Chronic Pain Wiki>Officially I started down the road of chronic back pain in 1996 and Fibromyalgia about 2004. I had symptoms of both in childhood though. I've had two spinal fusions, the second of which was followed by three more surgeries for infection.
In the fall of 1996 I went to my family physician complaining of back pain that wouldn't go away and would get worse whenever I stood for more than 10-15 minutes or when I walked for very long. X-rays revealed I had fractures from a defect called spondylolysis. Physical therapy helped but within a few years more tests were done that revealed I now had Spondylolisthesis grade 2 (25 to 49% slippage). By the time I had surgery it had progressed to grade 3 or 4 depending on who read the films.
February 2003 I had a spinal fusion at L5-S1. Six weeks later post-op x-rays shown a new fracture had developed at L3-L4, not a common occurence so soon out of surgery. September of the same year I went in for more surgery, this time from L4-S1.
Following the second surgery I developed a serious infection that led to three more surgeries and several months of IV and oral antibiotics.
When I was finally able to do rehab therapy I was officially diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.
As you can imagine Chronic Pain is a part of my life BUT, it is not the only part! I hope my story and this website will give you the information and support you need to deal with your own journey. --Melanie 11:47, 23 March 2007 (PDT)