Anyone have multiple issues in the spine

[Jeaniem130]

I have been having lots of back pain and nerve pain in my legs and arms. Xrays , dexa scan and mri indicate degeneration throughout the entire spine, stenosis, mild osteoporosis, and L5 S1 instability. due to vertebrae shift I am having a fusion of l5 s1 soon, part of my spine did not fuse during fetal development and caused the vertebrae to shift. I have been working with a PT but and she has shown me many exercises to strengthen my core and back. I do them in hopes that they will work over time. The back exercises sometimes give me so much pain a while after doing them that I wonder if I should be doing them. Just wondering if anyone has dealt with this issue?

[Fruitandnutcase]

I’ve got multiple issues with my spine. Basically it’s moderate to severe multilevel disc and facet joint degenerative changes with spinal canal stenosis at L5 vertebral anterolisthesis of L4 and L5 bilateral L5 and left L4 neural impingement, lumbar lordosis and spinal canal stenosis and more recently I’ve developed an insufficiency fracture of the right sacral ala plus some other nasties. So I get a lot of deep muscle and nerve pain.

I’ve always done Pilates - we work at a very basic level and our teacher is very careful with us - I was fine until last May when I had a month off and didn’t do anything on my own at home which caused a lot of problems with aches and pains. Then I fell over onto my tailbone and that caused the fracture.

I’ve discovered though that the only way to keep mobile is to keep moving.

I’ve got an amazing Pilates teacher who is a physio and who specialises in people like me. Like I say we work at a very basic level strengthening our cores etc. I do three one hour sessions a week and on the days I don’t have a class I do about twenty minutes twice a day and work through as many exercises as I can think of . I also walk for at least half an hour every day although it’s usually nearer an hour.

We are constantly being told that we must never do anything that hurts, even if our teacher has told us to do it and even if it’s something we’ve done before.

I’m no expert but I’d say you shouldn’t really be in a lot of pain after you’ve exercised. So perhaps you are doing the wrong exercises or are working too hard.

Sometimes we’ll do things that leave me thinking ‘boy that was hard work’ but it never causes pain either at the time or afterwards. Pain is your body’s warning to you.

[MWZ3]

Definitely not with regard to pain. Maybe a different person to help you like another clinician. I like the pool the best with similar issues to you.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to MWZ3]

I’d agree with trying a different clinician and finding someone who is experienced in working with people with osteoporosis. Trouble with the pool is that while it’s relaxing it’s not weight bearing exercise and you need weight bearing exercise for your bones.

[MWZ3]

You can use the steps to go up and down and walk in shallow water. Use the noodle for resistance on your legs. Also, many disabled people can’t do a lot of walking or resistance outside the pool. The pool is not just for relaxation. It is actually very good when you are limited.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to MWZ3]

Ouch! That’s me told 😉

[MWZ3 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Not meant to offend. It was meant to explain. The pool is still good for some of us. It depends if you challenge yourself as much as you can safely do so.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to MWZ3]

No, don’t worry, I wasn’t offended - I know I had a friend who used to say she sweated at aquarobics but I really hadn’t thought of it as weight bearing. 😊

[Crystalbowl]

I have chronic pain due to fractured vertebrae and post herpetic neuralgia pain following shingles in January 2019 in my RH rib cage area front and back. I have also recently been diagnosed following a Dexa scan with osteoporosis in my spine and osteopenia in my hips. I have recently read a number of books about neuroplastic pain. Two of the best IMO are “The Way Out” by Alan Gordon curablehealth.com and the curable app. Also “The Pain Habit” by Drew Coverdale thepainhabit.com There is also the Pain Management Workbook by Rachel Zoffness. I am now working with the ideas to hopefully relieve the pain.

[wellness1 in reply to Crystalbowl]

I've been learning about the neuroscience research into chronic pain. These also look like some interesting resources. Do you feel like they're helping you?

[Crystalbowl in reply to wellness1]

Not sure yet. It is early days for me. These sorts of changes can take time although there are reports of people’s pain ending immediately. I am going with it though as I have tried so many alternative/complementary therapies and have not found any meds which help so nothing to lose by trying the neuroscience way but the pain!

[wellness1 in reply to Crystalbowl]

Absolutely. If there's no downside, it's worth trying and the neuroscience resarch is fascinating. Sorry you're dealing with pain and I hope you find something beneficial soon.

Would you mind if I PM you with a question?

[Crystalbowl in reply to wellness1]

Yes, fine to PM me.

[Mavary in reply to Crystalbowl]

Have they prescribed Gabapentin for your hermetic pain. That could also help with your rib pain. I only know about it as my Mother had Shingles and had really bad herpetic pain after. She was given Gabapentin.

[Jeaniem130]

Thank you everyone for your responses!

[Jeaniem130]

I am also wondering about my neck xray report that stated endplate sclerosis and bone spurs at C5, C6?

[Mavary]

I’ve got multiple fractures in my back and can sympathise with your pain when you do things. If you’ve got degeneration of the spine it’s probably the same sort of pain that I get. Have you tried ringing the Osteoporosis society. You can talk to a trained nurse and get an answer to a lot of your questions. I rang them and they’ve got the time to answer all your worries. I would write down all the questions you have about what you should or shouldn’t be doing maybe ask about food or medication. Try them and see what you think.

[Crystalbowl in reply to Mavary]

I have been prescribed Gaberpentin but I didn’t take it after reading about other people’s experience on this and other forums. I already take a lot of meds for my heart . The only thing I take for the PHN pain is Amatriptilyne which doesn’t help the pain but does help me to sleep although I think the effect of this might be wearing off as I have not been sleeping as well recently which is upsetting. I have been a lifelong insomniac and being able to sleep has been the one upside of having the PHN pain

[Mavary in reply to Crystalbowl]

Did you try the Gabapentin at all? It’s just that there can be side effects with all medication and sometimes it’s necessary. I hope you find something soon.

[Crystalbowl in reply to Mavary]

No I didn’t didn’t try it as apart from horrible side effects, people on this and other forums report difficulty getting off it. I did try Tramadol but it made me vomit. After 3+ years of trying a wide variety of possible treatments, none of which have made the slightest difference despite spending a small fortune, I am trying to learn to live with the pain as best I can. In some ways, the pandemic has been helpful as it restricted what we have been able to do but now that we are hopefully coming out if it, I do want to try and do more especially getting more exercise. I have just come back from a short walk in my localPark to see the daffodils and yesterday on a different walk it was snowdrops.