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Chronic back pain

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 5/9/2014 12:12 PM (GMT 0)
I have DDD and herniated disc at L4-5,s1 and on nerve and fibromialgia . I've have been in pain since had my daughter in 2005 and gotten worse. I have tried nerve block epidural injections trigger point and all medication. I don't know what else to do. I work full time as waitress and its just me doing three people jobs. I'm a youth pastor and minister with husband. He is disabled and daughter is 9 I have a good doctor trying fentanyl 75mcg patches oxycodone 15mg and Valium and ambien I'm still hurt sitting standing laying moving my right hip is out of alignment I'm 30 yrs old . Any suggesting
Posted 5/9/2014 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
Short of maybe surgery to correct at least some of your issues the only other thing I can suggest is to continue with the medication route.

Sometimes it can take a while to find the right medication or medications that will work since everyone is different.
Posted 5/9/2014 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Jim, it can sometimes take awhile to get the correct medicine combo. Have you tried physical therapy and ultra sound treatments, as those might be of help, a tens unit might help...If your not in with pain management then that might be the next step...I would say to put off on the surgery and be leery of chiropractic, if it's neck pain then do not do chiropractic as it could make things worse on you. but for low back pain chiropractic might help...
Just a side note since this seems to have start after your pregnancy then maybe get blood work done to see if your have a rheumatoid arthritic condition...Did you get swelling right after your pregnancy, I had swelling after my pregnancy which is a turning point for possibly RA.
Hope this helps...
Posted 5/9/2014 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jenneal & welcome to the chronic pain forum. So sorry to read the difficulties you are having. I would be willing to bet you have a family history of DDD & arthritis. A lot of times even at a young age you just come from the bad gene pool. This sort of stuff is on both sides of my family so my problems began at an early age too.

A couple of things stood out in your post to me. Being a waitress is not an easy job, it requires you to stand on your feet all day, that alone will trigger the back pain. If you have to carry trays loaded with plates of food, there is another trigger. I am not sure from reading your post but do you have a pinched nerve in your back? If so, then narcotics do not have much effect on nerve pain. There are however, some meds for nerve pain such as Lyrica, Cymbalta, Gabapentin which is the generic of Neurotin & Amitriptiline to name a couple. Most of these meds have to build up in your system to get the desired effect.

I would stay clear of any chiropractic treatment especially with the disc problem in your back. I have seen many people go to a chiro with disc problems & end up in worse shape. I think they are ok to try if its a muscular type of a problem but certainly not with what you are dealing with.

I think someone mentioned trying a Tens Unit, sometimes those can help. Have you tried moist heat or cold packs? Staying active is a must but I have to wonder if your work is keeping things triggered. Just some thoughts.

Anyway, I wanted to pop on & say hello & welcome aboard.
Posted 5/10/2014 9:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome to HW. Others have given you some great advice and I can't add much to it. I was thinking about how you seemed like a perfect candidate for vocational rehab. It's a great way to get retraining to a job that's not so physically trying. DDD being a disease that's degenerative in nature may progress so looking ahead may be a move to make before that happens.

As for the pain, you just have to keep searching for the right combination of meds and modalities to get to the best point you can.
Posted 5/11/2014 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome,

I feel your pain, I have a herniated disc at C7-T1 pressing on the C7 nerve, also was told I have DDD, bone spurs, disc height loss etc.

Have you tried acupuncture? I've been through 2 rounds of PT, this second was flaring my neck, back and shoulders up so she suggested trying the acupuncture, only had it done twice and it hurt like the devil when she put the needle in so we shall see if it helps.

Is your pain going in to your legs and feet? Hope you get some relief really soon.
Posted 5/12/2014 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
Really sorry you're having to endure this pain at such a young age. It probably helps that you're active with your job and your family, but there may still be some specific muscle weaknesses that could be worked on. I also have DDD in my neck and have benefited from deep tissue massage, strengthening exercises and PT. You may want to consult different PTs as they all have unique approaches and one may work better for you than another.

It might also be wise to exhaust the non-invasive treatments before undergoing surgery. Hopefully you really trust your medical team. Praying you get some relief and solid solutions. Blessings to your family, jenneal.

Posted 5/15/2014 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, I am new here. Just wanted to let you all know what I have been through. In May 2010 I fell out of the back of a tractor trailer while I was unloading it. I broke two ribs, fractured 4 Transverse processes and ruptured a disk and also fractured a Fossit Joint. I had 3 nerve blocks which none took for more than a day or so. They went in to shave off the ruptured part of my disk and discovered the fractured fossit joint. My second surgery they installed a cage while doing fusion. The screws on it backed out so they lined up my third surgery and installed a bigger cage. While in my third surgery he must have hit a nerve and damaged it. I have pain and numbness in both legs which starts from my buttocks down to my feet. I had the Boston Scientific Stimulator installed on May 2nd and it has helped with a lot of my buttock pain but nothing for my feet pain. I am about two weeks out and have went from an 8 in pain scale to about a 4. The longer I use this stimulator it seems my body is hating the constant sensation. Has anyone else had this done. I love that it has helped with the pain but hate this sensation. I also was told my body would in time get use to this and start to feel pain again, just like raising your medication. Any advise would be helpful, thank you....ThDawg
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