Dealing with Back Pain: My Journey and Request for Prayers

[sklay723]

I have to ask for prayers...I have been dealing with back pain off and on for some time now, and the current bout was much different than anything like I'd had before. About three weeks ago it started down low, and it has done nothing but increase since then. I knew something was wrong after the first five days when it didn't fade away like it usually does, so I went to the doctor who told me it was sciatica. I started on anti-inflammatories, got some temporary relief, but within another week I was back at the doctor.

I have pretty high pain tolerance, but I finally had to give in and take some pain medication starting last week. I only take it at night, just so I can get some decent rest. The doctor was even more worried since the pain has been shooting down my left leg for the last two weeks, so he ordered an MRI for me.

I had the MRI today and was told that the doctor would have the results tomorrow and I'd hear from them then. Two hours after I left the imaging center, the nurse called to tell me that the results had been rushed to them. I am being referred directly to a specialist, because apparently I have something called a disc fragmentation that's pressing on my S1 nerve root, causing the sciatica pain. I also have some sort of protrusion a little higher up, but that's something I need to learn more about since I'm not clear what it all means yet. Not sure what the next course of treatment will be, but a good friend of mine had something similar happen to her last year and she wound up needing surgery.

I'm praying for a non-surgical treatment that will give me some pain relief, but IF I need to opt for surgery I just pray that we can find a wonderful doctor who will understand everything and treat me like a person, not just another number on a chart.

My prayer request is not just for me, but also majorly for my family. My DH works insane hours as a law enforcement officer, and I'm a SAHM to two-year-old twins, so sitting still for any length of time is just not really an option...they are like the Energizer Bunny (they keep going, and going, and going...). Money is also tight, but regardless of what we have to do, I know somehow God will provide. I'm more worried about my DH and the kids, because I feel like I can't do much to help them right now. I guess I just need to vent and get this out, and know that there are some wonderful people (like all you Cheffers!) who can send some extra prayers our way. Thanks in advance for keeping us in your prayers...

 

[MissChef]

I am praying for you hun!!!:angel: And I COMPLETELY understand! I had something very simular and I had a 2 year old at home at the same time and a 1st grader, so I get it. Mine wasn't exactly the same but my disk herniated and then hemoraged into my sciatic and the pain down the left leg... oh yeah I remember that.... but mine didn't require surgery....just 6 months of physical therapy! I will pray for you because I can relate.... I was a stay home mom, with a very tight budget too. I really do understand and I will send my prayers up to Jesus! Just have faith in Jesus!:angel: He'll take care of you!

 

[pamperedlinda]

Ouch! Sending prayers and well wishes your way.

For the pain - have you ever tried magnetic therapy? My DH swears by it. (I am not self promoting here) He WAS involved with a health and wellness DS company that specializes in magnetics. Nikken - they are out of Japan. You can probably google them, but if you want some first-hand advice I'd be happy to have him give you some more info.

Again - I am not self promoting. DH is only a user of their products. He really isn't a 'people person' and found that DS wasn't his thing. But the company does have great stuff - expensive, but really good quality.

 

[MissChef]

I have tried this Linda, and it does work! The only reason that I didn't get some, (I had magnetic soles for my shoes) was because they were too expensive, for me at the time anyways! I could have got them free but you had to refer people to her and I tried and I couldn't get many people to jump on! so I just gave them back after my trial, but they helped when I had them!

 

[pamperedlinda]

Glad it worked for you Cathy. Yes, the stuff is ridiculously expensive! That's part of the reason why DH had trouble with it (that and the fact that he's really not a people person). It does work though so I guess you have to weigh the benefits too. He swears by the magnetics and the supplements. They've got some funky cookware (some kind of battery in the handle that emits a charge that is supposed to keep the free radicals in the food....wtf?) that I told him he was not allowed to even look at! And, I didn't like their skin care line.

 

[janetupnorth]

I'd look for a good reputable chiropractor!I hate when MDs give you pain meds to pop for back pain. They are all doctors why can't they get a long. If I have a toothache, I see a dentist who has a doctorate degree.
If I have female problems, I see an OB/GYN.
If my stomach aches, I see an MD specializing in Internal Medicine.
If my back hurts, I see a Chiropractor, who is a DC (Doctor of Chiropractic care).I wouldn't see a dentist for my female problems, or and OB/GYN for a toothache......just my opinion...

 

[janetupnorth]

I have pretty high pain tolerance, but I finally had to give in and take some pain medication starting last week. I only take it at night, just so I can get some decent rest. The doctor was even more worried since the pain has been shooting down my left leg for the last two weeks, so he ordered an MRI for me.

