Upper to Lower Backache - Help!

Hi to all Fibromites

Im havin bad pain from shoulders and the whole back.  As i try every position i can think of, none seem to be correct enough to let me rest.  Looks like its another sleepless night again, but for different source of pain.

Already taken Gabapentin and Tramadol.  Doesn't seem to touch.

I have constant heat on me in the summer also. I use the fan at night to off set getting to hot. I use heating pad or a heating blanket. Have you look into your mattress. I know for a fact, they can be the problem also. I bought a pillow sleeper probably over 6 years ago. It's already bunching up in the middle. If I get a new one, I will buy a memory foam. I had a chance to sleep on one for 2 wks. It was heaven. Lol I know sometimes my husband will rub the knots out of my shoulder and back. It sore at the time, but it works for me. I think I might look into treating myself once a month to a massage. If you feel my shoulders, they feel so rigid and tight. I thought about looking into the massage school for cheaper prices. I would get someone about to graduate. In the day time if my back or neck huts I like those thermal pads. The one you shake and wrap or place on the spot hurting. That way I can be active, but my muscles are less tense because the heat relaxes them. They can be kind if spendy, but costco has a great deal.

Post Edited (ak angel) : 7/22/2012 1:21:21 PM (GMT-6)

I have alao been having terrible back spasms and hip pain since I fell down and landed mostly on my right hip back in april. Since then i have found that I have some degenerative discs in my lower back. I have tried physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments and massage and get relief for a very short time. I havehave also triedwhere Ibuprophin, another perscription anti inflammatory, and muscle relaxers but nothing seems to help. I am using a heating pad that sometimes helps.

I have had multiple fractures in my back so along with the fibro, and degenerative disc disease and osteoporosis i have back pain most days. I have a fan blowing at night, cause if my face gets too hot, i get sick.

I have several blankets i use and also have 5 small dogs along with dh in the bed to keep me warm.

My favorite way to calm the pain enough to sleep is one of my best friends: Biofreeze. Love this stuff. I got it in a roller bottle, and dh puts it on me about 1/2 before i go to sleep. helps a lot.

Deepwell said...
I think that's a big area of back pain. If it was me, I would see a doctor to get cleared to get a prescription for physical therapy. I have put a lot of money into accupuncture, massage or chiropractic, and they all have been beneficial. But I now believe that a good physical therapist teaches me how to correct posture and strengthen any problem area. The results are much more long lasting. It's more of an investment in my future.

My favorite therapist took a picture of me in position for each exercise, and stapled it to written directions. Now that I've moved away from him, if something recurs I still have my picture and the directions in a file folder, for the rest of my life.

Hi DW

Went to PT and learned 3 exercises but i brought home only 2 (forgot how to do the other one).  Even tho i was given a piece of paper with the drawings of the exercises, i can't relate much how its to be done!  Fibrofog..i guess.

Tried a few times but im just too tired for it.  Whenever i get home from work,  my back hurts too much that i just wanna lie down and do nothin.

When mine is flaring really bad I have to use a cane because my legs feel like they are going to give way.
I hurt from my mid-back all the way down to my feet on bad days.
Most days I just can't bend over and pick up things without a lot of pain and grunting. I have a grabber to pick up things off the floor so I don't have to bend.

Thank you for your replies.

Today the pain specialist rx Lyrica 75 mg twice daily.  He examined my lower back and suggest i go for an MRI to confirm his diagnosis that its L5/S1 Facet Joint Degeneration.  He said no need for surgery unless there's somethin more serious seen on the MRI.  The only treatment will be PT and painkillers.

Will PT resolve the problem without the need for surgery?