Ooooooh!!!! My Aching Back!!!!

nursemicke · May 20, 2002

Took my husband in to an emergency walk in clinic with severe back pain. They gave him demerol. It did not work. They said for him to go to an ortho surgeon. He went to a chiropractor the next day and they fixed it. It was like a miracle. He was a holistic chiro. He went for several more visits to relieve the numbness in his fingers. Ask friends if they know a good chiro.

LasVegasRN · May 20, 2002

I'm not an advocate of chiropractors at all, but respect those who like to go to them.

You may want to try physical therapy first and as one poster recommended lumbar epidural steroid injections (usually done in a series of three). If you have not had an MRI of your spine already, you should definitely have one done. It's very possible that you may have herniated one of your discs that is now encroaching on a nerve. If you start having numbness & tingling in your leg/foot, that is a definite sign. IF YOU DEVELOP FOOT DROP, GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM STAT.

I worry about folks with degenerative disc disease with acute symptoms going to a chiropractor only because if you have complete narrowing between the discs, adjusting and manipulation of that area may make it 10 times worse and necessitate surgical decompression.

Have the diagnostics, if not already done, performed first. Know what you're dealing with.

Pilates is also excellent treatment - very successful for conservative therapy.

Be wary of the back treatment "buzz words" like 'myofascial' therapy', 'thermography', etc. Whatever you decide to have done should help to cure and alleviate your symptoms without making you worse or dependent on extended treatment.

shay · May 21, 2002

Going to my GP (whom I adore) on Friday. Deep tissue massage helped somewhat. Thanks y'all!

ageless · May 21, 2002

I had the epidural injections last year for DDD and it worked like a charm. Also changed my diet and did lower back strengthening excercises. Its been a year and so far so good.

CseMgr1, ASN, RN · May 21, 2002

:) Thanks for your input, guys. Will let you know what the Doc says after my appointment tomorrow.

Nurse K-Bear · May 21, 2002

I have herniated discs in L4-S1 d/t a lifting injury 6 months ago. I was out on comp for 6 weeks. Did the nsaid thing. What really worked was going to the physical therapist. I did not go to the one connected to the hospital where I work. I figured they would give me the rush job if you know what I mean. Anyway, I lie on my stomach with my upper body slightly elevated and this helps encourage the discs to go back towards the center. It releives my pain. now it is 6 months later and I have now experienced sciatica lately, back to the PT again. He did something called involutions the other night and knock wood, I can actually empty a cather now without agony. Lets hope this works for now. good luck in whichever provider you choose. I also lost weight and do lower back strenghthening excersises and this helps I am trying to avoid surgery and chronic back pain.

By the way my patient fully recovered and now I suffer in agony from one bad boost up in bed!

shay · May 22, 2002

Okay, here's my question....what does a herniated disc feel like?

I think I did something reeeeeeaaaaaally bad, y'all. My back is back to hurting full force. Feeling some tingling in the left side of my backside and shooting pain down my leg to my knee. Sharp, stabbing pain in entire lower back that is constant. I cannot remember any specific incident that would have caused this. Still hurts to take a deep breath. No relief from ANYTHING. And I mean anything. Pain made me nauseated today.

Changed my doc's appt and am going first thing in the a.m..

Anyone?

rachet65 · May 22, 2002

Shay-

I really feel your pain! 7 1/2 weeks ago, I woke up with SEVERE lower back pain- could hardly figure out a way to roll out of bed. Went to my chiro that am. She took xrays. I had facet joint inflamation (I had never even heard of a facet joint). I also have slight scoliosis and significant lordosis. Got an MRI the next week when I was not showing much improvement. The MRI showed 2 bulging discs (L3-4 and L4-5), as well as DDD. So, off work for a WHOLE MONTH, now light duty (no lifting, bending,etc). I have had 2 epidural injections, with only minimal relief, get the 3rd and final one next Tuesday. If that doesn't work, I have been referred to a neurosurgeon.

I am way beyond being frustrated- the numness and tingling down my leg to my foot comes and goes (and also changes from leg to leg), but the lumbar pain is ALWAYS there.

I truly hope you find a good chiro (please make sure they take xrays BEFORE any treatment). If you have to get the epidurals, they really are not that bad. Deep breathing always works for me.

So, thanks for listening, and please keep me posted on your progress. I hope it goes faster than mine.

Stay well.

rachet65 · May 22, 2002

Joyrochelle-

I was a dancer, too. From the time I was 9 until I was 32. And I am also finding out what damage it has caused. (My left leg is longer than my right, . Oh, I could go on and on. I would not trade the experiences I had for anything, but My body has started its revolt, Iand it is looking like a losing battle for me:o

By the way, where did you study dance in college? I majored in dance as well.

Stay well.

CseMgr1, ASN, RN · May 22, 2002

Update: Went to my Orthopedist yesterday...and my MRI showed no signs of herniation....just worsening DDD. I start Physical Therapy tomorrow. I think it's just a matter of time, though, before the disc bulges and he will be FORCED to do something, other than pat me on my head, give me rx's for pain pills and therapy and walk away.....

joyrochelle · May 22, 2002

Originally posted by shay
Okay, here's my question....what does a herniated disc feel like?

I think I did something reeeeeeaaaaaally bad, y'all. My back is back to hurting full force. Feeling some tingling in the left side of my backside and shooting pain down my leg to my knee. Sharp, stabbing pain in entire lower back that is constant. I cannot remember any specific incident that would have caused this. Still hurts to take a deep breath. No relief from ANYTHING. And I mean anything. Pain made me nauseated today.

Changed my doc's appt and am going first thing in the a.m..

Anyone?

when i had a pinched nerve er excuse me, acute cervical torticollis, it was SO excruciating.....it was localized at my left side of my neck, however i couldn't turn it either way...try gavaging a neonate in an isolette when you are 5'9, well you get the picture....i had to log roll out of bed...it that was a screaming mess....*I* was a screaming mess....(c`mon, don't look at me like that,....it REALLY hurt).

basically was given naprosyn and vicodin...and a friggin' collar....that's when i went to go see the DO.

it still causes me to tingle, but that was my experience with pinched nerves...you sounded like you may have had similar sensations that I had.....

joyrochelle · May 22, 2002

rachet65--- I went to western michigan university in *yep* good old Kalamazoo. It was a good program, but a lot of politics for my little 17 year old mind....try to still go to dance classes. My boyfriend got me a card good for 14 classes at my favorite studio in ann arbor, but it's sometimes hard for me to get my butt up and down there.

what kind of dance do you enjoy?

I love it all...my body looked (past tense) good for ballet but never really had tons of flexibility in the hips and all.

loved modern and jazz....hip hop definitely....

never did tap until i went to a rockettes audition...and that was just funny...i think the ladies running the audition admired my devil may care audacity *smirk*.....it was an audition for crying out loud...sure i would try to tap!