My back pain story

Nutt · August 14, 2018, 09:32:14 AM

Im not good at putting things down on "paper" but will give this a shot. Long story short, I have a fractured vertebrae at my L-5, the disc between L-5 and S-1 is gone, and my spine has shifted forward between the two. The only thing they say they can do is put a cage around my spine. The pain isn't constant right now, but I cant sleep due to not being able to get into a comfortable position. When I lay down for bed, I can feel something going on in my back, down my legs(especially the left one) and even in my shoulder and arms. The best way I can explain this strange deal is it almost feels like electricity is going thru my body and if I lay in one position long enough, I get a jolt and my arms or legs will jump and wake me up. Like I say, the pain isn't constant anymore, but doing every day things like yardwork or even fishing will leave me where I cant even take a step it hurts so bad. When this occurs, I have to literally try harder to raise my left leg to take a step. It almost looks like I have drop foot at the time. I have noticed some lack of strength in my left leg, and even in the mornings while getting dressed I have to reach down and help pick up the left leg to put on my socks. I have an appointment with a pain management doc tomorrow, so Im sure he will be glad to take my money for the office visit, make me go thru physical therapy, tell me to take some Ibuprofin(which doesn't help anymore) and carry on. Im not one to take meds. I don't like taking anything unless I absolutely have to, but damn, it would be nice to be able to get a prescription for something a little stronger for when I really need the help. Unfortunately, the doctor shopper dope heads ruined that for everyone.

Mike Cork · August 14, 2018, 09:48:55 AM

When I started having trouble picking up my foot to walk, and couldn't cross my legs to put my own socks on, I went ahead with the surgery. I still can't lift my lets to put on my own socks but I can walk without dragging my foot most of the time. Laurie has to remind me to lift my feet once in a while. Sleep is much better though. I can get a solid 4 hours at a time with a pillow between my knees.

In your case, since it's pretty obvious, maybe a little surgery might do wonders. I've always said to wait on surgery as long as you can for two reasons. The first being, they are making leaps and bounds in how they do back surgeries and some people now are back to work within a few days. Two, it's a scary place to let people poke around...

I wonder if the pain doc can't help with some injections to shrink disc material creating a problem. If it's bone hitting a nerve (which it sounds like) then there is nothing the pain doc can do. Pain meds don't work as well as nerve meds. Nerve meds make you sleepy and numb. It's a loose loose when it comes to the meds.

coldfront · August 14, 2018, 09:52:21 AM

nutt: almost right there with you. the stabilzing protruberances on my L5 are gone. broken/lost in some accident of long ago.

L5-s1 spondylolythesis. stenosis. disc degeneration. pain most of the time, almost all the time at some level. took advil (1000mg/day) for it until kidney chemistry elevated and Doc said 'cease'. narcotics just make me an addled/drooling fool.

lifting weights (heavy is relevant). doing light weight squats, leg work helps stabilize core as I can't find abdominal/back exercises that don't have me out of action for days due to pain. little by little (over 10 years now) I'm figuring it out. or as best as I'm going to 'get'.

doc wants me to walk to lose weight. she's right. problem is at 10 minutes, my left leg goes numb (front of thigh, foot) and I lose some control of ankle so worried about proper placement of foot/footing.

finally, I've become a HUGE fan of inversion therapy (hanging upside down). I do it between once/day and 2-3 times/week. Helps stretch things out, align them properly. if I do something stupid and feel 'the shift' I know I need to get upside down as soon as possible to help shift things back.

also years of awful pillowtop beds and 'softness' were hard. Got a new bed (get me the hardest one you have, was what i said) and have learned to sleep absolutely flat on my back with everything in alignment. Sleeping on my side (preferred) only encouraged slippage when ultimately relaxed.

adding stretching for (initially) hamstrings, which I hope will then allow more mobility in core and access to different stretches.

last: about 4 years ago stopped sitting on my wallet. that's seemed to help a lot too.

sux getting old. no great answers. moving to biking and swimming.

for what it's worth: YOU ARE NOT ALONE. and I hear you and see you're not a complainer either. some of the stuff I've learned work for me through the years. hope there might be something here for you.

