Sick of this crap.

[ArmyValker]

Boy do I feel like crap. Bout a week ago, my lower back started really hurtin for some reason... few days later, I couldn't sit down and my left leg felt like it was on fire all the time. Now, a week later... I been on my back on the floor for the last 48 hours straight and I'm miserable. I been takin a buncha drugs that make me nauseated, don't do nothin but take the edge off the pain... and the doctor is tellin me if I don't take it easy I'll need surgery for sure.
I always hear guys talk about how bad back pain can be, but I never knew it could make you so miserable. Hats off to you guys that deal with this everyday. Good thing I got decent insurance.

[John Schmidt]

Yup, welcome to the club, your description sounds familiar. I ended up getting an appt. with a chiropractor after a month with an orthopedic dr. didn't accomplish anything. All he wanted to do was drug me up good and stay inactive, after a couple weeks I was ready to tear the house down. He told me nothing was out of place, just strained muscles. Well, the chiropractor took one look at the xrays and about lost it. The sacrum was waaaay off on the right side and was causing the lower vert. to pinch a nerve. I walked into her office all bent over and could hardly put one foot in front of the other, getting out of the car was torture. I walked out 1 1/2 hrs. later standing up straight for the first time in over a month. About three years later, I had steroid injections in that area of the lower back. Haven't had any major trouble since.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Boy do I feel like crap. Bout a week ago, my lower back started really hurtin for some reason... few days later, I couldn't sit down and my left leg felt like it was on fire all the time. Now, a week later... I been on my back on the floor for the last 48 hours straight and I'm miserable. I been takin a buncha drugs that make me nauseated, don't do nothin but take the edge off the pain... and the doctor is tellin me if I don't take it easy I'll need surgery for sure.
I always hear guys talk about how bad back pain can be, but I never knew it could make you so miserable. Hats off to you guys that deal with this everyday. Good thing I got decent insurance.

My 22 year old son has severe sciatic nerve damage it affects his lower back and left leg. Its heartbreaking to see the pain he's in. He has no insurance and my wife has been everywhere hoping we can get some help with his medical bills. I'm better than $72,000 hooked right now and recently had to remortgage my home to get him decent help...I feel for you and wish you the best.

[bg]

i'm sorry to hear of your pain.
Been there and done that.
did the regular dr, then the chiro and nothing helped, it only got worse and worse.
i normally have a good positive attitude but this pain was so severe and long lasting i could see how    people get so desperate for relief they will do anything, even suicide to relieve the pain.
ended up going to an accupuncturer as a last ditch effort.
i know you may find it hard to believe but after the first session i was walking as good as i am today and totally  pain free.
it's not for everyone, my buddy tried it and didn't help, but for me it was a miracle.
good luck in getting this under control.

[Jabba]

I broke my back in the navy.  5 places...  I have some issues... but it's not as bad as a lot of people.

If what you're experiencing is muscle spasms... a massage breaks the cycle for me.  If I go to the chiropractor, I am too tight to adjust... I go to the massage therapist.  I am usually VERY improved after 0-1 day.  When I have chronic back pain... I know I have neglected my abdominal exercises.

But that's ME, your pain might be from something else.

If it's muscle related... a massage is a pretty nice way to relax... even if it doesn't help.

Jabba

[f6john]

Boy do I feel like crap. Bout a week ago, my lower back started really hurtin for some reason... few days later, I couldn't sit down and my left leg felt like it was on fire all the time. Now, a week later... I been on my back on the floor for the last 48 hours straight and I'm miserable. I been takin a buncha drugs that make me nauseated, don't do nothin but take the edge off the pain... and the doctor is tellin me if I don't take it easy I'll need surgery for sure.
I always hear guys talk about how bad back pain can be, but I never knew it could make you so miserable. Hats off to you guys that deal with this everyday. Good thing I got decent insurance.

My 22 year old son has severe sciatic nerve damage it affects his lower back and left leg. Its heartbreaking to see the pain he's in. He has no insurance and my wife has been everywhere hoping we can get some help with his medical bills. I'm better than $72,000 hooked right now and recently had to remortgage my home to get him decent help...I feel for you and wish you the best.

