Re: Back pain!!
I have had chronic lower back pain for years. Started in early 30's and I'm not 40. Alot of arthitis and my facet joints as well as lumbar discs. Started with chiro, then an Orthopedic who, when he talked surgery after PT and months of Celebrex, a potent antiinflammatory, I decided to go see a pain specialist. At the time I would get these back spasms at work that would take me to the ground, if I didn't grab onto the counter. Wife was afraid of me holding our newborn and sleeping was hard and sitting was hard. Everything was hard.
He has taken great care of me. After some cortisone shots and other needles that didn't work as well as we wanted. I eventually had an RFD. He basically zapped the nerves so I don't feel the pain with a radio frequency. That usually helps for months to 2-3 years but I was lucky enough to have work close 5 years. I'd have some not so good days here and there but nothing remotely close to what I was going thru. I had the procedure redone last October and it seemed to wear off in the spring. But because, he has to do the whole standard and I had to suffer thru 8 needle injections last September (4 on each side of lower spine) that did absolutely nothing. Man, that sucked. Sadly, the new RFD did not work like the last one as I'm daily pain again, especially on the days I work. He gave me another shot in the worst trouble spot a couple of weeks ago and I see him again in a few weeks. Not sure where we are going from here.
An aside, I also suffer from Plantar fasciitis in both feet. Cured the right foot thru surgery after trying everything and am on the way towards surgery with the left one. Who knew becoming a pharmacist would ruin my feet and am guessing my back, though I played a ton of sports thru my teens and my brother and dad have had back problems. Due to the limping around, I hurt my groin/hips and needed injections there to dull the pain.
The big question is do you have good heath insurance? It is not cheap to get well. My medical expenses have averaged about $2,500 a year the last few years and I have good insurance.
If yes, then I would recommend a pain specialist. They are not all pill pushers. They treat the pain. In fact, the pain doctor I'm seeing has given me one prescription, valium for before a procedure. Yes, I've taken lots of Tylenol and Alleve and believe I had a high threshold of pain but the point is that pain pills are not always the answer.
My quality of life has really been affected and don't think you are no where near where I am so a lot of what other people are saying is important. I stretch every morning. Exercise and weight loss is important. Luckily, I'm not heavy but any extra weight in the middle is gonna cause issues.
Good luck!!
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