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Spine & Lower back pain

I have constant spine and lower back pain with all movements and walking which radiates down to my toes, also...

Posted by kristap

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Spine & Lower back pain I have constant spine and lower back pain with all movements and walking which radiates down to my toes, also...

Pain in the lower back and legs

Diseases have become complicated and so have their treatments. What may seem to you as a simple pain in your...

Posted by bradcrowne

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Pain in the lower back and legs Diseases have become complicated and so have their treatments. What may seem to you as a simple pain in your...

Pain in the lower back and legs

Diseases have become complicated and so have their treatments. What may seem to you as a simple pain in your...

Posted by bradcrowne

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Pain in the lower back and legs Diseases have become complicated and so have their treatments. What may seem to you as a simple pain in your...

Lower back/ abdominal pain

Hello everyone. I'm feeling pretty hopeless right now about my situation and thought maybe someone could...

Posted by c0nfused13

Hello everyone. I'm feeling pretty hopeless right now about my situation and thought maybe someone could offer some insight. For the past 7-8 months I have had severe pain in my lower right back that will sometimes wrap around to my abdomen. Thing is this pain only occurs when I am taking medication. At the time the pain started I was taking over the counter sleep aids every night. I didn't even think there could be a connection because I had had a kidney stone in the past and thought this was the source of the pain. The pain was the worst when I moved around. As I stopped the sleep aid use the pain dissipated. However, I had also been taking a 'stone breaking' herbal supplement and thought the cessation of was due to the perceived stone having broken up and passed. Fast forward a few months and the pain comes back. I was on prescription meds and drinking more than I should have been. I went to the ER for the pain and her blood taken, a urinalysis, and a ct scan done. They found no stone and nothing wrong. After that I completely stopped drinking and taking any meds. There was no pain whatsoever. I felt completely healthy. Unfortunately I have been diagnosed with bi-polar 2 and BPD. Lately I've experienced depression that has reached the point where I can't function well on a daily basis. Went to a psychiatrist and was prescribed an anti depressant and mood stabilizer. They have worked very well. My mind is healthy. The pain in my back and side is back though. And from judging from prior occurrences it will only get worse. Right now even vacuuming one room in my house leaves me in great pain. I feel that I'm in a catch 22. I really need the psychotropic meds right now. I can't afford to go without them. Yet the pain in my back and side makes it hard to function throughout the day. I've been to the ER and to a general physician. Neither has offered much help. Does anyone have any experience similar to this? This is kind of a downer but I feel it may be important to note. Last February (2012) I was in a dark place and tried to commit suicide by ingesting a full prescription of abilify. I did not go to the hospital. I passed out and slept for 24 hours. I woke up and went on with life. Is it possible I did permanent damage to my kidneys or other organs? Any assistance, advice, ideas, or insight would be extremely appreciated. Thank you.View Thread

Posted by c0nfused13

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Lower back/ abdominal pain Hello everyone. I'm feeling pretty hopeless right now about my situation and thought maybe someone could...

Unsure about a fusion

Should I have a fusion? I have been seeing a pain management doctor due to lower back pain. I have had nerve...

Posted by An_251540

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Unsure about a fusion Should I have a fusion? I have been seeing a pain management doctor due to lower back pain. I have had nerve...

Doctors

Is a Physiatrist just another name for a pain management doctor?

Posted by suzyQ262

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Doctors Is a Physiatrist just another name for a pain management doctor?

Fusion vs artificial disc

Has anyone heard the pro's and con's of artificial discs? I am in the process of scheduling surgery on my L5/S1,...

Posted by Repo76

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Fusion vs artificial disc Has anyone heard the pro's and con's of artificial discs? I am in the process of scheduling surgery on my L5/S1,...

back pain

In 2001 I was in a car accident was treated but over the last 5 years the pain has gotten worse sometimes I...

Posted by dd1020

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:back pain In 2001 I was in a car accident was treated but over the last 5 years the pain has gotten worse sometimes I...

Back Brace

A frind of mne's dad had his l4,5 fused and uses a back brace at night when sleeping. My doctor gave me the...

Posted by An_251474

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Back Brace A frind of mne's dad had his l4,5 fused and uses a back brace at night when sleeping. My doctor gave me the...

Do you have lower back pain with clean MRIs/X-Rays...

Do you: 1) Have lower back pain that has persisted for weeks/months/years at a time with seemingly no...

Posted by agentshell

Do you:

1) Have lower back pain that has persisted for weeks/months/years at a time with seemingly no cause?

2) Have you attempted to get X-Rays and/or MRIs to diagnose this problem and gotten a "clean" bill of health, even treated like your problem was unimportant or, worse, not real at all?

3) Are you double-jointed or more flexible than others?

Then you might want to read on - I might have an answer for you.

