Back problems

[Glo]

Been having back problems since the Spring. Been having a lot of pain and misery so had a MRI today. I have deteriorating discs, arthritis, and numerous pinched nerves. I have one of the best doctors in the area and he says back surgery is in my future but, right now, he wants me to have spinal shots. Said they will help a lot and I can have two per year. Then, when shots no longer help, it's time for surgery. Sounds like a plan to me. I always said I'd never have back surgery, but these back problems have taken away my life. I can't do anything without a lot of pain. And, meds barely touch the pain.

Anyone gone through this? What do you think?

[Simply Divine]

I have a friend with scoliosis so severe that if she didn't have surgery, her back would have literally snapped in half, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. She had the surgery in August and she is more physically active at work than before. Before she sat down most of the time -- and grumpy! -- but now she's up and climbing ladders and fixing up outdated posters and displays in the employee area of the store, purely out of her own initiative. She seems happier too. I haven't asked but she's probably in much less pain than before. Meds barely touched what she was going through before as well.

I wouldn't have back surgery unless I absolutely needed it, but in my friend's situation it was a no-brainer.

[redfox]

I have not gone through what you're experiencing; my version is a compressed disc just above my sacrum. I would not opt for surgery without exhausting all options, including ongoing acupuncture, yoga, and massage as appropriate. My concern is cutting through healthy tissue to remedy the back pain issue, with the risk of scar tissue adhesions & additional pain created. I have known folks who experienced this; something to investigate. Good luck, my dear!

[Teacher Terry]

What I know thru personal experience & professional experience is that never left an orthopedic surgeon do the surgery-make sure it is a neurologist. If a neurologist does the surgery it will be totally necessary and have a great success rate. Just the opposite if you let an orthopedic surgeon do it. Good luck!!!

[Float On]

I've had several friends have back surgery and they always seemed to need several. DH has horrid back issues (one of the reasons we've retired him from being a glassblower). An extra vertebra, arthritis, compression, disk, muscle issues. He refuses to follow through with any advice he's had from any Dr's. I have to say it is better since he quit loading/unloading the truck at shows, or working with blowpipes but every day there is the chance he'll wake up with a crooked back and serious pain. I'm going to note Terry's mention of a neurologist. I believe that all DH has seen have been orthopedic.

[Gardenarian]

I would get a second opinion, and also visit some alternative practitioners.

I was told to have back surgery many years ago (also for degenerative discs and arthritis, with a lot of sciatica, cervical problems) but physical therapy, regular yoga practice (and massage whenever I can afford it) has kept me pretty much pain free. I have to know when to stop lifting or digging - that's the only time I have problems.

Working on increasing muscle strength can make up for a lot of spinal issues. As always, YMMV.

[Spartana]

I know some people who have had temporary pain relief from acupuncture. I've never done it so don't know if it's any good but they swore by it. The shots the DR wants to give you are probably cortisone. Something I have had (in my knee after an injury) and they do relieve pain a lot. Same with back pain I have been told. But because they are a steroid I think you can only get them a few times a year but they seem to last several months at a time.

[lhamo]

My DH has a condition called spondiolysthesis -- basically one of his vertebrae is slipping forward. It was at its worst when he was at his heaviest/least physically fit. When he consulted a Dr. here in china (who gave him the initial diagnosis -- he always assumed it was a disk problem before that), the guy handed him admission papers and said he needed surgery immediately. I insisted he see a spine specialist in the US first -- thank god, because the recommendation he got there was for an initial course of physical therapy, which greatly relieved the worst symptoms, followed by weight loss and strengthening. he got those things under control and while he still has sporadic flare ups it hasn't been anything like what he was going through then -- that was about 8 years ago, I think.

A lot of the stuff I read at the time indicated that you have to be very careful when evaluating back surgeons to see what they classify as '"success". For many, they consider it a success if the targeted vertebrae are fixed in place by the procedure. Patient continues to have pain, or even worse pain? Doesn't matter -- if those bones don't move, it is still a success. Also, fixing the vertebrae in one location and not addressing issues of weight, posture, etc. means the pressure is just moved out along the spine. This is why many people become serial back surgery patients.

I do hope you will find relief, but personally I would avoid surgery until all other options had been explored.

[Glo]

TX for all the input. It's going to be shots now and more decisions made in the future.

[danna]

Hi Glo
I will pop in with my experience knowing everyone is different.

I was told that I had too many discs involved and surgery was not a good option and that I should try those needles,

and physical therapy, which greatly relieved the worst symptoms, followed this with weight loss(only 20 lbs) and core strengthening.

I choose to try everything before I would do the needles (read about them in great detail including lack of quality issues in the drugs).
It has been two years and I have still not gone for the needles and most days I am doing really well.
Most of my pain was in my left leg (would be wakened at night with excruciating shooting down the leg to the foot, I have permanent damage to the muscle over the knee due to this). I only have this happen now if I really overdue digging, lifting or do a lot of a twisting motion.
I have posted one really easy exercise on here before that has now allowed me to even lay flat on my back, something I had not done for years, without getting almost immediate pain in my leg.
Good Luck this is no fun.

[danna]

Sorry double posted some how...

[Susan]

Glo, consider chiropratic treatment before surgery or spinal shots. I have deteriorating discs in my lower back and arthritis in the cervical discs. Chiropratic care has worked wonders. In three weeks of treatment and dong the exercises at home, I had no pain when I wole up for the first time in over two years. Previously when I got up before I could circle around the bed I could barely walk without severe pain. After treatment I am now usually pain-free unless I haven't done my therapy. Shots and surgery should be a last resort. Look for a chiropractor that does ART-assisted release therapy. Usually the ones that do sports teams are very good. The one I went to does the Baltimore Ravens and the Maryland Terrapins and the Baltimore Orioles.

[Yarrow]

Glo, if you do wind up needing to have surgery definitely go with a Neurosurgeon not an Orthopedic surgeon. And make sure it is a top notch Neurosurgeon with an excellent reputation. For the most successful outcome depends on a very competent doctor who knows spinal nerves like the back of his or her hand....

And beware, chiropractors often cause more damage to those with complicated spinal conditions. I, personally wouldn't let one touch me after my sister was semi-paralyzed by a chiropractor who was treating her for herniated disks, cervical and spinal stenosis. She HAD to have complicated spinal surgery to fix the damage after the chiropractor "fixed" her... :(

[pinkytoe]

I recently heard of a person whose back problems were greatly relieved when one of her doctors tested for something called short-leg syndrome (don't laugh). One leg very slightly shorter than the other. And this was after surgery was recommended by other doctors. Apparently, it is quite common, often undiagnosed and corresponding pain can be relieved by shoe lifts and muscle strengthening exercise. I know this classifies as second-hand info but I thought it made sense.

[Glo]

Had the shots on Friday. Feel like a million bucks. No back pain at all. Still having some pain down right leg, but nothing like it was. Will have three sessions of physical therapy. Doctor said I can go back to pool tomorrow and can do what I want as far as exercise. If something hurts, stop. I'm very happy after suffering so badly for 4 months. In fact, I'll be having a conversation with my internist about how long all this took. Should have been over in 6 weeks!

[Teacher Terry]

I have been managing my back problem for 20 years with a once a month massage & adjustment by my chiropractor.