Oh My Aching Back!
The weather is damp outside and I can hardly move. My back grabs and does a lot of cracking and popping and occasionally I feel pain travelling down the cheek of my buttock into my thigh.
I had some plans for today but they are going to need to wait I guess. I have resorted to laying on the heating pad, taking some medications and resting. But you know, that is alright. I know this will get better in time. I have had an irritable back on and of these past couple weeks so it didn't surprise me to have it flare this way.
I periodically do the exercises I was instructed to do in PT and it seems to help. This helps me to keep stretched out and return to a more upright posture. If I don't do them I tend to lean forward when I stand and walk and this only adds to the other problems I already have. Hopefully the heat will help and I will be doing better later today.
Do you find you react to the weather? Many folks do.How do you handle it? Do you modify your plans? Struggle through the original plans for the day inspite of the pain? I would be interested in what you have to say.
- Indie
Related Topics: Chronic Back Pain: Acupuncture Brings Short-Term Relief, Back Pain Test
181 Comments:
I also suffer from "back pain"!! I'm 65 yrs old & have a "degenerate spine" ( well, that what my doctor told me, anyway.) I take tylenol arthritis (650 mg) twice a day - and on "bad days"...I take 1/2 of a Hydrocodone or 1/2 of an Ultracet...Believe it or not...they provide very little relief - most of the time!! I also sleep on a heating pad. (Thank God...the pain only bothers me about 5 days a week - sometimes it "goes away" for a few days - until I think I'm able to do some chores & then the pain returns. Oh, well...I guess we have to learn to live with it! I'm not one to depend on medications - as I'm leary of getting dependent (physically, that is)!
steve said...
I also suffer the same way as "rosario", but I take on
those bad days 1 pill of 100mg.
Celebrex. It seems to last for
a couple of days. I don't know
if the danger of the pills is
worse than the pain.
i have severe back, neck problems. what exercise can i do that won't hurt my back
My husband has back pain. he had an MRI done to check on previous surgery he had on his lower back. It said that he has post operative mild faucet degenerative changes. What does that mean for him???? More surgery???????
Daily back exercise routine designed by a Physical Therapist specializing in Back issues keeps my back pain free. I only have back pain when I sit too long or am inactive. The Physical Therapist recommends doing the Back Exercises twice each day for a healthy back. This is in addition to daily aerobic exercise and every other day weight training. I have had back surgery for spinal stenosis and currently have 4 protruding discs. I think it is worth the time and effort to remain pain free without medication.
aaron croft said...
I want to tell you a story. About three years ago I injured myself badly skiing in CO. I was a Breck resident and skiing was a way of life. So was the outdoors and activity. Well, I had a problem called Scheuermann's Kyphosis, along with scoliosis. My discs were shot and nerves were pinched. I got on morphine, followed by Oxy, followed by Fentanyl, you get the story. I still hurt. A lot. All the time. Yet, I had been in a Lazy Boy for 2 years, lost my home in CO, lost my girl of 3 years, came back to Omaha, and I was 50 lbs heavier, and INACTIVE. I decided this was NOT working. I started walking and cut my meds. Slowly. I started walking 1/4 mile, you get the picture. Now, I am completely OFF meds, jogging 7 miles daily, and yes, I still hurt. BADLY. But I lost the extra weight, am active, and don't have the side effects of opiates, which included forgetting the move back to Omaha, not remebering how I lost my girl, my home, and 1 semester of classes, along with 3 years of my life. OPIATES ARE BAD!! KNOW THIS! DEAL WITH THE PAIN, IT WILL MAKE YOU STRONGER THAN YOU EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE. FIGHT ON!!
I,also have Back and my Neck is all ,scatsch togetter, wond to cleane my House, I'm 71 yrs. of age, Ultaset and Nuronsin did not help me, I,m on Morphin, now, so it at least lets me sleep a little bit. I also have a slept Disk, in the middle of my Back,had Shoulder Surgery, both.Have Fibro. RA.OSTEO.
But ,I keep on till ,I just never can.
for aaron,
so happy this has worked for you,
but... to say pain meds are bad,is not accurate. For you they may be bad, for others it may help regain their lives.
everyone is differnet and congrats to you.
Weather definitely a factor, before the rain I ache! Moderate to severe spinal stenosis (L3-4 & L5-6) so sciatic nerve involvement, also degenerative disc here & there. Did the PT for a while then when I felt good slacked off. Took Celebrex for 2 wks, but felt the small amount of relief not worth the possible side effects; use arthritis strength Tylenol, gel caps when necessary. Considering spinal decompression, anyone out there have any experience with the DRX9000?
Both of my ankles are fused, Right knee is bad, new hip joint, fused neck and degenerative spine. 31 Operations When the weather changes I can barely walk. My biggest problem is how to I get my heart rate up? I can't walk any distance and after I try a bike forget about the next couple of days. Any suggestions??
I have post polio & fibromyalgia. EMG confirmed polio damage to all 4 limbs, limited rom & strength, esp. lower legs & feet. Chronic pain & fatigue. When weather turns cold & damp pain level, stiffness & fatigue all rise. Go to full-dose of regular pain medicine (Ultram). Find that staying indoors & warm helps the most. Try to keep mind occupied. Become very selective about the activities I engage in. Took pain management class several years ago & it helped a lot. Have "break-thru" pain med (Tramadol) that I use when it gets more than I can bear. Important to keep a positive mindset & not allow the illness to become your identity.
cI, have to put me on hold I suffer from chronic & severe back spasms, Drs. cant't stop the pain degenerative muscle tissue & disc, Athrirtis in my spinal cord. (Pain is not the word I suffer so have tried so many Drs. all give me the same meds that don't work movement is impossible with this pain so therapy is out of the ? beleive me I have tried!! Disappointed with todays tecnology & depressed because I want my life back"" Still I keep praying & trying to get help anyway & where I can. I won't give up untill its all over. Somebody Please Help!~!!.
