Iowa Farmer Loc: Iowa City Iowa

Got my knee replaced last year. It is what was hurting the most, so I started there. I was hoping that was the source of my back pain. I was wrong. It got to the point that I would avoid any walking, even a block or 2. Finally saw a specialist, and this was the diagnosis. I had lower back fusion done in 1984, and was told at the time that I may eventually have trouble above it. Doc wants an MRI before he does any treatment, but insurance won't pay for that until I get 6 weeks of physical therapy. Due to the average age on the stage (I'm probably about average or above, I'll be 65 in November) I thought maybe someone has had treatments or procedures that worked/ didn't work. I'm kind of bummed, hoping for a cortisone shot to get me through the harvest season but that would delay surgery if that is indicated by the MRI. I've been pretty depressed about my lack of mobility and thought I would reach out to the vast wealth of knowledge here.

Big TC Loc: Raytown, MO.

I've got that plus degenerati disc disease (it's the disc on your spine that are slowly falling apart and disappearing so I end up rubbing bone to bone). Very painful and been that way since I was 53. I'm 61now and I get social security retirement benefits. The specialist said no surgery but they could burn my nerves to help deaden the extreme pain.
1st they'll test the area with shots. Should feel no pain for at least a hour. Didn't work for me.
Most of the time I'm bedridden. But what has worked a little bit for me is 2 pills of Hydrocodone, 1 pill of Gabapentin, and 1pill of a muscle relaxer every 8 hours. Plus 1 pill of morphine every 12 hours. This little concoction helps lower the pain level to where I can get out of bed and do a little bit of exercise.
There you have it, my life in a nutshell.

stuco Loc: Northern Utah - Salt Lake City

Yep, I've heard of it and I have it. I started getting pain down my left leg a few years ago. It started keeping me awake. I had a MRI and they said I had spinal stenosis in 3 or 4 vertebrae. They gave me an epidural and I went home and slept for the first time in weeks. That has a fast acting pain killer and some steroids that last longer. I went to see a neurologist that said I would need back surgery, but not right then. When I asked why, he said that 40 percent of back surgeries give no relief. I was good for a couple of years and the pain in my leg came back. Got another shot and it's been good for a while. My back hurts most of the time, but the nerve pain in the leg was way worse than the back pain.

A couple of years after the first round with the back, I started having the bottom tip of my left ear, down my neck and to my shoulder start going numb. I went to my doctor and he sent me for another MRI. They said I had stenosis in my neck as well involving 4 discs. He sent me for a shot in my neck but when I got there, they said the "doctor" wanted to talk to me. I thought that was kind of weird, said okay. It was a radiologist and he said there wasn't room to put the medicine where the doctor ordered it. He said he thought I needed 4 discs removed. I thought he was just a quack and said just give me the shot. When the neurologist got the MRI, his office called me like the next day and said the doctor had cleared a spot to see me. He scheduled surgery to have 4 discs removed and a plate put in right away.

stuco Loc: Northern Utah - Salt Lake City

Wow Big TC, I hope they figure out something to get you better. That's a lot of pain medicine. I'm sorry you're going through that.

Iowa Farmer Loc: Iowa City Iowa

Wow, TC, sorry to read about your troubles with that. Some pretty heavy meds you're taking there! Mine sends me to the recliner 2 to 3 nights a week, and the NSAIDS are not working anymore. Last time I was pain free was when I had hydrocodone for my knee replacement, but I'm not bad enough yet to want to take that regularly. Dr. did say surgery would be risky due to my previous fusion. Guess I'll see what happens. Best of luck to you, I hope you can find some relief somewhere.

E.pa.al Loc: Martin's Creek

Wow Myron,just awful!!
Hopefully you can find some relief & get that corn combined

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Good luck IF my wife n I both have back issues along with knees shoulder hands n wrists. She needs shoulder replacement but puts it off. I had several wks of PT on my neck awhile back. Cortisone shots in knee hand n shoulder. MIR showed narrowing of spine. I haven't had a pain free day in more yrs than I can remember. I'll be 75 nx month. I don't take any prescription pain meds. They mess my system up too much. Just Aleve or Motrin. Farming n construction has broken my body but only med I take is colestrol. Good luck brother 👍👍

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

Just a thought Iowa, keeping in mind everyone's body responds differently. Do you have a pain management clinic near you? They look for alternative ways to manage pain(no cure, just manage it better), and try to avoid the drugs. Pain killers are designed for short term relief. People that are on them for months or years can cause themselves more harm than good. Plus, the body gets used to the drugs and you usually need stronger meds. Not good. Just what I've learned as a caregiver. Look at therapy and pain management. They have techniques and ideas that may help you. Good luck. Btw, I have a current client seeing a doctor at a pain management clinic for lower back pain disc damage. He also has PT twice a week that is helping him.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

I knew several people that had 👍 results with acupuncture.

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

Good idea Grizz. Forgot about that one. It helped me with some arthritis in my neck. Kinda pricey and my insurance didn't cover but worth it for me.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

The guy that I ran a farm for in Hanover PA had several back surgeries. None really helped. Finally tried acupuncture n it worked for him n his pap. I drove them to the place one time. It was full of older people n I talked with many of them. They had nothing but praise for it. Two brothers from out west would come there near DC once a year. Spend a wk n get multiple treatments.

Dblmup Loc: Annandale, Va.

I have it also… had two back fusion surgeries in the past 2 years. Can’t feel my feet still. It has move to my neck and I am loosing feeling in my finger tips. This all started with a hip replacement that failed… caught an infection and had to have 4 revisions which I believe started the spin issues.
I do get deep tissue massage that helps, and I have been thinking of trying acupuncture which after reading I will be there soon! At 56 it’s scary as hell to be all stoved up and can’t move well. Need to get this tightened up quick! I live in northern Virginia and there is a large Korean population here so acupuncture is huge here. Thanks for the info…. Off to the needle store!

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

Just my 2 cents on the acupuncture. Get a good person that knows your condition and addressing the area where you need help. Have that necessary pre-treatment conversation so it works effectively for you.

Ne. fisherman Loc: Central Nebraska Arnold

I have found traction does a great deal of good on me. I first had a Physical Therapist put me on a machine that stretched me, it felt so good when I got out I was amazed. Now I have what I call my teter toter, it attaches at your ankles, then you lean back raise your arms over your head, and it inverts you. I normally stay in that position 20 to 30 minutes, it’s been very beneficial for me, they’re inexpensive and help eliminate spine compaction, pinched nerves, or just to straighten you up.

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

I had a client that had one. It did help him. It depends on your specific back issues as to whether it's for you or not. Some people, for various reasons, can't be inverted.