to wear a brace for many months. This was over 30 years ago and I have had no issues since. Every time I get a chest x-ray, the radiologist report says moderate to severe fracture of T vertebrae. In addition, I remember it being painful too. If I can overcome what happened to me, so can you. 

[MARC 431]

I remember having a bruise around the center of my back after I fell and it hurt when I bent forward. I called my physician and he said to go to the ER. I remember walking in to the ER complaining about my back and they took an X-ray. I was waiting in a room for the results and next thing you know, I was being questioned by nurses if I had trouble going to the bathroom, having any numbness or tingling, etc. I got worried and before I knew it I was being admitted right away because of the fracture. I was admitted to the old Baltimore County General Hospital, which is now called Northwest Hospital Center. I remember getting some Valium for the pain. Not a good experience at all, but at least I made it out in one piece. 

[Concerned-pa 17]

Thanks. There's just a lot of what-ifs going through my head and I have no idea how to handle it. I'm uncomfortable most of the time, I can't focus on my job, my kids, or my wife. It sucks.