Back Problem, Anyone Else Have This?

[Jrainman]

Originally Posted by GOPAPA

Leon ..from my posting about my nephew last month


Originally Posted by GOPAPA View Post
Leon ,, my nephew just had this operation done for disc cartlage degeneration about 8 days ago
The doctor told him that he would not grow back more cartlage and by screwing these verabras like this will make the better disc above them and below them take the brunt of the load ..

He tells me that he is getting better and not so much pain ,,he walks on a tread mill a mile a day and the days he misses sure shows up with stiffness ,, it still hurts when laying wrong at night while sleeping ,,but at least now he feels like it will be worth it beings the aching down the leg as so far gone away ..

Sound as though he is healing at a good pace , I understand about the sleeping comment ,because I had the excat same thing going on , I am just starting now to sleep more consistant , it takes time for the body that was made to compensate for injury and pain to realign , the longer you make your body compensate by readjusting your body to deal with pain ,the longer it takes to heal and or the amount of final progress you will end up with.

My 2cents
The Mind is a powerful thing ,I found out that it can deal with emence amounts of pain , but also if you let a injury fester on over many years ,it will effect your end result when you finaly decided to do something about it. If you do nothing because its not that bad you are fooling yourself... I will get off my soap box now .

[special-K]

Been doing nothing since '86. I'm 64 and still out there doing what I was doing at 20, and 31 when I got hurt. In fact, I've taken two falls since. In '10 I fell 16' and it beat me up but I was back at work after the weekend. Last summer ('18) I fell 8' and broke ribs. That one has me pretty shook up being such a minor fall. I am not so eager to climb so high anymore. I've used up my get out of jail free cards. Other injuries and wear & tear bother me more than the back, dislocated one shoulder 10 years ago 3x in two weeks, worn out cartilage in my insteps, arthritis in my hands, etc. Like you said, the mind is a powerful thing. It really has to hurt for it to be any issue at all for me. I don't know if my problems aren't as bad a some or if they just let it bother them more. Keepin' on keepin' on I feel has been my better solution to date. I heat my home with wood and have never owned a log splitter. You just do what you have to do. I don't think I'm kidding myself. But it may be I really don't have it as bad as others. I do know a pinched nerve is no joke, and like I said, that has hit me before. That can change your plans for sure.

[Steeveedee]

You're in better shape than I was when I was 64- 3 years ago. Based on the videos you've posted, I think that you have some good genetics going for you- grandma sharp at a very advanced age, for example. Both of my grandfathers died when my parents were 12, respectively. Short life runs in my family, pretty much related to tobacco use. If one wants a long healthy life, one must choose their parents wisely- which is, of course, impossible. Luck of the draw!

[LockDoc]

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Dr. called about the MRI this morning. Said it was definitely a pinched nerve in lower back. If I want I can continue with the rehab and Aleve, or try an Epidural or do surgery. Not sure what to do. I have 2 more rehab sessions scheduled. Pain is getting a little worse every day.

LockDoc

[special-K]

Yeah Steve, my mom is doing well at 89, especially her mind. Dad passed at 79 due to diabetes. He had a couple heart attacks around 45-50 years old and late in life bipass surgery and his corroded arteries cleared. In my genetic history I have three main concerns, heart, diabetes, and anuerisms. The last one I can't do anything to prevent. I lost my oldest sister at 40 years old (brain), dad's mom passed the same way, and dad had one taken care of in his abdoman. My grandfather on my mom's side died from diabetes and was a double amputee due to the same. Mom has it, too, but manages it well with diet.

