Hi,
This is my first post. I'm 53 years old, have been diagnosed with DDD, bulging discs and osteoarthritis. Was working in the back yard 5 weeks ago, pulling heavy vines out of trees and felt like I'd overdone it. Was sore the next day, but then day 2, I had to drive 4 hours to a work function and could not sit comfortably the entire time! My lower back/ tailbone area was killing me! I scoured through every left over pain med, muscle relaxer I could find in my drawers and thought I'd just strained it. After an additional 5 more days, I couldn't take it anymore and went to the doc.
she ordered an X-ray, which found moderate OA. She prescribed pain Meds and a round of steroids. I researched therapies and found that Yin Yoga would help. went to my first session, and started the stretching exercises. The next day I was miserable! So.. I kept trying Not to take the pain pills, and tried Aleve. It just wasn't helping.
It's now week 5 and I've just gotten home from a Lumbar MRI. I had a fatty cyst removed off my tailbone area 32 years ago, but no other injuries. Could this pain really just Osteoarthritis? Heat makes it worse. I live with an ice pack shoved in my pants. Hurts to lay flat on a flat surface, but can sleep on my back. Can't sit comfortably for long than a few minutes.
I guess I'm just depressed, because I can't find anything to help relieve the pain.
Welcome to the board. You will need to wait for the results of the MRI to have some idea of what is going on. The X-ray will not show any damage to a disc or soft tissue or possible nerve compression.
Arthritis rarely exists alone in the spine. It causes other problems and issues, or is a result of other things going on. But yes, facet arthritis in particular can be very painful.
Due to the type of activity you describe, I wouldn't be surprised to see that you have herniated a lumbar disc.
While you are waiting for the radiology report and a visit with the doctor, you can continue to use ice for any inflammation, take otc anti-inflammatories to also help with inflammation and avoid sitting for too long at a time, bending or twisting at the waist, etc.
Be sure to get a copy of your MRI and the radiology report. It is handy to keep a personal file of your own records as you may want to see one or more specialists in the future, or need the records for insurance purposes, etc. and it saves a lot of time if you have these records at your finger tips rather than having to run around and gather them. Also, I feel stronger with spine issues, that each person must become her own advocate. This means learning what you can about the spine, knowing basic anatomy and the mechanical workings of the spine and central nervous system, learning about the basic causes of back and neck pain, etc. Having a copy of the reports helps you understand what is going on so you can discuss your issues with your doctor.
I would not suggest doing any new exercises until you know what is going on in your spine. You can cause yourself more harm than good until you know just what are your issues and whether there is spinal nerve compression.
Thank you so much for responding. Ive been feeling a bit lost lately, not having anyone to talk to about it thats had the experience. Hubby and friends are supportive, but im sure theyre getting tired of it. I will continue to research and wait for the results.
I'm responding to your post also because I am near your age and have struggled with the same issues. teteri66 has given you the best advice. Once you have the MRI...you will have some direction for help.
Try not to feel alone; although I do understand that as I live alone-empty nested-and I also have been on medical leave from work. I am getting better, but it is slow. For now, try to do all the things that teteri66 has mentioned, and try to stay positive. You will get better once you have a path of treatment.
I struggle with a herniated disc at L5/S1..with radiating pain and numbness, but I also have had that tailbone area pain. Sit as little as possible, or just get up and walk every few minutes for now. Hang in there and know you will find support from folks on this board. They will also have more ideas to share with you once you know for sure what your MRI says.
Stay strong. :-)
Last edited by Administrator; 12-11-2012 at 04:21 PM.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Calin For This Useful Post: gmak (01-22-2013)
Thanks Calin. I work from a home office and am on the computer 80% of my work day. Funny.. I teach ergonomics, but have a hard time following it myself. Getting anxious about the MRI results, but continue to scour the net learning what I can about lower back/spine anatomy. Thankful that I've found a community here.
