Back Pain Issues. Got them? Got Questions? Here's my Story maybe I can help.

[Deadeye]

Dealing with Chronic Back Pain is probably one of the most common Chronic Pain issues there is.

Back Pain can be anywhere from the Top of your Neck to the Mid Back or Thoracic to the lower Back or Lumbar all the way to your Tailbone and extending into the Sciatic Joints in the Hips. 

For me it started back in about 2004 when I lifted an Aluminum Room Base that I had lifted hundreds of times before and felt an instant stab in my right hip area. Within a 30 minute period  I went from OK to extreme pain of a level 10. A real level 10 to, not what I hear some say when they walk in and sit down with no assistance and say they are at a level 10.

I was taken by the Facilities Manager to a Centra Care Station where a PA checked me over by having me do movements and declared I had "pulled a muscle".  Put me on Muscle Relaxers and a low level pain med. She assigned me to Light Duty for 2 weeks until I saw her again.

I asked about seeing a Chiropractor and she said "no do not see one they will only make it worse".

I struggled through the next day at work and then after going home went to see my Chiro. He took one look at me and without me telling him where I hurt he placed his hand on my back right where I hurt and said "your back is out of place right here, I can see it". Did 2-3 Treatments with him and was back to be ready to work.

Seen the PA at my 2-week appointment she had me do the movements again and then declared "you have had a miraculous recovery". She took me off of Light Duty and that was the end of it.

I never raised a case against my employer for the injury, I was a loyal Employee and just kept moving forward.  In 2008 the Company sold out and was moved to another state. I with many other lost my job.

Flash Forward to 2012. I had had my back slip out of place a couple times but a visit to the Chiro always did the trick. 1-2 Treatments and I was good as new. Then while picking up some boxes I felt it move again, only this time it felt different.  Within a couple of hours I had developed a limb on my right side.

I once again consulted a Chiro, but chose to try a new one that had come with very high recommendation from a friend. First thing they did was an X-Ray, which showed I had the beginning stages of Degenerative Disc Disease. That meant my discs were starting to collapse and the distance between my Vertebrae was getting smaller, thus pinching the nerves. I started treatments for it in July of 2012, taking them 2-3 times a month.

In 2013 my back began to get worse and tighter. By late February I was struggling to rise from a squatted position. Then it happened. I woke one morning as was unable to move my Left Side.

I managed to literally drag myself out of bed and got dressed by leaning against the dresser. I moved by dragging my left leg to the car and went to see my Chiro Dr. After a treatment I felt better and decided to try and work this last day of my 5, so I would have the next 2 off to recuperate.

I lasted 45 minutes.

My Boss had to go get a wheelchair to take me to clock out and to my car. It would turn out to be the last day I worked.

I started daily treatments until the Owner and Head Dr there saw me and ordered an MRI Immediately. It showed I had Stenosis in to many locations to name, with Moderate and Moderate Severe in both Sciatic Hip Joints. Herniated Discs in the Lumbar- 3, the Thoracic- 2, the Cervical-2.

I went to seek the advise of a very well known and respected Neurosurgeon, who after looking at my MRI's and examining me Offered me a diagnosis of a  "very complex and diverse Pain Complex. There is no One Area I can say If I Fix this you will be better, in fact I believe that if you have surgery you will be worse off".  Instead he referred me to a Pain Management Specialist, whom I have been seeing since.

Over the course of the years since I have been taking Pain Meds, Muscle Relaxers, a Specialized Anti-Inflammatory, Several vitamins I have been told to use to help strengthen my bones and muscles, and a Once a Month Pill that is designed to make my bones use Calcium effeciatelly. My bones density is very low to almost at the point of Osteoporosis. Also have a TENS Unit.

But the Greatest Relief has come from having Shots placed into my Lumbar and Hip Joints. These are what really allows me to move and have a life, without them I don't really know where I'd be at.

But I am now able to Walk and live a near normal life. Before seeing the Pain Specialist I could walk or stand for about 10-15 minutes. 

