Do you have back pain, are pre-op or undecided?

[thedude91]

Hi,

I am new here and was very excited to find a back forum with so much support. There is a fantastic thread going on with some regulars checking in post op but not a thread for those of us pre-op or undecided so I hope by making one here others may join in?

I wondered if anyone else wanted to share a few aspects of their back problems and support each other here? Check in and updates, info, advice and so on, just because some days are so hard to cope with and sometimes we all get lonely and down.

I have multiple disc, C1-C7, L1-S1 and multiple facet joint and other problems, spinal and bilaeral hip and knee arthritis. Have had the mri now have the long wait to see a surgeon as the next step. I want to do something to help myself in the meantime and maybe there are others like me that might want to post

Cassie x

 

[xbeztuhliddiqiemp]

Wow, sadly no replies? Or that should be good no replies because no-one else is in my situation.

Anyway - update, I have been given a cancellation for the surgeon this Wednesday, yippee! Bad news is I have to stop the nsaids and painkillers so they get a true picture, arggh!

So does anyone know what sensible questions I should ask on my visit please?

 

[anna W]

Evening Cassie,

It is unusual not to get any replies as there are a lot of very good opinions from such a wide variety of people on this forum.
I have had back pain but am not suffering much pain now.
I had a L5 S1 discectomy on 29th April 2009 which seems to have been reasonably successful. I do have a slight bulge at L4/5 level although this does not need operating on. Good practices need to be followed when people suffer back injuries.
I would recommend you see a physiotherapist whether it be NHS or private depends on whether you can afford to pay for a physio privately.
To manage your pain, I would hope a physio can give you some exercises to do on a regular basis.
In order to maintain a strong back, core strength exercises are a must.
Do what the physio advises you and as regular as instructed.
Dont wait for pain to be evident before doing them.
If you can afford it, contact a private hospital. You will probably find the same surgeon works both NHS and private. Mine did.
This will speed up the diagnosis. I was lucky to have an employer who provide Occupational Health. Not everybody is that fortunate.
The soner you know the diagnosis, the sonner you can decide whether you need surgery or not.
By that time, you will hopefully know what can be managed or solved with your body.
I do hope you get on well if you look into seeing a consultant and/or physio.

Best wishes

dalep115

 

[charaze2000]

Hi, Thanks for replying

The physio signed me off after 12 weeks of twice weekly visits and no improvement but a steady worsening. Then the mri result came through and it showed bilateral nerve intrusions due to multilevel disc protrusions and facet joint degradation.
I am now trying a Chiro, have tried water therapy and accupuncture too. Water therapy is brilliant and really relaxes the muscles. The chiro is very good at at least helps me to feel that I am doing something.

Basically I have been told to do nothing so that I don't end up as an emergency. Thankfully I only have two days to wait now till I see the surgeon, just am not really sure what I need to ask him apart from how to stop the pain and get me back mobile?

 

[honeybjones]

Evening Cassie,

I cannot understand that doing nothing is the best idea.
I always thought keeping mobile was the ideal option. It sounds like you should not be doing too much which does make sense.
You should definitely ask your chiropractor to recommend exercises to do in order to keep your back mobile although I always found physiotherapists the best for advice.
Chiropractors have been good for me but at the appointment only.
Ask your chiropractor to confirm if they think physiotherapy is what you need as well as chiropractic treatment.
Do you think you was seeing a good physio in this instance.
From experience, I can tell you that there are good and bad physio's around although my only bad experience with a physio was on the NHS.
It is most certainly an essential question to ask your surgeon about what to do to keep mobile and stop the pain?
If your surgeon states surgical intervention is necessary, then ask how to manage the pain until the op. What the chance of success is?
As I have only had one back operation which so far has been a success, I can only say how much better I feel now compared to pre-op.
This is a big factor to think of. Anyway, I am thinking further down the line than you are already.
Can you shed any light on why you have suffered these problems with your back as you need to ensure good practices now and in the future.
Good luck with your surgeons appointment.
Let everyone know on this forum how you get on.

Best wishes

dalep115

 

[swingwig]

Hi,
Back pains become common to all people.. i feel sorry that you are suffering from arthiritis.. These joints problems can be cured by osteopathy or chiropractic treatments.. They are most useful if you have had back pain for less than three months and can provide short-term (most often) or long-term pain relief. My friend also had a same problem and she undergo Back pain prevention exercises in a customized basis Hope this information can help you..