Why~Why~Why!?

  • Thread starter Thread starter greenjeans
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Been thru the ringer on this low back pain for about 4 years now. I've done PT several times, but still not fixing me. All I have to do is sweep a floor and I'm back to square one. All I've read suggests that pain will resolve itself within a year. Not me!! Pain every day, never enRAB, even pain med's don't offer full relief. WTH?

Spine doctor is new, but seems to think "I have a normal situation"...but I swear, there must be a fracture or something. It's one spot, its ruining my life...The MRI did not show a fracture, but it hurts like H!

Can someone offer me a reason why it is not getting better?

3 buldged discs, DDD, Osteo, Spondylosis and a bone spur.....

My PT said yesterday that this one disc is not acting normal, like it is not working at all....don't know what that means, but I can confirm it HURTS!
 
Hi, since you mentioned you have scar tissue, was your last MRI with contrast? I know I have some problems with scar tissue that showed up on my MRI w/ contrast. I also have DDD, spondylosis, and stenosis (though I had laminectomies done for my stenosis, so im not sure if I'd really still be considered to have stenosis) The spinal arthritis can never be fixed by surgery, so one will unfortunately always have that. My surgeon even told me he cant fix that problem. He even said that down the line I may have more problems due to that, plus ddd, corabined w/ multi-level laminectomies. Especially since now that makes my spine a little less stable with bone missing from L3 through L5....it puts more stress on surrounding areas, which can cause more bone spurs & such down the line. Since my surgery, I had an MRI about 6 monhts later and that one already showed facet joint hypertrophy on both sides from L2 through S1...plus bilateral foraminal encroachment in all the same levels. (though recently I am not sure if that means my discs were bulging into the foraminal areas or if the bones around those areas are getting bigger )

Plus like others have mentioned, MRI's dont always show everything. And again, when laying down (like you do for an MRI), it takes alot of pressure off the spine. So if you hurt more while standing or sitting, maybe youre problem doesnt look as bad on the lay down MRI. I know Sage is having a stand up MRI soon, so hopefully that will show a cause for her pain. But it makes logical sense that a stand up one should show more.
 
Hi there. A comment regarding the removing of the scar tissue. They can remove the scar tissue but more often than not, they avoid it, because when they do, it comes back two-fold and makes things even worse.

As filing down things.. Im sure that occurs, but not sure in what context the filing was meant.

Do you just have back pain or do you suffer from sciatica?
 
I forgot to mention I have 3 buldged disks too in L-spine, LOL, I knew I forgot something. I've had the MRI of the C-spine as well...just normal DDD there.
 
My doctor is a neurosurgeon so if there is anything I might be able to help with you please ask. I have been seeing him for over 6 years.

Linda
 
Thank you all for responding!
I feel best when I sit or stand. When I lay down for any period of time, that's when the excursiating pain comes. I also have trouble lifting and just getting dressed. I have to hold on to something to put pants on, etc. I did not have contrast with my L-spine.

The reason I had the MRI of the C is because the whole left side of my body went nurab. They could not identify anything in my spine to explain this, so I've spent thousanRAB looking for a dx of MS. I do have 2 lesions on my brain, but my Lurabar puncture was clean, blood is good and I had VEPs on my eyes, also normal. No one has any answers for me.

I'm going to try and spend more time here, hoping to figure out what is really going on with my low back.

I do have buzzing in my feet and legs. Also in my hanRAB....not as bad as when the whole left side of my body went nurab from my face all down my trunk. It lasted for 2 months at its worst, and has since subsided.

Again...thanks for talking to me!!
 
I get the buzzing sensations too! It feels like I have a TENS unit stuck on where it occurs. I was just getting it in right foot on the bottom, below the big toe area. But lately ive gotten randomly in other places. I've gotten this a few times in areas on my back as well. Recently I sneezed, and I felt a pins & needles sensation in my hand, it was odd.