I did end up having Surgery on my Neck 2 yrs in December. The Arthritis in my lower neck had gotten so bad I could not turn my head to the left and was loosing the use of my left arm- due to the nerves being pinched off.

Each Day is a different experience for me. One day I can be fine like nothing is wrong and the next several I can be hurting so much I don't do much. No one really knows except my wife what I go through.

If anyone is having Back Pain and wants to talk about it, Know that I and several Others are here for you. Got Questions? Ask them. Will do the best I can to help you understand Back Pain, what causes it, and how there are many ways to treat/deal with it. 

[FloridaFishinFool]

I herniated a disc in a car accident years ago. I went to a chiropractor and wasted over $3,000 on a professional back cracker who was no benefit what so ever. Just a waste of money.

One day I pulled into a yard sale and standing there in the yard was a chrome medical quality inversion table.

It was kind of funny that it was cloudy that day but when I saw that inversion table the clouds parted and a ray of sunlight shined down seemingly just on that inversion table. I slapped $25 down to hold it. Ran to bank for $50 cash.

I got a $500 inversion table for $75. I still have it. Turned down every offer to buy it from me. And it is the best money I ever spent on my back.

Hanging upside down stretches the vertebrae back out. Aligns all vertebrae and while stretching grows new disc tissue in between discs.

I used it for 2 years and have not needed it since healing up.

I do plan on getting it out of the attic soon because at 54 a psiatic nerve is just starting in my lower back. Using the inversion table is instant relief and definitely helps the healing.

I'd be curious to read how many members here use or have used inversion tables?

[merc1997]

i hear you, and know some of what you are dealing with.  i have a neck that is somewhat of a mess.  my dr. also wanted me to try pain management.  luckily for me the treatment suggested really works.  they burn back the nerve endings in the facets of my neck vertebrae.  it is non-invasive, and they can go back and burn the nerves back again when they grow back.  i still have some pain, but i can tolerate it.  before, i would go days without sleeping because of the intense pain.

glad you have found something to let you function and be able to sleep.

bo

[merc1997]

I herniated a disc in a car accident years ago. I went to a chiropractor and wasted over $3,000 on a professional back cracker who was no benefit what so ever. Just a waste of money.

One day I pulled into a yard sale and standing there in the yard was a chrome medical quality inversion table.

It was kind of funny that it was cloudy that day but when I saw that inversion table the clouds parted and a ray of sunlight shined down seemingly just on that inversion table. I slapped $25 down to hold it. Ran to bank for $50 cash.

I got a $500 inversion table for $75. I still have it. Turned down every offer to buy it from me. And it is the best money I ever spent on my back.

Hanging upside down stretches the vertebrae back out. Aligns all vertebrae and while stretching grows new disc tissue in between discs.

I used it for 2 years and have not needed it since healing up.

I do plan on getting it out of the attic soon because at 54 a psiatic nerve is just starting in my lower back. Using the inversion table is instant relief and definitely helps the healing.

I'd be curious to read how many members here use or have used inversion tables?

inversion table certainly are great for the lower back.  a couple of my buddies have purchased them on after letting them use mine to see if it helped them.

bo

[Wizard]

I'm a poster child for back and neck issues. I was 6'1" a decade ago. I am 5'8" today. 2 neck surgeries, 2 back surgeries. All of them went well and I was fine. A right hip replacement where my back was broken and no one told me, did me in. I had constant pain. No surgeon would operate on me and pain management did nothing for me. What helped was people praying for me and a personal trainer rebuilding my muscles. Life is a bitch but never give up. Give up and you have lost.

Wizard

[topdsm0138]

The Army destroyed L4 and L5 in my back. Every three months, I get 12 spinal injections and have physical therapy three times a week. The Army pays for it all but atleast I regained range of motion and am walking without a limp anymore. Yes, I still hurt but I don't take any hard narcotics, just Ibuprofen, Tylenol and Alive. My fishing is one thing that keeps me sane and my mind off of the pain.