Leon, I'm sorry to hear how this is going for you. Makes me feel bad posting the "good luck" I feel I have had with my injuries. I know you are a healthy and active man with a great outlook. If Dr. Tim would take a stab at the cause of this issue you are having I'd say it wasn't any particular incident that caused it, just simple wear and tear over the years. It just happens. Our backs seem to have some design flaws. I always wondered if it wasn't the price we pay to walk upright. Alignment issues cause the pinched nerve. It could be a slipped disc, compressed disc, worn out disc, or simply gradual bad alignment getting to the point of pinching a nerve. I wonder if a chiropractor could help and also perhaps accupunture. If it were me, out of the mainstream options given by your doctor I would go with the first two options and hold off on surgery. This is your first bout, and although the pain seems permanent at this point and even getting worse, I'd still hesitate on jumping into surgery. The epidural may get you out of this bind and now you know you have this issue to be mindful of. It isn't going to go away, but maybe it is a sign saying you need to make some changes in what you do or the way you do them. With sciatica working it's way into my life in recent months, that is what I am doing. At this point it is to not do what I know I was doing that triggered it. Never bend down to do things at my feet with my legs straight. Bend ny knees, squat, or get down on my knees. I hope that's all there is to it.

[Ol Blue K20]

I was wondering about one of those inversion tables. Has anyone here tried one? Leon ask the doctor his opinion.

[GOPAPA]

I am of course no doctor ,,so I will just throw this out there .. why dont we just have the doctor kill the nerves that causes the pain? I know the nerves are there to tell us something is wrong and needs to be fixed ..
but after many operations a lot of people still have the pain ..

[72 paul]

Inversion table works,least it does for me.Get one,you will be surprised.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by special-K

Yeah Steve, my mom is doing well at 89, especially her mind. Dad passed at 79 due to diabetes. He had a couple heart attacks around 45-50 years old and late in life bipass surgery and his corroded arteries cleared. In my genetic history I have three main concerns, heart, diabetes, and anuerisms. The last one I can't do anything to prevent. I lost my oldest sister at 40 years old (brain), dad's mom passed the same way, and dad had one taken care of in his abdoman. My grandfather on my mom's side died from diabetes and was a double amputee due to the same. Mom has it, too, but manages it well with diet.

Leon, I'm sorry to hear how this is going for you. Makes me feel bad posting the "good luck" I feel I have had with my injuries. I know you are a healthy and active man with a great outlook. If Dr. Tim would take a stab at the cause of this issue you are having I'd say it wasn't any particular incident that caused it, just simple wear and tear over the years. It just happens. Our backs seem to have some design flaws. I always wondered if it wasn't the price we pay to walk upright. Alignment issues cause the pinched nerve. It could be a slipped disc, compressed disc, worn out disc, or simply gradual bad alignment getting to the point of pinching a nerve. I wonder if a chiropractor could help and also perhaps accupunture. If it were me, out of the mainstream options given by your doctor I would go with the first two options and hold off on surgery. This is your first bout, and although the pain seems permanent at this point and even getting worse, I'd still hesitate on jumping into surgery. The epidural may get you out of this bind and now you know you have this issue to be mindful of. It isn't going to go away, but maybe it is a sign saying you need to make some changes in what you do or the way you do them. With sciatica working it's way into my life in recent months, that is what I am doing. At this point it is to not do what I know I was doing that triggered it. Never bend down to do things at my feet with my legs straight. Bend ny knees, squat, or get down on my knees. I hope that's all there is to it.

I'm sure I'm going to have to change my lifestyle too. I was still doing stuff that I had no business doing, by myself anyway.

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

I was wondering about one of those inversion tables. Has anyone here tried one? Leon ask the doctor his opinion.

Funny you should mention that Dale. I was just talking to my propane delivery guy yesterday and he said he had one that he uses and it helps him.

Originally Posted by 72 paul

Inversion table works,least it does for me.Get one,you will be surprised.

I was just looking at used ones on Craigslist. There is a couple of decent ones for $100 fairly close to me.

Thanks,
LockDoc

[special-K]

Inversion makes sense for relieving this pressure created by compression. It's a matter of gravity and creating antigravity through inversion. I've never tried it, but I imagine you feel instant relief while on it? And more gradual relief in time?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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My left hip started hurting a couple of weeks ago. It finally got to hurting bad enough that I went to the Dr with it. He sent me to a specialist and he said I had a pinched nerve but that wasn't the real problem, he diagnosed the actual problem as "Severe lumbar degenerative disk disease" .

