Author Topic: Back pain (Read 2070 times)

trueblue · « **on:** October 30, 2012, 04:06:58 AM »

Over the past 12 months I have had shocking sciatic pain. About month or so ago I went to the doctor and after a couple of scans they found a buldged disc, which is pressing on the sciatic nerve and causing the pain. I now have to sit on a waiting list to be seen by a specialist, could be 12 months or more. What makes all this worse is I'm a mechanic and I work mainly on trucks and heavy equipment. I have been trying to take it easy but it just isn't possible with what I do to earn a crust. My bike recently has spent periods sitting in the shed because it hurts too much to lift my leg over it. It is getting a little depressing, I'm only 27 and I'm in pretty much constant pain. I know it is a fairly common complaint, is there anyone who found anything to help out with a similar problem. I have found bowen therapy to help a little but it gets expensive very quick.

bwaller · « **Reply #1 on:** October 30, 2012, 04:20:06 AM »

I'm in a similar situation although it's not the sciatic nerve in my case. I am seeing a chiropractor and was making some progress with de-compression and exersize, but am also waiting for an inquinal hernia repair which limits most of the exersize lately.

I borrowed an inversion table from a friend and used correctly I think is about as good as anything. I won't get into how it all works, that info is easy to find.

The friend with the inversion table suffered the same issue and said it was nine months of physio/chiropractor/inversion/rest before she was better, but feels completely fine now.

Good luck

mick7504 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 30, 2012, 04:50:33 AM »

I've had a buggered back for many years.
Heavy lifting, playing contact sport and a few motorbike spills when I was a lot younger and bullet proof.
It certainly has settled down a lot from what it was like many years ago.
Same as Brent mentioned, I used an inversion table and daily excercise which was recommended by a physio.

It's a slow process but anything to get rid of that intense killer back pain is worth the effort.
Too much booze is another thing that can cause a flare up.

Just being aware of your backs limitations is something I found out about the hard way and a few lifestyle changes will help with recovery.

Frostyboy · « **Reply #3 on:** October 30, 2012, 05:52:26 AM »

I've been in the same boat Andrew. Lower back & right hip. I used to visit a sports strapper who would wrap a towel around my ankle & literally pull my leg til my hip went click. Comes from carrying too heavy a load in my right hand, a 20 litre drum of oil for the length of the workshop would do it. Lower back leaning over an engine bay all day would give my back heaps too.
Like the others have mentioned, an inversion swing did wonders. I still use it now when I get sore.
Google "Inversion swing" there's plenty to choose from.

simon#42 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 30, 2012, 11:06:10 AM »

i suffer from the same thing , i have tried pretty much every kind of exercise and therapy none of which have worked particularly well . the only thing that works for me is anti inflammatory drugs and pain killers . they dont work well with drink so i quit that 8 years ago . i can now manage it pretty well , if i feel the signs that its coming on i take the drugs for a couple of days and it tends to stop it developing . now im so used to the warning signs i usually only have to take them for 10 or so days a year which while not ideal seems a fair trade off . when you get back problem it seldom goes away you just have to learn a way to manage it . good luck .

rb550four · « **Reply #5 on:** October 30, 2012, 12:11:43 PM »

This has been a problem for me for many years, chiropractors , drugs per scription and otherwise no help. inversion table helps allot.this kind of thing can be 4 to 8 weeks before it's healed ,if you take it easy and not injure . Anti-inflamatories a must, a tight lifting belt at all times a must,slip on boots a must, retrain your mind for each movement even when sleeping a must. example- putting on your pants.find a corner wall that you can lean on with the crack of your but to keep you stable as you slowly and carefully slide on one leg at a time without getting your toes stuck in a folded over leg. always sit straight , before you get up in the morning , wake up a little earlier lay flat ,raise knees , cross arms in a straight line and bump your but muscles until it feels right or pops. never make sudden moves. never use a cane it makes it worse. keep crutches around in .case you drop and cant walk . sometimes hanging on crutches can offer some relief. Good luck to you , I feel your pain. remember keep the swelling down ,anti- inflammatories and cold packs,no heat.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #6 on:** October 30, 2012, 03:18:17 PM »