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[Deadeye]

I herniated a disc in a car accident years ago. I went to a chiropractor and wasted over $3,000 on a professional back cracker who was no benefit what so ever. Just a waste of money.

One day I pulled into a yard sale and standing there in the yard was a chrome medical quality inversion table.

It was kind of funny that it was cloudy that day but when I saw that inversion table the clouds parted and a ray of sunlight shined down seemingly just on that inversion table. I slapped $25 down to hold it. Ran to bank for $50 cash.

I got a $500 inversion table for $75. I still have it. Turned down every offer to buy it from me. And it is the best money I ever spent on my back.

Hanging upside down stretches the vertebrae back out. Aligns all vertebrae and while stretching grows new disc tissue in between discs.

I used it for 2 years and have not needed it since healing up.

I do plan on getting it out of the attic soon because at 54 a psiatic nerve is just starting in my lower back. Using the inversion table is instant relief and definitely helps the healing.

I'd be curious to read how many members here use or have used inversion tables?

Inversion Tables do work for some that have lower back issues. My Chiro has a Table that stretches the entire back with an controlled pull. The amount is adjustable. Some Chiros are good and some are not, been to both before.

[Deadeye]

i hear you, and know some of what you are dealing with.  i have a neck that is somewhat of a mess.  my dr. also wanted me to try pain management.  luckily for me the treatment suggested really works.  they burn back the nerve endings in the facets of my neck vertebrae.  it is non-invasive, and they can go back and burn the nerves back again when they grow back.  i still have some pain, but i can tolerate it.  before, i would go days without sleeping because of the intense pain.

glad you have found something to let you function and be able to sleep.

bo

I was helping to push out a stuck car when I felt something move in my mid back. Due to the Pain Meds I'm on I didn't feel a lot of pain, just more than normal. Took a while for any one to listen to me about it but when the next next MRI showed I fractured 4 vertebra they believed me.

It was to late to try and set them, as 3 had healed and one was started, I got the Nerve Burning done on that area and it did the trick.

That was when they discovered I had extreme low Bone Density. 

[Deadeye]

I'm a poster child for back and neck issues. I was 6'1" a decade ago. I am 5'8" today. 2 neck surgeries, 2 back surgeries. All of them went well and I was fine. A right hip replacement where my back was broken and no one told me, did me in. I had constant pain. No surgeon would operate on me and pain management did nothing for me. What helped was people praying for me and a personal trainer rebuilding my muscles. Life is a bitch but never give up. Give up and you have lost.

Wizard

Sorry to hear. Since you already had had several surgeries, why would they not do another on you? Ever find out?

[Deadeye]

The Army destroyed L4 and L5 in my back. Every three months, I get 12 spinal injections and have physical therapy three times a week. The Army pays for it all but atleast I regained range of motion and am walking without a limp anymore. Yes, I still hurt but I don't take any hard narcotics, just Ibuprofen, Tylenol and Alive. My fishing is one thing that keeps me sane and my mind off of the pain.

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I get Shots in the L3-L4, L4-L5 L5-S1, then Both L & R Sciatica Joints in my hips.

2 Rds for each then usually I'm good for 3-5 months. 

[topdsm0138]

Same here, they last me about 3mo as well.

I get Shots in the L3-L4, L4-L5 L5-S1, then Both L & R Sciatica Joints in my hips.

2 Rds for each then usually I'm good for 3-5 months.

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[Kris]

The Army destroyed L4 and L5 in my back. Every three months, I get 12 spinal injections and have physical therapy three times a week. The Army pays for it all but atleast I regained range of motion and am walking without a limp anymore. Yes, I still hurt but I don't take any hard narcotics, just Ibuprofen, Tylenol and Alive. My fishing is one thing that keeps me sane and my mind off of the pain.

Sent from my SM-J700P using Tapatalk

In 1968 while in Grafenwohr Major Training Area I had lost the use of my legs for awhile. There was a new guy driving our deuce and a half service truck that had coke bottle glasses. It was just before Sunset and the Motor Sargent had let him get behind the convoy. In an attempt to catch up he had him cut across an open field. Unknown to anyone there was a ditch in the field that we hit.
I was in the back of the truck laying on top of a large tool box with my head pointed forward. Truck hit the ditch and due to laws of physics I kept moving. Up in the air, head into the front of the service truck box and an 18 year old boy was panicked. I couldn't move my legs. Instead of getting me to the hospital a Lieutenant started helping me move my legs. I eventually stood up and walked after a little time.
For years after that I experienced back pain bad enough that it kept me from going to work for a day. Rest got me back to work usually the following day. Didn't do any major drugs for the pain and OTC would only take the edge off. Then I'd be walking with Friends and my right leg would go out, useless.
Many years later I was a Zone Service and Parts Manager for Isuzu Motors visiting one of my Dealers. Service Director asked me to go to lunch and I told him I would finish this email and was ready. Finished it, stood up and went right down. My good leg, left, was under me and I couldn't get up. Luckily the Shop Foreman walked by and helped me up. Right leg still not working so I put it under my weight and pressed down, that was the wrong thing to do. Now in severe pain several people helped me to my truck and I called the office to tell them what happened.
I also called my insurance company for a recommendation of a doctor to go see and they suggested a Chiropractor. What the hell, if he could stop the paint I didn't care. I went right there and after aligning my back and some electro therapy I was good for twenty minutes. I tried this twice and went to see a sports medicine doctor locally. He checked me out and told me I needed to get an MRI. Somehow I got forgotten after that for awhile. He had prescribed Percosets which I ate like candy trying to stop the pain. Didn't even take the edge off. When I finally saw him again he suggested I see a Surgeon and recommended one. Head of Neurology at GBMC.
I went to see him at 2:00 and he had me in the hospital at 4:30, operated on me at 8:00 PM. He explained that I had half a disc break and it was sticking out rubbing the nerve trunk for my right leg. Anything I get back in the next two years will be all I ever get back. He put me on pain relievers and muscle relaxers for two weeks until the surgery healed. I had lost the feeling on the outside of my right leg from knee to ankle and most of the way around. I still had episodes where my right leg didn't want to cooperate but now it basically threw me off balance but I remain standing.
I kept taking ibuprophen 800 mg at a time if I had any pain. Not sure that was a good thing now that I know what other thing it can cause. Lately I have been taking 400 mg unbuffered tablets from VA and now I only take Tylenol 500 mg or two.
VA has denied my claim because there is nothing in my military medical records saying it ever happened. Most of the pain episodes over the years I handled on my own so I can't blame them. I do have a limp and walk with a can because I have arthritis in all joints of my right leg. I also sit most of the time when fishing instead of using a pro pole anymore.
Now at 70% with VA with hearing, Type 2 Diabetes and Coronary Artery Disease, most Agent Orange related. Now found out I have cancer that they are still trying to find out where it started and which type it is. Tylenol, Caraface and Protonix for now until we know more. I have held off on the OTC stuff I used to take, like vitamins and low-dose aspirin until we know more. Still have back and leg paint today.

[Canesfan]

Inversion Tables do work for some that have lower back issues. My Chiro has a Table that stretches the entire back with an controlled pull. The amount is adjustable. Some Chiros are good and some are not, been to both before.

I've had treatment for a herniated disc like that. Feels like you are being pulled apart but apparently it works.
Not sure if it is related to the disc issue but I can't stand for as long as I used to while fishing and have to sit more frequently. That could also be part of getting old, lol.

[SFL BassHunter]

I've got 3 herniated disks. Back pain is normal for me when I am active. Sometimes when I am not active as well.

I can fish for 8 hours, but I need a place to sit from time to time. There was a time that I was popping advil within the first couple of hours.
I started doing several stretches and went to a physical therapist that really helped. Now I generally can go 4-6 hours without taking a few advil. This is good because instead of taking 6 advil in 8 hours I can do with 3.

[Wizard]

Deadeye, I had so many surgeries and long surgeries, anesthesia is a problem. To fix my back is an 18 hour surgery. Doctors say I wouldn't survive the surgery.

