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Posted 8/11/2012 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
 

Hello, 

I have been having lower back and hip problems since last April when I fell and landed on mostly my right hip. I knew then it was going to hurt but I did not know the pain would last this long. tingling, sharp pains through legs and feet. It is getting so bad that I cannot sit for very long and went I walk my leg gives out. It happened again today while at work. It is a good thing that the wall was there for me to lean up against.

I went to an orthopedist the other day because the chiropractors were not helping, however one did do an x-ray and it showed that I have some disc degeneration. After visiting with him, he mentioned that I have bursitis and sciatica and wants to do an MRI on my lower back next week. I have never had an MRI done before.

thanks for listening.

 

Posted 8/11/2012 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
mri's aren't bad. They put you in a noisy tube though. Most likely you will be going in though the foot end of your body, so your head will be sticking out. Sometimes the doctors give you valium or xanax if you are going to be all the way in it. You can't feel anything. Just make sure you don't have any metal on you or in you.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 8/11/2012 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
 

Thank you Karen.

April

Posted 8/11/2012 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
They gave me ear plugs for my MRI. If small spaces bother you just close your eyes before going in and hum a little tune. You do have to be very still during it.
Sometimes they give you a soft pillow under you knees or back to ease off the pressure and make you more comfortable.
Posted 8/11/2012 5:18 AM (GMT 0)
April,

MRIs aren't painful, unless lying still is a problem...the worse part is the cost, IMHO.

I hope you figure out what's causing your pain and that it's nothing too serious.

Debbie
Posted 8/11/2012 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for the kind words and advice. I will try and remember to ask for a pillow for my legs. Laying flat on my back i am dreading. I will also try and remember to take ear plugs too incase they do not have any. Then I will try and go to my happy place and zone out when they do the mri. I work that morning on tuesday then in the early after noon I have the MRI then meet with the dr and talk about the results and what we will do from there to make me better smilewinkgrin

Post Edited (Sassiegyrl) : 8/11/2012 12:18:57 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/11/2012 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there...You can certainly bring your own...but they will definitely have ear plugs for you there and all you have to do is ask about the pillow under your legs. They usually do this anyway as that is the appropriate way to align your spine.

I think the Ortho is guessing about having degenerative discs as you cannot see this on a X-ray. But even if you are diagnosed with DDD...it's really not a disease per say, all it means is that your spine is changing based on the normal aging process.

Close to 80% of the population over 30 has DDD and things like bulging discs and/or bone spurs. So while it's a good diagnostic tool, it needs to go along with a good physical exam and your symptoms to see what type of treatment is best.

85% of those with spine issues will heal on their own or without any surgical intervention.

I would make sure that you are seeing a Board Certified Orthopedic surgeon or a Board Certified Neurosurgeon. Once they have the MRI results, then they will set you up with a comprehensive plan of attack.

The ways to treat the spine are:

Exercise, yoga/stretching, aqua therapy, physical therapy,massage, acupuncture, traction, injections, steroids, ice, heat, biofeedback, TENS unit, not smoking, eating well and maintaining a healthy weight.

The medications used are nerve pain meds which are Lyrica, Neurontin or Cymbalta.

A muscle relaxer such as Flexeril, Robaxin, Skelaxin, Soma or Baclofen.

Even antidepressants are used for their pain relieving properties.

Personally, I would never see a chiropractor until you have the MRI as if there are herniations, they could actually paralyze you as they are not medical Drs. I truly hope that they have not done more damage to your spine. This is why I wonder if your Ortho is Board Certified as I can't imagine they would recommend a Chiro without knowing if you have any serious spine issues like herniated discs.

So, try not to worry about it and even with the results, it's important to know that so many people do well without any type of surgery. The stories you read online here or mostly anywhere online are those that are in the 15% range where surgery did not help or they still have chronic pain.

Glad they are moving forward in diagnosing you! Keep us posted:)
Posted 8/11/2012 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
 

Hi Snowbunny,

thank you for your reply.  I made sure that the Orthopedic dr is board certified the other day after seeing him. If he was not board ceritified I was going to find one that was. He mentioned that after the MRI possibly chiropractic care, physical therapy, cortizone shots and some other stuff I cannot remember. I went to chiroprator before seeing the Orthopedic dr.

