(Hello--I'm new to this particular forum, and am posting for my wife who isn't the one who operates the computer. )
She's been having back problems for several years, to a minor degree, but much worse since April. Though we were rear-ended in a car accident, all Dr's say that didn't worsen her.
She has been to our regular GP, and a spine clinic. The Dr. at the clinic placed her in phys. therapy for about 5 weeks which has helped. Her symptoms are pain in the upper back, very painful "catches" that kick like a mule. The catches are what we cannot seem to rid her of.
She has R.A., osteopenia, and was once told by her R.A. Dr., she has some scoliosis. As a child, she had a very mild brush with polio, but no one has even suggested she might have post polio syndrome. The physical therapist measured one leg an inch shorter than the other, but her spine Dr. got one centimeter difference. She also suggested a wedge for her shoe.
After seeing the spine Dr. for a final visit the other day, she told her, she is over a fence. She doesn't know what to do, or how to further help her. She mentioned an MRI, but said to just talk it over for now, as they are expen$ive. No surprises there!
She is on Fosamax once weekly, has been prescribed Darvocet for pain, and skelaxin for spasms, which does little, if any good for her. She also takes Oscal 500+D 3x's daily, and Vitamin C 500, once daily.
As another poster experiences, as I noticed, my wife will have pain in her coccyx after lying down at night, and has to turn over on her side to alleviate it until her back gets "used to" being in bed. She has pain when getting up during the night, and again when she returns to bed. I forgot to say, but she is 58 years old.
We really don't know where to turn now. By our experiences and reading others here, it seems the back is still basically, a medical mystery to many Drs.
Thanks for letting me post, and we're open to any suggestions aside from just running from Dr. to Dr. and piling up bills, which we already have we can't pay now. But, to get her relief, we would do it.
Maybe there is some confusion as to what is the focus of your question. Has your wife had a Dexa Scan that revealed Osteoporosis? If so, what are the numbers? That would need to be known to determine the protocol, but 500 mg. Cal is not very much, I think most of us here take at least 1200,usually divided into 2 doses, as well as Magnesium, vit. D and Vit. K for absorption.
If, however, her problem is mainly muscular, how about glucosomine/chrondoiton as a supplement for the pain? How about a Chiropractor or Acupuncture?
Don't give up on us, just give us a little more information.
Hello--Never heard of a Dexa scan. It apparently was revealed on standard X-rays. Her GP told her she had osteopenia after reading X-rays, even before a bone scan was ran later. The only things she takes and the dosages, are mentioned in my original post. Her GP didn't want her seeing a chiro due to possible fractures occuring during treatment. Adjustments can be rather rough.
We are just seeking answers as to why she continues to have pain, plus painful "catches" which are like a hard jolt, or mule kick. The pain and catches are in the middle of her back up pretty high between her shoulders. She says they "tear her into". The Dr. at the spine clinic was left stumped, basically, and only told us to talk over an MRI, which we know is an arm and a leg, expense. What got me is the spine Dr. saying there are no fractures at first, yet my wife's last visit to her, she says, "Maybe there's a fracture somewhere that is healing." Really confuses us also! I want to say, "Well, what is it! A fracture or NO fracture?!" As you can see, we face a frustrating situation. She's had those catches since about 1996, but then they were extremely mild, and only when she would lie down in bed. She seems to have not had many this afternoon which is good. It's a complicated thing, I know. I did the best I could to explain it. Thanks again,
Yes, it sounds as if an MRI would be helpful. I guess you do not have insurance? Our medical system is a tragedy and a travesty. I think that adequate medical care is a human right. I think there are some ways to receive one time benefits through both private and public organizations if you can show need. Perhaps you could explore that possibility. In the meantime, have you tried the product I mentioned - Glucosomine Chrondoiton? It helped me through many years of sciatica and chronic neck pain and I know that others have attested to its pain-relieving abilities as well? You can get it at an HFS or even, I believe, places like Walgreens,etc. I also keep a bottle of 800 mg. Ibuprofen on hand as a back up. I never touch it unless in dire need, but it always "does the trick". It is an Rx, of course, but I'm sure her doc would prescribe. At least these things might relieve the pain until you can get further diagnostic testing.
I'm pulling for you both as I know how frustrating undiagnosed ailments can be and worry and fear only add to the existing problem. I hope you get some clarity soon!
btw: You sound like a great husband!
Peregrine
[This message has been edited by peregrine (edited 09-07-2003).]
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