First off you need to definitely know if its the sciatica or muscle spasms, both present with the same symptoms, i was being treated for sciatica and my pain was getting no better, went to a good sports physio and found out it was bad back spasms, 6 weeks treatment and i have had no trouble for years.... {touch wood} Back pain can be extremely hard to diagnose, i also have a bulging disc so sciatica was the first thing the Doc went for, he was wrong....

fmctm1sw · « **Reply #7 on:** October 30, 2012, 06:16:23 PM »

Interesting topic. I too am having back issues. It's not the shocking type pain you describe, but more of a dull ache. And it really located more like just above my rear end on the right side. I have to stop and sit for a while if I've been walking or standing for any length of time. It could just be a sign of age in my case though.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #8 on:** October 30, 2012, 08:03:52 PM »

Quote from: fmctm1sw on October 30, 2012, 06:16:23 PM

Interesting topic. I too am having back issues. It's not the shocking type pain you describe, but more of a dull ache. And it really located more like just above my rear end on the right side. I have to stop and sit for a while if I've been walking or standing for any length of time. It could just be a sign of age in my case though.

That could just be your hips slightly out of alignment, happens to my son a lot from playing a lot of sport, easily fixed by a good Physiotherapist.. Worth a try,,,

trueblue · « **Reply #9 on:** October 31, 2012, 01:08:09 AM »

I have considered those inversion beds a few times, but I haven't bought one yet, money is a little tight atm, we have a trip to England in 2 weeks. Retro, I'm getting tingling/burning in my left foot and pain across from the centre of my back to my hip and down my left leg, the doctor seems to think it isn't caused by muscle spasms.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #10 on:** October 31, 2012, 02:38:40 AM »

After what i've been through with my back, if i were you i would go see a good physio and get a second opinion....

trueblue · « **Reply #11 on:** October 31, 2012, 02:42:19 AM »

Fair enough, I'll make a couple of phone calls tomorrow.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #12 on:** October 31, 2012, 02:44:34 AM »

If it helps, i had numbness and tingling as well.....

mick7504 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 31, 2012, 03:29:54 AM »

Give it what you can mate.
Getting back to good health and being active without any suffering is the best thing that you'll ever do for yourself.

I was taking MS Contin (Morph) for a while that the Doc gave me for the pain and that was like living the life of a bloody zombie.
There's a whole lot more to it than that I reckon.
It definately will get better with a lot of hard work, determination and a goal to strive for and reach.

Markcb750 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 31, 2012, 03:43:09 AM »

I tore ligaments and strained muscles in my lower back at age 27. Therapy and treatment for over a year,,, after which I would still be dropped to my knees by the sudden pain, and had to wear a lower back brace to do any physical work.

at 33 I started riding a bicycle nearly every day, did a minimum of 3000miles/year for 10 years. No pain, no brace, no problem....

It sucks I know; and it takes time to heal & build new strength, be patient.

boatsdickson · « **Reply #15 on:** October 31, 2012, 07:22:19 AM »

Best of luck to you TB, and I would guess you have a long road ahead of you, sorry. It appears the majority agrees on the inversion table as a temporary at home fix & Ill vote for it too. Also depending on you insurance & doctors abilities Ill also recommend a muscle stim machine on your lower back. I cant reference a pic or brand name at the moment but can later when Im home if your interested.

I damaged my lowest disk at your age but it was this year before I could afford & accommodate my surgery. Ive got my families degenerative disk disease working against me so this first operation wound up removing 2 disks & fusing 3 vertebrae together with a plate of titanium. It probably would have required less if I could have taken care of it years ago.

Be carefull riding man. One correct impact of pothole to rear wheel could escalate the bulge into a rupture & try to remember your "impairment" with the nerve issues down the legs. Towards the end of my riding days before surgery I couldnt feel the pegs and controls at both my feet. Dangerous to you and others.

Keep us posted...........Boats

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #16 on:** October 31, 2012, 03:00:16 PM »

Quote

Ill also recommend a muscle stim machine on your lower back. I cant reference a pic or brand name at the moment but can later when Im home if your interested.