tHE WEATHER DEFINITELY AFFECTS MY ARTHRITIS. cOLD AND DAMP MEANS PAIN IN MY HANDS AND CRACKING IN MY NECK. mY DRUG OF CHOICE AND EXTRA STRENGTH EXCEDRIN 2 TABLETS EVERY 4 HOURS IF NECESSARY. NORMALLY ON GOOD DAYS I GET BY WITH TAKING THE MEDS TWICE A DAY, I ONCE WENT FOR THERAPY FOR LOWER BACK PAIN AND THEY USED A POOL FOR EXERCISE. AFTER TAKING 3 MONTHS OF THERAPY I WAS PAIN FREE FOR A YEAR. IT WAS EXPENSIVE BUT MY INSURANCE PAID AND IT WAS WORTH IT. GL TO ALL OF YOU. LIZ R.
I get into awful trouble if the weather has been warm and temps suddenly take a dive. I'm never free of pain but use quite a bit of distraction therapy to get my mind off pain. I have complex cervical spine problems...stemming from failed fusion surgery. A broken plate was removed and re-do fusion was attempted. It's been half a success, but the lower level remains a pseudoarthrosis with osteophytes and stenosis. There is vertebral movement with collapse....and further herniation beneath the surg levels. I am limited with meds due to sensitivity and allergy issues. Some of these probs have surfaced because of certain med combinations over the years. I've had some success with foraminal nerve blocks to treat persistant radiating arm pain. Have also had wonderful relief for headache by facet joint rhyzolysis. This is repeated yearly. I attend aquatherapy group classes to maintain reasonable muscle strength, cardiovasular workout, and to improve joint mobility. BTW...I am currently in agony with arm pain. It frustrates me the length of time in waiting for appt you made out of desperation from pain. I bet by the time I am seen, this awful flare may have settled. They then wish to know
why you are there and the opportunity for accurate diagnosis is lost. Films do tell a story but not all surgeons will treat a film.
a Dr. I have been seeing, finaly after 12 days of dealing with pain and complaining to him, wrote for me to take over the counter Advil 800mg 4 times a day. That means I am taking 16 pills in a 24 hour period. Is there a risk with taking that many pills?
I have been told by one neurosurgeon that I have spurs in my cervical vertebrae. Second opinion from another neurosurgeon, says I have herniated discs in my neck. Supposed to try PT first, maybe chiropractor-,massage, observation. I am in severe pain at times, other times bearable. Are herniated discs and spurs the same thing, will same surgery take care of both. I really don't know whether to get another opinion or stay with the current doctor, who says herniated disc.
I suffer from back pain as well, but I had 2 back surgeries and a third is quickly approaching. If the wheather is bad I can't get out of the bed.I had a spinal fusion at L-4 and S-5 whatever that means and I was told that I suffer with spinal stenoosis and spondolthesis. I don't want to go through another surgery but the pain is getting out of control. nothing that I take works and the weight gain after the surgery makes the pain even worst. I am only 35 years old. I am scared of what the next surgery will bring me.
i fell on my right side at work and now my legs and thigh and thigh hurts
i cant carry much weight..it hurts so bad like my hip is coming out of socket
any suggestin?
i am 49 and had 2 back surgarys, one in 1996 for perturding disk. Then 1999 a spinal fusion. I was in constant pain until i went to pain mainagement in 2004.I could not bare the pain anymore.my life was nothing butnormal i could not even go to the grocery store to pick-up afew items without hanging on to the buggy and in tears,so when my dr said lets try methadone. i said i will take anything i want my life back.i am allergic to all codines,moraphine, almost every painpill accept methadone. when i took the dose he gave me within two days i was out shopping without any pain i remember crying because how good it felt to not be a prisoner to my pain and to my home anymore.it is all about what you as a endividual decides to do i got sick an tired of hurting so bad that i didnt want to live anymore so i took the meds. we all are responsibable for ourself and us common sense dont aduse the drugs... i know my pain will be with me the rest of my life and i intend to enjoy what time i have left with as little pain as possible God gave me and my DR COMMOM SENSE SO I AM GOING TO US IT. I WISH ALL OF YOU THE BEST
I have sever back pain for over 5 years and had two surgeries. The first was a laminectomy at L-4 and L-5. I got about 2 good years without to much trouble, but then it happened, the pain came back slowly at first. Then One day about a year ago my back just went out where I couldn't walk. I just fell to my knees and i was done. After a few days in the hospital, I had emergency surgery fuseing L-4, L-5 and S-1. My so called recovery has lasted a year, where i have been through many trips to Physical therapy, and visits to my surgeon where he anounced to me that my surgery was a failure. Now he has me going to pain mangagement.
The pain management doctor has tried cadal steriod injections with no help and now he says my only hope (about 30% chance) is the eletrode unit he wants to put in my back. He says if this doesn't work I will be dealing with this problem the rest of my life and it will probably get worse. He has also stated that he belives that back surgeries should only be used in cases where someone is going to be in a wheel chair only. And he said in most case after the first surgery you will need a 2nd one in a few years (where was this doctor before I had my first surgery).
My advice to everyone is make sure you try all other means before you do surgery. Try physical therapy and then talk with a pain management doctor before you go to a surgeon. But the biggest thing is take care of your back before if gets injured.
