October 13, 201411 yr You shouldn't ask the question :(... I knew the answer, but didn't want to hear it... my back has giving me problems on and off for years...this last time it didn't get better "by itself" (time and lots of ibuprofen) ..I went to the Dr and after a good bit of time, the insurance approved an MRI...I had an appointment this morning for it..and the Dr called this afternoon, and....like I suspected, I have some ruptured discs :cray: I have to make an appointment with a neurosurgeon ... I dont suppose stronger pain killers will help.. :(
October 13, 201411 yr in the meantime alternate ice and heat for a bit......a good massage should ease the pain if you have some muscle relaxers that might help..........take 'er easy as much as you can
October 13, 201411 yr damn, Joe. That sucks. The Blessed Herb helps my friend in fact, she no longer takes pills for the pain.
October 13, 201411 yr http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/injections/lumbar-epidural-steroid-injections-low-back-pain-and-sciatica
October 13, 201411 yr That sucks Joe. Make sure you get a second opinion before any surgery and for christ's sake stay off the pogo stick. :)
October 13, 201411 yr Author in the meantime alternate ice and heat for a bit......a good massage should ease the pain if you have some muscle relaxers that might help..........take 'er easy as much as you can I almost forgot how diverse this group is ;)... I cant think of anyones advise that is more "solid" in this case than an ER nurse :) ....not even Bakons ;) Thanks frez...been doing that for a few months now... Like a typical male, I let it go longer than I should have...and to be honest, when i use heat, it seems to makle it worse...ice makes it feel better (frozen corn ;) ) ...so most evenings I am sitting with my corn pressed against my back ...lol...
October 13, 201411 yr Author Any chance you could get a steroid epidural instead. ive already had a shot of prednisone then the step down pack...it made it better, but only a little... That sucks Joe. Make sure you get a second opinion before any surgery and for christ's sake stay off the pogo stick. :) The pogo stick is put away for the winter ;) ..and yes, I will get a second ...and 3rd opinion before any surgery happens...I really dont like the idea of ME being the one getting cut :(
October 13, 201411 yr Author Too much sexercise. lol..ya think?..I think I have about 10 years on ya......or, maybe I should rephrase that...when Mrs Bakon gets to be my wifes age, let me know if thats an issue with you ...lol
October 13, 201411 yr Have you tried therapy Joe? it helped for me 11 years ago...took a bit of time but finally worked. Prior to that I had a discectomy when I was 26. Haven't had any problems since the therapy though... If surgery is the only option...I'm glad you are seeing a neurosurgeon rather than orthopedic surgery for the spine. Positive thoughts for you :)
October 13, 201411 yr If you need surgery do not delay it too long just in case it is compressing some nerves.......most discectomys can be done as outpatient surgeries now you come in the AM and are able to be home by evening. Check out the neurosurgeons of course before committing to a surgery ask if they do it minimally invasive or if it is done open both are fine but if it can be done minimally invasive you will heal quicker with smaller scars.
October 13, 201411 yr Sorry to hear that Joe - hope that the pain is manageable until you have whatever surgery you may need to make it better (sorry I know nothing about this!)
October 14, 201411 yr I cant think of anyones advise that is more "solid" in this case than an ER nurse :) ....not even Bakons ;) Hey, I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. :P
October 14, 201411 yr Back pain is so debilitating. :( I'd definitely suggest alternating between heat and cold like Frez suggested. I'd also look into buying some muscle relaxers. They make me very tired, so fair warning!
October 14, 201411 yr I'm not help either joe.....I'm sorry.....and I'm sorry your in so much pain.... Sending hugs your way.....xxxxxx
October 14, 201411 yr Awww Joe, I'm sorry my lovely. Hope they can fix you up and get you pain free quickly. xx
October 14, 201411 yr Soo sorry pet, not much worse then back pain, my mam suffered for decades, then had surgery and to be honest she is much worse since the op, she said she wishes she never had the op, it was over 20 years ago and she is in constant daily agony, I know there is lots of different back problems, hers was slipped discs so it might be something totally different to yours. Best bet is get a second opinion and decide what you think is best, hydrotherapy might help some, ice is great for the swelling. God love ye, hope everything works out for the best for you xxx
October 14, 201411 yr Joe, please remember the old adage, "If the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem you see is a nail." This applies to surgeons more than to anyone else I know. They see a problem, they recommend surgery. As with SueBeDoo's mother, my mother had severe back problems from a collapsed disk. She had a laminectomy (disk removal and vertebral fusion) and it did no good. She finally got immediate and complete relief from acupuncture! :o I also had chronic, excruciating back problems from two compressed disks. I went to a back specialist who told me that 30% of the adult population has compressed disks but most people have no symptoms. He recommended a series of back stretching and strengthening exercises that I did FAITHFULLY EVERY DAY for 6 months and my back problems stopped. I kept doing the exercises 3 or 4 times a week for another 6 months and have had no problems since. I have a friend whose disk was protruding into the interior of the spinal column causing much pain. They wanted to do surgery to remove the disk and fuse the vertebrae. She refused and opted instead for injections of enzymes to dissolve the protruding bit. It took a long time (like 6 or 8 months) but it worked. Her back problems were solved without surgery. I am not a doctor and, of course, I have no knowledge of what is causing your back problems. Surgery may well be the best treatment for you. But please investigate carefully and consider some alternatives before agreeing to surgery.
October 14, 201411 yr Have you tried a tens machine joe? For the pain? Hope you get pain free joe nothing worse than trying to live like that :(
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