Anyone on here have the same diagnosis? Was it fixed, and if so how? I start physical therapy tomorrow afternoon but I don't hold much hope for that. If that doesn't work it's MRI and possible shots or surgery. What did you end up doing, or do you just live with it? The only meds I'm taking are two Aleve twice a day. It still hurts bad enough that I don't feel like doing anything at this time, and it's frustrating.

Thanks for any input.

LockDoc

Disks degenerate as we age, in your case it's "severe". I had back problems into my late 30s. The next 20 years real good less a few minor pains, though I did have sciatic nerve for a stint last year. We can do w/o back pain, it's frustrating put lightly.

What saved me is regular exercise. Push-ups, bench, yadda yadda. You exercise Doc? It's good you're only taking Aleve.

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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Dr. called about the MRI this morning. Said it was definitely a pinched nerve in lower back. If I want I can continue with the rehab and Aleve, or try an Epidural or do surgery. Not sure what to do. I have 2 more rehab sessions scheduled. Pain is getting a little worse every day.

LockDoc

If the doc is OK with your rehab and Aleve doc then start there, IMO. Start slow, get those muscles strong, blood flowing, see what happens. I'm a firm believer in it. Last night my lower thumbs were pounding like a ()*^)*(^. Hit the exercise gizmo for a while, since then been good.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Disks degenerate as we age, in your case it's "severe". I had back problems into my late 30s. The next 20 years real good less a few minor pains, though I did have sciatic nerve for a stint last year. We can do w/o back pain, it's frustrating put lightly.

What saved me is regular exercise. Push-ups, bench, yadda yadda. You exercise Doc? It's good you're only taking Aleve.



If the doc is OK with your rehab and Aleve doc then start there, IMO. Start slow, get those muscles strong, blood flowing, see what happens. I'm a firm believer in it. Last night my lower thumbs were pounding like a ()*^)*(^. Hit the exercise gizmo for a while, since then been good.

Thanks for the input.

I don't normally do any structured exercises but I am very active and am in pretty good shape for my age. The therapist couldn't believe how much strength I had in my legs when she did the initial checkup on me. I have been doing the exercises she has recommended but not showing any improvement at this point in time.

LockDoc

[mongocanfly]

Dad went and saw the dr last week...they scheduled him another appointment to see another specialist around first of january..in the meantime, hes in pain anytime hes on his feet...

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Dad went and saw the dr last week...they scheduled him another appointment to see another specialist around first of january..in the meantime, hes in pain anytime hes on his feet...

Sorry to hear that. I know exactly what he is going through. I have another therapy session in the morning.

LockDoc

[special-K]

I'm watching Gunsmoke on YouTube and it's from Me TV with ads. First it showed an ad for Laser Spine Institute (800) 331-BACK. Anyone know anything about this laser back treatment? Then there was an ad for, I guess it laser doesn't work, this thing

www.sockslider.com

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by special-K

I'm watching Gunsmoke on YouTube and it's from Me TV with ads. First it showed an ad for Laser Spine Institute (800) 331-BACK. Anyone know anything about this laser back treatment? Then there was an ad for, I guess it laser doesn't work, this thing

www.sockslider.com

I haven't heard about the laser stuff but I'm not surprised. I hadn't heard of the "Airrosti" that wixthedog mentioned either so I looked it up.

I saw an ad for something similar to the sockslider a while back. They made it look pretty easy but I'm sure they had a lot of practice before they made the ad.....

LockDoc

[special-K]

I never heard of the laser treatment either. I just saw the toll-free number, not a website. I'm sure if you Google it you'd find something. Now to sound like a medicine ad, "Ask your doctor about Laser Spine Treatment"... and don't be surprised if he/she says, "Who's the doctor here anyway?"