Signed, forced to retire early (at 40)
After 15 years of progressively worse pain I let a surgeon talk me into getting a decompressive laminectomy on C-3 - C-7. I repeatly told the surgeon my goal was to rid myself of pain. While he would not guarantee my pain would go away what he did not say was that because he fused 5 vertibrae there wasn't enough bone and muscle to support my neck and I would be in more pain than ever and it would never go away only get worse. After two years I am now taking Soma 350mg, Lorazepam 2mg as muscle relaxers and just started 50MG Kadian for the pain. Without the pain Meds my pain is at a constant 9-10. I am now seeing a pain management specialist and that is the only reason I now know what I know. If I had known up front there is no way I would have had the surgery. Before doing any kind of surgery get 2 or 3 second opinions. As I was going to Stanford I was relying on their reputation a BIG MISTAKE. The only positive is that I am 63 years old and will probably not have to live with the pain as long as some.
I had surgery on two cerical disk a month ago my doctor told me once i had the surgery my nombess and pain would go away . now i wished i never had it im in more pain than i was before not including the stiffness i have in the morning and cant get up moving im only 38 and will probly have this pain the rest of my life
hi i have been trying to find out info on what a pinced nerve at c3 c4 can cause to what area's of the body... i just found out i have that ... i have constand pain in both shoulders, i get numbness in my left leg when i sit... i have pain in my left elbo and hand and wrist and i have pain in my right hand and wrist... could any of these be caused by that injury? thank for the info.. bob
My husband just found out he has a bowed disk in lower back. Does anyone know the best thing to do?
Surgery, seiries of shots, or what ever?
He has been taking tylenol,ib profen, and more. But no relief. They gave 5 mg vicadin and flexril helped little as well. bad weather and cold bothers him. He is 35 and I hel him out of bed most mornings. He cant work.
e-mail me if you now something that can help him.
lyons1997@yahoo.com in subject put back pain help plz
Have bone spurs, am a med transcriptionist, full time, 22 years. From what I know of Drs. and their dictation I will go to the Lord with my pain first, and to meds and surgeries second. I am on Neurotin 300 mg three times day for chronic tendinitis which helps pain, and also Naprosyn twice a day, right now. I recommend people request their medical records from Med Records dept and also write down questions before going in to see doctor, remember time is money, keep it brief.
I am 38 and have protruding L5 & S1 disc. I am looking for an exercise program first and foremost. Any help would be appreciated.
misdiagnosed and treated
I was in a car accident almost 2 years ago and was never treated properly for a herniated disc l5s1. I was basically being treated with morphine--no other pain meds worked--and steroid injections. Until it got so very bad 2 weeks ago when my sciatic nerve got pinched. Guess what its the weekend and no doctors to be found except at the e/r. I took the pain as best as I could actually killing my stomach with ibuprofen 800mg every 8 hours and instead of my neverending decreasing of my morphine i went up to 3xs what i was used to. Finally I went to e/r who diagnosed me and gave me neurontin and a new primary dr who wanted me off the morphine and changed to lyrica. I am 1 day without morphine and 2 days before that of just 15 mgs per day. but I cant find a list for withdrawal symptoms of morphine. I took one morbic, which i was recently given, and my stomach is killing me for i have IBS also. Enventhough I was only on a small dose(my insistance)not my doctors, I am feeling very anxious, shaky,antsy and scared. Anyone out there that can help me through by talking to me I would appreciate it.
Two years ago a man in a large truck decided to run a red light at over 70 mph. I don't remember the accident, but have lived with the pain from the broken pelvis and broken spine I received ever since.
Today I was sitting at my kitchen table in worse pain than usual because of the weather. I found this blog and sat and read all your comments. Just wanted to thank all of you. It's nice not to be alone living in pain. I was encouraged.
I am a 38 yr old female. I've been in two auto accidents within 2 months apart in 2006. The first accident I injured mainly my neck, shoulders and also my upper back. I had PT for about 2 mos and i started feeling better only to get into another auto accident. After the second accident I noticed my upper middle, spinal and left side of my back got worse. I have a lot of clicking and popping with burning & pain, even when I take deep breaths I have pain with popping and clicking. It's worse when I wake up in the mornings, sitting at my desk all day, standing and walking. I have been seeing a chiropractor for about 9 mos and he told me I may have permanent damage because it's been so long. I just started seeing my orthopedic Dr again and he has said the same thing. It's been over a year now and i still have the same symptoms which seem to have gotten worse. The PT helps me for a while along with epidural shots to the injured/painful areas of my back but once they wear off in about a months time i'm in pain again. I take prescribed Ibuprofen + medication for muscle spasms which only give me temporary relief at night and when i am at work. I just had an MRI done but have not gotten the results yet. Once I find out the results, if I do have permanent damage I'm afraid I will have to live with this pain for the rest of my life along with the temporary relief of medicines and PT.
(I need some advice please)
anonymous above:
Try visiting our Pain Management Message Board. Indie answers questions there and we have some very helpful members who will give you suggestions where they can.
had a laminectomy w/fusion feb/07
the pain relief to my hips was good....however it let me unable to walk without falling...i have to walk on my tippy toes and the surgeon dosen't know why....does anyone out there have this happen to them??? please let me know..
bascha007@aol.com
I have been recently diagnosed with degenerative disk osteophyte in my T7-8 T8-9 T10-11 T11-12 and L1-2. I also have a hurniated disk in my c4- c5. I am a 29 year old male. I have had epidural steroid injections(8) and have had botox injections(7). Nothing has worked. Also PT has failed, actually made pain worse. I do not want surgery at this time. Any advice?
I can't figure out how to navigate your pain management board, ie, sciatic nerve relief. any suggestions?
I am 31 years old and I had the Charite Disc (DePuy) surgery in June 2006 and I am in more pain now more than ever. I have been out of work for all this time due to my back pain and condition worsening. I fall all the time with out knowing when I am going to fall. I have nerve damage in both my legs and now I find out I have piched nerves in my back. If I knew then what I know now I would not hae done the surgery. This is the response from My Orthopedist and myself
To the person asking about how to navigate our Pain Management board, click on the link to that board provided above.
