Back Pain Support Group

It could be sooo many things! A bulging disc, a herniated disc, a pinched nerve, a degenerative issue with one or more of your discs, etc....
The best thing to do is make an appointment with your Doc and ask him to get some x-ray's of your back. If the radiologist sees something suspicious enough, then they will tell your Doc on the report and recommend a CT or an MRI of your back.
In the meantime, use heat/ice pack combination to alleviate the pain, take some NSAIDs like Advil, Motrin or Aleve. Take a pillow and put in between your knees while you lay on one side to keep the natural curvature of your spine and I will also try something like Bio-Freeze or Tiger Balm until you can see your Doc next week. Good luck to you and let us know what happens.

Thanks for your reply. To answer your suggestions...I saw the Dr and had x-rays and the only thing he saw was scoliosis. He wanted me to get an MRI but I chickened out. I am so claustrophobic and although they have an open MRI, I heard it's not that open! LOL. My regular Dr had prescribed Flexeril, which didn't touch the pain. A friend who suffers from sciatica gave me Lyrica, Ultram and finally morphine to try so I could get some sleep. The only one that sort of worked was the Ultram. Then I read that it was a bad mix with the meds I already take! Oops! I tried the pillow thing because it has been suggested a million times...it's so hard to do though, and for three nights I woke up and thought it was the sheet or a blanket. I will try it again though. It might take awhile to get used to? I so appreciate you taking the time to write back with all of your suggestions. Debby

Flexeril won't touch the pain, because is not a pain medication, is a muscle relaxer. Lyrica is for nerve pain and the only one's in your list that are for pain are the Ultram and Morphine. Good luck and I hope that the pain goes away for good.

Please try the MRI. I am claustrophobic too but, I closed my eyes and kept them closed. I listened to the clicks and the operator will talk to you periodically to see that you are doing ok. These MRI's can pin-point things so much more in detail than an x-ray can.

I had my neck x-rayed and the Doctor said, I am not satisfied with that, something doesn't look right. He ordered an MRI and they found a Stenosis in my neck.
This is very dangerous and had he not ordered the MRI, it would have never been found.

Determination and concentration will get you through the MRI.

Hi, I'm sorry you are going through this. The MRI is not too bad. Keep your eyes closed. One I had they piped in music. I have a pretty wicked sense of humor and told my friends that now I know what it feels like to be a corndog. It really isn't bad and they can talk to you while you are in the tube. It really is best to make sure you know as much as you can about what may or may not be going on with your back. Good luck.

Please don't take this as condemnation but if in the future you see a pain management doc, I won't mention the part about taking someone else's Schedule II narcotic (morphine). They are very touchy about this sort of thing. Most of them also have you to sign a very specific narcotics contract before they will treat you. I didn't know the drill myself either until someone told me.

When I herniated a disc, the flexeril was what made the pain go away because it stopped the muscle spasms down my leg that were causing the extreme pain. Once my doc got me on the right dosage, I was able to lay comfortably until my surgery.

I've had 3 MRI's in 3 years and every time I do it, I've done it with a blindfold. They have them there for anyone who asks. Also, they will ask you what music you want to listen to. Where I went, I was XM radio stations. If you get bored, you can ask them to change the station.

MRI's are really important to acurately diagnose you properly. I highly recommend you get one.

Good luck.

Thank-you for all of your advice! I am such a chicken about this kind of thing. I had one MRI that showed that I had an 81/2 cm aneurysm and when I was in surgery having it coiled, I had a major stroke! The hospital kept me tied to the bed to keep me from getting up. Not good for a claustrophobic:) None of the medications mentioned have worked for me. I have 2 pieces of foam, a thick mattress pad and 2 pillows that I have rigged my bed with and that has helped a lot. Also stretching has helped a lot. The problem is in the lower mid section of my back and when I do stretches it feels as if it's pulling something back into place...if that makes sense. I will rethink the MRI though after all of your suggestions! Thanks again, Debby

Hi Dgs you know that thay have open MRI mecheans now one might not be in your town but it would be worth the travel hope all goes good for you hugs joyce30512