I had this as part of my treatment with the Physiotherapist , along with some heat, works well....

trueblue · « **Reply #17 on:** November 01, 2012, 04:04:00 AM »

Well I'm going to see a physio tomorrow, we'll see how that goes. Boats, I have one of those muscle stim machines, it hasn't really helped that much but on the plus side it hasn't made it worse. I went on a long ride a couple of months ago, I was nearly 2 hrs from when I set off till I next put a foot on the ground, as I was pulling up I went to put my left foot down and it wouldn't lift off the peg, I nearly went arse up. I had to heave the bike to the right and get my right foot on the ground quick smart before I ended up in a heap. I also know how much a pothole can hurt, I had one put me out of action for a couple of days a few weeks back, luckily it wasn't a big one but it did open my eyes to what can happen.

wardenerd · « **Reply #18 on:** November 01, 2012, 04:50:25 AM »

Several years ago all the weight lifting i did for stupid American Football caught up with me. The pain really started after i picked up a refrigerator. I began to feel like my butt was on fire and the pain moved down my leg from thigh to foot. The burning pain was as bad as the time I was burned by gasoline in an accident. The pain was so bad that I would have to stop the car and get out and walk around no matter where i was. Nothing helpedrest or exercise. I went to the doctor and they found two bulging disks . In the US we have this horrible medical system where i made an appointment at Emory University Hospital for the next day. After an eval I returned the next day and got a shot in my spine that relieved my pain for about 6 months. I got a second shot that lasted about 18 months and then a third shot which has lasted for 5 years with no pain. My insurance company Blue Cross Blue Shield paid all but about $100. God Bless the Old America and deliver us from Obamacare.

KRONUS0100 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 01, 2012, 05:07:20 AM »

ah no the pain. got 3 ruptured discs now. got 4 broken vertebrae in shoulders. add rhematoid aarthritis to it............the tiny holes in the vertebrae for the nerves are disappearing. and thye done told me there aint #$%* they can do for my upper back shoulder area.

boatsdickson · « **Reply #20 on:** November 01, 2012, 05:37:01 AM »

Kronos, your drs ever mention Stenosis to you? Thats a problem that runs in my family & my father gets an operation every few years to open those passages back open. I can hardly wait till my later years.

Lostboy Steve · « **Reply #21 on:** November 01, 2012, 06:36:02 AM »

All I can say is that I get a lot of back pain after skating (ice hockey) I always have. Also if I ride a decent distance I get pain shooting down my left leg. I when to a chiropractor for a while and it made both much better but once you stop going.... It slowly comes back.

Lostboy Steve · « **Reply #22 on:** November 01, 2012, 06:36:41 AM »

I was looking into an inversion table. Seems to work for a lot of people.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #23 on:** November 01, 2012, 03:29:13 PM »

Quote

God Bless the Old America and deliver us from Obamacare.

Really !!...

I got mine fixed for NOTHING, thank God for Obama style care..... Our system makes yours look archaic....

Blue, just remember that there are Physio's and there are physio's, just like Doctors. Both my kids are state or national level sports people and my Daughter is a Personal Trainer, the physio i was recommended to see is the Physio for the Queensland Bulls and he was only 10 dollars dearer per visit than most Physio's. I have been to bad ones that actually made it worse, word of mouth is the best way to find a good Physio...

KRONUS0100 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 01, 2012, 07:01:42 PM »

yeah the docs never mentioned stenosis. at the moment they are trying to alleviate the pain befor they can begin to try an fix it. allready done physical therapy.no luck. tried inversion hanging and hanging from rafters in barn.no luck. this morning went and had a nerve block done on the sciatic nerve in my lower back and thru the hip and left leg. doc says it could not work, could work 3 to 4 months, or could work permanent. its wait and seee at moment.

we tried the morphine.........it worked great for the associated muscle pains, not so much for the nerve pain. and yess, tingling all down leg and thru the foot. the worst part was when the left leg felt like molten lead and literally felt like it was on fire.....nothing could touch that for 5 and 1/2 days and nights..............until i had enuff and got into the whiskey really heavy and drank myself asleep.......only the next morning did the fire start to lessen up.

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Author Topic: Back pain (Read 2070 times)

Markcb750