Hi,

I have struggled with lower back pain since I was a teenager, with a worsening in intensity as I have hit college years and my mid-twenties. It became so excruciating that I found myself going home immediately after classes to lie down, as that was the only way to get some form of relief. Any type of job has required me to be on a substantial amount of pain medication every day just to handle standing on my feet. We all know that pain medicine is harder and harder to be prescribed these days, and it is not ideal to take long-term anyway, as it is not a solution to the problem.

Anyway, I was becoming frustrated as I went to a chiropractor, which provided no relief, and then a spine doctor, which only afforded me a very expensive MRI and some X-Rays, both of which showed nothing except for some slight scoliosis (curvage in my spine). I have been informed by more than one doctor that scoliosis is not as scary as it sounds to most, and that a lot of people have it without any symptoms.

Finally I went to a physical therapist. I described my frustrations to him and he said, "I know what you have without even looking at you". He described something called Hyper-Mobility Syndrome to me which apparently occurs in many more flexible people, especially double-jointed individuals. He said that he has treated many dancers and gymnasts for this condition. A person with HMS has more flexible ligaments, which is good because it makes it much more difficult for us to break things, but bad because if the muscles in the lower back are weak, the ligaments start to stretch and strain in attempts to hold the spine in place.

At first I was skeptical after so many years of not having an answer, but I have been going to physical therapy for about six weeks now and I can actually feel a big difference. It's not excruciating to be on my feet for more than a few hours anymore, and I feel like with a few more weeks of work and continued exercise I will reach a point where I might only need my pain medicine on "bad days". My physical therapist said that there is no cure, only treatment, which is namely exercising one's core and doing aerobic exercises to keep the muscles in the back strong, but it is a manageable condition and doesn't have to control one's life. He himself has the disorder and is obviously very successful and lives a very normal and enriched life.

I took the time to post about this to spread awareness in case there was anyone like me that has been suffering from mysterious back pain and felt that there was no answer in sight. I hope this is helpful to even just one person out there looking for answers. I for one never knew that the ability to touch my toes to the back of my head and bend my thumb all the way flat to my wrist could mean a painful physical condition, but I feel much better for having found out.View Thread

Posted by agentshell

Take the Poll

Had you heard of HMS before?

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Do you have lower back pain with clean MRIs/X-Rays and can't seem to get a diagnosis? Do you: 1) Have lower back pain that has persisted for weeks/months/years at a time with seemingly no...

my lower back pain in spinal disc

hi, I have immense pain in lower back and right leg . As per my doc and MRI report/NCV test , my right...

Posted by 123243254356445

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:my lower back pain in spinal disc hi, I have immense pain in lower back and right leg . As per my doc and MRI report/NCV test , my right...

Lakeview42

HI and welcome to the support group when you made your account with WEBMD you agreed to the guidelines set...

~~ Click on my name or picture and read my story ~~

Take care ~~ God Bless ~~

~~ Joy ~~

Posted by bj1208

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Lakeview42 HI and welcome to the support group when you made your account with WEBMD you agreed to the guidelines set...

Please help my daughter

Hi there- My now 16 year old had a spinal fusion and decompression when she was 14 from L4-S1. She now...

Posted by cortneyjazz

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Please help my daughter Hi there- My now 16 year old had a spinal fusion and decompression when she was 14 from L4-S1. She now...

My back is curving inward.

My lower back has been a problem now for a little less then a year. And the pain wasn't so bad till...

Posted by katesz0211

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:My back is curving inward. My lower back has been a problem now for a little less then a year. And the pain wasn't so bad till...

Stiff and Sore Back

hello, im 18 years of age and having a back problem. my lower right back has been tight as hell For the...

Posted by buckeyenation

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Stiff and Sore Back hello, im 18 years of age and having a back problem. my lower right back has been tight as hell For the...

Rhizotomy

Hi all So I'm supposed to have my second lumbar medial branch block test done next week. I had the first...

Posted by southsidegirl

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Rhizotomy Hi all So I'm supposed to have my second lumbar medial branch block test done next week. I had the first...

Back Pain Management....Could Really Use Some Help

Hello my name is Joe I do not have a lot of experience in posting to these forums but will give it a try For...

Posted by joefnh

Hello my name is Joe

I do not have a lot of experience in posting to these forums but will give it a try

For starters here are the diagnosis I have

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (3 levels) 3 bulging discs a L1/L2. L2/L3 & L3/L4 with spinal cord effacement Full loss of spinal curvature in the lumbar region Thickened ligament flavem Facet Joint Hypertrophy of all 6 of the facet joints in the lumbar region with fusion starting Suspected Anklyosing Spondylitis (Dx testing underway) Crohn's disease Microscopic Colitis (CC)

As far as meds

Note: can't take NSAIDS with the Crohns and Colitis per my Gastroenterologist

Imuran 100mg daily Allopurinol 100 MG daily (to help the Imuran) Atenolol 50 mg daily Oxycontin 15mg 2x daily / every 12 hours for pain Lidoderm patches for the lower back

I have been seeing a pain management doctor who is a anesthesiologist who is trained in pain management. He does not work full time in PM doc but like all of the doctors at this PM center gives a certain percentage of his time to the group.