Been there, done that when the sciatic nerve is being pushed on.

Usually from your lower lumbar region or your sacral region.

See a chiropractor please...and he/she can also give you some good stretching exercises to in order to help strengthen what you need to strengthen and decrease the pain.

 

[KellyTheChef]

Back pain is horrible to deal with! Especially with two young ones to run around after! I pray that you are able to find a treatment that will help with the pain, and fix what is causing it. I would look into a GOOD chiropractor (ask around for someone that is trusted) and such. I know surgery is sometimes the only option, but I would exhaust all other treatments first...especially since you are so young!

 

[jbachen]

You are in my thoughts and prayers, too. I do wish we lived closer... we could just let the twins all play together and get you some rest. But I agree with the Chiropractor recommendations... try to get a referral from a friend, because my MIL had an experience with a Chiro that did more harm than good, but I had one I absolutely loved before we moved. So I would see if I could get a recommendation from a friend or another doctor... They just have different ways of doing their adjustments, and some work better for certain people than others...(I really believe that seeing the chiropractor was part of the reason I got pregnant on the first try - I was seeing him at that time, then I miscarried, we moved, I stopped seeing him, and couldn't get pregnant again without help.)

 

[ChefJoyJ]

Do you know what kind of specialist you are being referred to? The reason I ask is b/c my friends that have had back issues similar to you have all been referred to neurosurgeons. Don't let the name scare you. Just b/c they are neurosurgeons doesn't mean that their first impulse is to operate. Quite the opposite. They would rather find the least invasive method to "fix" you, if possible. One of my best friends went to neurosurgeon this summer for bad back problems...his doc offered physical therapy and chiropractic care as a first choice to Alex, but in the end, Alex had surgery (outpatient) and was back to life with no pain pretty quickly. :thumbup:

I also have experience with neurosurgeons. I have a fabulous neurosurgeon who I love dearly (and have a mini crush on :blushing: ). He was my surgeon for an emergency surgery on a life threatening cyst in my cerebellum 3 1/2 years ago, and then put in a shunt to drain it almost 3 years ago. I also personally know that they don't necessarily jump to operating immediately. Despite my first 2 surgeries, which were quite necessary, Shawn (my doc) is holding off on another until it becomes medically necessary. I have a benign tumor behind my shunt (they couldn't see it when the cyst was so big). Since it's not doing much of anything but hangin' out, he wants to wait to operate b/c my shunt is doing so well, he doesn't want to mess with it. When it's time to replace the shunt, he'll go in and remove the tumor. (yes, he is monitoring it now with MRIs)

I love, love, love him. :love: We've developed quite the relationship and he's become more like a friend than just an impersonal doc...and I trust him with my life. He even came to my wedding almost 3 years ago (2 weeks before the shunt surgery). When I have an appt he usually leaves open the next slot so we can talk and catch up. We were seeing each other every 3 months, then my MRI's were backed up to 6 months, now I only see him once a year (to review my annual MRI and to tell me what my brain is doing now ). Shawn shoots me emails every now and then and I do the same. He's awesome. I won't say there wasn't minor flirting in the beginning (it can be in both our natures - and he is a hottie)...but I was engaged and he was my doctor. My DH thinks that my relationship with Shawn is funny and he has no problems with it. As a matter of fact, he jokes about it too - my DH is very confidant in our relationship. :love:

The point of my babbling is that all doctors (that are worth their salt) don't jump immediately to surgery unless they feel that it is necessary. Also...not all doctors are stuffy, impersonal people. If you're lucky, you might find a great specialist, just like my neurosurgeon, who will take fantastic care of you!

((HUGS)) I know it is scary to think about the unknown and possible surgery. Let us know what the doctor says.

Oh...about chiropracters? I went to one when I was progressively getting worse (before my cyst diagnosis and surgery) and all it did was make things worse. Not everything can be fixed by adjustments. After my adjustments, I was in such excruciating pain that I could barely function and could not sleep. No amount of pain killers helped either. Just my experience. I don't think I would *ever* go to one again.

 

[sklay723]

Well, my urgent care doctor contacted me today. I asked about a chiropractor, and the response I got was that based on the type of injury I have, I need to see an MD and discuss ALL of my options before I make any decisions. I'm seeing the specialist next Thursday, and he apparently comes with good recommendations. Thank you for all the kind words and prayers...I feel better knowing that others have gone through similar situations and that people will be thinking of me!

 

[raebates]

You'll be in my prayers.