Once you're on that page, click on the upper right to sign in/register and then you'll be able to post on our boards.
You can then click on the Start Discussion link and post your questions.
I am a 25 year old woman with spinal stenosis and sever arthritis which I'm told is "choking" my spinal cord. Just today I was told I also have bursitis! I just don't know how much more I can handle of this constant excruciating pain i live with everyday. I take pain meds (or else i'd have to stay in bed all day) and on top of that I've found out that I'm prone to kindney stones! I have 2 in my rt, 1 in my left kidney. Is there no end? Any encouraging words out there for me? I just finished 2 mos of PT for my back and now I'm returning for another 2 mos on my hips for bursitis. Does anyone have any idea if this is all related?
I have had back pain for years.........and I am 34 yrs old. it really got bad after a cold that I had, I could hardly move... the doctor took one look at me and said I had a herniated disk, I had an mri & it showed a herniated disk and bulging disk, I have since had 2 surgeries and still no relief. Now the pain is stil in my back and also my buttock ( extremely ). also leg pain.
I was told I have a herniated disc in the l-4 l-5 reagion several years ago I did not opt for surgrey and the problem I have now is pain on the right side middle of my back area when I lay down then get up it is sometimes so bad it takes my breath away would the disc being herniated lower cause that problem up in the middle of my back area thank you for any information you can give me
Hello, I have been having sudden and severe back pain since I gave birth to my son a little over 4 months ago. I never know when I will suddenly have a spout of pain, and when it comes on, i get hot and sweaty, feel nauseated and my ribs also start to hurt. The pain is VERY severe in my back, and starts at the top by my shoulders, and goes down the the middle of my back, just before my kidneys. Then, all of a sudden, it will go away. Sometimes it can last up to 2 or 3 hours, and sometimes only 10 to 15 minutes. I have been to the hospital 2 times for this, and told my ob-gyn about it. The first time I went to the hospital, because litterally I thought I was dying, and they told me they didn't know what was wrong...tested me for a kidney infection, pregnancy, and did an x-ray on my back, but came out with nothing. Then, I told my OB and she said they were muscle spasms. And showed me some exercises to do, and told me to take tylenol and ibuprofen when the pain comes on. This DID NOT help in any way at all. So, after a couple weeks, and not being able to deal with the pain, because it became worse, I went back to the E.R., I told the physician there, that my OB had said it was muscle spasms, so he gave me some vicoden for the pain, and a muscle relaxer. This seemed to be doing wonderful, I went almost 2 weeks without having any pain. Then all of a sudden, I had another awful "episode" and the muscle relaxers are NOT working, nor is the vicoden. Are these really muscle spasms? What can I do to make the pain go away??
To those of you with specific questions about your own back conditions, be sure to discuss them with your doctor. In the meantime, please post to our Back Pain: Support Group message board.
I also suffer from really bad back pain. I was in 2 car accidents a little over a year ago, and that's what triggered this awful, nasty pain that has become a daily burden in my life. There is not a day where my back is not sore, throbbing, having constant spasms, and basically driving me crazy. I can barely bend down anymore. (I have to pick up things with my toes.) And while at work, (I work at a daycare center by the way) I always have to sit down and supervise the kids from a chair. I can barely run around at recess. So I have to lean against the gate. I went to the doctor this past monday, and he said I should go get an x ray, which I had gotten yesterday. I still don't know the results of my x rays yet. I'm 22 years old but I walk around like I'm 82. I walk all hunched over, and it's really not good. I really want this pain to go away. It's eating my life!
I have a broken spur in my lower right side of my back. Has anyone ever had this? Can anyone tell me what I can do about it? Surgery? My doctor said that it is just something that I have to deal with and I am in pain about 75% of the time and I can't imagine having to go thru this for the rest of my life. Has anyone ever had this?
I have an unusual problem. I call it a problem because i dont really have any major (only minor) back pain. On my lower back on top of my right buttock, i have an unusual clicking or popping. almost like my back wants to lock up. it also does this clicking just by sitting and with little activity. I'm puzzled because it is mostly discomfort i'm experiencing, but, not sure what to do about it. nothing on any site seems to point to what this could be. my eml is codeblue at hot mai l dot com for anyone who wants to help out or has similar experience with their back.
thanks
hello everyone, my name is scott and i just had a laminectomy with a fusion and decompression L5 S1 two months ago. i am going through PT currently 3 x's per week and the pain just is getting worse. i was diagnosed with degerative disc disease and i also am starting to have pain in my thorasic area just below my shoulder blades. my neurosurgeon that did the surgery doesn't seem to care about my pain while my physical therapist is concerned. i am only 30 yrs old and i can hardly make it through 6 hrs of work a day. any suggestions?????????
pepper1976@hotmail.com
What does it mean when I have a popping in the middle of my right buttocks, I am only 26 yrs. old, it seems like most of you are a bit older than I, so I was just curious about that any feedback would be greatly appreciated..
What does it mean when I have a popping in the middle of my right buttocks, I am only 26 yrs. old, it seems like most of you are a bit older than I, so I was just curious about that any feedback would be greatly appreciated..
ccline@apexrefi.com
I feel for all for ALL of you. I'm 29 and have had quite a year. I unexpectedly collapsed in my bathroom one day with extreme back pain, i blacked out, and havent been the same since. Ive done the injections and PT. Im on all kinds of meds, and alot of ice packs. Nothing works. Ive tried everything they told me to, i believe now they really dont have the answers!! We just have to find a way in our own minds to "deal with it" crazy doctors.
