Hi, I'm Sandra, from Wisconsin. I'm 35, married with a beautiful
MIRACLE 3 year old son (In March). My story is quite long, but I'll
make it short. I got in a car acc at 12, had a severe cervical
strain. I've been going to the chiro ever since with back and neck
pain, chronic. Over the years, did stuff to my back over and over
and was in ER once and pain meds, but always got better. Recently,
over the last few months I have progressively gotten worse. Pain in
lower back with pain down R leg and sore neck, etc. I finally asked
my chiro to order the MRI. He did, have one bulging and torn disk at
L4/L5, osteoarthritis from L3 down to sacroilic joints. My Mri was
ONLY of the lumbar and sacroilic region, not the rest of my back and
neck which scares me. I went and had my 1st steroid shot last week, I
am still feeling pain in R back sacroilic area, but pain in lower
back is a little less, but pain still in leg. I have two more shots
left and a followup with doc (physical medicine doc who ordered
shots) on the 22nd and she will look at the rest of my spine. I'm
scared for what the future holds for me. Anyone else my age that is
here? I started taking glucosamine recently, does that stuff help?
Is there any difference in liquid then capsules? Any info you can
give me would be great. yes, I'm overweight, but not obese, I need
to lose about 50 lbs. but I am tall, so I truly don't think my weight
is a real "bearing" on my back problems. Anyway, good to be here and
looking forward to meeting you all!

Sandra
http://www.tznet.com/greenacres

Dawson's website!

Hi Sandra...a couple of suggestions..try to get the weight down as you'll feel better. Keep up with the glucosamine/chondrointin because it often takes months to click in but many people do feel that it helps because it assists in laying down new cartilege around the joints. Especially though, think of asking your doctor to try a round of physical therapy. I'm much older than you are but have been dealing with osteoarthritis since I was your age. My MRI is not good, but going to PT has helped me maintain an exercise program that diminishes the pain and stiffness. I take Feldene, an antiinflamatory, daily and also take the new Arthritis extra strength Tylenol, 2 every 8 hours when I really need it. It's a big help.Good luck to you! Jean13