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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eo213 08/25/2011

I was recently diagnosed with degenerative disc disease in L4-L5 and spondylolysis in L5. I have had severe back pain on and off over the past 4 years with about 5 or so injuries to my L4-L5 disc.

I currently have a moderate disc bulge in L4-L5. Just over the past week, I have been experiencing tingling, pins and needles, tightness, intense pain, and a feeling of pressure in the lower back region, but it is in an area higher than L4-L5. Has anyone had these symptoms before or know what they could mean? I'm really worried it could be something serious.

deleted_user 08/26/2011

I'm assuming that you had a recent MRI??? If you haven't had one in the last year, ask for one with and without contrast material.

Sometimes the pain radiates in the spine, and areas higher or lower are painful. OR you could have herniated the level above -- I hope not.

Are you able to urinate without any problem? Are your bowels working as they should? If you're having any problem with either of these, call your doctor!!! It could be serious.

I hope you have some pain medications to help you -- you might want to call your doc and tell him about these symptoms. Don't suffer needlessly! Best of luck & God bless -- we all know what it's like. Hugs, Lee

eo213 08/26/2011

Thanks, Lee. I had an MRI about 2 weeks ago, and that is when I was diagnosed with DDD. I did not have it with contrast, though. What will the contrast show?

Urinating and bowel movements are normal. I do have pain meds but am trying not to take them everyday. I'm going to day for a lumbar epidural.

deleted_user 08/26/2011

Your pain meds are MEANT to take regularly. If you wait until the pain is severe, you can't knock it down. You MUST keep a steady dose of pain meds in your system, or your pain will spike. Even if you're having a somewhat "good" day, later on the pain will spike, and you won't have the dose of medication in you if you don't take them regularly.

Do these epidurals help? I never got any relief from them --- lots of folks get only a few days relief, and it's NOT worth it if that's the case. If the first epidural doesn't work, don't let the doc do anymore because THEY won't work either. And anytime we have anything injected into our spine, we put ourselves at risk for arachnoiditis, which is an INCURABLE, very painful condition!!!

Good luck and I hope the injection works for you -- but remember that it's only temporary. God bless. Hugs, Lee

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