Wizard

[big g]

Over a thirty year period I have had two back surgeries at L4 L5, S1.  Several years ago I was recommended physical therapy and serious stretching exercises.   Tight Hamstrings will often cause problems with the lower back area.  It is very important to do your stretching exercises on a regular basis.  Good luck, life is no joy when your dealing with severe back pain.  The stretching has done the job for me, once the disk area was cleaned up.

[Capt. BassinLou]

I'm part of the Low Back Pain Club (LBP) myself. When I was 15, I suffered a sports injury in my low back, and I found out that my lower vertebra's in my Sacral region did not completely fuse when I was born. I dealt with issues on and off until I really messed up my back in my mid-20's and a MRI confirmed I have 2 bulging discs in my low back as well.

Fortunately for me, my professional background is in Exercise Physiology and contacts that I have made with Physical Therapists over the years, has taught me what I can and cannot do, in conjunction with the steps I need to take when I have a flare up.

As I have gotten older, my LBP provides me with a constant reminder on how I need to be consciously aware of my every day movements, especially when lifting and moving objects. One improper lift can be a game changer for me.

I have adapted over the years and know exactly what my limitations are, and by operating within those limitations, I can say I have my LBP issues under control.

[topdsm0138]

In 1968 while in Grafenwohr Major Training Area I had lost the use of my legs for awhile. There was a new guy driving our deuce and a half service truck that had coke bottle glasses. It was just before Sunset and the Motor Sargent had let him get behind the convoy. In an attempt to catch up he had him cut across an open field. Unknown to anyone there was a ditch in the field that we hit.
I was in the back of the truck laying on top of a large tool box with my head pointed forward. Truck hit the ditch and due to laws of physics I kept moving. Up in the air, head into the front of the service truck box and an 18 year old boy was panicked. I couldn't move my legs. Instead of getting me to the hospital a Lieutenant started helping me move my legs. I eventually stood up and walked after a little time.
For years after that I experienced back pain bad enough that it kept me from going to work for a day. Rest got me back to work usually the following day. Didn't do any major drugs for the pain and OTC would only take the edge off. Then I'd be walking with Friends and my right leg would go out, useless.
Many years later I was a Zone Service and Parts Manager for Isuzu Motors visiting one of my Dealers. Service Director asked me to go to lunch and I told him I would finish this email and was ready. Finished it, stood up and went right down. My good leg, left, was under me and I couldn't get up. Luckily the Shop Foreman walked by and helped me up. Right leg still not working so I put it under my weight and pressed down, that was the wrong thing to do. Now in severe pain several people helped me to my truck and I called the office to tell them what happened.
I also called my insurance company for a recommendation of a doctor to go see and they suggested a Chiropractor. What the hell, if he could stop the paint I didn't care. I went right there and after aligning my back and some electro therapy I was good for twenty minutes. I tried this twice and went to see a sports medicine doctor locally. He checked me out and told me I needed to get an MRI. Somehow I got forgotten after that for awhile. He had prescribed Percosets which I ate like candy trying to stop the pain. Didn't even take the edge off. When I finally saw him again he suggested I see a Surgeon and recommended one. Head of Neurology at GBMC.
I went to see him at 2:00 and he had me in the hospital at 4:30, operated on me at 8:00 PM. He explained that I had half a disc break and it was sticking out rubbing the nerve trunk for my right leg. Anything I get back in the next two years will be all I ever get back. He put me on pain relievers and muscle relaxers for two weeks until the surgery healed. I had lost the feeling on the outside of my right leg from knee to ankle and most of the way around. I still had episodes where my right leg didn't want to cooperate but now it basically threw me off balance but I remain standing.
I kept taking ibuprophen 800 mg at a time if I had any pain. Not sure that was a good thing now that I know what other thing it can cause. Lately I have been taking 400 mg unbuffered tablets from VA and now I only take Tylenol 500 mg or two.
VA has denied my claim because there is nothing in my military medical records saying it ever happened. Most of the pain episodes over the years I handled on my own so I can't blame them. I do have a limp and walk with a can because I have arthritis in all joints of my right leg. I also sit most of the time when fishing instead of using a pro pole anymore.
Now at 70% with VA with hearing, Type 2 Diabetes and Coronary Artery Disease, most Agent Orange related. Now found out I have cancer that they are still trying to find out where it started and which type it is. Tylenol, Caraface and Protonix for now until we know more. I have held off on the OTC stuff I used to take, like vitamins and low-dose aspirin until we know more. Still have back and leg paint today.

Mine was caused by something similar. Except 5 of us got thrown out the back and injured. As punishment, a PFC was made to drive the troop carrier LMTV after he had his phone taken away. He was soo pissed, he sped the whole way up and down those roads in Wisconsin. When we got back to the barracks, he slammed the brakes, slammed it into reverse then gunned it i to the concrete parking barrier. 5 of us got thrown out the back and the worst part, there was a big ditch on the other side of the barrier. So we all dropped over 10', with all our gear on. We had a busted back (mine), two broken legs, thre broken arms, two broken ribs, a broken shoulder and an ankle between the 5 of us. Needless to say, he was discharged. Because if he wasn't, the Platoon had decided they were going to "deal with" him personally.

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[Smallie_Stalker]

I just typed what might have amounted to a small article here in this thread. I swear I hit post and saw it But now it's gone.    I think I'm losing what's left of my mind. 

I'll get around to posting it all again but for now I would like to share this short list of suggestions on Traveling With Back Pain .

[Oldfart9999]

I have osteoarthritis, big time, L1-L4 in the lower back, stenosis in 2 of the vertebrae, I know an excellent therapist who is also a trainer, I spent an hour with her, cost me 50$, and she set up a routine for me that has worked wonders for me, I can stand in the boat for hours now. I have a titanium hip, am a bit over a week out from a partial wrist replacement, take cortisone in one shoulder and knee and am looking at the possibility of having work done on the other.
5 surgeries since 2005, 3 in the last 4 years and missed summer fishing for the this year and 2 of the previous years, I'm really getting tired of it, I lost my job,  but you know what, life aint over, I'll take all the fishing time I can get, I aint dead yet. Do the best you can, if you need to stop and rest do it, if you need a day off take it, it's ok to complain about it but don't let it get the best of you!!!
Rodney 

[SFL BassHunter]

Talking about back pain, man I have not felt like this is months. Went saltwater fishing off a bridge yesterday and was out there from 6:30am to 4pm. Sat down just a few times but spent most my day standing straight or leaning on the concrete rail of the bridge. My back is not happy bout it all this morning.

[Smallie_Stalker]

Back issues/pain. Where do I start?
My list includes:

Spinal Arthritits
Spinal Stenosis
Advanced Stage Degenerative Disk Disease
Multiple pinched nerves (From the degenerative disk disease)
Sciatica
Muscle spasms in the lower lumbar area

I had my first back "issue" in my early 20's. At that time I weighed about 150 – 160. I was athletic, studying martial arts and working out/ running 6 days a week. During a martial arts sparring session I misjudged the distance to my target with a kick and the guy swept my other leg out from under me. I hit the floor and couldn't get back up. I had ruptured a couple of disks in my lower back. After some PT and recovery time I was able to back to most everything but the martial arts. The kicks and certain other techniques just seemed to hurt too much after that. But the rest was good and I went back to a fairly active and healthy routine.

Fast forward about 8 years to when I was 31. Weight is 180  I'm still decently active, athletic and working out (the running had slacked off to almost non-existent at that point though). One day I am standing at the bathroom sink getting ready to brush my teeth. The toothbrush is on the countertop not more than 3 inches from me. I extend my arm those 3 inches (didn't bend my back at all, didn't twist) and all of a sudden there is a burning pain shooting from the base of my back up almost to my neck. It was so bad I thought I was gonna pass out. But I didn't. Then I felt like I was gonna puke. Thank God I didn't because I think the wretching movement would have hurt even more. The pain was so bad I wanted to scream. But I couldn't. I tried to move. I couldn't. I stayed like that for what seemed like forever. Finally I was able to call for help and my two roommates helped me to my bed and called 9-1-1.

