Neck and Lower Back Pain

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Kentucky58

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I am 50 years old male, and have been having severe lower back pain when standing such as washing dishes, cooking, taking a shower. I also have neck pain a lot. I have been seeing an orthopaedic surgeon in Nashville, and completed my second round round of epidural injection in the cervical spine and lower spine on March 26, 2009. They told me this would help, and it has not made the pain any better.
The doctor told me that I have bone spurs at C-6, C-7, and spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and a pinched nerve in the lower back. I will be going back to Nashville in 2 weeks to "discuss my options".
I don't know what to do. In 2003, I had an anterior cervical discectomy at C4-C5 and C5-C6 for herniated discs. In 2004, I had Posterior right C-4-C-5, C5-C6 and C6-C7 foraminotomies. The pain seemed to decrease for a while after that, but it is back. I have already lost a lot of flexibility in my neck, and the doctors assistant said that the neck and lower back pain could all be tied together. I am presently taking Lortab and Soma twice a day, and I might as well stick with tylenol, it helps just as much. I am self employed, so I am not trying to get workers comp or anything, I just want to quit hurting. Any suggestions??
 
I think I ruptured some discs when my mouth hit the desk reading your post. You cook AND wash dishes??? :eek: lol j/k

I have had cervical and lurabar fusions. I am fused from C4 to C7. Like you, I felt better for a while after the surgery. Then it all went downhill. I have scar tissue and bone spurs in the area of the fusion. Because the discs about and below fused discs do the work of those fused, it can cause damage to those discs. This has happened to me. I have a herniated C3/C4 and bulging C7/T1. I discussed options with my doctor. Physical therapy was unbearable for me. I had one cervical steroid injection. It was excruciating and didn't give me any relief so I won't have another one. My neurologist basically told me this is what I am going to be living with.

As far as my lower back goes, I just had an MRI done. My L1/L2 is bulging and L3/L4 is ruptured. L4/S1 is fused. I am just doing pain management. I won't have surgery until I can't walk. That is what it took for my first back surgery too.

The connection between the cervical and lurabar issues is degenerative disc disease and spondylosis.

The only suggestion I have is talk to your doc about Neurontin. I can tell a big difference in my nerve pain when I don't take it. I just want to say I can relate to what you are going through.

I hope you find some relief!!

p.s. I am in the Nashville area.
 
I started receiving trigger point injections in my upper shoulders and they took my lower back and leg pain away. I haven't felt this good in years. I even stopped taking medications.
 
It is simply amaizing how these injections work for some individuals and not for others. They have never done a thing for me except stir things up.

Have they done an discogram on you? They are definitely painful but they. also are worth their weight in gold. Sometimes the discs that look like they are causing the pain are not the culprits. Those normal ones can be far worse.

I would also consider seeing a neurologist and having him do a work up on you. The only reason I suggest this is I have had 5 spine surgeries and neurologically I wish I would not have had the last 2. I am more of a mess and now I have horrendous balance issues and nerve problems.

Good luck and remeraber we are here for you.
 
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