Back Pain

[NINJA KILLER]

What's up all , Lately I have been having problems with my lower back due to a mishap at work. Well after another restless night in pain My wife decided to call my boss and let him know that I would not be coming in. I have tried to man up and continue with work but the type of work that I have been doing lately has almost made it impossible to function at work or even at home. So off we go to the doctor who decides to send me to a Back Specialist at KU Med . I get there and he tells me he wants to do a EMG test , CT scan & MRI to see if they can find anything.To make a long story short he does the EMG test, scan & mri and starts to inform me that I have a herniated disc between my L4 & L5 lumbar vertebra & possibly between my L5 lumbar vertebra & S1 first sacral vertebra. He decided to put me on percodan (500mg)2 a day to help with the pain for at least 2 weeks & says I can get a clearance to go back to work but I can't do any lifting or strenious work. I call my boss back when I get home to advise him of the situation and to get me a clearance to come back to work under a light duty release, Luckily I have been fortunate enough to work for a very understanding employer that is going to allow me to continue to work insted of going on workmans comp . I am still going to try & make the MNG in Arkansas but do not know if I will be able to ride. SORRY for the rant, Just thought I would share.

 

[PDBusa]

I've been dealing with three "compromised" lumbar discs for 8-9 years now. I had a PT tell me my X-ray looks like that of a 70 year old.
The only thing that really helps is good quad/hamstring stretching to ease the pull of the erector spinae muscles.
Good luck with it. Just take it easy for a while.

 

[NINJA KILLER]

I am going to try I just can't sit still!

 

[99'busa]

I'm glad everything is working out in your behalf, kinda anyway. Your employer DOES NOT want you to go on work comp. either. Those rates sky rocket after claims. I sufer w/ back aches all the time from scoliosis. Sounds like you really screwed it up good. Hopefully that isnt anything that will be long term.

 

[Schism]

sorry to hear about the back. the narc's you'll take will only mask the pain and you will eventually develop a tolerance for them. i hate to say it but you will bite the pain for so long as i did and then get the surgery done. my job is physicaly demanding at times and i would say that i am about 90% good after 3 yrs. it might be something to consider.

 

[NINJA KILLER]

I am hoping that this will not be a lasting or nagging injury.

 

[twotonevert]

Sorry to hear that, can the discs be healed?

 

[NINJA KILLER]

The doctor wants to medicate first & surgery as a last resort. He says with the medication and some back therapy he thinks I will be able to avoid surgery. This all depends on how I go about everyday work without further injuries.

 

[Moparict]

I have that same injury to the point. The pain goes down my right leg clear to the top of my foot. I have had three shots of steroids. They did well for about 6 years. I am going back in for a MRI Friday to confirm what we already know. That way, I can get another shot in the back. I fell through a safety floor of a Boeing 757 in 2000. G

ood luck. Remember that just because you feel better doesn't mean that you really are. You can screw yourself up worse. Be careful and be smart about what you do.

 

[BigBSBusa]

Sorry to hear it, Bob! Take it easy on that back, so you can enjoy that new baby.

 

[twotonevert]

Do some research on a program called, "Save a Back". There are some exercises that will benefit you.

 

[NINJA KILLER]

The doctor said if I get worse by Monday that he wants me to consider doing a Epidural Steroid Injection. He wants to inject it near the Spinal Nerves called the Epidural Space. I will have to be sedated for this. He thinks that I caught this in time so the possibility of recovery without any long lasting effects or nagging injuries to my back will be greatly improved without having to do Surgery. There are things that concerns me with this procedure, Infection ,Bleeding & Dural Tears. This is happening at a bad time with the MNG & my newborn due in July. On the other hand I want to be able to function properly and be able to do the things I love to do , Ride & hold my newborn.

 

[Supergank1]

although i`m fine now i`ve had some pain problems from weightlifting/martial arts and i feel for ya man...when those discs start to bulge and you get that pressure on the nerve root or spinal cord it`s very uncomfortable..stick to doctors orders and don`t lift anything because it can set you back over and over..i was lucky and with rest and threapy was able to heal mine in about 2 months..my doc told me most people with proper rest and therapy will not require surgery..hopefully you will fall under that catagory. good luck with yours. sometimes a little alcohol helps you get comfy and sleep at night..

 

[NINJA KILLER]

I wouldn't mind a drink right now but I don't think it would go well with the Percodan.

 

[BUSANAS]

I feel for ya, since back pain is the issue, I have been dealing with low back pain day after day for 8 1/2 weeks now, its related to weight lifting and wont go away, im going to see a chiropratcor for xrays and a workover, hope I didnt do something really bad to it... im tooooo young for this crap

o pop those pain killers and slam a beer, good times

 

[S-R Racing]

Lots of prayers for ya,bro. Thats real close to what we talked about,don't do Nothing heavy, that can become a big deal quick. let it heal!!

 

[quirmche]

Find a trusted friend who could refer you to a good Chiropractor.  Don't let the M.D. discourage you either, because they will.  

If you don't have bowel or bladder dysfunction and can walk on your toes and and on your heels your are definitely not a candidate for surgery.  Surgery has a poor prognosis when trying to solve a back pain only problem.

Good Luck!

 

[Busa_Nick]

Take care of that back man, and get yourself a nice Hot Tub and Temper-Pedic Bed, they really help...

 

[BlueHaya]

Hope you feel better Bob. Back pain is no fun. Take care of youself.

 

[LadyHawk]

I've had several epidurals.. they are no big deal at all. My last dr didn't even knock me out. A local and the epidural. Best shot I ever had, and it only took 10 minutes.

Do EXACTLY as the docs tell you so you don't make it worse, and thereby NEED surgery.

I hope they heal up for you.