Back Pain Support Group

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. In fact, about 3 in 4 adults will experience back pain during their lifetime! The term back pain includes pain affecting the neck, midback and low back. Acute back pain may begin suddenly with intense pain but typically lasts fewer than three months. Usually, chronic back pain is persistent, steady, and...

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Philo52 07/20/2013

My wife has been through three pain management treatments (injections). We were optimistic with the first treatment as it seemed to provide some relief but it faded 4-5 days later.

Now the surgery option is being considered. She is a medical assistant in a neurosurgery clinic so she has access to some very good doctors. Nonetheless, it's still surgery. She can't keep on with this level of pain. She has an appointment to visit the pain management Dr in about 10 days. I'm thinking unless he can propose a substantially different approach, surgery needs to be seriously considered.

deleted_user 07/20/2013

I truly hope they can figure out something out, surgery scares the hack out of me!

Philo52 07/21/2013

We aren't rushing into anything but I think she's already accepted the surgical option if nothing else pans out.

From what I've been told, the injections are intended to make the condition tolerable until surgery, that it would be needed at some point. We were hoping that might be a year or two.

Doing the best we can do.

deleted_user 07/21/2013

I use the back to life machine which adjusts me for 12 minutes a day. But once you have had surgery it is not recommended tor use. I had doctors tell me they will not get their back cut on but it is your decision.

deleted_user 07/24/2013

Hi there. I was 17 when I first started to get back pain, and I was diagnosed with 3 prolapsed disks until 9 months later. I also went for the injectionhoping it would be what I needed to get rid of the pain, but it did nothing. I was very young, and faced a huge decision whether or not to risk surgery at such a young age. Due to the extent of the pain I was suffering from, I chose to go ahead with the Surgery once I turned 18. I am now 21, and 3 years later, although the recovery was incredibly frustrating, and the thoughts running up to surgery, I have never looked back.

Please don't worry if your wife does have surgery, yes it is a scary thought to have to go through to have surgery on your back, but if it gets rid of the day in day out agony of chronic back pain, she will not regret it.

hdqueen 07/24/2013

Hello... I am new here. I am getting my 3rd injection today. My second one provided 1/2 day relief. I can understand your wife's frustration, and fear - as I have been told I would have to consider surgery if the injections didn't work. This kinda makes me nervous because all the doctors I work with keep telling me to stay away from back surgery. I hope you, and your wife, get some good information. Sending prayers your way! Good luck!

jasp435 08/09/2013

I have had 5 vertebrae fused in my cervical spine and two laminectomies in my lumbar spine. I have 2 herniations in my thoracic spine. Both surgeries reduced my pain significantly. Surgery was no cakewalk, but in the long run, it has reduced my pain significantly. I am still in pain but the most significant pain is in the thoracic spine where I haven't had any decompression done. I would do it all over again.

Philo52 08/13/2013

After three pain management treatments, things were no better. My wife reported her pain was worsening. In her case surgery was dictated. Even though the techniques have advanced, it's still a tough surgery. I'm hoping after she comes home from the hospital and is back on her feet, she will get serious about exercise and losing some weight.

deleted_user 08/13/2013

Philo I will keep positive thoughts, and prayers for you and your wife in making the right decision.. sounds like there is some good advice here..

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