I may even go to a Board Certified Neurosurgeon for another opinion too. I made a mistake when I had my breast reduction not going to a Board certified plastic surgeon.I had many complications. I did find one that was board certified that did my revision. what a difference.

Since I fell, I have been water walking with the flow of water, lost 20 pounds (20 more to go), drink more water, eating better and not stressing so much. I am waiting on trying some other things until after the MRI cause I dont want to aggrivate the issue any more.

I am taking wellbutrin 75 mg once a day. benadryl as needed for my allergies. mobic once a day for hip pain.

I hope the chiropractors have not done more damage either.

 

Post Edited (Sassiegyrl) : 8/11/2012 1:22:48 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/11/2012 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for sharing more:) I'm truly glad that they are going to do a MRI so that they can just see what is going on and tailor the treatment for you in a better way.

I'm also glad that you are seeing a good BC Ortho. I happen to see a BC Neurosurgeon as I have had mostly cervical spine issues that needed immediate surgeries but I also have lumbar herniations and he handles both.

I just love aqua therapy! It's so nice to not only be cool in this dreadful weather...but such a low impact way to keep active/mobile. Congrats on the weight loss!

It's definitely good that you are being cautious about activity until you get the results.

I hope that you can relax some this weekend and will pray for good results on the MRI!
Posted 8/11/2012 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
 

thank you snowbunny for all your advice and insight. Thank you for sharing with me too.

Have had neck issues in the past and shoulder problems from being so heavy chested. My left shoulder froze up after my first reduction surgery and I saw the same Ortho for shoulder. He did an xray then and gave me cortizone injection a couple of times. After that I saw a massage therapist who helped break up the adhesions in my shoulder.  Now I have more use of my shoulder :-) .

I am afraid that I have more issues with my spine but I guess we have to start some where. 

I am not going to try not to worry cause it does not help me anyway.  

April

Posted 8/11/2012 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
I agree totally with SB on this one. My surgeon said he wanted me to bring the MRI to hospital so he could use it during my surgery but he also said for my case he could see the damage on X-ray and he based my surgery on that. When they did my MRI I was put in head first and wish I knew about the ear plugs because the machine was noisy for my tender fibro ears.

The happy place is definitely where you will want to be, it does not take long. I wish you all the best hoping for great results.
Posted 8/11/2012 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
I guess I have lucked out with my MRI's as the staff has been so kind with ear plugs or plugs to listen to music...as well as a blanket as I always get cold and then pillows to help align the spine.

Since it seems that is not standard everywhere...then I agree bringing all this with you just in case:)
Posted 8/11/2012 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
 

 I was just asking my son ( he is 22 now ) about his MRI that he had years ago on his knee. He had it done by the same dr office and dr. He told me that they gave him head phones and that he listened to rock music and that they have pillows. then he replied, "It is not like you are preparing for war. It is easy". lol 

 great Idea about a blanket!  I forgot how cold those places can be: ) better start getting my bag ready to take along with my list of questions for the dr.

Posted 8/11/2012 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
They gave me a blanket for my MRI.
Posted 8/12/2012 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
 

hi all,

I did not sleep well at all last night cause of pain.  This is going  to be a long 2 days until Ihave the mri and talk with the dr. I usually have a high pain tollerance but this is old.  Right now I am laying down with an ice pack but cannot sleep.  urg!!!!!!!!!!!

I needed to vent.  thanks for listening.

Posted 8/15/2012 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
 

Hello,

I had my MRI today. It was the longest 25 minutes of my life. laying on my back, they had pillows for my legs, a blanket and ear plugs. Well, it shows some discs that are not so good. the bottom two are the worst, all black on the MRI, the next two are black and bulging (pressing on nerves in my legs and feet), Then the two above that show some white/grey and black.

He mentioned the following treatment options: prednozone, cortizone shots, physical therapy or sending me to a neurosurgeon. So I am trying the prednozone for 15 days to see if it helps. If I does not help. I am supposed to go back in. I have a bunch more questions for him and I called the office and left a message for the nurse. But they have not called and are closed now.

what should I do to make myself better? like exercise or stretching

What should I not do?