I've just received a phone call from my doctors office. The MRI showed:
Rightside Disc Bulge at L5-S1 and Spinal Stenosis at L3 through L5.
I followup with her tomorrow morning. In the meantime, I'll just do some research on therapies/treatment.
It is very common. From my own research I have learned that the L5/S1 is the most common disc for bulging and/or herniation, and most of us develop some stenosis from these things as we age. I expect that your doctor will recommend conservative treatment for now, which might include physical therapy, maybe and epdiral steroid injection, and pain relievers.
I think exercise is the critical element...in my opinion. You might want to look up these things and then discuss them with your doctor as well.
you might read about McKenzie exercises and the Egoscue Method. I do both of those. But don't start anything until you talk with your doctor.
The good thing is that you have "common" things going on in your back, and finding the right treatment now to help you manage it and keep pain at bay will be the key.
Good luck!! And do post any progress! :-)
I'm still hanging in there...slow but sure.
Last edited by Administrator; 12-11-2012 at 04:23 PM.
Hi Calin,
Went to the Dr. This morning. It's a medium sized right para central disc protrusion that indents the right ventral thecal sac. She said that's what's causing my pain, and not the stenosis so much. She's referred me to an Orthopedic Surgeon for evaluation and treatment. Have an appt next week. I'm assuming that they will try Physical Therapy first. at least I hope so. Not too hip on surgery..she did start me on Mobic for my OA.. So I hope that helps. Ice is my friend. glad to hear you're hanging in as well. thanks for your help through this. ��
Hi grover771....one thing you might want to do is get a copy of your MRI. I have all of mine on a CD, just in case I need it or decide I want a second opinion.I also read the report, so that when I talked with my OD, or the surgeon, I had some sense of what questions to ask.d
I would think some sort of conservative treatment would be tried first. Good luck and keep us posted.
Had my appointment with the Orthopedic doc today...actually, his PA. She concluded that my pain was most likely because I had significant facet joint arthritis at L5-S1, and not from the disc bulge indenting the thecal sac. Have to admit I was a little surprised.. Can't imagine arthritis causing this much pain. I mean, I've had to take my Vicodin every 6 hours lately, it's been so uncomfortable.
She prescribed Skelaxin 800mg, Medrol 4mg and PT.. Which doesn't start until the day after Christmas. My friend is a PT, so emailed her for exercises to do before next week.
Thank you guys for taking the time to respond to my questions. It means a lot to have received your kindness.
Had my appointment with the Orthopedic doc today...actually, his PA. She concluded that my pain was most likely because I had significant facet joint arthritis at L5-S1, and not from the disc bulge indenting the thecal sac. Have to admit I was a little surprised.. Can't imagine arthritis causing this much pain. I mean, I've had to take my Vicodin every 6 hours lately, it's been so uncomfortable.
She prescribed Skelaxin 800mg, Medrol 4mg and PT.. Which doesn't start until the day after Christmas. My friend is a PT, so emailed her for exercises to do before next week.
Thank you guys for taking the time to respond to my questions. It means a lot to have received your kindness.
Did your surgeon concur with the PA or did she make the diagnosis on her own? I don't like it when PAs diagnose -- I'm not sure that is in their job description.
For something this important, I personally wouldn't feel comfortable taking her opinion without the doctor concurring.
Facet arthropathy can be very painful...and I siuppose it doesn't really matter what is the cause of the nerve compression if no surgery is planned. ESIs would affect either, as would oral medications, etc. This isn't just "arthritis" because it causes nerve irritation or compression. If it were arthritis in your ankle, for example, it might cause the joint to enlarge and be painful, but it wouldn't press on the nerve as it does in the facets.
Also if the bulge is indenting the thecal sac, this could lead to cauda equina syndrome which could be potentially dangerous...so I would want to be darn sure the disc bulge is not the problem.
