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Tish
Mar 18, 2009 - 2:45PM
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chronic lower back pain
I was hospitalized for a week with spinal menangitis in 2005 and had to have a lumbar puncture to diagnose it, and have had severe chronic lower back pain ever since.I went to see the Dr. who treated my menangitis, hoping the back pain was related to having had menangitis and she said it was highly unlikely that the menangitis was still causing me any problems. She basically just looked at me and told me I needed to start exercising and lose some weight, and take some aleve for the pain. I left her office quite upset because after everything I had just gone through I thought she might have a little compassion espically since I have never had any other health problems in the past and the only Dr. I had ever seen was the one who delivered my 2 children now ages 4&6. Needless to say I started trying to help myself. I immediately made an appointment with a chiropractor for several treatments which helped a little with my sciatica but I still had a lot of pain in low back. I joined Curves to exercise and had to stop after a couple months because it hurt more than it helped. Mind you I was overweight, but still very active!! From there I didn't know what to do, and I forgot to mention I live on a small Island in Alaska with no specialists and we usually have to go to Anchorage Alaska a 4 hr. flight or Seattle Wa. a 2 hr. flight, either way costs at least 5-6 hundred dollars round trip.So finally when I couln't take anymore I called my CNM and asked if she would please help and at least requst an x-ray or something, I was in tears and she knew something had to be wrong so she ordered an X-ray and prescribed me a few vicodin to get through. The X-ray showed some problems in my lower lumbar so she then ordered an MRI. My pain started primarilly on my left side of spine with pain going down my buttox and leg. The MRI showed several buldging disks and also several desiccated disks with the question of a pars defect on the left. I was then sent to an orthopedic surgeon in Anchorage who did more testing and diagnosed me with DDD and told me to get into PT and continue pain management, and he also wanted me to get a CT scan done to verify the pars defect. Went home and had a CT done which confirmed the L5 pars defect and spondylilosis, Increased sclerosis of the L5 spinous process and question of a healed pars defect on the right side. Then they suggested I try trigger point injections to help with pain which they did not help at all. It had been a few years since this all started and I had lost 30 lbs. gone to several sessions of PT and do the exercises I learned daily. Still no relief some days I cant even move because I am so stiff I just absolutely feel broken! A little over a year ago I went to the University of Washington and had a special spinal epidural done and prayed it would help, and still not one ounce of pain relief. Now I am worse than I have ever been I can't go one day without medication and even with the meds I am still miserable and unable to do so many things a 36 yr. old mom should be able to do easily. I suffer everyday and really hate the idea that my family has to suffer along with me. I feel like there is no end to this, the doctors say that I am not at a surgical intervention point and basically have to stick with pain management and stretch and exercise, which is my daily routine. The very worst part is hurting so bad and nobody really knowing how you feel, and the doctors that make you feel like a drug addict yet thats all you can do to function and get through the day. I've cried myslf through many days, and through this long period of time I have developed terrible anxiety from no sleep and I am also depressed thinking this is the way I have to spend the rest of my life.I just try so hard to get through everyday and still be a good wife and mother, but I am always consumed with pain. I am going to see my PCP this month and request another CT or MRI because it has been a couple years since my last one, and I know my back has gotten much worse. It no longer just effects my left side, now my right side is worse and I will sometimes have terrible spasms in my back after a long day, pain throbs down both legs, I can barely bend at the waist at all and I have been having incontinance with my bladder, and trouble urinating normally. I would love to hear from anyone with similar problems and what they have done for help, or if a physician can contact me with some advice on what I should do next I would really appreciate any help or advice. Iv'e done everything any Dr. has ever asked me to do and I just keep getting worse. Any help would be great! Thanks Tish O.
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Weight Training Paul
Mar 18, 2009 - 7:53PM
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Re: chronic lower back pain
Hi Tish
I know what you mean with it feels like there is no end to this
However I've found the more we learn about what's happening and try understand why we are in pain it helps
Skate around this web site, watch the videos by the LTBP guys, have you tried their program
If your really really stiff then call Lou gross and talk to him, this guy is unreal, very clever guy, knows all about stretching
Hope things pick up
Paul
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tom
Mar 19, 2009 - 7:29PM
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Re: chronic lower back pain
Tish,
We're not docs here, but losing bladder and/or bowel function is a major red flag in back pain. Have you told your PCP/specialist about this?
It probably won't make you feel better, but there are alot of people on this website & other website that suffer with the same issues that you write about - constant pain, depression, anxiety, feeling there's no end in site.
My suggestion is to take one day at a time - don't worry about tomorrow or yesterday. There are people on this site like Steve & Dave that can guide you in the right direction.
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Tish
Mar 20, 2009 - 2:28PM
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Re: chronic lower back pain
Thanks so much for your replies!! Tom- when you said problems with my bladder are a red flag, can I ask why? I do believe it means I may have nerve damage but of course I am not a dr. either, but yes I did actually mention this problem to a dr. I used to see whom I don't see anymore partly for this reason but mostly because he treated me badly as if I shouldn't be in the amount of pain I am in, and mind you as I stated earlier I live on a small island in Alaska unfortunately not at all the best place to live with chronic medical problems. Needless to say that dr. I told I was having problems with having to contort my body or push really hard to void my bladder he just looked at me quizically and took a urine sample to test for a bladder infection - Again I am no dr. but I have had a bladder infection before and knew that was not the problem.I am now at the point where I will sit down to pee and think and feel like I am done and as soon as I go to wipe, I pee all over my hand. Pretty sure thats not supposed to happen. Any more insite you may have is very much appreciated!!!