Im 23 yrs old and when I was 18yrs old I was hit my a drunk driver and have had back problems ever since. I was in PT for awhile and felt better, but it got way too expensive and took too much time since I am a college student and work full time. I wake up every single day with back pain. I exercise in the pool because anywhere else is impossible without pain. I do my best to not take my pain medicine everyday but there comes a point where you cant go through your day any longer with that pain. I am grateful for the little things in my life. I can walk, talk and I am still the same old me. I am most grateful for my fiance that rubs my back every single day w/o one complaint. I am very lucky for what I have and back pain is just something I will have to live with.
I'm only 22 and have HORRIBLE Back pain! I don't even know where it came from, but now I have a tingling numbness that creeps into my back everyday! It's horrible! BUT, I have found somewhat of a relief!!!
At night, during the day, or whenever you lay down, PUT A PILLOW UNDERNEATH YOUR KNEES! This position will then cause your butt to flatten out instead of have a lump to lay on which will cause an arch in your back when you sleep!
If you sleep on your stomach, put a pillow (a softer, thinner pillow) underneath your stomach or hips! This bending at the hips releases the lower back and lets it relax! Also, do not sit cross legged, or so not sit up straight. Lay back and slouch and have your legs straight out in front of you!
No it's not the way a lady should sit, but you will feel more comfort throughout the day! I promise!
Hello, I was rear-ended by a fool driving a semi while talking on a cell phone and wearing sunglasses when it was cloudy on Nov.24,2002. My life changed that day. I had to completely change every faucet of my life. It now is five years later almost and I can't even shake my head yes or no. I am trying to make the best of what life I have to enjoy. I was 44 when my life took a 180. I enjoy even a minute of no pain although they are very far in between. I take a lot of med's which I hate. I recently went thru a procedure called Radiofrequency Denervation on 5-15-07 because I was told that it would cut off the pain signals to my brain at c-4, c-5, c-6, and c-7. I am told that surgery isn't an option. I have a time trying not to get depressed because there is very little I can do and it is boring doing nothing. When I do anything at all I regret it later due to pain, which is way to small of a word to use for something so large and consuming of my life.
I was rear-ended by a guy and broke my neck and knocked my hips out of alignment and all ready had damage due to being thrown off a motor cycle.I can hear my hips crack and pop. I have pain to the point of not being able to walk at times i seem to be able to tell before the pain happens that it is coming. i get numb in the buttocks thigh and foot . what can i do?
To Happybooker: I have been dealing with a herniated disc for 2 months now. PT only helped about 30% and the next step seemed to be surgery - which I did NOT want! I found a chiropractor that does spinal decompression and after only 1 treatment, I could tell a difference! I have now had 5 treatments and feel this is this answer. The nurse there told me that the DR models (and others where the table opens up) are cheaper versions of the one they have (where the strap pulls on your hips). I wish I could remember the name of it; all I remember is that it starts with an "A". She also told me that 2 different ladies that have come in - one's best friend was married to a neurosurgeon and the others best friend was married to an orthopedic surgeon - were BOTH told by the surgeons NEVER TO HAVE BACK SURGERY - and that's what they do for a living! I'll stick with this, thank you very much! The only downside is that insurance still considers it experimental and will not (yet) pay for it. The office I am going to is letting me pay $100 per month thru Care Credit. Hope this helps!
For all of you out there that are suffering from chronic back pain - I have a story for you. I was 13 when I had a spinal fusion - the entire spine. Limited movement in neck and butt. Within two years I had a herniated disc in my lower spine which has affected my sciatica. Now 20 years later and 1 child later, I still have the pain but only have to take 800 mg of Ibuprofen when the weather acts up. I have Arthritis throughout my entire spine and the surgeons want to cut my back open and fix everything. I said no, not to touch me until I am in a wheelchair. These "ortho doctors" are cut crazy - 12 years ago, they said I would be in a wheelchair within 5 years. Well, not only am I still walking, but I gave birth to a 8lbs, 8oz boy - via C-section, and on time. I don't believe in pain medication - it simply masks the pain, it doesn't fix it. I do believe in Neuro-Muscular Massage therapy though! It works - it hurts while it is being done, but IT WORKS! I am a firm believer in alternative medicine for pain relief. I have seen tooo many people become addicted to pain relievers because their problem is not being addressed. Get yourself educated before taking those pills!
Hi Everyone...
I've lived "survived" with SEVERE CHRONIC BACK&LEG PAIN just under 15 years. It is almost a year since my last back surgery, #3--Lumbar fusion, between L4-5, just collapsed, I begged for a MRI for about7 months, I knew something really bad was happening t omy back ( well,when you have to crawl out of bed=the couch on to the floor then slowly up the wall down the hallway slow slow... just to get to the bathroom, and your only 36 years old, yeah, there is something wrong.....
I have to young children to take care also....who missed out on a lot last year before I finally had surgery.....but of course with spinal stenosis....it's a chronic condition, there are, the screws, they are just a band-aide, until the next surgery. I have lost more than the required weight, I got to pool PT 3-4 times a week, I've done EVERY injection possible, including, Radio Frequency Lesioning= where they burn the nerves just to get 4 weeks relief, I have a Tens-Unit....Done it all
Where am I? the same as I was befoer surgery , but I am walking hunched over with severe pain. JUST in SO MUCH PAIN like all of you . AS I read I could feel for so many of you, how many people really understand? Nobody knows not even your family that you live with, (they don't get it totally, it's not there fault, yet they are going through hell... because they can't make our pain go away either) it effects everyone you love.....but it truely takes it toll on all...but especially, on the one in horrible chronic pain.
There have been days, when I just can't move....I feel I've already had to give up so much....But then I look at my kids who are so young yet so understanding....I am blessed.
The only "luck" if I guess I want to put it that way was after 10 LONG YEARS of HELL and no direction, I was referred to one of the best Neuorosurgeons in the counrty. (having worked in the medical feild in my local area, I got to know the good and bad Doc's let's face it.....not too many that even listen, it's scary, it really is!)