[Jrainman]

There are so many treatments for this type of condition, I had one Dr I went to get a opinion from showed me this 3''x 2'' box with a wire hanging off it that said if I would implant it in my back and wire it to my leg nerve and disc it would prevent the sending the pain signal to my brain. , for every doctor there is another option,
I just had my 3d and final spine surgery a few days ago this surgry required the removel of 2 disc c5 and c6 in place a carbon fibre cage was plated and screwed in to allow for the fusion , I can not tell you how good it feels to be able to touch and actualy have feeling again in my finger tips ,just to be able to pick up a penny and feel it or touch somthing hot , My lower back disectomy and having the hole reamed wider for the siotic nerve has left me totaly pain free in my leg and lower back, I went to a lot of doctors before ending up at NYC Columbia Presperterian Nerosergians. So find the doctors you are comfotable with and have it corrected , there is a lot of bandaid type fixes for pain relief they will just drag it on, like our trucks somtimes a patch panal just wont work

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Jrainman

There are so many treatments for this type of condition, I had one Dr I went to get a opinion from showed me this 3''x 2'' box with a wire hanging off it that said if I would implant it in my back and wire it to my leg nerve and disc it would prevent the sending the pain signal to my brain. , for every doctor there is another option,
I just had my 3d and final spine surgery a few days ago this surgry required the removel of 2 disc c5 and c6 in place a carbon fibre cage was plated and screwed in to allow for the fusion , I can not tell you how good it feels to be able to touch and actualy have feeling again in my finger tips ,just to be able to pick up a penny and feel it or touch somthing hot , My lower back disectomy and having the hole reamed wider for the siotic nerve has left me totaly pain free in my leg and lower back, I went to a lot of doctors before ending up at NYC Columbia Presperterian Nerosergians. So find the doctors you are comfotable with and have it corrected , there is a lot of bandaid type fixes for pain relief they will just drag it on, like our trucks somtimes a patch panal just wont work

I think I also have a problem with c6. I keep having a popping in my neck, and my thumb, index, and middle fingers on my right hand have some numbness in them.(especially my thumb) I had Carpel Tunnel surgery but that did not help my thumb or fingers.

My son-in-law is having the implants inserted on one side at Mayo this next week. They have exhausted all other options for him including surgery.

Thanks for the info.

LockDoc

[FleetsidePaul]

I have a pain in my back. It's called ex wives.

No. I take it back. The pain is a little lower. Nevermind.

[Jrainman]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

I think I also have a problem with c6. I keep having a popping in my neck, and my thumb, index, and middle fingers on my right hand have some numbness in them.(especially my thumb) I had Carpel Tunnel surgery but that did not help my thumb or fingers.

My son-in-law is having the implants inserted on one side at Mayo this next week. They have exhausted all other options for him including surgery.

Thanks for the info.

LockDoc

Hopfully the implant option will work for him ,what I do like about it is that it is that it has to be dialed in so there is adjusabilty and the fact that if they do ever find a full corrective proceedure that implant can come out with no ill effect.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Jrainman

Hopfully the implant option will work for him ,what I do like about it is that it is that it has to be dialed in so there is adjusabilty and the fact that if they do ever find a full corrective proceedure that implant can come out with no ill effect.

Yeah, he mentioned the adjustable part. I hope it works for him too.

LockDoc

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

I have a pain in my back. It's called ex wives.

No. I take it back. The pain is a little lower. Nevermind.

Luckily I have never had to deal with that much pain....

LockDoc

[LockDoc]

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Well, I went and had an Epidural injection this morning. Couldn't take it any more. So far so good, but I think it is going to take a few days for one of the muscles in my hip to loosen up, it has been tight for so long because of the pain. we shall see. Thanks for all of the help and information that everyone has posted on this. I will do a follow up in the next week or so as I get back to my regular work schedule.

LockDoc

[special-K]

No muscle relaxer prescribed? I bet you feel great losing that nagging pain. My mom just hurt her back, probably strained a muscle, on Sunday a week ago. She was on a call with my sister, a very long one (just like the story behind that), so she went on her non-cordless in the bedroom. It has a short cord and there were things in the way requiring her to lean over, like I said, for a long time. She even told my sister she should get off and take it up later but she went on with getting what was on her mind out. Mom's been in pain, having to lay down a lot, unable to make preparations for Christmas or much of anything. At least she already had the rum chocolate truffles made! She's taking a muscle relaxer, but still having to watch overdoing it. She's about ok now, but way behind on her preparations. My sister won't be present for the occasion