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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Brain & Nervous System
/ Back Pain Support Group

At the end of my rope.....

deleted_user
deleted_user
Just found this site this AM. I really feel for all of you.....literally! I am a veterinarian who works for a county shelter, and 905 of my time is spent standing at the surgery table. My problems started back in '81, when I experienced a herniated disk at L5-S1. After initial recovery, all went well until '98, when I started to have problems with pain again. An MRI showed the same situation with the disk at L5-S1. I lived with it until about 3 years ago when it was really starting to escalate. Pain specialist tried transforaminal steroid injections and WOW!, what a difference! That bought me the best feeling back I'd had in years. But, then it quit helping. Next he tried caudal epidural steroid injections. That bought me about 6 more months of excellent relief, then POOF!........ No further help.
In the spring of '06, they decided to repeat the MRI. OMG!.... What a difference! In 8 years, I went from 1 herniation to 3 hernations, scoliosis, and severe degenerative joint disease at L3-4. So from 1 bad disk to only 1 good disk left!
Since theat time, I have been on various meds including; Flexoril, Tramadol (both ER and short versions), different opioids, PT, TENS, massage therapy and chronic naproxen. All of this mostly to no avail.
This last spring, out of desparation, my spine surgeon had me get a discogram. The trouble is that I have minimal leg pain or sciatica, if at all. My pain is all in the lumbar area and at times causes severe spasms all the way up to midchest region and even around to my sides. But so far, they feel surgery will not help??????
It is at the point where it is almost impossible to do my job without coming home in severe discomfort, to say the least. And it is getting worse by the day. I can't take this much longer.
And the dang thing is, I AM A DOCTOR! I understan what all this anatomy and neurology is about! There MUST be something else they can do to stop this!!!!
Anyone else out there have a similar experience? Any advice?
I just want to do my work helping the critters!
deleted_user
deleted_user
HI welcome to DS,congrats on taking care of animals,I would say get another opinion. Thats what I did.From experience the back will keep getting worse as we age,but I am sure you know that. Best of luck to you.Let us know ok?
Deb
deleted_user
deleted_user
Thanks Deb115. I probably would try another doctor, but I am in a fairly rural area and it would be a bit hard to go very far, esp. with my work schedule. But then, I might soon have no other choice if he has nothing further for me. He's one of the top surgeons in the state though and I figured I could trust his judgement. Guess I'll wait and see what he has to say next Mon. and go from there.....
deleted_user
deleted_user
Welcome to DS Jeb. I find this the site very helpful. I am just a few years older than you and recently had to retire as a machinist. There was just no way I could stand at a machine for any length of time. I love being at home fixing and puttering, but I have had to modify my methods drastically. As you read more profiles, you'll soon discover that almost everyone here has an issue with back pain and work. Some are very young, and it is a very sad thing to see a budding career ended by back pain. I certainly hope that you can continue to work, because its sounds like your profession is as much a passion as it is a job. Take care.
deleted_user
deleted_user
you have been on all the samed meds as I have, and our spines sound like twins! I know it isn't funny or even something to smile about. I have had two fusions, and now stenosis above the surgeries. My spine surgeon told me he can not do anymore surgery on the back, as I will be right back where I started in two years. I am now getting steroid ijections to help with the pain, and it did help. Have you tried Lyrica for nerve pain? It has really relieved alot of my pain, sort of lifted a layer of that pain away. I really can relate to what you are going trhu. Try another doctor and get a second opinion, butas you know choose your doctor with care.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Welcome glad you joined us! I hope you get the help you need.
deleted_user
deleted_user
As a doctor, I'm sure you're aware that the shots, which helped cover up the pain and possibly decrease inflammation, might have led to the degeneration of your condition so severely because the shots allowed you to remain at "maximum operating capacity" haha longer than if you were just confronted with the pain. My problem is the exact opposite of yours. I've had horrible referral in both legs for about three years now but my discs are still not bad enough for surgery. The only difference is that I've always heard that they would do surgery, a microlamenectomy, if the pain really became too much to bare. It seems like it's time for a second and third opinion with spine specialists. The best decision for you can only be made by going with your gut. If the pain is severe enough that you would take the chance of relief (or none!) with surgery rather than living in the condition you are in, you have your answer. I'm no doctor, but I do work for one and I'm positive that there are people out there with your injuries that are candidates for surgery with a qualified surgeon. If an animal came to you with your injuries, what would your plan of action be?
deleted_user
deleted_user
As you can see from my photo - I am no stranger to back pain or surgery. I've had spinal fusions and on August 19th I am going in for an artificial disc replacment on my L5/S1 disc. My doctor told me that surgery would be the only thing to end my pain and he was absolutely right. In the areas already done, my back is pain free. I would absolutely see a new doctor for a second opinion. You deserve to feel better.
hurtingangel
hurtingangel
Yes, get a second opionion preferably one from an orthopedic specialist. I have had 7 spinal fusions, I am fused from T 12 to L5 S1 I have a titanium rod on each side of my spine that runs the whole length of my back along with 63 pins & screws, now I know that sounds overwhelming but the main reason I had so many is the first DR butchered me during the first 3 so basically they had to rebuild my spine. My main problem was the L5-S1 it would not fuse Until I had a bone growth injection and finally got a brain cell and quit smoking proud to say it will be 2 yrs in sept. Please don't give up hope. If you have any questions or just need to ven I am only a click away.
Hugs & God bless
Lisa
deleted_user
deleted_user
Haven't they suggested a Spinal Cord Stimulator or a Morphine Pump to help alleviate your pain? If not, I'm surprised! It would HELP to reduce some of your med. intake (hopefully) and I would think it would really reduce your pain levels! Just a thought.
deleted_user
deleted_user
hey bud how u doin- i hope you are a bit more wiser with all the help and advice here from REAL people not surgeons who promise you the moon and the stars and then get u to sign a form if it all goes south...

