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Posted 1/13/2012 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
Good morning!  I woke up early, turned over in bed, and immediately got slammed with the kind of pain that makes your eyes pop open and bad things fly out of your mouth! shocked  Could not find a comfortable position so I got up.  Now at least I can function (after taking a whole Tramadol, something I almost never do.)

My back's been bad lately, and I've been to the chiropractor twice this week.  Now it's worse than ever.  This guy does not listen; if you try to talk to him for 30 seconds, you see his eyes glaze over.  His wife used to adjust me, but now she's at home with their baby and I'm left with this big, strong man pushing on my sacroiliac.  He wants you in and out in 2 minutes or less, just doing the same thing every time. 

Time for a new chiro.

Debbie the Delicate turn

Posted 1/13/2012 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
Debbie, I used to go to a chiropractor for my lower back.  I have scoliosis.  Anyway, after fibro I always hurt more when I left then when I arrived for the appointment.  He wanted to see me three times a week.  about as soon as I started feeling better, it was time for another appointment.  I kept going because I had it in my head that this would really help me.  It really didn't!  The last appointment I had, I walked in and shuffled out with tears streaming down my cheeks.  I almost couldn't get dressed because I couldn't lift my legs.

 

My back is much better once I stopped going to a chiropractor.  They helped me a lot before fibro but not after.

 

Sherrine

Posted 1/13/2012 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hmmm. Yeah, my mom's hip was definitely made worse in the end by a chiropractor - and he always insisted he was helping! I'm sure he believed he was.

In my situation, it usually does help (or has until now.) I have scoliosis, too. For the past 20 years, (with fibro,) when my back gets what I call jacked-up, it's been the only thing that's straightened me out and relieved the pain.

What I mean by jacked-up is, my left side tightens and my right leg shrinks up a good inch or more. I've usually gone on the average of once a month or so. It might be sore for a day or two, but then I've loosened up - far from perfect, but noticably better...for awhile....or unless I drive over a dip or lift a heavy book or try to restrain the dog or...anything at all!

But somethin's gotta give here...maybe I've just been "cracked" too many times. Or maybe I need a different type of manipulation. Ugh! Don't know what to do.

Debbie
Posted 1/13/2012 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
Debbie, I'm so sorry that you are hurting so bad. The last time I went to the chiropractor, I left his office and hubby had to take me straight to the ER, that was over 10 years ago. Before that I saw 4 differant chiropractors throughout the years... started going when I was 18 and stopped when I was 49. Eventually had back surgery, and never had chiropractic care again.

I think I got to the point that my back could no longer have adjustments made to it...I'm too fragile. Chiropractors always told me I was full of subluxations and had scoliosis...no mention of degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis which I was found to have.

Hope you feel much better soon :)

Hugs, Robin
Posted 1/13/2012 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
I go hang from a tree...honestly!  LOL  I used to use monkey bars but now I have a tree with a low branch.  I hold on to that and slowly stretch my spine that way.  I only do that for a few seconds but it does help.  I don't lift my feet off the ground because I don't want to hurt myself but, for me, it helps stretch the muscles and put things back where they should be.  I know.  I'm crazy!  smilewinkgrin

 

Sherrine

Posted 1/13/2012 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Robin. I had an MRI of my lumbar spine a few years ago, and still haven't had it explained to my satisfaction. Some garden-variety abnormalities and moderate disc wear and tear was the best I got....tried Google and learned a few things...guess it's time to try harder!

Sherrine, that actually sounds like a great idea! Of course, if I tried it right now it might not be too good...

Debbie
Posted 1/13/2012 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
I usually do this when I'm having problems with my back.  But use your own judgement.  You know the pain you are in and you know your back, too.  I'm gentle about this.  Just reaching up and slightly stretching the back helps me.  I don't do it to the point of pain, though.  It usually feels good to me.

 

I have a shower stall and I sometimes hold on to the top of the enclosure, where there is metal and strength, just to stretch my back slightly...right when I'm taking a hot shower.  Just a little stretch.  I'm not talking about swinging from the branches!  LOL

 

Sherrine

Posted 1/14/2012 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Ouch, if anything it's worse today. Of course it had to happen on a weekend.

Now I'm worried about serotonin syndrome. I felt so close to fainting right before the Tramadol kicked in this morning. It's probably fine, because that's all I'm taking (besides my everyday meds) and I'm not taking more than I'm supposed to. But I'm going to try to get ahold of the doctor just in case.

I'm very thankful, though, that it let me sleep for 7 hours last night.

Debbie
Posted 1/14/2012 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
"besides my everyday meds" And what are those? Tramadol by itself can cause serotonin syndrome, but it's more likely when it's used in combination with something else.

I have stopped a couple of pretty bad incidents of serotonin (tramadol the same day as Flexeril, taking tramadol at the same time as Zofran) by taking diazepam. My main symptom was horrible overheating with turning beet red. Since I need the tramadol more than anything else, I stay away from Flexeril, and when I need Zofran I don't take tramadol at the same time.
Posted 1/14/2012 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
Alcie,

Hmmm! Well, I just got off the phone with my doctor and he suggested I take the Tramadol every 4 hrs. if needed, and also a Flexeril morning and night. But maybe I won't take Flexeril unless I can't stand the pain!