About every 8 to 12 weeks I have been getting an epidural steroid injection with 80 to 120mg of Kenalog-40 usually at the upper portions of the lumbar region using the transformal approach

I usually get about 2 to maybe 3 weeks relief that is reasonable and a LOT of mood swings, sweating insomnia etc.. and of course each time I usually gain about 7 pounds. Since starting in October of last year I have had 6 of these injections done, each with about the same result.

The pain I experience is mostly in the lower back and pelvic region in the hip joints. Overall making any real activities not possible.. I can't drive for more than about 45 minutes without pain, stand for about 15 minutes without pain and both upper legs going numb from the knees up.

Laying down is the most comfortable, but can't lay on my back without my legs going numb from the knees up and can't lay on my sides without the hips hurting. Overall sleep is a problem.

My pain doctor does not want to increase the dosage and does not want give me anything for the breakthrough pain (due to the Crohns I cannot take NSAIDS) although he wants me in physical therapy which causes a lot of pain the night and day after. He also would like me to consider doing without pain meds altogether and rely on the steroid injections which have minimal long term effect.

My PM doc is willing to prescribe the 15mg oxycontin as long as I'm able to receive the epidural steroid injections.

The 15mg Oxycontin has minimal effect and is only really useful in reducing the pain while I am laying down, it does nothing if I try to become active.

What I am trying to do for myself and is helping a bit, is using swimming as a form of excercise and have a adopted a low carb diet with has worked wonders for weight loss. I also use meditation to help deal with the chronic pain.

Overall I am at my wits end...I have missed my daughters college graduation and my sons graduation from the Air Force Academy. I'm in bed most of the time while I'm not at work. Fortunately I work as a physicist at MIT which accommodates a very flexible schedule. Almost any other job I would have had to leave by now.

The question is what do I do?? Why is it so hard to manage pain from a well documented condition (MRI and CT)

Any suggestions?? I really could use some advice right now. It his has been going on for about 8 years now at a lower level and has been 'critical' for about a year now. It took almost 7 years just to get the MRI and CT.

Thank you in advance

JoeView Thread

Posted by joefnh

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Back Pain Management....Could Really Use Some Help Hello my name is Joe I do not have a lot of experience in posting to these forums but will give it a try For...

Please help

I was in a terrible car accident at age 15 where I was ejected from the car breaking every bone in my body...

Posted by Presley_sc

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Please help I was in a terrible car accident at age 15 where I was ejected from the car breaking every bone in my body...

back pain and doctors

Hi, my pain started about 6 years ago. I was having tingling and sharp pains in my feet and they always...

Posted by PattyMHDavis

8 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:back pain and doctors Hi, my pain started about 6 years ago. I was having tingling and sharp pains in my feet and they always...

baastrups disease

has anyone heard of baastrups disease its in my back also called kissing disease

Posted by An_251350

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:baastrups disease has anyone heard of baastrups disease its in my back also called kissing disease

Help

I have right side hip,groin, and lower back pain on my right side only. I have seen 5 Doctors and still no...

Posted by An_251331

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Help I have right side hip,groin, and lower back pain on my right side only. I have seen 5 Doctors and still no...

Failed Back Sugery Syndrome

2011 L5S1 discetomy 2012 Lumbar Spin Fusion FYI. i have had had physical therapy,ESI, trigger point...

Posted by An_251318

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Failed Back Sugery Syndrome 2011 L5S1 discetomy 2012 Lumbar Spin Fusion FYI. i have had had physical therapy,ESI, trigger point...

Failed Back Sugery Syndrome

2011 L5S1 discetomy 2012 Lumbar Spin Fusion FYI. i have had had physical therapy,ESI, trigger point...

Posted by 2honest83

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Failed Back Sugery Syndrome 2011 L5S1 discetomy 2012 Lumbar Spin Fusion FYI. i have had had physical therapy,ESI, trigger point...

To work or not to work

I had spinal surgery about two years ago and since then I've had back pain ever since - eventually resulting...

Posted by An_250929

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:To work or not to work I had spinal surgery about two years ago and since then I've had back pain ever since - eventually resulting...

Chronic lower back pain when sitting down with no ...

Hi everybody, After plenty of online researches i found this really useful website. I have had low back pain...

Posted by vitalogy

Hi everybody,

After plenty of online researches i found this really useful website.