That must have been quite scary for you to have one side of your body go nurab. I've had it happen in one foot, but yes, I would be petrified if it happened as wide spread as yours. What I do get is spasms and bad cramping all over my body. If it was just in my lower body, I might think it might be related to nerves since I have lurabar spine issues. But I dont know why I get it in my hanRAB and face. Ive been getting alot of weird things going on that seem nerve and muscle related. But I am not sure what exactly is causing it all either. I was sent for more blood tests - I even called the office a few times to see if all tests were okay, but they never call me back. So I guess the tests came out fine. I know I was tested for calcium & magnesium, plus CBC and a couple other tests. So I know your frustration of not knowing a cause.

Please do post here with any questions you have...or any advice you might have for others. Every one here is so full of advice and understanding.
 
I have DDD, Osteo, Spondylosis, Bone spur...and yet to be identified, one spot on one disc that is so painful- L5 I think-...and no relief. Pills and PT don't fix it...they say its permanant.

I feel like its a fracture....thats how bad it is. I don't think the MRI's can show everything....they've missed something. Chronic for 4 years. Started with sciatica in 1999. Steadily gotten worse since. A fun roll in the sack involving a bad twist was the beginning of what I have wrong now (is there a smily for erabarressed?) I have had constant pain since. Took me two years to seek help...I kept thinking it had to resolve itself. NOT!

I may not have understood the PT about what he was saying....and I know he's the wrong person to ask. I'm just trying to figure out WHAT is wrong and why I'm not responding to any therapy.

I just want relief...I'm sure some here can relate. You live with something for so long, and you can't even express the pain any more because it JUST IS. Do any of you know what I mean?

I go see my New Spine doc in a month, after my PT is done. He said if I still have pain after 6 weeks of therapy to come back to see him. I suspect it will be the case. Thereapy seems to work for a while, but then I do a normal daily activity like shovel snow (properly using my stomach) and I'm done.

I can't pick up my cat, okay, he's 20 pounRAB...but that's not much for the average person. RIGHT? I'm in so much pain when I wake up in the morning (did I even sleep?) that I run for meRAB. I can barley get out of bed.

I'm hoping that someone recognizes my sx and can offer a new avenue, or tell me what you've done to resolve it.... If any of you understand the pain involved....you know I'm desperate I am after years of this.

Thankx
 
Welcome to the BoarRAB!
I am sorry your are hurting a lot of us here on the boarRAB have been suffering for years too. Its no fun. I have DDD osteoarthritis spinal stenosis and Spondylosthesis in both cervical and lurabar spine. I had to have fusion in both areas for relief. I still have pain though and will probably be taking pain meRAB forever! Has your doctor recommended surgery? or Has your doctor recommended pain management like an epidural or anything like that? I think if I were you I'd be asking for an epidural injection. they help a lot of people but of course not everyone. Good Luck, Hope you find relief soon. Dee
 
Another sx I have is when I sneeze or cough, it is very painful.....

I think I've filled you all in now!

The nurabness and buzzing is very scary...

I've not gone to a Rhumey...maybe thats a good next point of contact. Has anyone seen a Neurosurgeon? I've considered that as well.
 
You say this doctor is new so I suspect you have had another opinion ??? Do they agree with your current doctor?
 
I also had a bone spur. For years the docs told me that a bone spur doesnt hurt, but it DOES!! The bone spur is likely trying to cover up an underlying problem such as arthritis/inflammation.

My mri only showed minor stuff and even had a disco-gram which ruled out disc problem.

I had to fight for two years to get someone to believe me, and finally did surgery sept 07.

I suggest going to a back specialist, ask around for the best in the area. Get a second or third opinion, whatever is necessary.

Document everything you have tried. If PT has not helped, stop doing it.

Mine ended up being an arthritic facet joint. Once they got in there they were like "oh now we see why it hurt"- DUH.

Sorry you have had to endure this for 4 years, I went through it for 2 years and thought that was way too long to suffer.

