Bad Back went OUT

red · July 11, 2024, 04:29:32 PM

I have posted before about my history of back surgery but it was many years ago. I am permanently disabled with a Very Bad Back my surgery was in 1998 and I had two discs removed L4-L5 and L5-S1 then my vertebrae were fused
In 2017 I learned L3-L4 was herniated but I decided against surgery . . so now this week I woke up in major pain and it really felt different this time . . I could not stand up straight and it was very painful to walk
Although I wanted to go to the Emergency Room I didn't I figured I would give it a day
The next morning I was a little better
And the third day a little better again
I did a lot of Praying this week ! And I prayed that I can Walk again . . I also told myself to loose 15 pounds and somehow get a new MRI
So not a new story and I'm sure everyone has bad back stories . . but I just can't put into words how painful it was this week

Dave Shepard · July 11, 2024, 05:10:42 PM

I hope you can get relief! I was in the ER two nights ago with back issues. CT scan didn't show anything.

Magicman · July 11, 2024, 05:51:22 PM

My prayer is for your healing grace and comfort Red.

No surgery here but I always wear a weightlifters belt when I am sawing, lifting, or doing anything below waist high. I realize that the added support can cause the muscles to become "lazy" but in my situation, it is what it is.

doc henderson · July 11, 2024, 06:53:08 PM

Red I am sorry you are in pain. next step after CT (shows fractures and major problems) is MRI (can see nerve impingement). pain doc can do steroid injection and help decide if surgery is only option. PT can help more than most people would think. many protruding discs will improve over time. Hang tuff bud!

Jeff · July 11, 2024, 07:11:22 PM

I hope you get a lot better soon Red. I've been struggling for almost two years before I had jumped through enough hoops to get the tests I needed to get a diagnosis from Doc Henderson's buddy and a prescription of exersices to strengthen my core, which I took to heart. I've spent this entire spring and summer using activity, with very little sitting around or staring at a screen. My back is feeling way better than it was.

red · July 11, 2024, 07:42:51 PM

Swimming is what has helped me in the past. There is a YMCA close by and I have said I will join many times. But I have a very long ZZ Top beard and long hair so I should get my hair cut and look semi presentable

Southside · July 11, 2024, 10:30:35 PM

So I have had 5 back surgeries since the ripe old age of 21. The last one in 2015 reminds me of what you describe Red. I woke up and could not walk, tried to get out of bed and fell on the floor, any pressure from standing created massive pain. MRI and X rays didn't show much of the issue other than a herniation at L4. Tried another steroid injection and it did nothing so they went in again. Turns out a chunk of bone had broken off and cut through the disc and lodged into the nerve root so that when pressure was applied it was on fire. Took a 2" slice to get the bone piece out but that fixed it. No trauma that time, the best guess was it was related to one of the previous injuries and finally let go.

Hope you can get things resolved soon.

SwampDonkey · July 11, 2024, 10:31:16 PM

Yup, once you help yourself get better, keep moving. Sorry about the back pain, some of the worst. Healing vibes sent.

Deep foam padded chairs will kill your back. I like rocking chairs, well made ones with proper form. I have very thin padding on mine. You don't have to spend a fortune, just find one that someone knew how to make properly.

barbender · July 11, 2024, 11:43:24 PM

Sorry to hear that, Red. Back issues are so debilitating, I pray it comes around quickly!

Peter Drouin · July 12, 2024, 07:05:32 AM

Best of luck Red.

Andries · July 12, 2024, 10:50:55 AM

There's all different kinds of pain, but back pain is the absolute worst in my opinion.

I found that if a chair or lounger has enough height, where the hip joint is higher off the floor than the knee joint, that's the best for my back.

It's complicated stuff – wishing you the best.

peakbagger · July 12, 2024, 12:25:39 PM

Bummer on the back. I had a back issue pop up this spring and ended up downloading a bunch of back exercises from the Mayo Clinic. I did them for a month and definitely seems to have improved things.