I have had low back pain since 2007 now. Now i'm acknowledging it has become chronic pain.
I never had any problem until 2007 (i was 27 at the time) where i overtrained at the gym and had a major episode of lower back pain. From then on...

I feel the pain mostly on the gluteus (especially the left side), hips and all the area around L4-L5. Most of the pain come when i sit down, and i have to force myself to stand up as long as i can.
I took X-Rays and MRI and there's no sign of major problems, only the facet joints seem a bit deteriorated but they told me it's normal giving my age. I also i have a bit of scoliosis but it seems it's irrelevant. I have been told my spine is straight and it's a bit of a problem. Still i feel this doesn't justify all the problems.

The back pain is affecting my life very much and i don't know what else to do. I quitted football, snowboarding, swimming and a lot other sport activities i used to do. I have problems travelling because when i sit down too much i have this severe episodes of back pain i cannot control. My social life has worsened.

I saw chiropractors, osteopaths, physiotherapists and orthopaedics, it's very expensive. Everybody somehow agrees it's because i have no core muscles, my spine is straight, i'm very skinny, and have fairly bad posture.

However, i started about 4 years ago to regular exercises, every holy day: yoga, pilates, specific stretching and back exercises, i wear feet insoles and i just bought a back support (which i don't really want to use).
Still, for a nothing, i get into this episodes of back pain. Actually there isn't 1 day that i wake up fine. I rest: pain, i work out too much: pain.

I know that many people suffers from terrible bad conditions, i just wonder why i have all these problems if the exams show there's nothing serious in my spine.
I'm only 33 and this problem is definitively affecting my life psychologically.

Any advice would be appreciated,

ThanksView Thread

Posted by vitalogy

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Chronic lower back pain when sitting down with no sign of spinal problem Hi everybody, After plenty of online researches i found this really useful website. I have had low back pain...

Winged Scapula

Diagnosed with a permanent winged scapula on my right side in 2008. No pain but can only raise my right arm...

Posted by karungguni

Diagnosed with a permanent winged scapula on my right side in 2008. No pain but can only raise my right arm to slightly less than 90 degrees straight in front of my body and minimal support of weight over my head on the right side. Discomfort when standing for long periods of time or sitting in a straight back chair. Surgery was not recommended given the disadvantages of each surgical procedure and that I was not in pain. Was not aware of nerve replacement surgeries. Am 48 years old.

Salient Facts:

from 1975 to 1978, undiagnosed Lyme Disease, elbow locked in place twice, knees drained of fluid twice, symptoms stopped when given antibiotics for another condition.

In 1986, 22 years old, injured rhomboid muscles on right side using Nautilus back machine and the beginning of lifelong trigger issues on both sides of my back.

1986 to 1993, continued problems with shoulder, upper back and neck stiffness and strains, off and on weight lifting and cycling. Saw numerous orthopedic and sports medicine specialists to no avail.

1993, received a cortisone shot in my right shoulder in Budapest, Hungary, 30 minutes later had a reaction of burning pain and dizziness. Was told the symptons were not consistent with a reaction to the shot.

1999, MRI by Orthopedic Surgeon found cyst in right shoulder/upper back and operation to remove (twice). The surgeon has since died and his records were destroyed.

2000 to 2007, Heavy Weightlifting, Cycling and Triathlon, periods of upper back soreness and stiffness, trigger points in rhomboid muscles on one or both side. Difficulty in pull ups and instability in push ups.

2008, after laying in bed with a bad cold for two day began to get pains in my left shoulder and then could not sustain weight with my left arm. MRI showed collapse of C5, C6 and narrowing of the spinal canal. The physical therapist discovered the winged scapula on my right side. Diagnosed confirmed by second neurologist based on presentation, he did not want to perform an EMG as the nerve runs close to the lung. The neurologist said that branch nerves are less likely to regenerate. There was so much focus on getting the radial nerve in my left arm working that not a lot of thought was given to the right long thoracic.

Decided to revisit the situation and from everything I read a permanent wing scapula seems rare. Should the neurologist have checked for impingement at the brachial plexus? Is there total paralysis of the serratus anterior muscle? How successful are nerve replacement surgeries?

View Thread

Posted by karungguni

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Winged Scapula Diagnosed with a permanent winged scapula on my right side in 2008. No pain but can only raise my right arm...

Partial leg paralysis

Hello, I am new to this forum, however, I had a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy done one week ago. I am...

Posted by rockymtn65

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Partial leg paralysis Hello, I am new to this forum, however, I had a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy done one week ago. I am...

post op spinal fusion

hi, i.m a 56 year old male. i had a minimally invasive l 4/5 inter body fusion. i,m 5 weeks post op and in one...

Posted by hogan

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:post op spinal fusion hi, i.m a 56 year old male. i had a minimally invasive l 4/5 inter body fusion. i,m 5 weeks post op and in one...

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