I have major lower back pain. My Dr.
Hasn't ran any test, he said it was a
classic back strain and sent me to
physical therapy. The therapist said she
thinks it might be disk related. I did
get my Dr. To agree to run some test if I
am not any better by the 17th.
I have been going to therapy 3 times a
week for the past 3 weeks. I do not feel
any better. I was told that I am not a
canidite for surgery because I am over
weight. I weigh 260lbs I am 5 foot 9
inches. Do I have any other options?? I
am scared this therapy is not going to
work.
|
PattyV
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 May 2004 Posts: 1103 Location: Chicago area
Posted: 09-03-04 10:52am
Hi there.Therapy/exercise has helped me
greatly.I have degenerative disc disease
of the lumbar spine.Keeping active and
moving is essential.If you can,losing
weight would be benificial to you.The
extra weight will not help you
,painwise.Surgery is not always the answer
and should be considered as a last
resort.Some people are no better or are
worse after surgery.Help yourself and keep
trying the therapy.The doctors are there
to help,but you need to help yourself as
well.Back pain is not easy to live
with,but you need to do your part as
well.Good luck to you and keep
moving!!Patty
|
lori33
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Jun 2004 Posts: 16
Posted: 09-04-04 21:45pm
Jenn,
surgery would be the very last option.
Try other things first. I have two
herniated back discs and arthritis in
hips, back and sacroiliac joints. My
doctor told me if I lost 5 pounds it would
help. I am 5'4" and weigh 120 lbs. I
never thought I needed to lose weight.
He explained that every pound adds 5 extra
pounds of pressure on a joint. So 1
pound is 5 pounds of pressure, 5 lbs. Is
25 pounds of pressure, and 100 pounds is
500 pounds of pressure.
Imagine the relief you would feel, just by
alleviating some of that pressure!
I don't understand why your doctor is
waiting to get tests done. I would want
to know right away. An mri would show if
you do have a disc problem.
One word of caution, if you do begin an
exercise program, do not lift weights
without being shown the proper way by an
instructor or you could do more damage.
(that is how I hurt myself) walking,
biking are good ways to start. Start
slowly.
Good luck.
Hope you find relief,
keep us posted.
Lori
|
hoosier
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 10 Sep 2004 Posts: 2 Location: ms
Back Pain Posted: 09-10-04 19:42pm
Hi, what did you do that brought the back
pain on? Doc is correct about weight.
Just remember, you can't take the weight
off overnite. It is one day at a time.
It comes off the same way it goes on
essentially. You don't need some hyped
diet plan - just plain sensible eating -
portion control and yes, calorie counting.
Surf the net or go to your library and
check out nutrition section. Are you
semi-active - like working and if so,
consider the type of work you do. It all
matters both diet wise and back health
wise.
Second, watch what your insurance company
will allow on therapy. My first company
allowed only 20 visits. That was it.
After that, it was considered not
medically necessary! I took 40 and ended
up paying for 20 out of my pocket. The
worst part is that I got worse. Began
falling down (foot drop), wasting leg,
severe low back pain. Xrays showed
"slipped disc". It was worse than that
when I insisted on mri. I went 3 1/2 yrs
this way. I know how fustrated you are.
Been there, done that. I cried in
private.
Mri showed my disc was basically shattered
though I still "functioned" for so long.
I ate excedrin like candy. Muscle
relaxers did nothing but give a little
sleep.
Got the surgery for l4/l5 for fusion. No
choice - narrow canal. The disc could
not be absorbed. Don't rush to surgery.
God no. I didn't and wished I had had
more choices. If you have any choice,
try the least invasive. Golden rule.
You just don't heal like they like to tell
you. My doc tried to force me back on a
production line at 3 wks when I couldn't
even stand for more than 20 minutes! I
had no post op therapy - I kept walking
every 2 hrs - 24/7. Had to. Had to
learn to walk all over again because of
severe nerve damage down one leg and foot.
After surgery, the back pain is worse.
It has been 6 yrs to the month and now i'm
appearing to drift back to the old pain
mode again but down the other leg.
Get you a second opinion from a specialist
who is not in association with your
practice group.
Don't laugh but what kind of mattress do
you sleep on? The more firmer the
better. Don't sleep on your back or
stomach. Sleep on your side with knees
bent.
Insist on mri if you have insurance and if
you still have pain after about 4 wks
therapy and if the pain is still just as
bad! I have not regretted getting one
done. It proved I wasn't crazy!
|
sneakycol
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Posts: 43 Location: Arbroath, Scotland
Answer to Your Pain Posted: 10-08-04 12:11pm
Hello there. I have the answer to your
problem. Please visit www.Mattfurey.Com.
This site contains the answer to back
pain relief. An exercise called bridging
which involves supporting the entire
bodyweight on only your forehead and feet,
stomach facing up. I advise you to
purchase the book "combat conditioning"
shown on the site simply because I cannot
provide adequate explanation via a forum
post. Please act on this message, I too
suffered from back pain and have been
cured by this priceless information. I
have also taught it to others and they
have banished years old back pain for
good!!!!!! Please please olease visit the
site and end your misery.
The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made.
Schizophreniahealth
This page was last updated on June 11, 2008