       I believe that the health care bill just passed is overall a bad deal but I hope that it may help you and your son's situation. It would actually take some of the sting out if I found out it really helped someone in need.

[ArmyValker]

i walked into the chiro today.... he took Xrays and his exact words where "Boy, your back is jacked up!" Glad someone thinks it's funny.

Anyway, he says the Army doctors are morons *go figure* and he thinks he can get me outta pain relatively quickly. We'll see. He adjusted me today and stuck me with some needles (I guess that's acupuncture) and I gotta admit it feels a lot better than last night, but let's give it a few days...  he want's to see me 3 times a week for the next couple months.
I told him if he can make the pain stop I'll do whatever he wants me to do.

Boy do I feel like crap. Bout a week ago, my lower back started really hurtin for some reason... few days later, I couldn't sit down and my left leg felt like it was on fire all the time. Now, a week later... I been on my back on the floor for the last 48 hours straight and I'm miserable. I been takin a buncha drugs that make me nauseated, don't do nothin but take the edge off the pain... and the doctor is tellin me if I don't take it easy I'll need surgery for sure.
I always hear guys talk about how bad back pain can be, but I never knew it could make you so miserable. Hats off to you guys that deal with this everyday. Good thing I got decent insurance.

My 22 year old son has severe sciatic nerve damage it affects his lower back and left leg. Its heartbreaking to see the pain he's in. He has no insurance and my wife has been everywhere hoping we can get some help with his medical bills. I'm better than $72,000 hooked right now and recently had to remortgage my home to get him decent help...I feel for you and wish you the best.

Joe, if I had this kinda pain over any long period of time, I ain't lying when I say I'd rather be in a wheelchair and be numb. I can't imagine how your son deals with it. It's ridiculous.

[highcountry]

Yep, been battling a lower back event for the past two months.  I have had three operations because of the same disc - - a repair, then a disc removal and fusion, then a cyst removal.  Unfortunately, all of that resulted in crushing the sciatic nerve and paralyzing my right ankle and foot as well as weakening the muscles in that leg.  I have to modify the rear brake to make it more accessible because I cannot rotate my foot sideways.  For no good reason, I have a flare up on the next disc up about once a year resulting nerve pain in my legs and butt.  This time it is the left leg.  After a month or so, the problem mysteriously disappears.  I am still waiting for the current bout to go away although it has gotten somewhat better recently.

Bad backs are not jokes.  Mine has materially impacted my life.

Hope yours heal soon.

Joe, I really feel sorry for your son.  He is so young to have such problems that will haunt him for the rest of his life.  Hopefully, this new healthcare plan can provide both of you some relief medically and financially.

[Ratdog]

At least three compression fractures to my spine over the course or my life.  Also got "all jacked up" after being hit on my motorcycle in the early 90's.  I was in such bad shape, the chiropractor had me coming in three times a day (initially).  He'd get everything adjusted... but, it wasn't "stable" and would go back out.  Sometimes just the strangest/slightest movement would result in a searing/hot stabbing pain that would buckle my knees and take my breath clean away.  Happened once in the shower.  A bit of "good pain" had to be endured while he got things back in place so the "bad pain" could be relieved.  In time... it got cut back to twice a day, then daily... then three times a week, twice a week, weekly... finally... as needed.  It's a slow process, but sure beats pumpin' chemicals into yourself and getting cut up.  Too many years worth of heavy lifting and such... I gotta be careful with it now. 

A "GOOD" chiropractor is the key... and, you'll learn the difference (feel) between good pain and bad pain. 

In times past, I've spent DAYS laying flat on my back on the floor and propping my calves up on the seat of a chair to keep the pressure off the lower back. 

Don't get discouraged with the amount of time it may take.   God speed to ya.

[junior]

nothing beats a good bone cracker, i go see one and its like being on the losing end of a bar room fight. but i feel 100% better after he is done  and the 3 times a week for the next several months is a common thing. after he gets to know where your back feel good to you you might not have to see him for months on end

[solo1]

I too went through hellish pain .At first it was sciatica, many years ago I twisted my back on the job.

At first Chiropractic helped a lot.  The back pain went away.  Then about 15 years ago it came back really bad.  There is no medication that can take care of the pain!