Hi Teteri66,
Well, you were right. It's now 1-17-13 and after 4 weeks of PT and traction, I'm still in the same situation. Yes, it was just the PA, as the surgeon couldn't see me until Feb. the traction seemed to help the most, and I stopped taking the pain Meds, as I was able to tolerate the pain, but last Monday when they turned on the traction, I had to tell them to stop because it started hurting. I'm back feeling pain and have made an appt. with a neurosurgeon for this Tuesday.
I was reading about the transepidural Injection. Have you had that? I'm not sure I'd be a candidate, as everything I'm reading says I'm supposed to have sciatica pain. And I don't. My hip hurts, my thigh is tight, my toe next to the big toe feels like its jammed or broken when I walk, but no shooting pain down my leg. My right leg feels heavy and like its shorter than my left. Bizarre, I know.
So, the "50ish" yr old gal takes Epsom salt baths, walks around with ice packs and pars for a answer. Any continued comments are much appreciated. :-)
Hi grover771...I'm sorry to hear that PT and traction didn't quite do the trick for you. I'm in the same boat. I've stopped everything as I landed in emergency mid-December. New MRI; disc fragment; and now I'm scheduled for microdiscectomy. Hoping I get over a head cold so I can go through with it. At the moment, I have no leg pain, just numbness and weakness, but I feel confident with the surgeon that I will have a good outcome.
I have always heard that you will know when you have suffered enough and surgery becomes the best option. It's now the path for me. I hope you find answers. Don't give up. I do plan to post my outcomes here and I hope they will be excellent so that others might benefit and have hope! :-)
I'm sorry that I kind of dropped the ball in terms of keeping up with your situation. I really feel you need to see a spine surgeon, not someone's PA. There is one spine surgeon I like very much that I think is still in your area, Richard G Pigeon, MD, PHD. Another lady that used to post on here used him at my suggestion and was very pleased.
Epidural steroid injections are almost always tried for issues such as yours. I'm surprised you've made it this long without having one. They work very well for some people...many times it is enough to shrink the offending tissues which gets them off the nerve and provides pain relief. They are usually done in a series of three. If there are no positive responses to the first two, the third injection is not done.
You haven't dropped the ball by any means. I've just not posted for awhile. I guess I was trying to "handle it" with PT and pain Meds. The way everyone around me is talking, it's like since I don't have severe sciatica it's like my pain must not be real. I can't get through the day without at least one pain pill. I can't wait until Tuesday. I just pray he will be able to help. Thanks for the recommendation on spine surgeons. I'll see what this one says and will keep yours handy. He did my husbands cervical fusion and recovery was immediate! We were shocked! Thank you again to you and Calin for taking the time to comment. No idea how much it helps me with your validation of what I'm going through,
Let me give you a little tip that you most likely will not hear from the doctor. If you end having an epidural steroid injection or similar, arrange it so you have nothing on your schedule for the following 72 hours, and plan on being a couch potato for that time.
Most doctors will tell you to take it easy for the rest of the day and then go about your normal routine the following day. A tip I first learned from a friend who is a chiropractor and whose husband has had horrendous spine issues, and then later, from my third pain management doctor, is to avoid being on your feet as much as possible for at least 48 hours and preferably 72. This keeps the medication from dispersing quickly and allows it to bathe the afflicted area for as long as possible...thus, you get the biggest bang for your buck, so to speak!
I never had any reaction to ESIs until I started going to my third PM doctor who was from Viet Nam. He insisted that his patients stay home and off their feet for 72 hours post injection...and it was the first time I ever had any response to an injection...so I am a believer...plus, it just makes sense to me.
The injection does not go into a contained area like a muscle or a joint. It is usually floated in to surround a nerve or a disc, etc. so it is just kind of suspended in the tissue. When a person is on her feet and active, the heart pumps harder, the blood flows faster and metabolism is higher...so the body uses up the medication faster than if the person is lying on the couch relaxing.