Will I end up having surgery any way?

Thanks

 

Posted 8/15/2012 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
I think if your not short on money go see what the Nero Dr. Has to say. The reason I say that I was. Put through so many treatments you mention and nothing worked until I had emergency surgery during the night. I was kind of frustrated because I was in so much pain and I didn't realize how serious my injury was. I had spinal cord compression as the dx going into surgery. See what all your options are with the neuro Dr. Sometimes it takes months to see one anyways. Hopefully it will be simple for you. After what happen to me I wish I had seen a neuro first. We have to remember all our cases are different. So use your own judgement.
Posted 8/15/2012 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
 

Thanks. Since my last posting, I am thinking of going to see a neurosurgeon. money is a little tight however it is my spine. after seeing the MRI of my lumbar spine I am thinking that is who I should go see. now which one? try and find one that is local, within a hundred miles. or go hundreds of miles away to a big city.

I never realized how bad my back was until the mri : (

Posted 8/15/2012 4:20 AM (GMT 0)
Sassiegirl, as I have no idea of the cost to you I would be hard pressed to give you that kind of recommendation. I know that I have had a few issues with my fusion surgery and had the other therapies had worked for me I would not have had the surgery.
I would definitely try physio therapy, cortisone shots because these have been proven to help. Surgery should be your last option but that's just my opinion. Hope things work out for you.
Posted 8/15/2012 4:57 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Rose for your reply. I am glad that those shots helped you. Eventually i may get them and they may help me too. I was really in schock when he showed me the mri and explained stuff and options for treatment. Dr and i talked and we are trying medicine first.

I talked with my husband ( was not at the appointment) and we are wanting another opinion. I have had lots of surgeries and really dont want another one.

When i had my breast reduction i did not do my homework before and get different opinions from other doctors/surgeons. I went to a surgeon at a big hospital in a city and have had complications from that for years.

I found a spine neuro center pretty close to home. I am going to call tomorrow and see what they say. They do spine surgeries but other treatments of the spine as well.
They may look at my mri and agree with the dr i saw today.
Posted 8/15/2012 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
 

so I just got off the phone with the nurse, who could not answer any of my questions because she does not have my file notes. I asked about a referal to a neurosurgeon (which the dr yesterday mentioned)cause i want another opinion. so i made an appointment with their spine specialist. Here is what their webite says:

Board Certified and Fellowship Trained Spinal Surgeon
Specializing in Spine Surgery (Neck and Back Surgery), Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS), Revision Spine Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery

so he is not a neurosuregon.

I am still shocked my the mri results, the what ifs are going thru my mind like crazy, tired and a little scared.

Sorry for if I am rambling, no one in my family understands what I am going through. 

Posted 8/28/2012 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
Today i went and talked to the dr again. We went over the mri (so many discs that are damaged i guess you would say) and talked about what we should do next. Since medicine and physical therapy did not help, next is an epidural shot. Kind of scared about that. Hopefully it works. Our plan is to get the pain of my lower back under control and then focus on the upper back and see what is going on up there. Since i am having more and more sharp pains in my arms and hands.

My dad called me and told me to apply for disability now. I am 41 years old and am overwhelmed.

Thanks for listening: )
Posted 8/28/2012 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
I have degenerative disk and facet disease. My L5-S1 is bone on bone and I have a bulging disk at L4 with some degeneration.
Physiotherapy helped my pain to where I could walk normal again.
I know some of the pain you're going through. (hugs)
Posted 8/28/2012 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you both. I have spent alot myself at the chiroprator. I am done going to them.

Joy- what is physiotherapy? I have a couple bulging discs too. Not sure what discs numbers they are. Hugs
Posted 8/28/2012 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
Sassiegyrl,

Good luck with your epidurals.  A word of advice - I got 2 at the same time, and wasn't sedated for them. Next time, I would be! Apparently people usually are, but it was a rushed situation, they wanted to get them done, so I said ok. Quite painful.

Debbie

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