Bad back

[PK]

You might have notice that normally when someone posts about a back problem, I will respond with a bit of advice.
Having lived with major back problems since 17yrs old, I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 5.5 years trouble free.

Well, the crunch has come - it is fubared.
Left sciatic nerve is pinched badly causing pain, tingling and numbness right down into my toes.
Right sciatic nerve also grabs occasionally with a flashing pain in the right calf.
Cannot bend over at all.
Cannot lift left leg more than 10" off the ground.
Flashing pains across the small of my back when I move wrong.
Worst level of pain I have had from my back.
(Not as bad as a man passing a kidney stone - another story LOL).

Off to the doc tomorrow for referrals to a clinic the specialises in pain management, and physiotherapy. (Epidurals etc).
Also referral to a surgeon, so that I get opinions in both directions.

Wish me luck.

PK

[Dmitrikr]

good luck!

[Grif]

Wow that sucks bro. Good luck, hope it gets better for ya.

[Mile High VX]

I'll be praying for you PK.

[VX KAT]

So sorry to hear this PK. I have a Physical Therapist here with some seriously magical hands, wish I could beam him over to you to make you feel a little better. Good to hear you're exploring options, hope one will result in much relief for you. Hope it looks up for you real soon. All my positive juju coming your way. Hang in there bestus buddy!

[IndianaVX]

Lifetime member of the back pain club here too! Will be praying for you, the doc's and all involved. Good luck!
And you are right...... I tell my girls that childbirth is nothing compaired with a guy passing a kidney stone!
Take care!

[Riff Raff]

Best wishes to you, PK. Hope the Doc's can work their magic and get you mo' better.

[nocturnalVX]

Good luck & best wishes on getting back to a pain-free routine. Hope the docs can cure what ails ya, not just treat the symptoms...

[Gussie2000]

Wish you the best of all lucks PK.

[VXjunky]

totally sympathize and share your problem....hows this for an indicator....when you have your morning trip to the throne....you have to jump in the shower to do the clean up since you can bend enough to use the paper

[PK]

totally sympathize and share your problem....hows this for an indicator....when you have your morning trip to the throne....you have to jump in the shower to do the clean up since you can bend enough to use the paper

Hahah - that might be the case if I could actually do anything on the throne.

Just as well I am not having a baby, 'cause I sure can't push through the pain.



Damn, another thread I have posted in that goes down the toilet.






Thanks to all the others that have sent me good wishes.
Believe me it helps me stay positive and realise I am not alone.
In some cases I am the lucky one.


PK

[Luna X]

take a peek at this... there are a couple pics of what my lower back and neck look like


All of my lumbar discs were shot, and I have the same issue in my neck... worst part of degenerative disc disease is the "degenerative" part... just keeps getting worse, and I have to keep chasing it....;(

PK, I feel for ya... don't be afraid of surgery if you have blown out discs. physiotherapy really won't fix anything, just causes more pain

[tom4bren]

Sorry to hear this PK. Prayers & best wishes coming your way.

[ibmx2]

thought, prayers, and just good vibes going out to you good luck

[PK]

Thought it was about time I posted an update on my back.

Since the original post I have been having physio therapy about 3 - 4 times a week.
We worked through a whole heap of different treatments, with varying degrees of success and failure. (Yes, some of them did make me worse in the short term.)

For the last 6 weeks, the sessions start out with 20 minutes on "the rack".
Strapped to a special bed with 2 sections. The upper section holds my upper body with a huge velcro strap across my chest.
The lower section holds my hips with another huge velcro strap. They then dial up some settings in a computerised machine that pulls me apart. Current settings apply a load of 40 kg (about 88 lb) for 10 seconds and then releases for 5 seconds. This repeats for the full 20 minutes.
Pain just goes away as I am stretched out.
After the session, my height is measured to ensure it stays within safety limits.

After the rack, I exercise for about 60 - 90 minutes in the hydrotherapy pool.
15' x 50' pool, chest high water kept at 38 Celcious.

This is currently done twice a week.
Since we started this treatment, the period I stay pain free has increased from just a few hours, to the current pain free period with no medication for 36 - 48 hours. Then the pain slowly returns. By the time of my next session, I am taking about 4 - 6 painkillers a day. (Heaps less, and a safer tablet, then when I started out.)

I think we can beat this now.
Worst case, is to have multiple facet joints blocks injected into my back.

No surgery for this little black duck.

Guess I am one of the lucky ones again.


PK