My conditons are Osteoarthrtis
Spinal Stenois
Left&Right Piriformis Syndrome
Left&Right Arthopathy facts
Left&Right SI Joint Dysfunctio
Left&Right Trochanter bursitis
Left Chronic Sciatic pain
Chronic back pain
3 Failed back surgerys..
If there is anybody out there I can help........I've been through.. EVERYTHING........ PLEASE , write back when you can. I am new to this sight, But I will check ok. If anybody has any questions, if anybody just needs to talk I know how it can be....
Hang in there everyone.. One day at a time is all you can do sometimes, and, even that seems impossible....I know... that's ok.
Peace,
Alita
I'm only 19, and I feel like I have the back pain of my grandmother. On top of all the back pain I suffer from never having my scoliosis treated, I have severe foot and knee pain as well.
The pain never bothered me as much, but it's getting worse in my shoulders and mid-back ever since I started nursing school and am on my feet all of the time. I do have an extremely high arch that comes from 13 years of dance, and already suffer from arthritis in my knee, along with broken toes and half of the bones in my foot.
I don't want to take pain meds, but the medicine I used to take isn't helping as much as it used to. Is there anything else I can do?
(I should also mention that I have a severe walking issue. I tend to lean towards the side when I walk--one side is an inch and a half longer than the other.)
My entire life, I have suffered with back pain, and as I got older it got more severe. Last year my neck got stuck and I could not turn it left, right, up or down. I was in severe pain!!! When I wasn't in that pain my head felt heavy and I felt like I needed support to hold it up. Well, its been well over a year and now 33, I've continued to have the same problems and my neck gets stuck every couple months and most recently the pain has been its worst ever. Anyway, I went to the ER 'cause my primary Dr. was no help..The Hospital did another MRI to compare the one I had done the year before. Turns out one of the bulging disks in my neck; c6 has ruptured and is presssing on my spinal cord and my nerves. It has gotten a lot worse over the past year. This answers all the questions about the neurological symptoms I have been having for over 2 years. Anyway, the doctor recommends surgery because of the extent of the compression and that it has changed so much over the year. The thing about this, is I have never been in an accident or anything. I don't smoke, I'm not over-weight and there isn't any reason for this. So... the Doc. wants to fuse C5,C6. I'm a bit scared because I am a very active mother of an 8 year old, we like to Kick-box or Box (probably not the best thing right now)and I'm afraid I wont be able to do any of those kinds of things. I am also wondering what the average recovery time is? I met with the Doc today and scheduled the surgery but we didn't go over all that yet. I want to know now. How long will I have to wear the neck collar and not do vigorous exercise, etc...
Can anyone answer these questions for me or has anyone had this done recently?
MY 13 YEAR OLD SON IS ALWAYS CRACKING HIS BACK AND NECK, HE SAYS HIS BACK HURTS IF HE DON'T, HE HAS SUFFERED WITH BACK PAIN FOR
A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW, WE WENT THROUGH PT, AND IT DIDN'T SEEM TO HELP JUST SHORT TERM. I'M JUST WORRIED ABOUT THE LONG TERM DAMAGE HE MIGHT BE CAUSING. WHAT CAN WE DO??
CONCERED MOTHER
I AM A 40 YEAR OLD FEMALE. I HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH FIBROMYALGIA ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO - DAILY PAIN JUST EATS AWAY AT U. I WAS BORN WITH BIRTH DEFECT THAT WAS TREATED WITH CASTS AND BRACES AS A CHILD. IT IS VERY PAINFUL FOR ME TO WALK. 6 YEARS AGO I WAS IN A HORRIBLE CAR ACCIDENT. I'M ABOUT TO HAVE MY 20TH SURGERY THIS WEEK. I HAVE BEEN IN BED RECOVERING FROM SURGERY AFTER SURGERY FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS & HAVE GAINED 100 POUNDS WHICH DOESN'T HELP. I ALSO HAVE DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE, ARTHRITIS, IRRITABLE BOWEL, PIGMENT DISPERSION GLAUCOMA DUE TO PUTTING A HOLE IN THE WINDSHIELD WITH MY HEAD THE SIZE OF A BASKETBALL. MY LEFT ARM HAS BEEN WEAKENING OVER TIME. A COUPLE MONTHS AGO MY PINKY WENT NUMB. SO I HAD AN E.M.G. WHICH TESTS NERVE CONDUCTION. MY ULNAR NERVE, WHICH RUNS FROM HAND TO SHOULDER, NEAR YOUR ELBOW IS PINCHED AND DAMAGED. I HAVE TO HAVE THIS SURGERY BEFORE I LOSE USE OF MY HAND. I HAVE METAL IN ME ALL OVER, INCLUDING MY BACK AND WITH ALL THAT SURGERY - I'M STILL IN PAIN AND TAKE ALOT OF NARCOTICS DAILY. I CANNOT TAKE ANTI INFLAMMATORIES BECAUSE I HAVE LESIONS IN MY INTESTIONS JUST BELOW MY STOMACH. I AM ALLERGIC TO STEROIDS. I HAD A STEROID INJECTION THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND GOT CUSHINGS DISEASE - ALLERGIC REACTION - I GREW FACIAL HAIR AND SWELLED SO BAD WE HAD TO COVER THE MIRRORS. I'M THE LAST ONE TO TELL ANYONE WHAT THEY SHOULD DO FOR THEIR PAIN BUT, IF YOU CAN STAY AWAY FROM NARCOTICS - IT'S A GOOD IDEA. I HAVE NO OTHER OPTION. MY PAIN MANAGEMENT PHYSICIAN IS CONSIDERING A NARCOTIC PUMP WHICH IS EMBEDDED UNDER YOUR SKIN NEAR YOUR RIBS AND CAN BE SET TO DISPERSE MEDS AT A STEADY DRIP OR AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE DAY. AT THIS POINT I'M WILLING TO TRY ANYTHING. IF ANYONE HAS ANY ADVICE FOR ME THAT WOULD BE GREAT!