The Tramadol by itself does a really good job of subduing the pain, actually, if I take it when I should. This time I've waited too long so now I'm pretty bad off. I figure in an hour I'll be much better.

Thanks for the warning! btw my everyday meds are 25 mg Tramadol, 10 mg Nortriptyline, 2.5 mg Klonopin, and 25 mg Levothyroxine.

Debbie
Posted 1/14/2012 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
I do hope your back starts to feel better soon. I am happy for you though, it sounds like you have a very caring doctor on your side.

But see, this is why I'm so nervous about taking anything! Once I start to feel slightly loopy with the tramacet, my med anxiety kicks in and makes it all so much worse.
Posted 1/15/2012 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
Mamanan,

Yes, I know exactly what you mean about med anxiety. I think our bodies are so overly-finely tuned that we feel every little thing, so of course we worry about it! And since we're probably foggy to begin with, it's hard to separate factors out in our minds. A vicious cycle.

Or as it's been called here before, The Princess and the Pea Syndrome!!

Debbie
Posted 1/16/2012 5:28 AM (GMT 0)
What a weekend. If this is the new normal, I've got some serious adjusting to do. This flat-out sucks!

I can't stay half-way comfortable in any sitting position for more than a minute. My whole left leg and foot are numb, but at the same time in a lot of pain. If I try to straighten that leg out, it sends shooting pains up into my sacrum. That area hurts a lot too, and is where it all seems to come from.

My doc is going to look at my MRI that I had done a few years ago. I feel that it has to be a disk thing. I've never had this kind of pain before, radiating this much, this intensely. That it could just be a pulled muscle - I don't think so.

Today I started taking Flexeril along with the Tramadol. I'm a little woozy, but not bad. I just wish it would be more effective.

Thanks for reading this! Debbie
Posted 1/16/2012 7:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hello. Sorry your back hurts so bad. That's terrible. I broke a disc space in my lumbar area years ago. Only I didn really know it. Inwas thrown from a horse and landed flat on my back. Anyway, I have really bad sciatica now.. That shotting pain that runs from the low back down your leg. I do see a chiropractor but I agree it's not for everyone and just like other drs there are good ones and bad ones. I had one chiro mess up my neck for quite a while till another chiro could fix it up

Anyway, I do a stretch where I lay on the floor by mu door frame. I put one leg out the door and the other gently on the door frame and slowly stretch out my calves and thighs. It helps me a lot. Also, do you sleep on your side or back? I I sleep on my side I always put a pillow between my knees to take pressure off the lower back. If I sleep on my back I put the pillow under both knees.

Stretching your hamstring muscles out gently will help a lot too. Uou can also use an exercise ball and gently stretch your back out that way. They aren't too expensive and they come with good stretching ideas for your body. Of course don't do anything till you check it out with your dr

Good call on him re examining your MRI! I had a dr do that and the report did t get all the details on my spinal decompression. I hope you feel better soon!! Tennis balls placed inside a large sock help too. I'll take them and lay down on the floor or against the wall and gently put pressure on the areas the worst. It helps me a lot

Sorry, I probably gave you ideas you already know about. Hope it gets better so

Nancy
Posted 1/16/2012 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Nancy. I will definitely try those exercises. I hadn't heard about them, actually.

I always sleep on my right side with a towel between my knees, because my knees hurt when one's on top of the other...but since this craziness started, I'm making it thicker and also putting one between my ankles.

Now if I could just stay asleep! As soon as I sit up, the pain in my leg and butt hits hard.

Debbie
Posted 1/16/2012 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Deb a couple of things

i too have terrible sciatica. I saw my PM last year, got a series of e injections and voila! pain was complete gone-retired the can. These injection only last up to 6 months, but wow, what a great 6 months...so might be consideration instead of chiro...I have just heard of so many worse off afterwards.

Painmeds-learned this when Mom was dying of cancer and many will disagree. You do not want to let tramadol completely wear off before taking another. That pill has to work twice as hard to tame the pain. I only take flexeril at night, really helps sleep and restless legs.

Nancy-what a great idea!! Think I could use a basketball for more coverage-LOL!!

Sounds like chiro is out, check out injections ( they really don't hurt), moist heating pads and a cane. I have to lie on my side with a body pillow in between knees at nite too

Goodluck and let us know what works and doesn't work

Maggie
Posted 1/17/2012 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Maggie. I may look into that because this is getting ridiculous. I can't remember the last time I was in so much pain. This is the 5th day.

Weird thing - my doc says all my significant disk damage is on my right side - but all my pain is on the left! Of course, he's looking a 3-yr old MRI. I may have to bite the bullet and see a neurosurgeon and get another one...which we CAN'T afford :/

Debbie
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