Advice please. I can't stand this anymore!
Posted , 18 users are following.
I am now in week 9 of this condition. It started out as a sore right butt pain that crept into my right thigh (just the back). I had had this feeling back when I was 25, but it only lasted a week. So...being a google dr. I researched my pain and guessed Sciatica. It seemed like most people that suffer Sciatica just sucked it up for 5-6 weeks and it resolved itself. Mine is just getting worse! It now goes from my lower right back all the way to my ankle. The pain is so intense that my brain has shut off my leg twice now, and caused me to fall. I then lay on the floor, and not unlike the old commercial, I've fallen and I can't get up. There is no way to roll over, bend my back, rotate my hip, that isn't excruciating. The pain is so bad when I first wake up that I can't walk. I stand beside my bed (after the 10 minute struggle to get out of bed) almost in tears, unable to put weight on my right leg. Looking in a mirror when my pain is at its worse, my hips look displaced. Right hip looking about 4-5 inches higher than my left. My upper body looks shifted to the left...as if I've been broken in the middle and put back together wrong. I have seen my dr. Had an X-ray that showed nothing, and am now waiting for the results of my MRI. Dr. has me on Gabapentin. 300mg twice daily, but it's not helping (or if it is, I can't imagine how bad this pain would be). Once I'm up and walking for 1/2 hour, things settle down. The pain is still there but becomes a 3/10. The act of standing up is intense pain. The act of sitting down is intense pain. Pain is bad after about 7pm. No comfortable position to sleep in. My wife tells me I pain moan durning the night when I change positions while sleeping. Coughing and sneezing is like getting stabbed in butt...it even hurts to pass gas! Stretching and walking for excessive and relieve...not working. Stretching makes it worse. Everyone keeps telling me to do core strengthening, and stretch...but I get no relief from the pain, I can't get into the stretch positions, and if I do...it just hurts more afterwards. I am at my limit! I can't stand this! I'm a 36 year old male that has been darn near reduced to tears by the pain and frustration of this! I walk like I'm 80! I can't drive, because I can't get in my vehicle, or am afraid that I won't be able to brake due to pain! Does anyone have any suggestions or advice? Thank you in advance for reading!
1 like, 63 replies
JuiceBox
Posted
I have found that the "hip glide" against the wall on the opposite side of my pain...pulls most of the pain out of my leg and some out of my buttock, and centres it in my low back. Then heat/ice. It's still the 7th circle of hell when I first wake up...but after that first 1/2 hour, the rest of my day is ok...as long as I do t sit down.
Dark_Horse JuiceBox
Posted
Just so you know, the way these soles are made and worn is important. You can get them from the podiatry service.
They should be made of a 6.25 mm polyurethane foam such as Rogers Poron High Performance or Medical Grade. The foam should have a liner bonded to it to prevent perspiration getting into the foam. Typically the liner is made of 1 mm EVA which is a type of PVC. If the liner is not on top, persiration will get on the foam, it will degrade and become to soft to provide a proper cushion.The liner should be worn on top.
Meleta1944 JuiceBox
Posted
JuiceBox Meleta1944
Posted
I finally got to actually see my MRI yesterday. Though I had no idea how to look at it, the radiologist was kind enough to walk me through the images. It's amazing how such a tiny bubble (herniation L5/S1) could be causing me so much pain. I was finally referred to a chiropractor/physio clinic. I went in yesterday and had a few minor adjustments (physical manipulation) on my lower back...and though the pain still returned in the middle of the night, it was at an 8 out of 10 instead of the regular 15 out of 10. Today I return to the chiropractor's office after the kids are off to school to start traction/decompression. I'm concerned that it's gonna hurt like hell! I am to continue "Mckenzie method" stretching at home, recommended to look into targeted massage, and to keep taking a skittles bag worth of medication/supplements (Gabapentin 4x300mg, Apo-cyclobenzaprine 3x10mg, Ibuprofen when wanted, and Glucosamine/Chondroitin/Msm). Again, let me thank everyone for replying, though I don't wish this pain on any of you...it's nice to have people to talk to that understand and don't roll their eyes when you give them the excuse "I have back pain"...which is how my employer handled the 6 week short term disability note I handed him from the doctor. I'll update the thread later after my appt. and in the meantime wish you all a "pain-free" day.
JuiceBox
Posted
Welp...I was right about the "decompression" event with the chiro. I'm not sure how that machine is even legal. It's like an olden days torture rack! They strapped in my arms, and then my legs, and pulled me apart while the table vibrated. Following which, I couldn't get up off the table. I hurt more than I had at any point thus far. I will be seeing a new family doctor today, as my old one told me "you have no control over your mind. The only reason you are in this much pain, is because you are resisting the pain. You need to accept the pain and ride the waves of it. You also have no will power because you are still smoking. It is not addictive. If you were on a deserted island with no cigarettes, you would be fine. It just shows me you are not using the strength in your mind that our creator gave you".