DUDE- have you ever tried an INVERSION TABLE??? i swear i hang on it everyday about 50 degrees- for about 15mins in the am and 15 in the evening- my head gets dizzing but u get used to that-but the stretch u get and the pressure it takes off the discs is UNREAL...ask your GP/ consultant -look it up online-ive heard it has helped people with hernated discs and bulged discs...
hope this off some help mate- let me know

take care
deleted_user
deleted_user
For all the folks who have added to this pretty old thread that was started back when I first joined, you need to read the other updates to my journal! I have had surgery back in Jan., and the fusion has gone well. But, there are new problems arising from my older herniated disks. This may be because of the realignment of my spine, or may just be further degeneration. I have had another MRI a few weeks ago and am waiting on my appointment to discuss the ramifications with my doctor. I am now experiencing a whole different set of symptoms which from what I have read in the report, indicate further arthritic changes causing stenosis of several levels of foriminae, or the openings between the vertebrae where the nerves come through. I now am having nerve impingement causing my legs to grow weak as the day progresses and an almost locking up of my lower spine at times from facet joint deterioration. I am now wearing a very restrictive and uncomfortable brace, which is letting me get through my days of doing surgery, but only barely. More to come as I get info.
deleted_user
deleted_user
FIND A NERO SERGERN THEY ARE THE BEST
SPELLING WRONG
brent72
brent72
I see someone a week or so suggested an inversion table. Have you tried that yet. It also works wonders for me. I also use ice packs to reduce the swelling that may be causing the pain sense it comes later in the day.

My brother-in-law is a retired Vet. He did both surgeries and patient care. You are no doubt going to have to slow down and do less surgeries. I would start now before the "criters" loose your help altogether.

Seriously try the ice packs for 20 minutes at a time and the inversion table. If the ice seems to burn then you are doing it right. I am sure you know that though.

Good luck and God bless you for helping the animals.
StarbuckDifranco
StarbuckDifranco
Wow, thanks for sharing your story. I just got a decent diagnosis 1 year ago, and I already feel like I've been running on the ol' hamster wheel when it comes to treatments. They are trying to treat my inflammation, but not the source of it--I have wondered what good will that do in the long run? I see yours as a cautionary tale!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I agree--ask about the spinal cord stimulator. It truly was the only way I was able to continue working. But be aware--there are drawbacks. I regret that I cannot have an MRI now--could shift the electrods and cause nerve damage. There is a question that I might have MS now but I cannot have the MRI to find out. But the stimulator did help my pain level. Good luck.
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