I am a 48 yr old female. A year and a half ago I was running 3 miles a day had a cleaning business. Camped, fished (live on a lake). One day I could not move bend stand sit etc. We to the doc which turned in many doctors. Went to a Nuerosurgeon and he did a Milogram and discovered I had Spina Bifida. The kind that your born with but doesnt hit until late 40s. I am now on Morphine, Soma, Lortab 10, Phenegran, Elavil. My life went from 110% to 0. I can't hardly do the smallest of task. The meds only take the edge off. I don't think I could survive without them though. I just pray for a cure. My days a filled with lots of tv. I havent put on weight thank God. I am still thin but would give anything to exercise again.
Item 1 I am a post polio survivor and have been experiencing a lot of the symptoms that these other folks are having. I do have a couple comments for the bloggers. Anonymouse at 5:13 mentioned a lot of pain and I have just been told that a lot of mine is most likely MYO-FASCIITIS. I probably agree with that but also the post polio pains are some days unbearable. My hands and feet burn and tingle all the time and my dr. put me on Requip. Some relief. Then he put me on Lyrica. I think that has been the best med. so far. As much as I hate taking medicines, this seems to be the one that best works for me.
Item 2. Bob at 4:25 asked about the spine and what the functions of the nerves were, etc. There is an excellent map on Webmd that I have used regularly. Just type in "map of spine" and you should get to the site. It is a drawing of the spine with descritpions of what each vertebrael nerve controls, i.e. bladder, shoulders, kidneys, legs, etc. I have given this site to many people with back problems and at least you can describe where the pain is coming from and what nerves might be affected.
I need help. I sliped on my back 2 years back and since i started to have pain on the middle area of my back. It is a buring pain. I did MRI scans and it shows that I have also slipped disk in L4 and 5. The doctors says that this middle back pain doesnt have any thing to do with the slipped pain. Please advise me how can i get ride of this pain. am 31 years old.. pain comes at sleeping time...
Oh my Back! In 1998 a drunk driver and military doctors ended normal life for me. Ruptured L3-4-5-S1, after not walking for a month (they said I was faking and wanted the money)I finally got a referral for a neurologist. I was in surgery in less than 18 hours later. I have excruciating nerve pain that has yet to be controlled. We have tried PT, electro stimuli, a vast variety of drugs, and most recently nerve blocks. None have helped. I am 52 was a nurse for 16 years and am now wondering what my life (such as it is) is going to be like in another 8 years. I am afraid, but still looking. Any suggestions we may have overlooked? Blessings and Peace
I have cervical disc disease. There is an osteophyte in my spinal cord about 3/5 of the way through. I am now loosing bladder and bowel control. The pain is constant and debilitating. I don't have a doctor because I don't have insurance or income. My disability is still under consideration (4 years) because they don't believe the pain is severe although they acknowledge the spinal issues are "severe". For me, for now, there's no hope.
To the person who wrote OH MY ACHING BACK. The pain you are describing in your buttock and going down through your leg sounds like it is coming from your SI Joint - Sacroiliac Joint - Ask for a referral to a pain management doctor who can give you an SI Block - it is an injection into taht area and should give you some major relief. I've been through epiurals, facets injections, and back surgery. The SI Block is the only thing that helped me with that pain. It's on an outpatient basis, and you can choose to have light anesthesia or not. I prefer NOT to have the anesthesia because anesthesia makes me sick.
Also ask your doctor for Lidoderm patches. You put them on your back and sit on a heating pad for a while and it really really helps - sometimes more than pain pills do and it's very very safe. Just don't keep it on for more than 12 hours at a time (I did once and I ripped off some skin!)
GOOD LUCK ALL!
Linda Kelly
Also, everyone - try a
DVD called Healing Yoga for Aches and Pains (specifically designed for neck and back ache)
Linda
Advil or Ibuprofen 800 should be taken 3 times a day.... whatever doctor prescrbies 16 pills a day i would be cautious with. even though they are meds, they do have serious side effects when taken in excessive amounts for long periods of time.
rosario, i don't find hydrocodone to be that effective either. i am a 23 year old with SI joint problems, a rotated hip, and degenerative disc disease. I attend PT 3 times a week, take anti inflammatory meds (tordal when really bad) and use heat, ultrasounds, and have had 2 SI blocks. SI blocks seem to be hit or miss, one worked and the other just made me sick.
pelvic tilts. traction. compressions. water. massage. water. OPTIMISTIC thinking.
i had stenosis and disctectomy surgery in march and back area from surgery feels good but have developed muscle spasms and severe cramping in mid and lower muscles of right side of back especially after a nights sleep or after an hour or two of inactivity,,,,can you help me
i feel for all of you but currently i take 60 mg of time release morphine, ultracel and flexeral just to make it thru a day, L1-2 L3-4 budging disks for 20 years, also 2 bad knees and both rotators repairs right one 5/6 detached, the left 1/6 detached
i hate feeling druged all the time but can deal with the pai
I also suffer from back pain. I took a fall in march and was sent to pt. they said my fall basically put my body out of alignment. i took another fall in august which from the mri finds... L4-5 mild diffuse disc protusion greatest in the left lateral region and moderate to severe left foraminal stenosis and mild right foraminal narrowing. also at c6-7 shallow diffuse disc bulging is seen. a subtle thin linear focus of hyperintensity seen within the cervical spinal cord. also noted is a 15 mm soft tissue focus within the nasopharynx in the midline. also called a tornwaldt's cyst. The dr that i am seeing has treated me like the pain is in my head and that i shouldnt be in this much pain. can someone please tell me what all this means and who should i go to next. i need a second opinion
ppressey24@cox.net
I am 44 now I was 14 when I was first hurt in basketball at school I couldn't stand up straight after sitting awhile I was diagnosed with a herniated disc after 6 or 7 mos of every kind of fix. Still couldn't stand at 14, then had surgery at a children's hospital, after that all was just great for 20 yrs had a child now grown and in 1998 was hurt at work bad a bulging disc surgery was done.Then had rehab went back to work 7 months later another surgery ! Man worst pain ever a fusion was recommended and done in 1999 L4,L5,S1,the pain I have experienced now is so intense and now I am having severe neck pain I have a great doc just wanted to know if any one else would do another surgery? That fusion was the most pain I have ever felt and have still not gotten over site they took bone it still hurts HELP OUCH as for family have lost there compassion to much for the folks my husband and daughter are just the best I could have and wish the best for all of you folks if you have a fusion be sure to know what your in for!!
I have suffered with neck and back pain, a fracture at T8 and pinch nerve in my neck since I fell at Walmart on Aug. 10th 2006. It was a large spill on the floor that was not cleaned up. My knees were bleeding and I was not even offered a band-aid.I am 73 years old and WAS dancing 4 nights a week. I have been on Darvadet for over a year, it just takes the edge off. I allergic to most other pain medicines. There is a wonderful back specialist in San Diego, CA. Dr. Richard Richley. He has operated on some friends of mine and they are doing wonderful. Back to dancing. I have only seen him once, but he is a caring man.
He should avoid compression of the lateral legs. What are they saying??? that was the result of a NCV/EMG.
I am asking for advice. i have been on numerous webites trying to find some type of hint to what may be wrong. I am 31 do not have insurance. have been having pain near the spine in between my shoulder blades. Pain radiates through my chest and sometimes dowm my leg. any advice would be greatly appreciated
to anonymous directly above:
Your condition can't be diagnosed online. Even without health insurance, you need to see a health provider and get a diagnosis. You can get an idea of what your condition might be by using our symptom checker, but diagnosis and treatment must be the result of an in-person examination.
I have "spinal stenosis" as well as degenerative disks in my back due to osteoarthiritis. I have been taking 3900 MG of Tylenol and 150 MG of tramadol per day to alleviate the pain. They don't seem to be working as well as they did for the past 18 months. I am thinking of asking my MD for tramadol ER.
to LadyConure:
I don't know what you do about not having insurance, but if you're losing bowel and bladder control you need to see a doctor asap. Losing control of bodily functions is indicative of problems in the lumbar region. I had a decompressive laminectomy 2 months ago for spinal stenosis, but prior to my surgery I was told that if I started having any bowel or bladder problems to call the doctor right away. If not treated immediately, it can become permanent. GOOD LUCK to you & tell the disability people to get you do the doc NOW!
Hi, I'm 50 yr old women and have been Dx with narrowing of the cervical spine ( x-ray).....from day 1 i have had chronic pain from my neck that travels down my right arm......Dr has put me on steroids for the inflammation and Norco for the pain ( last about 4 hours if i'm lucky) and valium to help me sleep. (the pain worsen at night, having me walk the floors in tears.)
My PT has told me he has had the same thing and it does get better, WHEN???? the traction he does helps my arm pain but OHH the pain in neck!!!!!
I cant even do small house work without going in to great pain. i've been on SDI for 2 weeks now.
for the past 2 days i have now suffered with headaches..
anyone out there suffering with this ???
if so what is your Dr doing for you ???
I am a 18 year female. I have had back pain for over four years. two years ago i was diagnosed with joint degenerative disease. It in in my L4-5 L5-S1 C4-C8. I have treid abosutly everything and been to every type of doctor. 1 year ago my neuro dr started trigger point and facet joint injections. I sleep on a heating pad and take multiple meds. Does anyone know of someone my age or ever even hear of anyone my age with the same thing i have. my doctors said people are normally atleast in their forty's when diagnosed with j.d.d. i was only 16 and my bone scan taken then compared to some one in their late 40's. i am just worried about what the prognoses will be. any advice greatly appreciated. email is loren_n_britt@yahoo.com
I'm really shocked of the number of people posting that suffer from back pain. My PT describes it as back spasms and MRI confirms bulging disks. PT works if you stick with it but my pai mysterious returned overnight. I cant believe how many of you found no improvement with surgery. was considering that as an option for me and a friend who has much more severe pain in lower back. Thx for the postings..very helpfult to know your stories.
For those of you that do not have health insurance, please try your local public aid office. If you are not working, obviously your income is within the limits of receiving a "medical card". (Medicaid). My husband has seen the best Docs with a medical card. He now has a spinal cord stimulator, as well as SEVERAL narcotics to control his chronic pain. Although this is EXTREMELY hard, thank God we do not have the finanial burden as well as the physical part. If you like him spent your prior "real life" working hard and "paying your dues", you deserve it. Take advantage of our rights as Americans. Get help. Although my husbands life is now very limited, He would (I believe) have literally died of pain, if not for the Spinal Cord Stimulator. Look it up on WebMD. I did a yr. ago, and I thank God every day that he had it implanted.
Hi everyone,
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Thanks!
Hello....
I am a 33 y/o mother of 2 kids(7/11) & I feel like I am 100.I first hurt my back in 2004 work related,and have had 2 back surgeries (L-5 S-1),my last one was just a year ago this month (NOV).I am still in great pain after it,and now facing ANOTHER!.I have new problems now,now on my neck(C-3 C-4 C-5) alotta pain and numbness etc.I cant seem to win for losing. I feel as if my life is ending b-4 my eyes and I cant stop it.I have