Back pain is brutel

[Lana]

I get such debilateing back pain that just stops me in my tracks. I can't take the pain sometimes it just gets to much. I am on Lyrica, Tramadol and muscle relaxers. I had a back xray years ago that showed artritis, but I don't want another ct scan I have already had two CT Scans on my stomach. I hate all this medication with all the unwanted side effects, But I hate this pain even more! I just feel like I'm going in circles, when really there is nothing they can do. There's my ranting for the day, thanks for listening.

 

[HappyToBeAlive]

Hey Lana, We have all been there! In fact, I'm there now too with back and shoulder pain. Hope you feel better soon! Hang in there! Soft Hugs

 

[anna]

Have you tried to see a chiropractor? I have one that does acupuncture and acupressure. It doesnt completely take the pain away but it helps me move a bit better and if you are like me any relief is helpful.

 

[Lana]

yes, I went to a Chiropractor years ago. It just seemed like temporary relief and it cost alot because our coverage just pays for a small percentage. As it stands right now we can't really afford that. I have never tried acupuncture though, is that expensive? Thank you so much for your advise

 

[anna]

I know what you mean about price. I was lucky to find someone that works with patients to let them pay more what they can afford or I could not do it. Acupuncture has helped but it has not took all the pain away. It just helps me to be able to increase what I can do. For example before I could not walk thourgh the store without being completely down after. Now I can handle it better.

 

[Trellum]

Hi Lana, I understand why you don't want to get more CT scans, I'm on the same page... have gotten 3 done already in the past, yikes! I feel your pain, most of my pain is in that same area as well. Have you tried seeing a masseuse? A really good one? You should try it, also try to relax a bit, don't really know you, but I'm sure you suffer from stress and you have no idea how much worse stress can make your pain.

 

[Trellum]

Hey Lana, We have all been there! In fact, I'm there now too with back and shoulder pain. Hope you feel better soon! Hang in there! Soft Hugs

Oh my! Same here, back and shoulder pain today too! Plus some head and neck pain... Yesterday I was feeling super, but that's how it is with this disease Some days we are up, some down...

 

[JoshPosh]

I fractured my back when I was 15 years old, so yeah on top of my current condition, it all just adds up to a big ball of unrelenting pain and discomfort. I had to literally change everything that I do on a daily basis. I had to learn how to properly get into and out of a car, by rotating my hips first before actually standing up and out of the car. Little things here and there will help, but It never goes away. Meds can only numb you so far, and one the really bad days, its almost unbearable.

 

[gmckee1985]

I've had pretty severe back pain for the past 4 or 5 days. Not sure what's causing it. May be my poor posture finally catching up with me. It's not been fun, though. I know that. I can't even bend over properly without having major shocks of pain hitting the middle of my back. If it keeps up for much longer I'm going to have to go get it checked out.

 

[Shades_of_Idaho]

Hi Lana..

I was wondering why u don't want a cat scan on u back... It's yhe best way in today's medicine to diagnose soft tissure problems as well as bone arthtitis.

My scans on my back r done every year. That way the docs know how to treat what is on the scan comparisons from the last scan. I have three buldging discs and 2 herniated discs. The herniated discs were treated with injections to shrink the jelly like tissue leaking from the disc on the nerve. Really took the pain away the same day. The buldging discs are always tricky as PT has taught me how to care for my back. Proper movements, no lifting and some strengthening exercises for tendons and muscles to take some of the pressure off the nerves. Also compression of the L-4/l-5 on the nerves cannot be repaired so injections help . So sitting very long is is not a option for me it's knowing my limitations , resting & stretching helps a lot. All PT TREATMENTS have given me relief. I was surprised. Even exercises for degenerative disc disease/arthritis,bone spurs & necrosis and scoliosis. I have lived well when young a tom boy ....between skiing accidents, dirt biking and rock climbing, and of course the rear end auto accident... All have left their little souvenirs . They all add up eventually as we age.

I hope u will consider seeing a back specialist. They are wonderful and usually just from symptoms and X-rays can find u many alternatives for relief from pain.

Take care..

 

[chriswhite]

I faced an accident and suffered back injury. Was taken to the hospital by my neighbor who was pursuing the emt refresher course . He helped me with the recovery by suggesting me some of the excercises.

 

[Shades_of_Idaho]

Hey Lana,,

As many of us here all have back pain.. U didn't say what type of back issues u had causing the pain? Sometimes a good spinal doc can help.

I have 3 bulging discs and a plethora of back injuries. It's a daily struggle. My doc has helped me a lot made my life easier with Etanercept injections. It's a bio drug also a enzymes injection from a papaya plant has shrunk the tissue in the herniated disc. All,needle treatments while under a epidural. I felt the difference immediately after the epidural,wore off I could tie my own shoes. It's always worth a shot to research and check with docs for different opinions.

 

[Lana]

Thanks for your advise, I really appreciate it.

 

[Tharper]

I am having burning pain across my upper back and shoulders. It has brought me to tears at work. My rheumatologist is ordering a back x-ray. I have never had any trauma to my back.

 

[Eff fibro]

I've had pretty severe back pain for the past 4 or 5 days. Not sure what's causing it. May be my poor posture finally catching up with me. It's not been fun, though. I know that. I can't even bend over properly without having major shocks of pain hitting the middle of my back. If it keeps up for much longer I'm going to have to go get it checked out.

gmckee, I started physical therapy 6 weeks ago for back pain that started in early august and never went away. I'm 31 years old, I shouldn't have back pain! My PT has a doctorate, going for specialty certification, shes AMAZING! Once I started stretching my back properly, I started finding some relief. And then we were able to determine that I'm waking up sore, not because of the way I sleep, but because after laying still for 8 hours, my muscles stiffen up. I've had bad posture forever... which was a problem in and of itself but as fibro set in, my lack of exercise made it SOO much worse. My problem is that with my lack of appetite & exercise, my back muscles have wasted (yep, at 31 y/o!) away to where they can no longer stabilize my spine. I'm 5'7 and 125 lbs, I LOOK "fit" but people who know me know the truth. I have terrible GI issues and eating is unpleasant for me. Food hits my stomach and instant pain. Rheum said she doesn't think its fibro related, though said my IBS probably is.

Does anyone else have stomach pain when they eat?

Bottom line- stretch, stretch, stretch. Even days you're too exhausted to get out of bed, stretching is usually do-able, gets the blood moving, releases some tension. I also swear by heat & ice, whatever natural remedies I can find. I do take muscle relaxers when it's bad but I'm fortunate in that its generally tolerable. Uncomfortable for sure, but tolerable. And now that I'm doing PT and strengthening my core muscles, I'm confident my spine will be stabilized soon enough. And that should ease the back & neck pain. If you can do PT, I HIGHLY recommend it. There's a study in Boston on the effects of Tai Chi on fibro, seems to provide relief for fatigue and pain. As much as we want to lie in bed just trying to cope with pain or fatigue, moving is the very best thing.
I recently learned that some insurances (my state-funded does!) cover a portion of therapeutic massage. There are only 3 places, all half hour away from me so its not really worth the gas & time for me, but maybe you'd have better luck, worth a phone call! Best of luck and know that you are not alone!