I began to suffer from general lower back pain somewhere around 1995, after the birth of my twins. I can only guess that carrying around two car seats, two babies, and everything else that comes along with it created my back problems. Over the years, the problem got progressively worse. My first visits to doctors led to medications and physical therapy. None of it really helped. Over time, the pain I had was not only in my back, but came to include my right leg. The pain began to get in the way of doing every day activities.
Being a teacher, I was on my feet a lot. After a long day at work, I would sometimes find myself limping home. I had to quit my jazzercise class because it became too painful for me to continue. A day at the mall became an hour at the mall. It hurt too much to do the walking. Even regular evening walks with my husband had to be shortened on many occasions. Driving my car was painful at times. Apparently, my sciatic nerve was being effected by my herniated disc. This pain could be excruciating and unbearable at times.
After searching for the right doctor, two different friends of mine, one in the medical field, highly recommended Dr. Biscup. An MRI was ordered and revealed the damage the herniated disc (L5) was causing. It was definitely affecting the nerve. Dr. Biscup recommended a discectomy with disc arthoplasty. My first reaction was to search for other options. The thought of “surgery” scared me. There had to be something else I could do. I tried injections of cortisone in my back. Yes, I felt great, for about two weeks. The pain came back. Here I was, a woman in her 40′s, with this kind of severe pain. If I didn’t address this issue now, what would my life be like in 10 years? I finally accepted the fact that I needed surgery.
I went for another visit to Dr. Biscup and discussed the surgical procedure. I was amazed at how simple it all sounded. After researching my options, it was easy to choose Dr. Biscup to do this surgery. I had a great deal of confidence in his extensive experience, ability, and talent in this highly specialized field. Dr. Biscup was the only choice I would consider. As if that weren’t enough, someone at work told me of a friend who had the same exact surgery with Dr. Biscup several months before. I immediately called this stranger for her input. This person had only wonderful things to say about her surgery and Dr. Biscup. Most importantly, her recovery was quick and she was now free of pain. It was the terrific “extra” confirmation that I found.
The surgery went smoothly. Dr. Biscup, as well as his physician’s assistant, John Booher, was incredibly attentive and caring throughout the procedure. I truly felt that I was being “looked after”. I was up and walking the very next day. I went home on a Thursday, less than 24 hours after surgery, and on Saturday, I was already walking in my pool for some light physical therapy. I was amazed at how well I was feeling. The pain medication bottle I was sent home with is still sitting in my medicine cabinet, mostly full! I went to physical therapy for almost three months which taught me how to keep myself strong and fit. It took a while for the sciatic pain to settle down, but three months later, that pain completely disappeared!
It is now six months later, and I can kneel at Church, shop all day at the mall, take power walks at night with my husband, and exercise! I still feel a bit of stiffness in my lower back, but this is continuing to improve as I continue to stretch and exercise. The bottom line – No more pain!
