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LOWER BACK PAIN_MRI ATTACHED . SOME ADVICE REQUIRED FROM FELLOW SUFFERERS AND PROFESSIONALS

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paulx420
paulx420

HELLO. BRIEF HISTORY OF MY BACK PAIN:

I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM LOWER BACK SINCE EARLY THIRTIES ,NOW IN MY LATE FORTIES. WAS OVERWEIGHT SO LOST A LOT OF WEIGHT AND JOINED GYM TO STAY IN SHAPE AND KEEP GOOD MUSCLE TONE. GENERALLY FELT BETTER BUT THE UNDERLYING ISSUE STILL REMAINED : BOUTS OF LOWER BACK PAIN , SOMETIMES LEG PAIN( EITHER LEG BUT MOSTLY THE LEFT). ALMOST IMMEDIATE ONSET OF LOWER BACK DISCOMFORT AS SOON AS DOING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS BUILDING WORK( LIFTING , BENDING SUCH AS FLOORING WORK ETC).

QUITE FREQUENTLY FIND MYSELF UNABLE TO GET OUT OF BED IN A SIT UP MOVEMENT. ALL OF A SUDDEN SEEMS THERE IS NO POWER WHATSOEVER IN THE LOWER BACK SO HAVE TO TWIST AND TURN OUT OF BED. BUT ON SOME DAYS THE LOWER BACK SEEMS TO COME BACK TO LIFE AND I AM ABLE TO DO SIT UPS ALMOST LIKE THERE IS NO ISSUES.

HAVE TINGLING SENSATION QUITE FREQUENTLY AROUND LOWER BACK REGION. UNTIL RECENTLY THERE WAS A SMALL POINT ON THE SPINE THAT WAS VERY SORE TO TOUCH .BUT DURING A HOLIDAY LAST YEAR AFTER A CASUAL MASSAGE IN A HOTEL THIS SORE SPOT HAS VIRTUALLY DISAPPEARED ( DURING THE MASSAGE A LOUD POP WAS HEARD AND A SHORT TIME LATER I NOTICED THE SORE SPOT WAS ABSENT).

HAVE HAD PHYSIOTHERAPY AND ADVISED TO DO EXERCISES WHICH I DO ON A REGULAR BASIS.

I DO: SWIM, WEIGHT TRAIN, CROSS TRAINER,TREADMILL , WALKS .

ALTHOUGH I AM LIVING WITH THIS PROBLEM AND ABLE TO MANAGE IT , THE SPONTANEOUS BACK PAIN ATTACKS SEEM TO APPEAR QUITE RANDOMLY ,WITH THE ONLY CERTAIN TRIGGER IS LIFTING HEAVY OBJECTS AND BUILDING WORK( AMATEUR OR PROFESSIONAL).

SEEKING REASSURANCE ABOUT MY ISSUE AND WEARY OF NOT DOING ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO MAKE IT SERIOUSLY WORSE I DECIDED TO GET SOME X RAY AND MRI'S .

PLEASE FIND SOME IMAGES ATTACHED. I WOULD BE HIGHLY GRATEFUL IS SOMEONE CAN GIVE ME SOME INTERPRETATION OF THESE SCANS. IF YOU ARE SUFFERING IN A SIMILAR MANNER THEN I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.

REGARDS

PAUL

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0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • nelly22341
    nelly22341 paulx420

    Posted

    First and foremost I hope you've seen a doctor, no one here is one. Sounds like you have a herniated disc in my opinion. I just had surgery for one and I'm so glad I did. No pain!

    • paulx420
      paulx420 nelly22341

      Posted

      Hello..Thanks very much for the reply. I have seen a doctor and have also referred myself to a physiotherapist. Doctor basically said nothing can be done unless the red flag signs appear ,which thankfully are not present yet. Physiotherapist appointment arrived about four months later and it was on a good "back day". After a couple of appointment she said probably degenerative and gave a list of exercises to do which I have been doing on/off for around 4 years. I had the MRI done while on holiday in New Delhi for a few days when my lower back flared up. Didn't have much time to follow it up with any doctors.But the specialist there also mentioned degeneration. I would be interested to learn how your disc was diagnosed and what symptoms you experienced and how severe were they.

      Thanks

      Paul

  • missmagwumps
    missmagwumps paulx420

    Posted

    You must surely have had a radiographers report with the MRI or scans !

    I have had a bad back since the 80's when I had a herniated disc removed and had nothing but trouble since.....I recently had a procedure called a denervation to cauterise the nerve creating the pain - only a branch nerve, not major spinal nerves - and have had great relief since May 2015 - apart from muscle spasms...but I still need to takepain killers.......be careful how you follow this up but from what you say I agree with Nelly, it did sound like a herniated disc that popped back....you may need to wear a back brace when doing this heavy lifting or stop doing it until you can get proper advice - you don't want to make the situation worse but you could now have a weakness in that place.....DO go and get a Professional opinion and do your research before electing to have any surgery ! I so wish I had in the 80's but I appreiate so much has changed with medical technology sinc then....I wish you all the best as Iam a fellow backpain sufferer...long term and now in my 70's - do let us know how you get on...x

    • paulx420
      paulx420 missmagwumps

      Posted

      Hello.

      Thanks very much for your reply . The MRI was taken while I was on holiday in New Delhi for a few days. My back pain flared up and was in close vicinity of a good hospital so decided to see if I could get any insight into my problem. I didn't have much time to take it further. But the doctor did mention degeneration. I didn't get a full written report as such.

      Here my GP basically asked if I had any "red flag signs" . Which I don't so he suggested paracetamol.I self referred myself to the physiotherapist who after a couple of visits discharged me with a list of exercises to do on a daily basis.

      I am able to manage the problem and I can do most of the things I have always done. However I have noticed that the frequency of flare ups ( can't do sit up/ sciatica/ tingling and numbness) has steadily increased over the years.Any form of lifting or building work is almost guaranteed to cause some problems which last for a few days.

      I am quite uncertain as to what I should do next. My real objective at this stage would be to ascertain exactly what the issue is and what is the best way forward. I would like to hear from people who have similar symptoms .

      Maybe a chiropractic approach will be more helpful than relying on the NHS ?

      Thanks.

      Paul

    • missmagwumps
      missmagwumps paulx420

      Posted

      I did have osteopath work on my spine in the beginning and surgeon said - in my case - it made the situation worse! I could hardly walk when I had the bulging disc, couldn't do bath tub, get out of bed etc...nothing as pain was excruciating - had 10 days complete bed rest in hospital before they decided to operate and my recovery took forever with a lot of nerve damage and of course left with problems that increased over the next 30 years....I manage it well now with the help of the Pain Management Team at St Thomas' Hospital in London and after they performed the Denervation but still need pain relief when wanting to go out or do anything too active but am due another denervation in next 6 months....which I why I said do your research....and there is always something that can be done...go for a 2nd opinion or try an osteopath....I wish you good luck.....x

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