3 Level Disc Replacement in Germany and Still in Pain

[Maria]

thanks for bringing that up.. it's what I meant re the Home Depot lounge type of chair that is zero gravity like and there are more like this and they're under $100. RE a standing chair.. no.. I just stood up at my desk and had a chair next to my desk that was on wheels and had an arm removed so I would often just shift positions and sort of support one knee on it while sort of standing and actually leaning forward towards my desk to open up my lumbar space or stretch. At least this is what it felt like I was doing.

When I applied for SSD I was only working part time. Mistake. Better to apply when you're working full time as you want as many work hours on there for the qualifying quarters (years?) that are used to compile this.

I was awarded SSD upon first application (I had a 20 plus year documented history of back probs thanks to WC's records) and then about my 6th month into SSD the place where I had left employment advised me to apply for LTD or long term disability and I qualified for that as well.

I lived with my husband but he wasn't supporting me at any time as I always had my income which was the stable income of the two prior to my applications to disability. I have lived alone for the last 5 years and support myself however my husband is kind enough to keep me on his medical insurance to date ( I do have Medicare tho his
BCBS is extremely helpful re dental and prescriptions).

[jamie5136]

Originally Posted by Maria

thanks for bringing that up.. it's what I meant re the Home Depot lounge type of chair that is zero gravity like and there are more like this and they're under $100. RE a standing chair.. no.. I just stood up at my desk and had a chair next to my desk that was on wheels and had an arm removed so I would often just shift positions and sort of support one knee on it while sort of standing and actually leaning forward towards my desk to open up my lumbar space or stretch. At least this is what it felt like I was doing.

When I applied for SSD I was only working part time. Mistake. Better to apply when you're working full time as you want as many work hours on there for the qualifying quarters (years?) that are used to compile this.

I was awarded SSD upon first application (I had a 20 plus year documented history of back probs thanks to WC's records) and then about my 6th month into SSD the place where I had left employment advised me to apply for LTD or long term disability and I qualified for that as well.

I lived with my husband but he wasn't supporting me at any time as I always had my income which was the stable income of the two prior to my applications to disability. I have lived alone for the last 5 years and support myself however my husband is kind enough to keep me on his medical insurance to date ( I do have Medicare tho his
BCBS is extremely helpful re dental and prescriptions).

Okay, here is that standing chair. If I could find one of these, I would be set: Health Postures Stance Chair

I see the Zero Gravity chairs and there are some for under 100.00, but some for like 1200.00 or more which are obviously padded and have more options.
PC-085 POWER BONDED LEATHER ZERO GRAVITY PERFECT CHAIR - eBay (item 370183400110 end time Dec-29-09 17:27:26 PST)

Do you work at all, or do you live off of SSI? I hear they give you nothing. I envision myself living in an efficiency with a futon eating cat food.

[Maria]

Jamie,
I like the standing chair. Wish they had those on airplanes.. and if I could tilt myself upwards every once in awhile and lie flat for a bit that'd be perfect.

I've tried the Perfect Chair at Relax The Back store and while it was really nice the price was prohibitive for me. The Home Depot Anti Gravity chair was more what I could afford and one could easily add something over the top of it (like a covering) and adapt it well enough~ or at least I think I could have.

There was a guy on one of the spine forums and I don't remember what his exact work was but it was something for which he had to sit or be at a computer 8 hours/day. I remember he posted the type of chairs he was considering trying as he couldn't sit either but he could work, his mind was clear and he was fully functional to work other than not being able to sit because of severe pain from this one position as well. Perhaps someone else here will remember this person as well ~ anyway long story short he did get the station he wanted for work and he continued working. I think it may have even been with a new employer if I recall correctly.

Ok have go as I'm getting sleepy and not sure what I'll be writing next~ g' nite!

[fuzzy]

I also think the fact that you can stand and walk is good news!

I also like the standing chair. It is not available anymore? Thats a pity!

Before my surgery I could not stand and could not sit. After my surgery suddenly I could stand real good but still could not sit. To this very day in those countless office visits meetings I often refuse the chair and just stand which freaks so many people out, they are just not used to someone standing in a meeting! Before the surgery I had to lie on the floor and that of cause was even weirder. But now 2 years later I can sit much butter but I still take opportunities to not sit but stand instead.

I have the "antigrav" chair from Relax The Back. The electric version as I could never pull that lever and push the chair back. I got it before my first (lumbar) surgery and it turned out to not help me at all as it still is a sitting position even when driving it into the flat (antigrav) position I would still hurt and have all kind of problems in my feet. The angle of my legs to my body and still some pressure on something. I could only lie totally flat. So it sat in the corner. Now post lumbar surgery I have improved and I actually like this chair! I would highly suggest to try this chair (the electric one) and sit in it. Do you hurt? Then use the motor to move the chair into the elevated position. Do you still hurt? Is it the postion of your legs relative to your body or is it simply gravity pushing down when sitting that makes you hurt. If it is that I suggest you buy all the special chairs you can find and give it more time before having more procedures! It took me over a year before I started feeling comfortable to sit any length of time.

I also have the motorized office desk from them. Its very good. Years ago I found (at a garage sale) a kneeling chair which is somewhat close to a standing chair which I had rebuilt and then my wife made new pads for it and I still have that is the office. I use this occasionally. This one you sit on your knees and rest your but against a pad. I spend time on a gym ball to temporarely rest on putting the legs to the side like riding a horse.

Between the kneeling chair and the motorized desk I did much better in my own space then visiting other places where there are no options other then regular chairs.

Most importantly I have steadily improved over the course of 2 years. Give it more time. Try to find these chairs as you have a good chance of healing. Don't consider a revision unless you do find a real good reason in your search for the true origin of your pain.

I wish you the best!