Freedy201 · July 12, 2024, 12:35:17 PM

I can relate to your experience with severe back pain, having gone through something similar from deadlifting. A few years back, I injured my back while lifting weights. The pain was immediate and intense, and like you, I couldn't stand up straight or walk without severe discomfort. Although I was tempted to rush to the emergency room, I decided to give it a few days. Each day brought a slight improvement, much like your recent experience

beenthere · July 12, 2024, 03:05:59 PM

I think I solved my lower back problem 50 years ago, when I started doing push-ups. Not saying that is a cure for others or was for me, but it worked and continues to work for me.
Am glad I don't continue to have a back problem. Sad to hear that others are bothered.

barbender · July 12, 2024, 03:45:37 PM

I mentioned before that I have a buddy who has had a bad back since we were early teens. He has managed to keep on top of it by working out, and chiropractor visits. When he let's the workouts slip, he gets to visit the chiropractor a lot more. And has back issues that cause him problems in his arms and hands as well, all of which is bad for a guy that runs a CTL harvester every day.

red · July 12, 2024, 04:41:28 PM

Magicman saves the day . . last night he mentioned a weight lifters belt so I ordered it on Amazon and it was delivered this morning . . been wearing it all day . . just finding a comfortable position to sit still for 30 minutes is a chore . . but everyday seems to be getting better . . I also forgot about using a heating pad until today

RetiredTech · July 14, 2024, 01:30:24 PM

Hi Red, I cringe when people mention back pain. I remember it all too well. The pain meds are not much better than the pain. In my journey I found that Tylenol and Ibuprofen taken together work almost as well as the opioids did for me without the brain fog. Tens machines are cheap these days and small enough to wear on your belt. I used one all night long for a couple months just to get some sleep while waiting for diagnosis and surgery. Inversion tables help to some degree, but in my case only as long as I was using it. As soon as I got off the pain was back. I hope you find some relief. Praying for a speedy recovery.

beenthere · July 14, 2024, 01:48:39 PM

Had a brother that was fitted with a TENS machine many years ago. Used to relax tight muscles in his back, iirc. Was very effective after years of severe headaches.
TENS machine = transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

doc henderson · July 14, 2024, 01:57:13 PM

I think it tends to disrupt nerve transmission and therefor alter and hopefully reduce pain. Neuropathic pain is hard to treat. there are no opioid receptors on the nerve. It is the nerve that is damaged and sending the signal. It is supposed to transmit from other parts in pain like your leg. this is where fantom pain comes from as in a person who is missing a leg, but still complains of pain in that leg.

SwampDonkey · July 14, 2024, 02:06:56 PM

I found a TENS machine to be ineffective with sciatica. It keeps your mind on something else, but didn't do much for the affliction. Meds didn't do anything either. Thankfully, it subsides in time in many cases. But you will likely have it again. Of course, I am a sceptic of such treatments, including chiropractic or acupuncture, and think of it as witch doctor medicine. I saw my grandfather try every remedy out there for different afflictions, even blindness. All failed.

red · July 25, 2024, 01:40:50 PM

My back was doing better but not Normal and then it went Out Again yesterday . . so definitely time to start seeing Doctors

red · July 26, 2024, 03:05:12 PM

I'm now thinking of an Inversion Table . . the pain I can deal with but I just can't get into a comfortable position

JD Guy · July 26, 2024, 10:00:04 PM

I feel for you Red and hopeful that something will give you some relief

As you know I also have back issues and can absolutely sympathize with you, keep us posted!

doc henderson · July 27, 2024, 07:20:30 AM

Red I guess my question is do you think it is a muscle strain with spasm, or a bulging disc? the latter would be helped with inversion, I think. spasm can be helped with heat, stretching, NSAIDs, and muscle relaxers. Try the tums if you get into a funk where you can barely move without a sudden stabbing (spasm) pain. If you are getting sciatica pain going down your legs, then probably a disc. PT can help with this and epidurals. If you were close, I would send you to my pain guy.

red · July 27, 2024, 08:39:27 AM

Definitely a herniated disc I had an MRI done in 2017 and L3-L4 is bulging . . I have toughed it out since then . . right now it's Quality of Life issues I just can't do Anything ! Again I almost went to the Emergency Room yesterday
Oh I was even thinking of getting Beer

but I am 7 years Alcohol free so that's not a good idea
I need to lose weight walk for exercise plus go swimming
I have Medicare but I need a supplemental insurance