Greetings from a Newbie

 

Hello. I have just joined this message board want to introduce myself. I am a 55-year old woman who has had chronic low back pain since 1995. For the last couple of years I have also had chronic pain in my right foot, as well as chronic pelvic pain.  All of my problems have one thing in common, namely that the cause is unknown. My back pain seems to be disk-related (based on two  diskograms), although my MRI shows only one small bulge at L4-L5. The lack of a clear cause of my back pain has always been a source of frustration. The foot problem appears to be structural. Heel surgery last October didn't help. The pelvic pain apparently stems from a "pelvic floor" problem. My PT says I have tight pelvic muscles, which are impinging on a nerve (the pudental nerve). For pain relief I use a fentanyl patch (75 micrograms), which I have used for over eight years.  I work full time, for which I am grateful, as my jobs helps distract me from the pain. Well, that's my story.  Thanks for listening.

Welcome Birdlover,
Sorry to hear of the complex problems. Most of us who have dealt with this kind of pain for a length of time hear on a regular basis from the medical profession that thre are not many clear answers. My PCP nad I have a great relationship and he does not doubt anything that I relate to him. He also lets me know just where he is at and his frustration at not being able to do more. I also work full time which helps tremendously as a diversion. My main problem comes about 8 pm when I try and settle down and the distractions end. The I come face to face with what has been there all day but hidden by all the business of the day. This is a great site and it helps to talk to others that experience the same things. Through this forum we find we have more in common then we thought at first. I am also in the fabulous fifties.

Hi, i am new too, and don;t think i have a lot to complain about compared to some.  my problems also come from two bulging discs, L3/4 and S1/5 bi-lateral.  luckily they are not bad enough for surgery but i get a lot of leg pain, thighs and knees, and various pins and needles and buzzing, and heat sensation in my feet,  i can't sit down for very long so am unable to work.  it is very slowly improving, 18 months in now and still spend a lot of time lying on floor!  tramadol helps a little but trying to come off it.  trying a lot of natural supplements instead.  I am 47 female.  Doc thinks weak back due to gallbladder surgery in 84 - old style huge scar - and 3 c-sections. 

Hi and Welcome to all of you!

So sad to see that we are all here for the same reason with different causes!  Most of us here have some or most of our symptoms with an unknown cause (or have heard gee you have problems in your L spine but none bad enough to cause your symptoms).  What we do have is a great network of caring, loving people who support each other and that helps us (me at least) stay sane....well sort of lol.

Feel free to vent and we will help you in any way that we can!!

edt

Birdlover and all who posted who are new, welcome welcome welcome!!! I am so glad to see new people join us here at Healing Well. We are truly a growing family and like a family we all try to support one another and lend an ear.

I am Linda and I have a back history as well and know just what you mean when you discuss back pain and leg and foot symptoms. I have been there and on occasion still am there. My main complaints are fibromyalgia related though, which occurs in my legs and feet mostly. We all sure do sympathize with one another.

Please feel free to keep posting and let us get to know you and you get to know all of us. We are so glad you are here!

Gentle Hugs,

Lindaloo

Hello there Birdlover & Tabithacat,

Thanks for sharing your stories with us! Welcome to the CP board of HW! It seems like this weekend has brought about a great wave of new comers! We're very sorry to see you here because you too suffer from this evil monster that is pain, but glad to have you join our family! Keep posting, you'll find that we are wonderfully supportive & understanding!

Skeye

I too want to welcome Tabitha and Bird. So sorry that you have to join us here. Its sad that so many are new and have pain.