Back Pain....

[AmandaPanda]

Hi its interesting reading all the stories relating to back pain! I am 33 years old & have suffered since being 18 yrs old - the last 15 years of my younger life where I should have been enjoying life with my young family... instead of numerous spells in hospital, MRI scans, Bone scans, constant medication, general misery & depression from it all.
I am now suffering again with a prolapsed disc - thishas been from early December, today is the 1st day I could get up out of bed in less than 15 mins & put my clothes on in less than 45 mins (unaided of course - I do have some dignity!)... I am now at a point where the medication doesn't work - currently taking di-hydrocodeine, voltarol & diazepam (AGAIN) but am getting no where apart from the going down the slippery slopes of feeling very miserable..
The Doctors just keep prescribing tablets saying there is nothing more we can do - even when I sit there blubbering for 10 mins describing the pain I am in, they don not take pity! Does anyone know of any treatment I can have to at least make my life 50% better - I currently & repeatedly have prolapsed discs, then I have 2 discs that have no gel in them, I was told at 21 that I had the back of a very elderly person - GREAT!!
Can anyone shed any light on any possibilities???

Thanks xxxxxxx[X(][>:]

 

[Jb2]

Jesus, sounds like you have some seriously mean doctors! what did the MRI's show? have they considered surgery of any sort??

 

[LRonCupboard]

I would ask also - what the MRI report said?

Do you have any problems in the legs, water works or bowel. ( The latter you can PM to me if preferred).

It seems that you are prone to vertebral disc injury but there are things that you could help the symptoms and the problem in the long term.

An osteopath or acupuncturist may well help for then current symptoms.

For the long term - it is known that taking a copper supplement and glucosamine sulphate can both help maintain the integrity of the intervertebral disks.


Andrew.

 

[LF. Overthrow]

Hi, the MRI basically just showed the prolapsed disc at the time along with the badly degenerated ones! Because the disc was not pressing on a nerve or anything they don't see it as urgent which is not good for me as they won't do anything! A few people are saying to be in the amount of pain that I am in, something must be a miss & demand another MRI as my first one was 5 years ago!!!!

 

[CLS]

Hi, as I just answered to somebody else - the MRI basically just showed the prolapsed disc at the time along with the badly degenerated ones! Because the disc was not pressing on a nerve or anything they don't see it as urgent which is not good for me as they won't do anything!

I never have had trouble with my water works etc, but do get severe pins & needles at times or they go numb & I end up thumping them to try & get some feeling in them!

I have been going to an acupuncturist for a few months now - but its one of those things where I am not sure if it is working or not! She keeps using all these lotions & potions on me which seem to help for a very short period of time ie: 2 or 3 hours but nothing long term.

I might have a bash with the tablets you have mentioned - failing that AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

 

[Coleen]

Pain itself isn't taken as a serious clinical sign, so it's unlikely that they'd do anything about that other than offer pain killers, anti-inflammatories &/or muscle relaxants.

There are various pain pathways and in the case of a herniating disc it may well be that there's irriatation of the nerve root, but its not actually being compressed, so no immediate danger of long term nerve damage.

The pins & needles, especially if there are areas of numbness does suggest that there are episodes of some nerve root compression, as the nerve being 'pinched' will cause it to stop working. Weakness in any of the muscles is also a sign of this.

Make sure they know about the pins & needles and watch out for numbness and muscle weakness.Someone should be keeping an eye on your reflexes also.

Andrew.

 

[nomoreskyline]

It would also be worth having some Alexander Technique because the pain will impact on your posture and you can help the back by treating it very gently and correct posturing in walking, sitting, getting up etc. AT teaches you all the right moves to aid he back and its condition.
Eucalyptus aromatherapy oil is also good for back pain but you would need to mix some drops in some cream or almond massage oil before rubbing on. Good to put some lavender in as well for general healing.

Divine Love