@Dimity @Appleblossom @Shaz51 @Emelia8 @tyme 

For those that dont know.

Ive dealt with spinal issues for the most part of my life. I was born with the same disease as the Hunchback of Notredame. It was caught early so the hunch isnt pronounced but it caused spinal issues from an early age. I worked as a manual labour for many years and this ended up resulting in a major spinal injury, buldging discs multiple compression fractures through out my spine. Years of treatment and recovery, but ended up permantly disabled. Recently they found more fractures in my T7-T10 which are years old (unsure when they first occurred or what caused them). They have caused a crushing affect on my vertebrae. I also have Neuropathic pain as along with the pain caused by this. I also have 3 discs that are buldging. 

I have gone through all potential options to rectify the situation and there is no way to resolve the issues, no surgical options etc. However, we are considering the possability of a Spinal Cord Stimulator, at this stage the primary hurdle to having one implanted is my weight. The battery needs to be 5cm from the skin and at my size this may not be achievable. Though I am doing my best to reduce my weight so I am in the best place to have one implanted if it is deemed the right treatment for my pain. 

Im on 3 different types of pain medication, however they are looking at adding a fourth to reduce my 12 hourly pain killer, for a few reasons. Im in pain constantly, the amount of pain varies but doing pretty much anything is a trigger for pain. Even sitting and laying, I can only do for so long before pain gets bad and settles in. 

Its one of my more prominant medical issues, I have a number of them and a number of mental health issues. I have other sources of severe chronic pain but the back is most dibilitating. I see so many similarities between the attitude towards people with spinal issues and those with mental health issues, as I experience the attitude towards both. I always refer to things as spinal issues or spinal disability, as its about my spine. A back problem is more so (in my mind) referring to muscular issues in the back, a sore back is muscular not spinal generally. A I would say almost anyone with chronic spinal pain also has chronic back issues. With the issues I have with my spine have caused my muscles as they are being pulled and twisted as they were not designed to be and this exasperated my issues. 

Im happy to answer or do anything I can to help and support anyone experiencing spinal pain, or any kind of debilitating, chronic, long lasting condition, physical or mental. I have a fair bit of experince with both and if it can help somone else, then atleast my experiences can benefit someone and not be just a horrible series of events in my own life.