HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Horrible back pain

Support Forums
>
Chronic Pain
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/30/2008 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hello

 I have posted a few times on other forums but never on chronic pain.

  Last Monday I was standing on a chair in the kitchen getting a platter down.Moved back a little and fell off the chair.Tuesday i went to minor injury and was given Robaxin. My back has done nothing but get worse since then.I can barely get in and out of bed cant turn over my left hip hurts also.I have pins and needles in my butt and legs.I was in a car accident several yrs ago Dr's at that time said because of my injury I would most likely get Arthritis in my back.I know that I do have it in my back and my neckBut this pain I am getting is the worst pain Ive ever been in.Im thinking I might have a pinched nerve.My back is also quite swollen.I am going back to the Dr. tomorrow.Im hoping he can give me a injection or some kind of pain pill.I have so much to do this month , I cant spend it in bed..Any suggestions?

 Thank You

 Jo-Ann

Posted 11/30/2008 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, JoAnn,
Welcome to the chronic pain forum - although I'm sad you have to be here. Falls...oh, they scare me because that's how all my serious stuff started. Before that, I used to manage the chronic arthritis and such in my neck.

Were X-rays or other diagnostic tests done after your fall? It sounds like you need to ask your doctor to help evaluate your injury more thoroughly, especially in light of your previous injuries. And the nerve symptoms are something you don't want to ignore. I'd ask for some tests, and possibly some physical therapy if that seems approrpiate (depending on the diagnosis). If it's muslce that are tight, relaxing them with some heat/warm shower might help some, but be careful of your activities right now. Have you also tried any ice for the swelling? Sometimes alternating ice and heat can help, but I'm not sure what the doctors who saw you recommended.

I know that there's a lot people have on their to do list around this time (as you alluded to), but scale back at least for now - or you're liable to make it even worse. And you'll likely have to scale back activities for the next few weeks, too, so I'd start thinking about asking for a lot of help. Overdoing it is something we all seem to have to learn the hard way, but with a fresh injury it really can make a lot of difference as to whether matters get a lot worse.

Hope this helps a bit. Others will probably be along to add some thoughts.

PaLady
Posted Yesterday 4:11 AM (GMT 0)
mmmm sorry you have to find yourself in our room! it sounds like a muscle sparain to me, but with the pins and needles i don't know. robaxin by the way is not very strong (at least i didn't think so) so you may need something a little stronger along with some muscle relaxers and maybe a cortisone or toridol shot will help. i hope sincerly it is a muscle sprain, they can be painful & get them doing pretty myuch by even putting sheets on the bed, takes a week or two to get rid of- but thankfully it goes away. the only concern is the pins & needles. make sure you tell your dr that- it could be very important. i have that feeling too, my disc is broken on my sciatica. (not as bad as it sounds) just take it easy for a few days- allow yourself hot baths and ice packs/heating pads as you can tolerate. please let us know what the dr says, we will all be thinking of you!
Posted 12/6/2008 3:08 AM (GMT 0)

Thank you for replying to my post.I did get xrays I cant remember exactly and do not have a copy but l4 and l5 are compressed.Also Moderate degenterive Arthritis in back and hip.Have started PT. Dr wants to put me on 5 days of Predisone, and Nortripteline,Sorry for all the misspellings. He also gave me Valium for the spasms..Which did help with the spasms and helps me sleep at night.I have some exercises the PT gave me but she told me not to do any today as she worked me pretty good this afternoon.This is really starting to get me down.Each morning I wake up hoping I wont have any pain, but each day I am disappointed because its still there and just not getting any better. Sorry to complain so much.

Jo-Ann

Posted 12/6/2008 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
Jo-Ann, please don't apologize! I don't understand the predisone? Are you seeing a regular dr? I know when I was first having back issues I was given robaxin, and with very little comfort from them. Perhaps you should see a pain specialist? They have stronger medications & muscle relaxers to help with the pain/spasms and also something to help for the pins/needles/burning down the leg. I have that too, I know how aggrevating it can be. Have you tried an ice pack or a long soak in the tub? Sometimes those things help me, and also do't underestimate the advantage of a good masseuse. They help alot, especially one who knows or is willing to educate themselves on what your back problems are. I hope you feel better...... :)
Posted 12/6/2008 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
AWE, so very sorry you fell and that's probably what trigger your old injury as well,
my doctor says that all accidents pretty much build on each other ( not a good thing).
The prednisone is to help with the inflammation and a very harsh medication to be put on
as it has lots of side effect such a weigh gain, make sure you take the predisone with food,
or you'll get an upset stomach. Sure hope your feeling a whole lot better soon. Have you tried ice or heat,
usually right after a injury ice helps for the first 24 hours, then heat can be applied as tolerated.
So maybe a warm bath or heating pad might help. Also if you've not had a recent or up to date MRI maybe ask
now for a new mri from your doctor.
Don't worry about complaining we all have our bad days your entitled and borrow my shoulder any time you might need a good cry,
we try to support each other here as much as we can. I'll be thinking of you so keep us posted as to how your doing.
Lots of very soft hugz coming your way and hey kttn sorry I repeated your advise about the ice/hot packs.
Posted 12/6/2008 5:17 AM (GMT 0)
I was advised by the PT today not to get a massage just yet,that my back is to inflamed right now.Everyone on this board is so kind and i so appreciate all the advise that you all give me.Sometimes I am guilty of feeling sorry for myself, being in pain and I dont realize how many people there are that are much worse off than me,yet are so kind and generous.I thank all of you..And I will keep you informed of my progress.
Jo-Ann
Posted 12/6/2008 5:38 AM (GMT 0)
Baroni,
Please don't feel guilty! We're all in the same boat, and all have our pity parties from time to time.

The short term dose of the steroid for the inflammation may be a very good idea. I often think if doctors would do that sooner after an injury, perhaps the inflammation wouldn't have as much chance to take hold and do more damage. Long term steroid use has a lot of problems, but a 5 day dose is worth trying IMHO.

Take care,
PaLady
Posted 12/7/2008 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
I agree PA lady, thats why I inquired about the cortisone injection. My pain specialist can actually put you under a light anesthesia or you can be awake (I have done both, awake isn't that bad) & they put you under a special light & can actually inject the cortisone with some pain medication to the precise affected area. I usually get about 30% relief for a few weeks when I have it done. I also met some people in the waiting room who were also having either the same or similar procedures.... one lady even said she was pain free for almost a year. Now that was my first time & was quite excited, unfortunatly I have such severe injuries it just isn't in my deck of cards. There is some minor pain, nothing unbearble, for a day or two. I was inquiring about the prednisone because I know what a rou gh drug it is. I had double pneumonia in my early 20's & was very sick. They had me on so much of that stuff I blew up from a size 4 to a 14 in a matter of months. I understand it was for my own good, but I have never been able to take it off. My mom's pomeranian was the same story, she was maybe 8 lbs and went to about 13 in no time, which is large for the poor baby. I think its a wonderful drug with a great purpose, but just very rough- so please be cautious. I am sure though, you have heard the stories. I hope any of this info helps..... and hope you are improving daily. :)

Chartreux, I am glad you gave the same recommendation. A lot of people underestimate ice/heat. Sometimes I wish I had my own glacier to sleep on... lol. :)
Posted 12/7/2008 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
Kttn,
There is a significant difference between taking oral steroids and having them injected to a localized area. Many of us have done the latter and some have good results (epidurals and such). Most doctors don't think quickly enough to try an oral steriod - for a short term - after an injury, especially since one area can't always be pinpointed quickly. It sounds like you were on oral steroids for a longer period and yes, that can have a lot of serious side effects.

PaLady
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply