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Posted 7/2/2012 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
In May 2011 I had the most excruiating pain in my lower back whilst I was sitting at the computer - so much so that it brought tears to my eyes. I put this down to a many houred gardening stint and taking books and household items up to my loft as I was renting my house. From then on I have had lower back pain. I had an xray and then MRI scan in Sept 2011 which revealed slight bulging my my discs in lower back. I continued with back pain which curtailed my gardening interest (maybe this all started because of my constant bending over the years) - in Feb 2012 felt slight better although pain still in back - what did I do? - went and dug the garden - from then on I have had back pain 24/7 - pain killers slightly and my doc suggested physio massage. I have had 8 of these and have religiously followed exercises - guess what? my back is even worse !! Is it poss that this massage and exercise instead of helping has actually made matters worse? Also back seems to have more pain on left hand side - I am desperate and unhappy and don't know what to do next

Thank you guys
Posted 7/2/2012 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nicola56,

Welcome to the CP board.... but I'm sorry you are suffering w/ chronic lower back pain. I have chronic back pain (although mine is cervical and thoracic)... as well as a bunch of other stuff. It can be miserable, that's for sure.

Just some quick thoughts - I don't know what medications you've tried.... but on top of my narcotic medication - I use a muscle relaxer - and it helps add to the pain relief that I do get (which isn't much these days).

There are also a bunch of other things that can be tried.... injections, epidurals, etc.

Have you ever been to a pain management doctor? That would be my first suggestion. A good PM doc will manage your meds and help you find other ways of dealing w/ your pain.

In terms of your question re: physical therapy - some people benefit from it - but, for me, it always made my pain issues worse. And I gave it a good try many a time.

I'm sure others will have more to add... but I mostly wanted to welcome you... I'm sorry you are suffering... and I hope you can find ways to try to minimalize the pain as much as possible.

--Tina
Posted 7/2/2012 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
It might be a good idea to get a referral out to either a neurologists for further testing or pain management, if your not already seeing these types of doctors. Maybe you could learn some good stretches from physical therapy that could help, but see the neuro or painmanagement doctors first for further evualuations.
Well wishes and keep us posted as we do care, welcome to our family and sorry we had to meet under chronic pain circumstanceses,others will come by.
Posted 7/2/2012 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
 

        Nicola!...Hey!...Welcome to the Chronic Pain Forum! wink

           We are so glad you found us here on the web, but really and sincerely sorry for your Chronic Pain issues! It's horrble I know, as I too have Lumbar and Cervical issues! shakehead

     You have already met one of our Moderators (Tina) ...and Chartreux a very caring and loyal fan of the CP forum...and I really have to agree with them both.

      I just wanted to give a quick "Howdy"...and hope you can stay with us for a while...and get to meet the rest of the gang! smilewinkgrin

      Take care, and ask anything you wish of us here!

       Enjoy the forum!...and feel free to use the search feature for some good reading on issues your interested in as well.

      SE wink

Posted 7/2/2012 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nicola, Welcome to the Forum. Low back problems here also. Like others have mentioned. I agree that seeing a Neurologist would be a good idea if your not already. I hope you find relief. There are many things to try that may help. Your Doctor should know how to treat you the best. Best of luck and hope it calms down for you.
Posted 7/2/2012 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nicola and welcome.

In answer to your question, yes the exercise and massage could be making things worse. You should tell your doctor about this and ask to see a neurologist.
Posted 7/3/2012 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Nicola Welcome to our chronic pain forum. I'm glad you found us, but sorry you have the pain to deal with. I tried physical therapy and it made me hurt worse, so yes it can. I wish you well on finding relief.

hugs
Loretta
Posted 7/3/2012 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Nicola, sorry you r having so much back pain. Seeing the right doctor could give you some answers. I know for years my hubby thought his massages were the bomb well they made me feel like I had been hit by one, I finally told him my doctor said no massages and I eeded X-rays. They rest is history in the making, I loved gardening until last year my back locked up and I could not get up I crawled but even that was painful after a couple hours my hubby came home from work and helped me up. Raised beds do help.
Posted 7/4/2012 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Nicola to this forum, we are glad to have you here! I'm pretty much going to agree with everyone else- you need to see either a neurologist or a pain management doctor. Also, I just recently tried physical therapy and it made my back pain much worse...My therapist did massage on the last visit I had there and it felt good at the time, but about 10 minutes after I left her office my pain got severe. So, I am not doing physical therapy anymore. I do hope you get some answers and find some relief soon! *hugs*
Posted 7/15/2012 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nicola, just wanted to drop by and welcome you here. Glad you found us but sorry you are hurting so much. You will find the members here very caring and they have a wealth of knowledge. Hope you will keep posting with us.

Suzane
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