Nutt · August 14, 2018, 10:07:21 AM

At this point, Im about ready for surgery. I just don't want to have it and not get better. We will see what happens after tomorrow. Just sitting here typing this I can feel my leg starting to hurt, so its time to get up and walk around in our shop and watch people putting on their safety glasses when they see me coming. LOL

Wizard · August 14, 2018, 10:16:21 AM

Nutt, your going where I have already been except mine is so bad I can't have the operation. I have talked to and seen people who were helped or hurt by the operation. It is a crap shoot of an operation.
Coldfront, a personal trainer has helped me a lot. She started me on Pilates designed for the handicapped. I set in a chair to do the work with no stress on my back. After 5-10 minutes my abdominal muscles are working great. I call it Pilates Light because I only do the parts of the program I need.
Gentlemen, feel free to PM me any time you wish, I have a lot of information on the surgery. Mr. Cork is also very knowledgeable about back issues.

Wizard

Nutt · August 14, 2018, 10:45:51 AM

Wizard, Mike and I have actually spoke about this a few times at his house. Im pretty sure he has had done to him what they are wanting to do to me. One other thing holding me back from having it done, is Im too danged busy most of the time. Recovery would kill me. Im not one to sit and watch television for long, and I cannot stand being cooped up inside. Not to mention hunting season is right around the corner. I guess it all boils down to making a decision to either feel better(hopefully) or keep getting on here and complaining.

coldfront · August 14, 2018, 11:40:41 AM

Quote from: Wizard on August 14, 2018, 10:16:21 AM

Coldfront, a personal trainer has helped me a lot. She started me on Pilates designed for the handicapped. I set in a chair to do the work with no stress on my back. After 5-10 minutes my abdominal muscles are working great. I call it Pilates Light because I only do the parts of the program I need.
Wizard

THAT'S GREATLY HELPFUL!

THANKS WIZARD

Nutt: one other consideration to go along with all of what you already have -- recover is easier the younger you are.

I subscribe to: eyes and backs - stay away from surgery if at all possible.
at some point it comes down to quality of life.

thanks for sharing and starting this conversation.

Lipripper · August 14, 2018, 01:41:32 PM

I haven't had the back trouble y'all are going through but I know what y'all are talking about my youngest daughter Rebecca has bad back and has had all kinds of surgeries ( spine fussed ) has tried just about every treatment there is and after it all she just had to learn to live with it the best she can. The surgery has helped her a little and some people it has helped a lot so if you have to go that rout I hope it helps you a lot.

Deadeye · August 15, 2018, 05:35:03 AM

Hope you find the relief you seek.

For (so far) it has come in the form of Shots in the Lumbar and SI Joints about every 3-4 months, Muscle relaxers (have gone through a bunch as they stop working after a while), a BUNCH of different vitamins for the Bones and Nerves, and Pain Meds.

When I took my first 1/2 of a Hydrocodone I felt good for about a half hour, then thought I was going to be sick. Almost passed out. Thought I could NEVER use these things. But I had to due to the pain and slowly my body got used to them.

Which is a problem as well. Started taking 1 a day and now am up to 4 a day to get any relief. But it's so much better than living in the constant pain I was in before.

Nutt · August 16, 2018, 08:50:09 AM

Well, my appt with the pain management doc went pretty good, I guess. Wasn't expecting to be handed a urine sample cup as soon as I walked in, but oh well. Actually, it really surprised me, as I have never been to this type of doc before. Did the usual stuff, discussed options and he wrote me two prescriptions. One for pain and the other to help calm down the nerves that mess with me during the night. I will say that last night was the best night of sleep I have had probably in 6 months. Slept like a big ol baby. Anyways, he did x-rays and scheduled me for an MRI in a couple of weeks.

zippyduck · August 16, 2018, 08:56:52 AM

That is one big baby!

Happy to hear you are getting some relief.

Lipripper · August 16, 2018, 10:32:12 AM

Quote from: Nutt on August 16, 2018, 08:50:09 AM
Well, my appt with the pain management doc went pretty good, I guess. Wasn't expecting to be handed a urine sample cup as soon as I walked in, but oh well. Actually, it really surprised me, as I have never been to this type of doc before. Did the usual stuff, discussed options and he wrote me two prescriptions. One for pain and the other to help calm down the nerves that mess with me during the night. I will say that last night was the best night of sleep I have had probably in 6 months. Slept like a big ol baby. Anyways, he did x-rays and scheduled me for an MRI in a couple of weeks.

Glad you were able to get a good nights sleep. I have to take a sleeping pill about every other night just so I can get a good 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep. That always gets me when you walk in and they expect you to pea in a cup. They must tink we are like a kitchen faucet that you can turn the knob and get something to come out. What if you don't have to go.