 

[pampchefrhondab]

Oh gosh, I'm so sorry you are going throught this. Back pain is one of the worst. I have it off and on as well, and hope I don't have it as bad as you some day. I'm really afraid I might since my sister has had major back problems and had to have 3 disks replaced. The Dr. at that time only gave her a 30% chance of being able to walk afterward, but she was in so much pain she said she couldn't function anyway. She had success from the surgery, but she had a long recovery. We have arthritis in the family and that is what hers was caused from. She lived in California at the time otherwise I would find out who her Dr. was for you.

I have had tailbone problems and had to have mine removed. It was the worst pain I have ever had. I couldn't stand driving home 20 minutes from work and could hardly get out of the car from the pain. I had to push my Dr. to get me help. He said there wasn't anything they could do for me, but I later called and said to his nurse, "I need a cortizone shot in my tailbone or something. I can't live w/this pain." They didn't even know who to refer me to, I had to call the Ortho. groups myself and finally found one who could help me. He took an x-ray of my tailbone and it was broken. I had fallen on the ice at work several years before and it never healed. He did the first cortizone shot and it worked for about 8 months. I was pretty much pain free. The second shot didn't work as well and when I went back in and he suggested I have surgery. I of course agreed to it. It was the best decision I have ever made! I was back to work w/in 8 weeks and had complete recovery (pain free) w/in 8 months. To this day though I still can't sit directly on my rump in a move theatre. I always have to sit more on my hip.

I dont' want to scare you, but just want to let you know surgery may be worth it. You may have a better quality of life. I would certainly try the cotrizone first if they say that is an option. The shots hurt like he**, but they are well worth it. I still have to get them for my heel spurs!

I will be praying for you and thinking about you. Let us know what happens w/the specialist.

 

[sklay723]

Thank goodness tomorrow is the 27th and I get to meet with the specialist. Monday the pain was gradually getting even worse, and by the time I went to bed I couldn't get comfortable at all, even with pain medication. By 4:30 a.m. (Tuesday morning) I was calling my husband at work to see if he was coming home on time (he works 4:45 p.m. to 4:45 a.m. right now as a deputy sheriff). I needed him to come home and help me decide what to do, because my entire back had seized up and my left leg was basically useless. It was entirely numb and then I had the shooting pins and needles pain all the way through it. He was already on his way home, and by the time he got here he was completely stunned because that's when we realized I could barely even walk anymore. DH had to call Fire Rescue to get an ambulance for me to go to the ER, because he had to be able to stay home with our kids. My mom drove down and met me at the ER so I wouldn't be there alone, and when I was finally seen by a doctor he immediately ordered injections of morphine, an anti-inflammatory and a muscle relaxer. It only took 15 minutes for me to go from a 10 on the pain scale to a 5! Amazing stuff...wish they could bottle it and make it available in a 12-hour formula! Anyway, the doc in the ER said that he would adjust my meds for home, and that we just had to keep me in one piece until the specialist could see me on Thursday. My pain tolerance level is usually pretty high, but I can't imagine having to go through that again. As much as I want to avoid surgery, I will definitely listen to the specialist if he tells me that's what is necessary. I can't afford to take a chance that the spasms will happen again, especially when it could happen while I'm home alone with twin two-year-old kids by myself. I'm amazed that one little fragment pressing on one little nerve could cause so much trouble, but I know things could still be worse, so I am counting my blessings that is all this is...

 

[daniellemorgan]

I'd look for a good reputable chiropractor!

I hate when MDs give you pain meds to pop for back pain. They are all doctors why can't they get a long.

If I have a toothache, I see a dentist who has a doctorate degree.
If I have female problems, I see an OB/GYN.
If my stomach aches, I see an MD specializing in Internal Medicine.
If my back hurts, I see a Chiropractor, who is a DC (Doctor of Chiropractic care).

I wouldn't see a dentist for my female problems, or and OB/GYN for a toothache...

...just my opinion...

Ditto on everything you said!!! My brother suffered for 4 years from some back issue due to playing football for 12 years. He was only 22 and literally was like an 80 year old man. He had been to MD after MD, tons of specialists, prescribed all kinds of pain killers and nothing ever worked. Finally, he listened to me and went to a chiropractor and within a month he said he didn't remember feeling as good as he did. He went through a six month treatment plan at the chiropractor and now only goes once a month for maintenance. It was so nice being able to give him a big I TOLD YOU SO!! I know chiropractors make a lot of people nervous, but the good ones will take x-rays and make referrals if it is something that is more tissue related. I love the chiropractor and I go to him before any doctor. Except, female issues!!! Good luck!!!!!:balloon:

 

[jbachen]

So, what time is your appointment today?? Please keep us posted??

 

[Kitchen2u]

Prayers coming your way....