That was the last of what I would consider a truly active lifestyle for me.  And the beginning of my battle with weight issues.

Since I don't tolerate most prescription pain meds very well I try hard to just grin and bear it most days. There is never a day when I am not in pain, and on an average day my pain level is at least a 4. On the days I really can't deal with the pain I take 600 mg of Ibuprofen 4 times a day. If it's muscle spasm related I will occasionally take some Flexeril but it doesn't do much for me anymore. And every so many months I get a cortisone shot.

The nerve pain is the worst but there isn't much I can do about that.

I have problems standing for more than about 5 minutes at a time and if I want to take a walk I need to use my cane and make frequent stops. I have a route with lots of steps to stop and sit on – one of the few benefits of living in a city environment.  Walking on a treadmill isn't so bad because I have something to hold on to and lean on if need be. So a gym membership is on the to-do list when the finances will allow.

Personally I believe the only reason I can still walk at all is because I still do the PT exercises I was shown in my 30's. I know losing weight would make it easier but I'm having trouble breaking the 300 lb. mark again. The med they put me on to treat the prostate cancer (well actually to shrink the prostate) is a form of a steroid with weight gain as one of the most common side effects so even though I am eating controlled portions of healthier food my weight keeps slowly creeping up.

Ironically, movement and exercise, especially core strengthening exercises are what is recommended most to me by doctors. But simply moving around causes a lot of pain for me. I guess I better learn to grin and bear this one too.

I'm not getting any younger. If I don't start now I'm worried I will get to the point where it will be impossible.

[Bigwrench]

Some very good info here !

[zippyduck]

Thanks for all the great info.

I guess I am going down this road now. I have had sporadic hip pain for a few years but nothing terrible. Then my neck started to ache which caused the hip pain to flair up.
Well in the last month my neck has been severely hurting me ( all the ways up to a nine on the pain scale ). I know what a ten is from kidney stones.
Well my Doc has started me on steroids and Ibuprofen which is not doing anything. My wife gave me some of her muscle relaxers which is helping a good bit along with Biofreeze.
PT is starting this Friday and then the asssessment is supposed to help them get a plan together.

I will be reading and re-reading all this great info and hopefully learn from your experiences.

[Deadeye]

Thanks for all the great info.

I guess I am going down this road now. I have had sporadic hip pain for a few years but nothing terrible. Then my neck started to ache which caused the hip pain to flair up.
Well in the last month my neck has been severely hurting me ( all the ways up to a nine on the pain scale ). I know what a ten is from kidney stones.
Well my Doc has started me on steroids and Ibuprofen which is not doing anything. My wife gave me some of her muscle relaxers which is helping a good bit along with Biofreeze.
PT is starting this Friday and then the asssessment is supposed to help them get a plan together.

I will be reading and re-reading all this great info and hopefully learn from your experiences.

All the nerves in our body runs through our necks, and as they start to get pinched it can cause all sorts of issues.

I dealt with mine until I could no longer turn it very far to the left. At that point my  Neurosurgeon said it was time to do something.

1 hour surgery turned into a 3 hour surgery to get all the arthritis cleaned out of 3 vertebras. No lifting more than a quart of milk for 2 months.

But the "airryness" that it left in my left shoulder was worth it. Gone was the pressure and weight feeling that had been there for so long.

Now however after 2 years some issues are creeping back up. I'll deal with those as they come.

If you can see a GOOD Chiropractor that has a Stretching Machine they can really help with your neck. Your body will be strapped down to a table and your head and neck will be pulled with a controlled stretch. It will really help open the areas back up again. Helped me for e-4 years to put of surgery, now that I have titanium wings in there to help them stay separated I can't do that anymore.

Best of Luck with yours, Hope you find some relief.