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dave hutchieson
Mar 20, 2009 - 10:31PM
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Re: chronic lower back pain
Tish
I don't mean to alarm you , but there is serious condition called cauda equina syndrome which is related to pressure on certain spinal nerves and MUST be seen to by a doctor. It usually requires immediate surgery.
Now, there could be other reasons that you are having bladder problems, but you MUST 100% get checked out to ensure that you do or do not have this.
There are only a handful of spinal conditions for which surgery is a 100% must, and CES is one of them.
You need to ask your doctor to check you for this.
Use those exact words "Do I have Cauda Equina [ KAWDA EHKEENA ] Syndrome.
Good Luck
Dave
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tom
Mar 21, 2009 - 5:46PM
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Re: chronic lower back pain
Tish:
Here's a link to a definition of the symptoms of CES.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cauda_equina_syndrome#Signs
Not to make light of it, but it sounds like you need to make like Gilligan & flee the island - and find a REAL doctor.
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tish
Mar 21, 2009 - 6:46PM
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Re: chronic lower back pain
Hi guys, thanks for all your input regarding my situation. Dave- it's funny that you brought up CES because just recently I was reading about how low back pain and bladder incontinance might be related, and CES was the first thing I read about because all of my symptoms were pretty much the same. I don't suffer as much as some of the people I read about like loss of leg feeling or function but I definately have the bladder problems along with chronic pain, weakness, and sometimes numbness in my hips and legs, and I'm starting to feel the numbness in the saddle region which I am assuming is why I am feeling like I am done urinating when I'm really not. I certainly don't want symptoms to become as bad as some people Iv'e read about. Oh and Tom, thanks so much for the laugh as it was desperately needed. Funny thing is I just got off the phone with my best friend who happens to work for Alaska airlines and gets travel benefits and she has all of April off and was planning on going somewhere, so now thanks to her that somewhere she was planning to go is to take me to a real doctor and get me off of Alcatraz!!! But just so you know I'm definately more of a Ginger than a Gilligan!! Thanks so much for your caring responses, it's finally nice to chat with people who understand my condition to some degree. Although I know my husband and friends and family love and care about me they just don't know what I'm talking about, and I know they get tired of hearing about my pain. Anyways hopefully in the next few weeks I can get to a REAL doctor and get some answers. TAKE-CARE--- Tish.
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awaq
Mar 21, 2009 - 9:07PM
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Re: chronic lower back pain
There are a lot of little things you can do to get some relief. Like Dave said, sounds like you have a medical emergency that requires surgery but the way you keep getting worse sounds like you are putting excessive stress on your body.
Things like:
1) Sitting, especially for over 20-30 minute is terrible for your discs. If you have to sit put a little pillow or roll of paper towels to keep and arch in your lower back. You could try a Balans kneeling chair.
2) Bending forward at the lower back instead of hinging at the hips.
3) If you vacuum, hold the handle directly in front of you, not off to the side so you aren't twisting your back.
4) With pars fractures, you need stability, not mobility. Lower back stretches like the Cobra or Child's Pose can make you worse. Abs crunches (NOT full sit-ups) and keep your lower back with a little arch (you can put your hand under your lower back) are a good idea.
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dave hutchieson
Mar 21, 2009 - 10:02PM
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Re: chronic lower back pain
Tish
If you get to the stage where you just start urinating no matter where you are or lose control of your bowels, please get someone to get you to the emergency room immediately.
Call my therapist Al Meilus on 1-727-547-1233 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-727-547-1233 end_of_the_skype_highlighting as soon as you can. Al will call you back if he is not there. He has seen a lot of people with similar problems.
It may or may not be CES, and he might be able to point you to someone who can help diagnose what you have.
Dave
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Diane
Mar 21, 2009 - 10:50PM
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Re: chronic lower back pain
Hi- I have never been to this forum before but decided to look online to see if there was perhaps some sort of support group. I saw this and saw your posting. I wish I had something to say to help except you are not alone. i am 37, have had chronic back pain for 18 years, gradually getting worse, especially with two pregnancies, I have had surgeries, tried every kind of therapy there is I think, lead a very healthy lifestyle including PT weekly and still can't get through the day. I am currently lying on my floor on a heating pad with my knees up on one of those big inflating balls and thinking of all the things I wish I could be doing that everyone else takes for granted (like sitting on the sofa). I have small children I can't properly care for , can't work and feel like a burden to everyone. I have not slept through the night in years and lately feel as if I cannot relate to "normal" people. I ma very sad and very angry. But I do know that some days are easier than others- I can find things to feel thankful for.
One thing that does help me sometimes is massage and also Feldenkrais work. I don't know if there is a practitioner where you live but you could look.
I guess it helps a little to know one isn't alone with this...
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tish
Mar 27, 2009 - 3:38PM
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Re: chronic lower back pain
Hi Diane; I'm so sorry to hear about your suffering but agree it's nice to be able to discuss it with someone that can really understand your pain and frustration. I would definately say the hardest part about feeling so bad is not being the wife and mother I really want to be, and only being 36 yrs. old makes you only wonder what your future holds because I would give anything to be healthy and really feel 36 as apposed to 86! Hang in there, right now I'm hanging by a thread but trying to get myself to a Dr. that will really listen because so many have not, and I can no longer have my family suffer along with me. Take Care-- Tish