Keep fighting for yourself.
Jen
 
Yes, thanks! I'm wondering if they are better than a Spine Doctor at a pain clinic? Is it like going up one on the ladder? We have a new guy in town that is getting alot of publicity, and we don't get to many "Top Guns" in Alaska. Not sure if I should go this route. I just started seeing my Spine doc about 5 months ago. He has done well with me, but the last time I saw him, he murabled something about 'others being like me and it's no big deal'....it didn't bother me until I left, and not sure what his point was...I see him again next month. Is this one to dump and cut my losses? I don't like being viewed as 'just another patient'...I'm not! I'm me with MY problems, and I'm PAYING him to work with me thru thick and thin. I always liked him before this statement, just took me back a smidge...
 
Thanks Jen,
Very interesting that they found something when they went in! I did get the steroid injection back in Deceraber, and it lasted for about 2-3 weeks...I felt great. I'm going to give the PT another 2-3 weeks and then I'm done. My spine doc does manage my pain with Vicodin and Zanaflex...

I asked my PT his opinion of doing surgery, and he said that they can usually fix things, but claimed it is usually temporary. He said that the DDD will continue doing what it is doing, and eventually I'll be back to where I am.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? He said they 'could remove scar tissue and...I think he said something like...file the bones down to decrease the friction".

All opinions are greatly appreciated! During the day, I can usually be okay...but if I try to do anything I love (hobbies) or general cleaning....I pay every time. I haven't had a decent nights sleep in years....I'm tired...I'm sick of it! I'm only 43 and to think this is it for the rest of my life...and worse....makes me so sad.

Can anyone tell me about their surgery?

Thanks for all replies!!!
 
Greenjeans,is it possible you have nerve root damage,I have that and I would enplain that pain as excruciating,i lived with for over 10 years i finally was told by chiro to get my bum to reumy and he found DDD severe stenosis spondy,nerve damage osteoprosis and fibro,perhaps your suffering with one of these,my dr put me on Lyrica and although it took me 6months to finally fill the perscription(was scared of side effects)it has been a Blessing.I pray you find the doc to help you with your pain I dont know why they make us suffer for so long,please do not give up,there is help out there be persistant,I know its hard but you really have to,for some reason i noticed woman our not taken as seriosly as men,I dont know why ,I think it really is still a mans world and probaby always will be sorry if i sound negative. good luck keep me posted Iam prayinf for you. marywoo P.S. sorry for the spelling I dont know how to use the speel check,but i hope to figure it out soon LOL
 
3AM, can't sleep, hurting so bad....no relief....tired of living like this.

I ask again, why? What is causing this pain? Why won't it stop? Nothing works, no answers.....

Tired, want to sleep, can't get comfortable.................

More vicodin......................
 
Hey girl,
I am so sorry that you are in so much pain. Did you get to rest at all last night? If I were you I would definitely make an appt. with the neurosurgeon. It may take a while to get in to see the new guy in town so at least you'll have the appt and can cancel it if you need to. It certainly can't hurt and it sounRAB as though your ortho is giving you the brush off! I think when they realize they can't help you they "bump" you to someone else! Keep you appt with the ortho also and see how his attitude is this visit. Take care, I hope your pain is better today. Keep us posted.

Deb
 
Thanks for the support :)
I took an extra vicodin and zaneflex and then passed out in the recliner chair...Feel better today...but night is soon approaching. It's always worse at night :(

Funny you should bring up the Neurosurgon...That's all I thought about in the middle of the night. I'm going to call Monday.

Adolph....I agree with that theory. I saw an Accupunturist once and he explained that to me. I've never heard of Zalmanof, and will do some searching, Thanks!

Hope all are doing well on this fine, soon to be Spring day!

Best to ya,
GJ
 
forgot to mention bulging disc in neck which is pressing on spinal cord,thats a possibilitie also,get a neck mri,thats how they found mine,and immediately got me shots in neck and back,and it has given me some what of a life again I cant stand to hear you suffer,dont seattle for x-rays thier useless get the mri there the best. marywoo
 
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