I'll Be the First to Share...

I can empathise with you.
I slipped a disc wrongly lifting slabs in my mid 20's and I've had flare ups of my lumbar area ever since.
Most recently (Im now 44) they are happening more often and forcing me to take time off work. The sciatic pain in the legs is the worst I've ever experienced and I'm now resigned to having a stem block injection to try to get some relief.
I've tried Chiropracty, gym, physio, umpteen pills of different types and hot and cold compress. They all relieve the symptoms to an extent but of course, don't cure the problem. Has anyone had surgery? If so, has it helped?
Colin

infinitedreamer:



I, too, have suffered from back pain since my daughter was born over 6-1/2 years ago. My back pain is at night only - from about 3 a.m. until I wake up. Talk about a bad night's sleep!



Have you looked into Celiac Disease? I am investigating that for my own condition, as many times the disease goes into full effect during or following pregnancy. It could be responsible for my "back" pain as the swollen small intestine may be the actual culprit -- not the twisted disks from labor I was told I had (and that never actually surfaced only any subsequent x-rays or MRI).



I went gluten-free for one week and then had three consecutive nights pain-free. I never would have believed it.



To get tested for the disease, you have to be consuming wheat for several days prior to the test. They somehow test the antibodies associated with the condition.



If you are at your wits end, get an appointment with a gastroenterologist.



Good luck!

Dear Enigma and Rocky,

thanks for sharing. My heartfelt sympathy goes to both of you suffering through the pain. hang in there as best you can. my story of pain isn't as bad, but I can definately understand the frustration, isolation and discouragement that you are feeling. I injured my back 2 1/2 years ago, and have been in pain every day since. Note to self: once you pass 40, don't offer to help anyone move! I did - and it changed my life for sure. Before the injury, I was an exercise fiend...I was running 3-4 times per week, mountain biking, weightlifting - I felt invincible. since the injury I can't do any of that anymore...I really miss it. I went through a period where the pain was bad enough that I couldn't sleep , even after taking pain meds, sleeping pills and muscle relaxers. I would say that during that year the pain was about a 7 every single day. Not bad enough to go to the emergency room, but bad enough to impact your life. I never really knew chronic pain existed, before this happened. Now I have a heart for hurting people, because I know how it feels. I too am now taking tramadol which helps.



The most eye opening thing for me has been how futile the whole medical community has been. Yes I'm in pain, and I KNOW something is wrong, broken, bent , out of line....something, yet nothing shows on the 2 MRI's I have had, nothing on X-ray etc. Had one LESI injection...nothing. fortunately I avoided getting the discogram.



Just a little hope to offer you guys, just when I thought I would never get better, I have noticed a bit of an improvement over the past few months. The daily pain is maybe down to a 5 now , which is better than it was. I am going to a chiropractor regularly who uses the " pro adjuster"....I can't say 100% that is what did it, but the timing seems like it is. Anyway, please hang in there, ask for help from God and your family and I hope you both get relief!



Best- Tom

I'm Glad it helped some. I know what it's like to be surrounded by people who just 'don't get it'. Even when they attempt to be sympathetic, it's not the same as looking in the eyes of someone who knows - and seeing the compassion there. When that happens it means everything!

Hi Rocky, thanks for commenting. I'm sorry that you having been suffering for this pain for so long. I can't imagine going 10 years with pain, but I think I will reach that mark sometime! I've also experimented with different painkillers to find the one that's right for me (Lortab) and I've been on it for 2 years now. Unfortunately, it is addictive, but I think so far I've managed to keep addiction at bay because I haven't had to increase dosage at all (and I take a relatively small amount compared to others my doctor sees) and I also hate taking it. But everything else I've tried had worse side effects. I do admit I might be dependent on it, but my tolerance for the pain diminishes with each year that the pain continues, so I don't think it's any wonder I depend on medication.



Dealing with pain everyday is one of the hardest things to deal with, but as you said, we have to take it in baby steps, one day at a time, because when you think of 5 or 10 years down the road or even thinking of being in pain forever, it's a thought that can crush any hope of healing. And I think that hope is the one thing that can get us through.



Thanks again for sharing your story, you don't know how helpful it was :).

Hey. I know what you're going through. I'm 28 as well and have been in constant pain (to varying degrees), for around 10 years now... I also haven't been properly diagnosed with 'one thing' - which in itself is frustrating...



Sorting it all out... It's supposedly due to a combination of Hyper Mobility (and the subsequent dislocations and sublaxations), Muscle Spasms and Trigger Points (from previous injuries), and Adenomyosis.... all putting pressure on my hip and lower back (inside and out)....



Don't you hate it when people say... " you're so young to be experiencing Chronic Pain - you don't want to have to live your whole life like this..."...... ummm no kidding!



I've gone, from being ultra athletic and working out, jogging, playing sports etc, to being on constant pain killers and having to 'pace myself' with everything I do....



I get the frustration about shopping too.... so hard



And I understand the frustration about not being able to just 'play' with your child as much as you'd like!



I have a step daughter, and I love to take her down to play basketball... I hock up on pain killers and can't walk the next day - but she doesn't know that, and it's worth it to me!



Do you get people asking you if you hurt your leg? They always just assume I've got a sporting injury - because I'm young.... it's only people who have suffered back pain themselves, that can spot it a mile away, and are really beautiful and empathetic.



I've recently found the right combination of pain killers, for me - and am not drowsy anymore.... I take an Mobic (anti-inflammatory), Baclofen (Muscle spasm Relief), and Tramadol (in the slow release version, as well as the fast release for times when I need extra) - which is a pain killer that's non-addictive and (for me) non drowsy.... I think it upsets some people's stomachs, though.... I'm told that some people have violent nausea with it and have to go off it straight away... but it's fantastic for those that don't get affected by the side effects. It also doesn't cause anywhere near the amount of constipation that things like codine and endoine cause.... again I should say, for me.



My doctor and I just experimented with trying the different ones until we got it right.



There's a big wait to see the pain management specialist, so I haven't seen him yet.... my Doc thinks he may have more answers for me... Have you gotten more answers from yours, than from your 'ortho' specialists?



I have actually found my Physio seems to know so much more than any of the specialists so far.



Anyway... (as you can probably tell), I was really effected by your story, and all I can say is 'keep going' and take as many baby steps as it takes. I don't know if I'll ever get better myself, but I'm still doing everything I can to make my 'baby step' improvements, I think I'd fall apart if I didn't.