Back Pain Sufferers Check-In

[JCMach1]

I have ruptured my second disc in two years.

First was lower back... took 3 months for the pain to subside and left me with limited mobility in that segment (makes bending over hard). Mild pain will come back from time to time.

Current problem is in my neck This one is pinching the nerve and causing the radiating pain down my right shoulder and arm. I have been told to expect another 6-8 weeks of pain (5 weeks already) and the jokers here only give what I would term 'wimpy' pain meds.

Scoliosis is obviously one of the complicating factors in my case.

But seriously, the daily unending pain is really starting to take its toll.

[mopinko]

1. is surgery an option for you?

i had 2 herniated discs in my neck, including what you are suffering. it took a lot of diddling around before i got an mri, and then some more diddling around before i could get on the surgical calendar. but i was so f'ing glad to get that sumbitch fixed. if it is an option for you, i would recommend that you do it.
btw, i have some lasting nerve damage from waiting so long. just now in the process of getting that checked out. since i am an artist, and this is the middle finger in my right hand, it is a small annoyance that causes major annoyance much of the time.

[JCMach1]

2. Doctor only wants to do it as last resort... which means I have to wait out

the healing... This, as you know, is slow, painful, and can get you really depressed at times.

[mopinko]

3. i would get another doctor.

what does the mri look like? how are they monitoring this? i know when i had mine by the time i got to surgery the discs had swollen greatly. the surgeon was surprised.
and did i say i have permanent nerve damage?
get a second opinion.

[JCMach1]

5. The MRI is showing swelling

and the pressure on the nerve. Other than pressure (i.e. you can see it pressing in), the nerve is ok according to the MRI

[Warpy]

9. The doc is wise

While surgeries have gotten better over the years, they're still quite risky. I've seen better results with cervical discectomies than with lumbar ones, but when something goes wrong with the former, it's six months in a halo vest at best.

You can often get to a functional level with "wimpy" pain meds and rehab and that's really what it's all about.

My back pain is bad enough that I blew off a fracture as a pulled muscle because it didn't hurt that much worse than usual. I worked for six years as an RN with that fracture and without health insurance, I still have no way to get it repaired.

I'm fortunate to have a doc who prescribed Tramadol and it's working very well for me, giving me several hours of good function a day.

[JerseygirlCT]

11. When I found out I had early osteoporosis

and a couple of bad discs in my lower back and one in my neck, the dr. insisted on PT.

I was skeptical as I'd BTDT. BUT, the woman he sent me to was amazing. The right exercises, and enough of them. It was all about strengthening my core. After feeling like an 80 yo and wincing and groaning with every movement I made - suddenly I had no pain.

Now, I've not kept up with the exercise like I should, and the pain returns. So I've got to get disciplined.

But I was glad I went to a dr. who wasn't keen to operate!

[Warpy]

4. I found out last month when I was in the hospital that I have

an old spinal fracture.

I have no idea when it happened. I can't recall having my back hurt worse than usual.

That's real pain, folks.

[mopinko]

6. that is just incredible.

holy moly woman.

you okay now?

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. Yes, that is serious

The worst I got was a bad back from a bad lift... it comes and bugs me from time to time, but usually exercise takes care of it.

[Beaverhausen]

7. My husband is going to try accupuncture for his back pain

He has 5 or 6 degenerative discs in his spine. He had surgery last June for 2 of them in his neck- very little pain relief.

He takes painkillers constantly but still has pain. It is hard on our relationship, and I talked him into trying alternative methods. I'm really hoping he gets some relief.

[mopinko]

10. chronic pain is hard on relationships.

i know that i am often a complete asshole. the frustration of it makes you feel like you are at the bottom of a well. it just eats at your psyche.
at this point i have really narrowed my circle of people down to a few. and most of those just can't get away.

[elleng]

8. VERY sorry for you.

Good that you've received suggestions to see another doc. I had/have sciatica (lower back), recommended NOT to bend over, and was 'corrected' or addressed with exercises ONLY.

Best wishes!