Mike Cork · August 16, 2018, 10:40:48 AM

Quote from: Nutt on August 16, 2018, 08:50:09 AM
Well, my appt with the pain management doc went pretty good, I guess. Wasn't expecting to be handed a urine sample cup as soon as I walked in, but oh well. Actually, it really surprised me, as I have never been to this type of doc before. Did the usual stuff, discussed options and he wrote me two prescriptions. One for pain and the other to help calm down the nerves that mess with me during the night. I will say that last night was the best night of sleep I have had probably in 6 months. Slept like a big ol baby. Anyways, he did x-rays and scheduled me for an MRI in a couple of weeks.

That's awesome. Who are you seeing?

Nutt · August 16, 2018, 01:07:02 PM

Mike, I saw Dr. Noles right there at WK Bossier. The appt was scheduled for 1430, I didn't get home till after 1800. You know I live 4 miles from the hospital.

allaboutfun · August 16, 2018, 01:56:13 PM

I had back surgery in 2016 L4-L5 disc was protruding and causing pain down my right leg. I checked in at 8:30 for a 10:30 surgery and was home at 2:30. Till care of the pain. Now in looking at a fusion in my neck C-4, 5 &6 in October. Not looking forward to that...

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Deadeye · August 17, 2018, 05:24:15 AM

So Glad to Hear that you found some relief.

Anyone that has never dealt with any sort of back pain just can not understand how it effects your entire life.

Nutt · August 17, 2018, 09:22:37 AM

Quote from: zippyduck on August 16, 2018, 08:56:52 AM
That is one big baby!

You know it!! LOL

Mike Cork · August 20, 2018, 09:43:40 AM

Quote from: Nutt on August 16, 2018, 01:07:02 PM
Mike, I saw Dr. Noles right there at WK Bossier. The appt was scheduled for 1430, I didn't get home till after 1800. You know I live 4 miles from the hospital.

Unfortunately it will always be like that with Noles. However, I know several folks that use him and they like him. Laurie seen him for somethings she has going on and the was really cool. Unfortunately he surprised us when he said there was nothing he could do to help. Here situation just wasn't something he knew how to fix and he didn't want to play guinee pig with her. We appreciated his honesty and knowledge. Seemed like a very good doctor.

Nutt · August 20, 2018, 10:09:50 AM

Mike, he was ok with me. Pretty friendly, and his staff was too. It was all of the other crap that took so long. Especially the xray tech. Friendly, but all he wanted to do was talk. LOL

big g · August 20, 2018, 10:45:50 AM

I have had two back surgeries over the years at L4, L5, S1. Make sure you have a Neurosurgeon instead of an orthopedic surgeon. Make sure you research the best you can find. I am pain free now but I still watch what I do, and hire help when something might cause back pain. Physical therapy also helped give me long time relief. Good luck, bad back pain makes life miserable.

Nutt · August 30, 2018, 08:04:57 AM

Well, I had my MRI done yesterday morning which went pretty well, especially when the nurse had to check and make sure my drawers didn't have any metal snaps on them. Not sure that is a policy or not. I am a danged good looking guy and all. LOL. I actually dozed off during the MRI. They put ear plugs in my ears and put ear phones over them, so the noise wasn't loud and I guess the warmth from being in the tube and the racket actually lulled me to sleep. After it was over, she let me see the images as long as I didn't ask her any questions about what I was looking at. It was pretty cool to see, even though I had no idea what I was seeing. She said the doc would look at the MRI that day, but I haven't heard anything, yet. Now, I just get to wait.

Lipripper · August 30, 2018, 08:32:41 AM

Quote from: Nutt on August 30, 2018, 08:04:57 AM
Well, I had my MRI done yesterday morning which went pretty well, especially when the nurse had to check and make sure my drawers didn't have any metal snaps on them. Not sure that is a policy or not. I am a danged good looking guy and all. LOL. I actually dozed off during the MRI. They put ear plugs in my ears and put ear phones over them, so the noise wasn't loud and I guess the warmth from being in the tube and the racket actually lulled me to sleep. After it was over, she let me see the images as long as I didn't ask her any questions about what I was looking at. It was pretty cool to see, even though I had no idea what I was seeing. She said the doc would look at the MRI that day, but I haven't heard anything, yet. Now, I just get to wait.

I don't think I have had a MRI but I have had plenty of CAT scans and being stuck in this radiation machine for 10 minutes at a time for 30 days all together with my head trapped inside a mask.

Deadeye · August 31, 2018, 05:55:06 AM

Hope the MRI's show the Drs what they need to know.

Really hope you find the relief your looking for.

Oldfart9999 · August 31, 2018, 06:00:15 AM

Hopefully they'll figure out how to get you back up and running and do it!!!
Rodney