Cortisone injections, chiropractic, exercises all hepled.......for awhile.  It then got so bad nothing helped.  After an MRI scan, surgery was recommended.  I put it off but finally decided to do it.

I was in so much pain that I needed a serious pain shot while on the gurney waiting for surgery. 
I woke up after surgery with NO pain. I was discharged after overnight, went home and walked a mile that same morning, no pain.

Except for a little weakness in my left foot and a twinge once in awhile, after 12 years I'm still Ok.
I had a stenosis of L4-5, a bony spur was pressing on a nerve. It was taken off.

Back trouble is terrible and every situation is different.  I was lucky that, in my case, surgery was a cure for me.

[asfltdncr]

I had lower bck problems most of my adult life UNTIL a young doctor asked me, "are your hamstrings tight?"  This surely won't help those that have herniated disks but if your hamstrings are tight, a back injury probably is around the corner.
I aslo find that your furniture can be your worst enemy.No lazyboy felt good for my back.My wife and I spent too much but since we purchased our "Zero Gravity" chairs, I have had very little back discomfort.
A deep tissue massage, muscle relaxers, back stretches, and paying attention to your posture is a good start to recovery.
Also, if you can't see your feet, getting off your arse, cutting back on the deep-fried bacon and walking will help.

[ArmyValker]

In times past, I've spent DAYS laying flat on my back on the floor and propping my calves up on the seat of a chair to keep the pressure off the lower back. 

Don't get discouraged with the amount of time it may take.   God speed to ya.

Well, as I write this I'm on day 5 on my back, but I think it's gettin better... had my first "decompression" today and actually drove myself home for the first time in not as much pain. I could buckle my seatbelt this time.

I was in so much pain that I needed a serious pain shot while on the gurney waiting for surgery. 
I woke up after surgery with NO pain. I was discharged after overnight, went home and walked a mile that same morning, no pain.

Except for a little weakness in my left foot and a twinge once in awhile, after 12 years I'm still Ok.
I had a stenosis of L4-5, a bony spur was pressing on a nerve. It was taken off.

Back trouble is terrible and every situation is different.  I was lucky that, in my case, surgery was a cure for me.

You've gotta be the first person I've ever met that had such a good experience with back surgery. Everyone I know is sayin "DO ANYTHING BUT BACK SURGERY" or at least encouraging me to exhaust all the other options first. I know lotsa guys with back surgery that only served to get em hooked on narcotics.

You guys are makin me feel alot better, It can be pretty scary layin on the floor at 28 years old thinkin, man is it going to get better? Am I gonna be able to go back to work?

[Serk]

You guys are makin me feel alot better, It can be pretty scary layin on the floor at 28 years old thinkin, man is it going to get better? Am I gonna be able to go back to work?

Thus far I'd been avoiding joining the choruses of "Me Too"'s but that hit a chord... I was right around that age when my back went out BIG time, where I was basically on the floor for 3 months or so...

And yeah, I sat there and cried. I was worried about how I'd support my wife and newborn daughter. I went from doctor to doctor, and nothing was helping.

I know it's cliche, but things DO get better.

The two things that helped me BIG time:

Ibuprofen. 4 at a time.

Not for the pain relief factor, but for the anti-inflammation factor. The ibuprofen would make the swelling in the injury site go down, reducing the pain greatly.

The other thing, there's a fancy name for it, but I can't recall the specifics. If the injury is in your lower back (I've got totally blown L5-S1 and badly herniated L5-L4) lay on your stomach, keep your hips on the ground, and do "girly pushups". Basically, try to arch your back backwards as far as you comfortably can and hold it there. I'd lay on the ground propped up on pillows and watch TV. This helped me BIG time.

It's now 10 years on, and I still get the occasional flair up, and still take a lot of Ibuprofen, but I haven't been knocked to the ground with pain in many many years now. It WILL get better.. .There IS hope...

I've got an aunt who delivered her son through natural childbirth. No painkillers... She also had a similar back injury to mine. I asked her which was worse, the childbirth or the sciatica from a back injury... Her response was something along the lines of "I'd rather go through a week of non-stop labor pains with no pain killers than 10 minutes of that back pain again."... So... next time someone tells you that women are tougher, since men couldn't handle labor pains... You can say you've gone through something far FAR worse...

