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Laurie
Aug 12, 2008 - 10:36PM
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Spondylolisthesis
help..I'm ready to throw in the towel and retire (although I need to keep working)! First problems were 4 years ago with ruptured l5 while cleaning out a closet. A couple sequential nerve blocks and I was ok until about a year and a half ago when I started having pain on right side of butt terminating in ankle. Had another nerve block but pain returned. Then it changed to pain in both buttocks running down to calves, then sudden painful spasms, usually late in day. The ortho didn't seem to know what it was, so I got another opinion which was Spondylolisthesis, and the ortho said I'd basically have to live with the pain. I have tried the enzymes but may not have been taking them correctly as I didn't see any improvement. I use inversion twice a day which helps some, but not alot. Did self assessment and have high hip and forward pelvis. Have started doing exercises but not much relief. I don't do painkillers and have resorted to ibuprophen only when I cant sleep due to pain. I am totally disillusioned with orthopedists who really don't seem to care if they cant do a surgery or a nerve block. I hate living like this...in the late afternoon I get pain down both sides of my legs and lower butt. I want to be able to walk for exercise, go to the gym and do some light weights. I also have fibro which I can manage without meds if I could stay active. I feel like my life is over. What can I do???
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Dan Monahan
Aug 13, 2008 - 5:21AM
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Re: Spondylolisthesis
Hi Laurie
I'm sorry to here about your pain, but stay in there, you'll find relief, stay positive, a healthy mind will heal your body!!
Firstly did you send in your pictures to the team at LTBP?! If not then I suggest you send them into support@losethebackpain.com and Steve will look at your photos and then you can be 100% sure you have identified the right dysfunctions : )
Also don't try and do all your exercises in one go, for some people it is too much too soon, you need to take one exercise at a time, workout which of your dysfunctions is the worst then start with the first exercise for that one, do it for a few days, and then see how your body reacts to that exercise, if your okay, then move on to the second exercise and do that for a few days. If you get stuck on a certain exercise, and it increases your symptoms then email or phone Steve and see what he recommends.
As I said at the beginning stay in there Laurie, positivity is the key, if you know you will find relief, then you will, it can be frustrating but it will make you a stronger person when you get out the other side pain free!!!
Take care and hope this helps!
Dan
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Laurie
Aug 13, 2008 - 10:04AM
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Re: Spondylolisthesis
Thanks Dan, I started with the high hip exercises as alot of this started getting bad around the time I started having a longer driving commute time, and high hip is on driving foot side. Try to use cruise control and use Backjoy when driving. The exercises are painful, not excruciating, but muscles on that side must be pretty weak as I am shaky. I usually try to do in evening, but thats when the pain is worst, (along with first thing in am). My muscles in legs and lower back are so tight and sore at those times. My only relief is a hot pad or hot tub. Should I do the pad or the hot tub to loosen up my muscles before trying the exercises? And when should I add the inversion table into the mix? I have not sent the pics in to be evaluated, just been trying to do this on my own. Thought I had piriformis syndrome for awhile. What floors me is that the orthos dont seem to care if they cant do a block or surgery. Told them I didn't want painkillers and they looked at me like some sort of freak! Sorry to sound so negative, but I want to be an active person, and am getting frustrated in my search for answers.
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Ann
Aug 13, 2008 - 1:21PM
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Re: Spondylolisthesis
Hi Laurie,
Do send in your photos and assessment as Steve may well have more suggestions for you too.
It may help if you try the exercises after a warm bath, hot tub or warm shower. When I first started them I did that.
It may also help to do some of the exercises throughout the day rather than all at once. Some you may be able to do at work in breaks etc. It is a case of experimenting a bit to see what suits you best but do check with Steve first to see what he advises you.
You should do the exercises only to your tolerance, just start real slow and build up. The main thing is to be consistent and just go easy. Other people here and Steve may well have more suggestions for you.
I couldn't take painkillers so heat was the best pain relief I found. I can empathise re the driving, that was the worst for me, I found it helped to wear a heat pad and do some of the exercises before and after driving as well-but warm up a bit first with a short walk around.
Take care, wishing you well
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Rory in Korea
Aug 13, 2008 - 9:21PM
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Re: Spondylolisthesis
Hi Laurie, I have FHS and different than your back problem but one thing that I noticed is taking two showers per day really helps my muscles loosen and flexibility is improved much. I also workout after I take the shower. I have seen some improvements in my situation. Bye bye
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