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Posted 9/4/2008 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I'm Kay and have been a member of hw since o4. I have crohns and arthritis and have been suffering many years with back pain. I guess when you here a dx from a dr. it really sinks in.I had an appt. with my rheumy last friday and he xrayed my back,came back in the room to inform me it's not my arthritis.H e said i have degenerative disk disease and my L5 disk shows damage from the disease.I knew it was something because i've been in pain daily since june and have had trouble with it off and on for a couple of years.My dr. said there's not much to do about it other than anti-inflammorties and exercise. Well due to my other medical problems cant do the anti inflammorties.Today i decided to get a second opinion from my chiropractor and he totally agreed with my rheumys dx. Now i need to know any helpful advice would be appreciated.This pain makes it so hard to do my job and the last week or so i have been in so much pain i've wanted to cry,but i know it won;t help a thing.Thanks for listening to me rant on.

   

                 Take care Kay

Posted 9/4/2008 1:58 AM (GMT 0)

Hello Kay and welcome to CP and I am very sorry for all that you are going through.

I am not sure what it is that you do as far as work but I know for myself i sit alot at work when I manage to get in.  One of the things that I have found that works for me is ice packs.  God i swear they work better than my pain meds at times.  I have even bought myself one of those little coolers and have been taking them to work with me. I trade one for another and  sit at work with an ice pack down the back of my pants lol.  I know it sound odd but sometimes it the only way I can get through my day of work.  I have lower back pain from a car accident that triggered osteoarthris that I didnt even know I had before the accident and some degenerative disk stuff going on as well.

I know it doesn seem like much but I do swear by my icepacks I even sleep with the things.  Will prob damage my nerves with frost bite before I get any (if any) relief from the docs and injections.

I was also wondering if they have concidered steriod injections?  If not it may be an option to discuss with your doctor... I have heard that they work for alot of people even if its just temp.  Im sure you are like the rest of us any relief is better than nothing at all.

I do help this helps you out at least a little sorry I dont have any more to offer up

Lara

Posted 9/4/2008 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Lara,
The ice packs sound wonderful but that would be hard for me to do at work.I work for the postal service delivering mail, so i'm standing,lifting,twisting and pushing all of witch doesn't help the old back. Then i'm out on the route 3hrs. of my day.Then back to the office to do more of the same.I may have to check into the injections like you said any relief is welcome.So far going to my chiro has helped a little so i'll take what i can get and pray tomorrow will be a better day.

Thanks again, Kay
Posted 9/4/2008 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Kay,

I am an account manager for a cirulation company and I drive all over and set up at store to work and work the tables when I can.  I bought one of those gel icepacks the ones you can refreeze and reuse.  I have them down my pants all day and just switch them off.  Not the best fashion statement but it really does help and you work in the post office while you are doin your stuff and while you are out on your deliveries.  Just an option.  I think we get ingenious when looking for reliefe.

I know if took me I think 6 to 7 weeks of seeing my chrio before he suggested pain man doc for the injections.  Also there is what is called a tens unit which shoots electrical currents where the pain is, supposed to loosen up the mussles or something like that lol been through so much cant keep some it straight.  But it did work for me for a bit I even have one that they gave me to take home and I still use it.  It works sometimes.  Just some more options.

Lara

Posted 9/4/2008 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
I got a special icepack at my local pharmacy (it's a major chain, so hopefully you can get it where you live). It is a large square shape that covers most of my back & it fits into a pouch that then has straps which can be velcro-ed around me. I'm not on my feet all day, but I am able to move around & lift boxes while wearing it and if I wear a shirt over it, no one can really tell I even have it on. The pouch stays cold for up to 8 hours (mine only lasts for 6 b/c I don't wrap it up in a towel when not using it) and you do have to be careful to wear a shirt under it & to put it on for no more than 20 minutes per hour. My doc recently had a patient had a patient who would go to sleep with the ice pack on the whole night (I think he wrapped it around his foot or leg) & he ended up losing a limb to gangrene b/c of the overuse.

hope you feel better soon.
Posted 9/4/2008 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Another suggestion is they make an Icy/Hot sleeve that wraps around your waist. You slide the Icy/Hot pack in the sleeve and it has velcro. Though the smell isn't the greatest! But it works :) Definately look into the epidural injections. I had inflammation in my SI joint and I did 2 epis. It didn't work the greatest at the time but it had a cumulative affect and now I hardly have any trouble from the SI joint unless I over exert myself. Today I had finished my 3rd epi injection of my cervical bulges/herniations. It has done wonders for my neck! Though today I can't tell because my muscles are spasming from the injection - just a hint - if you do decide to to have the epis, don't tense your muscles up lol. I can't take anti-inflammatories either due to my UC but boy do I wish I could! I think that would be such a benefit ya know???
Posted 9/4/2008 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
You might want to consider a referrral to a pain management clinic. The icee/hot packs like Sherry mentioned are wonderful, I use a hot pack and. warm to hot baths help. I hope someday to afford one of those whirlpool/hot tubs, but it's just a dream for now...
So sorry your having back pain, mine is from a car accident 10 yrs ago, I got spinal stenosis (pinched nerve) , degenative disc, osteoarthritis and fibro from that car wreck...anyways...
lots of soft hugz, (I can't take anti inflammatories either).
Keep us posted as to how your doing!
Posted 9/4/2008 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Kay,

Glad you are here. NOt so glad you are hurting so bad. I'm sure you will find lots of helpful information from the many wonderful people on this forum, so I'm glad you signed on.

Kay, are you still able to make it to work these days or are you losing time?? Hope you feel better soon. Please keep posting here.

God bless and gentle hugs, my good friend.

Lindaloo
Posted 9/5/2008 10:34 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for the suggestions,i'll look into the ice packs and see about the injections . Linda thanks for the warm welcome, i've been in so much pain i've missed a few days of work this week.I'm going back to work today so we'll see how that goes. Thank you all
Kay
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