One other thing I'll ad... If you smoke... Stop... It makes back injuries far worse and makes it take a lot longer to heal them too... (I know, what DOESN'T smoking break, right?)

[ArmyValker]

You guys are makin me feel alot better, It can be pretty scary layin on the floor at 28 years old thinkin, man is it going to get better? Am I gonna be able to go back to work?

Thus far I'd been avoiding joining the choruses of "Me Too"'s but that hit a chord... I was right around that age when my back went out BIG time, where I was basically on the floor for 3 months or so...

And yeah, I sat there and cried. I was worried about how I'd support my wife and newborn daughter. I went from doctor to doctor, and nothing was helping.

I know it's cliche, but things DO get better.

The two things that helped me BIG time:

Ibuprofen. 4 at a time.

Not for the pain relief factor, but for the anti-inflammation factor. The ibuprofen would make the swelling in the injury site go down, reducing the pain greatly.

The other thing, there's a fancy name for it, but I can't recall the specifics. If the injury is in your lower back (I've got totally blown L5-S1 and badly herniated L5-L4) lay on your stomach, keep your hips on the ground, and do "girly pushups". Basically, try to arch your back backwards as far as you comfortably can and hold it there. I'd lay on the ground propped up on pillows and watch TV. This helped me BIG time.

It's now 10 years on, and I still get the occasional flair up, and still take a lot of Ibuprofen, but I haven't been knocked to the ground with pain in many many years now. It WILL get better.. .There IS hope...

I've got an aunt who delivered her son through natural childbirth. No painkillers... She also had a similar back injury to mine. I asked her which was worse, the childbirth or the sciatica from a back injury... Her response was something along the lines of "I'd rather go through a week of non-stop labor pains with no pain killers than 10 minutes of that back pain again."... So... next time someone tells you that women are tougher, since men couldn't handle labor pains... You can say you've gone through something far FAR worse...

One other thing I'll ad... If you smoke... Stop... It makes back injuries far worse and makes it take a lot longer to heal them too... (I know, what DOESN'T smoking break, right?)

It's funny about the Ibuprofen. I've got cases of ibuprofen. The Army thinks it's the cure all. I swear everytime I was at the hospital they'd throw a huge bottle at me no matter what the problem. I never took it, cause I figured it wouldn't do nothin.
The chiro I'm seein says "Now, I can't prescribe medication, but if I was you, and I know somethin about back pain... I'd be take Ibuprofen, 4 at a time about twice a day."

Must be somethin to it! I appreciate the advice, and I'll be tryin those pushups when I get to that point! Thanks.

[Mo Lee]

Wow sorry to hear about the back and just when the weather got nice. Hope you are better real soon.

[Sharkey]

Army, I feel your pain literally. I have a bulging disc. Whole lot of pain. I went to the cracketer-practer for a while, but he didnt help much. I bought a inversion table, and it does help. It decompresses your spine. I use mine twice a day for a few minutes each time.
I am a big boy, and have done some hard livin. It finally caught up with me. 6 foot 5 inches and 300 lbs Jan 1st, now down to 270. Weight loss, low impact cardio, and inversion keeps the pain tolerable enough I can live my life.
This is what I use

[stormrider]

i walked into the chiro today.... he took Xrays and his exact words where "Boy, your back is jacked up!" Glad someone thinks it's funny.

Anyway, he says the Army doctors are morons *go figure* and he thinks he can get me outta pain relatively quickly. We'll see. He adjusted me today and stuck me with some needles (I guess that's acupuncture) and I gotta admit it feels a lot better than last night, but let's give it a few days...  he want's to see me 3 times a week for the next couple months.
I told him if he can make the pain stop I'll do whatever he wants me to do.

Boy do I feel like crap. Bout a week ago, my lower back started really hurtin for some reason... few days later, I couldn't sit down and my left leg felt like it was on fire all the time. Now, a week later... I been on my back on the floor for the last 48 hours straight and I'm miserable. I been takin a buncha drugs that make me nauseated, don't do nothin but take the edge off the pain... and the doctor is tellin me if I don't take it easy I'll need surgery for sure.
I always hear guys talk about how bad back pain can be, but I never knew it could make you so miserable. Hats off to you guys that deal with this everyday. Good thing I got decent insurance.