My response? Wow...that's interesting...bye!
I was in so much pain yesterday, that I was unable to straighten up. I was hunched forward and left all day. So I decided to hit the ER. They threw a couple Percocet at me and gave me a referral to a physiotherapist. I'm a little skeptical, but mainly because over the last few days, I can't even get into the "at home" stretching positions. I can't lay on the floor face down because my back won't straighten...so the cobra position is out. I can put my hands on my lower back and arch backwards because my back won't straighten. No back bridge either. I can do the cross legged stretch where you push and pull your knee towards your shoulder and away...but I never come outta that feeling very good.
Ok...chapter finished. The question: Has anyone had luck in completely getting better with physio...or is it time I start thinking about surgery? I'm at 10 weeks and counting now.
Kookywit JuiceBox
Posted
Wow! No don't give up so quickly, an operation is the last option. In fact in the USA they have a special department that has a name for failed Spinal Column operations. Do you know that a huge percentage of operations don't solve the issue and evn make the person worse? According to fcats and figures 90% of people with back issues cure them with the correct physio-therapy. You must stop smoking, Try the doodees you stick on the body , the inflamation fromstuff in cigarettes is terrible, I have been ten months with the pain you're talking about and also did the traction 24 times. I could walk then, now I've just discovered that I've been doing Mackenzie Exercises and SHOULDN'T have been doing them! Stretching backwards has been condemned by The Orthopedist AND the Physio-therapist. Now I'm taking something called Lyrca(Pregabalina) 75mgs and startng a different kind of physio-therapy. Hang in there and do everything you can to avoid surgery. It's the last option, I also have a friend who's ina wheelchair after back surgery that went wrong. It's agony but , my friend , hang on and even try the natural alternative remedies. I'm determined to get my life back but ten days is nothing! Perhaps an infra-red lamp would help, it's helping me.....
debbie26682 JuiceBox
Posted
JuiceBox debbie26682
Posted
Yes I do the lean to the side stretches. I don't do the hands on the lower back and arch, because I can't. I have still found that putting both feet together and standing about 2 feet from a wall, then putting my pain free side shoulder on the wall and allowing my hips to glide towards the wall (then away, then towards, then away, etc) gives me about 20% less pain. I will continue with the side bend stretch you recommended because, although I don't feel much pain relief, it doesn't hurt either. Ty
JuiceBox Kookywit
Posted
I'll reply to most of this in my next post. Thanks for your input, it is truly appreciated.
debbie26682 Kookywit
Posted
I agree, ive seen so many horrible stories where people are alot worse off after having surgery, when i first had my MRI they sent me straight to the hospital straight after to see a doctor as they wasnt happy with the results and was talking as if i would have to go for surgery within the next couple of days, luckily they messed up and the doctor went home and i didnt get to see him until 2 weeks later, so after i got home from him and him explaning exactly what was wrong, i was straight on google and youtube as i was determined i wasnt going to have surgery and they actually got me the injection booked for 2 weeks later which i also didnt even need by then.
I was told by my physio therapist that the leaning back one which they prefer you to do laying on the floor but i couldnt lay down and do it, is one of the first ones they advise, i just leant back slightly while standing and its worked wonders for me, funny how so many different doctors have so many different suggestions, any ones that cause pain are a definate no no, I never realised how common this problem was, but after speaking to people i know so many people that have either suffered from this or know someone that has had it at some point. Heres hoping your new physio therapy gets you feeling better soon
melissa91009 JuiceBox
Posted
Hi have they offered surgery? One other thing you might be a candidate for is steriod injection into the area. These are great at reducing inflammation and pressure so you can do your exercises, core strength etc with less pain. As long as you don't over do it becasue your pain is reduced.
I'm not surpise re the decompression device. I would advise you to be very careful who treats and with what. It can get worse if the wrong treatment is used so don't do anything, treatment or exercises that increase your pain. Discomfort is usually ok but not pain.
JuiceBox
Posted
Chapter 3:
New doctor is awesome! Even helped me call my old doctor mean names
Here goes...I have been switched (at least, I am slowly switching) from Gabapentin, to Lyrica. I have been upgraded from Advil, to Celebrex. I am to continue the Cyclobensaprine. I have a very tiny supply of Perc in case I'm having a really bad night. My steroid injection is scheduled for Friday next week, and Physio starts tommorow at the physio center underneath my new drs office.
I have given up on the at home stretches as of yesterday (except the wall glide and side bend that make me feel a little better) and will only continue with whatever stretches physio suggests. My insurance company will be calling me today to discuss my short-term disability pay from work (2 weeks...not bad). My new dr has suggested that the 6 week leave my previous dr suggested I take off of work...might not be enough. Won't work be thrilled!?!
It's so nice to have people that have been through this (or are going through this) to talk to (or vent to sometimes). Thank you all for being a proverbial shoulder to cry on.
Kookywit JuiceBox
Posted
So, I'm taking what you're taking, just don't know what Perc is? Today's a holiday here in Rio De Janeiro and there's lots of fun things to do, that I would if I was fit. I started off with 75mgs of Lyrica twice a day and tomorrow I'm going to ask my Doc. to up it to 150mgs. But you can't stop taking it abruptly as it's an ant-convulsion med. has to be discontinued slowly over a week or so. I'm now quite worried about all the exercises I saw online, as I got much worse, more pain, couldn't even walk , looked like an old lady! It was due to doing the Snake yoga position several times a day and that back stretch. Apparently for my Disc degeneration & Spondilosis in L.4, L5 & S1, the Professor of one of the Universities here told me NOVER to do exercises without expert recomendation and supervision. So, I've been shown one strtech, the Happy Baby stretch, lying down and another where you lie on the ground and put your legs on a chair for twenty mins, and that's IT! Tomorrow starting GRP, Might look into Alexander Technique that stretches the spine and Water Therapy. Glad you found a good empathetic Doc!
debbie26682 JuiceBox
Posted
Kookywit
Posted
The other thing is , look into the side effects of Celebrex, they're pretty hair-raising. It really bad for the kidneys etc. I was completely put off it when I read the small print!
melissa91009 JuiceBox
Posted
That's good. The injection should help. It'll give you a flase sense of security so just be careful.
I used to be an ICU and ward spinal nurse. Surgery is a big deal and if needed sure, but anything that's not surgery I'd give a go. I know what Kookywit is saying but Celebrex short term can be very good. Plus they've prescribed for a reason.
I'm having a plasma injection into my hamstring tendon today at my hip. 😒. Not looking forward to it, number 17 injection over the last four years...
melissa91009 JuiceBox
Posted
Oh yeah, hydrotherapy is great for back problems. Are you in London? I went to St Thomas' Hospitsl post my hip surgery.
Kookywit melissa91009
Posted
I wonder if I have a hip problem as well as a back problem. I know that I've got irregularities of the hip bones , because I had an X-Ray and also an Ultra sound done. If so, I could have a plasma injection. My school friend from boarding school survives life with them. She's had so many she's lost count. Hydro-therapy, I'm in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. if you're not looking forward to it, I deduce that it must hurt. Good luck and grit your teeth! The results seem to be worth the suffering. The funny thing is that the Orthopedist who is so famous here and in Europe doesn't deal with Hips, only Spines! So I'd have to go to a Hip specialist. Good luck!
melissa91009 Kookywit
Posted
Kookywit melissa91009
Posted
Right side, both bones of the joint are irregular. Nothings dislocated. Sciatic nerves not tethered to anything either, just pinched. Stenosis. I'm going to a GP. tomorrow to get some meds. Lyrica 150mgs. and all the other stuff that one needs with pain. Valium, etc. Codeine, doesn't seem to do much good. Anyway today had Acupuncture and RPG. Global Repostural #@%& Taking Turmeric and Ginger in their natural state. Glusomine and Chrondoitin more than a year now.
I heard something about Halyuranic Acid Infiltrataion for the hip, have you heard anything about that?
melissa91009 Kookywit
Posted
Yeah not surprised re the codeine not working. Opioids don't tend work on nerve pain, they are different pathway receptors. I learned that during all my drama when my huge amount morphine post my nerve release surgery did nothing for my pain. I needed a nerve block but they didn't do one was so was in horrendous pain for months. 10/10 pain for a very long time. I ended up with opioid poisoning due to amount of morphine.
No I haven't heard about that. Have they suggested a laminectiny to you for your spinal stenosis? Depends on the severity I assume but that's a type of surgery they can do.
melissa91009
Posted
melissa91009 Kookywit
Posted
Hi. Perc is a combination of paracetamol and oxycodone I think.
With regards to my comment about opioids, I was referring purely to nerve pain. Just wanted to clarify 😊.
As I said, they didn't block my sciatic nerve during my surgery. I ended up having 240mgs a day in hospital of morphine because of the pain. It didn't work and I only found out opioids don't work for nerve pain the hard way. They finally blocked it 6 months later but by that time I'd lost a lot of weight and was unable to walk more than a couple of metres before my leg went into spasm. Different to spinal stuff but I've learned a lot. My hip was also partially dislocating and was bed bound for 8 months due to the horrific pain 😢. I've been fixed but now have to use a wheelchair/frame.
JuiceBox melissa91009
Posted
Wow! That's awful. Will you ever recover enough to no require the chair/frame?