My 22 year old son has severe sciatic nerve damage it affects his lower back and left leg. Its heartbreaking to see the pain he's in. He has no insurance and my wife has been everywhere hoping we can get some help with his medical bills. I'm better than $72,000 hooked right now and recently had to remortgage my home to get him decent help...I feel for you and wish you the best.

Joe, if I had this kinda pain over any long period of time, I ain't lying when I say I'd rather be in a wheelchair and be numb. I can't imagine how your son deals with it. It's ridiculous.

Don't know if this would help, but I had similar pain. Jumped from the top of DeSoto Falls in north Alabama in 1970 something. Musta had a buzz going. I've had lower sciatic nerve issues ever since. Got so bad my knees would hurt so bad I couldn't climb a ladder. Tried chiropratic with several different ones. Would do good for a day or two then back to the pain. Saw a sign one day called Basic Kneads, Theraputic Massage. sounded good. Timidly knocked on the door. Had to wait while she finished a customer. When given a price I said I'd take the 30 minute treatment. Got up from the table and actually felt nerve curculation in my legs for the first time in many years. Felt taller and best of all no pain. And it lasted for months. Judy Smith is her name. Big gal, very storng, makes you think she is going to twist you in half. I've only had to go see her about once a year or two. If I get to hurtin she's only a phone call away. And I do the 1 hour treatment now. I've had other massages but no-one even comes close to Judy. If your ever near Dothan, AL give me a shout and I'll hook ya up.

As a side note. I was tying steel (re-bar) in a footer on a hot August day. My knees went (lower back) and I couldn't even climb out of the footer. My sons were helping me and had to pull me out of the footer. Went to see Judy the next day and presto, got right back at it totally pain free.

[ArmyValker]

Army, I feel your pain literally. I have a bulging disc. Whole lot of pain. I went to the cracketer-practer for a while, but he didnt help much. I bought a inversion table, and it does help. It decompresses your spine. I use mine twice a day for a few minutes each time.
I am a big boy, and have done some hard livin. It finally caught up with me. 6 foot 5 inches and 300 lbs Jan 1st, now down to 270. Weight loss, low impact cardio, and inversion keeps the pain tolerable enough I can live my life.
This is what I use

\

crap you not sharkey, I just got done instructing my wife on how to put that damn thing together not 20 minutes ago. Same exact model. Guess we think alike. hahaha.

[Duffy]

You sound like a bunch of whinning old men...

Get the book: http://www.healingbackpain.com/

I know, most of you won't, but I have seen big changes from my brother in law (a doctor) from this.

[sugerbear]

spoken like a man who's never had back pain like this. ???

[Ken Tarver]

i had great results with my chiropractor.....some of the stuff he did i can do on my own....so when i start getting that low pain i start the routine and am better in a few days

hope you are better soon Army.

[Jabba]

Yeah... my chiropractor taught me how to "adjust" myself too.  I only go to him once every couple years...  He's awesome, and has saved me a lot of $$ over the years by teaching me how to do it myself.

I keep thinking about an inversion thingy... but I'd like to try one first.  I am 6'2" and about 325.  They built for THAT?

Jabba

[ArmyValker]

man, this thing is built pretty heavy, im 6'2 215 and I feel plenty secure on it. And don't tell my wife I said this but she's probably 270-280 and it held her fine. They do make a bigger version of the table that's rated up to 350. I wouldn't go cheap though

[Willow]

... I wouldn't go cheap though

Yeah, I reckon when your head is pointed toward the floor would be a bad time to discover you'd bought the wrong table.    

[Sharkey]

Yeah... my chiropractor taught me how to "adjust" myself too.  I only go to him once every couple years...  He's awesome, and has saved me a lot of $$ over the years by teaching me how to do it myself.

I keep thinking about an inversion thingy... but I'd like to try one first.  I am 6'2" and about 325.  They built for THAT?

Jabba

Im 6'5" and was 300 lbs used it with no trouble, I am down to 270 now and its easier on the ankles. That is the most uncomfortable part for me, where it clamps to the ankles.
I would recommend the Teeter brand, they are built heavy. I got mine used off craigslist for $75. It was just like new