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Just signed up, never thought I would need this kind of support, however have been reading some of the posts and have a sense of relief that we are not alone. Back issues over many years. More recent episodes made me think I can't carry on. Trying new things, trying really hard to be positive, trying to accept the times when I can't be positive

[PFKAAde]

Hi Rackets57 and welcome aboard.

What kind of back problems do you suffer with?

Lots of folk on here with varying degrees of back pain...

[Hidden in reply to PFKAAde]

Hi, mostly lower back. Lots of physio injections, scans etc over many years. Most recent l5 s1. Lots of leg pain and spasms, struggle to concentrate, lack of sleep. Now 57 and lucky to have stayed in work. Retrained when I was 48, counselling etc, so I could continue working. Now feel as though the pain is in control and I cannot compete?????? Again have mostly remained positive but it's hard

[CtKathleenUSA in reply to Hidden]

Hello. Welcome. I agree, it is hard.

Have you seen specialists (pain clinic, rheumatologist, etc) for your back issues? Have the physicians given you a diagnosis? For instance, I have severe back pain caused by a chronic autoimmune disease and I not only practice habits to ease immediate pain, but also ways to reduce inflammation in my body through diet, etc.

There are lists of treatments for chronic pain. I have tried many. Some have been very helpful. Physio and injections help many, but not all.

Keeping positive and diligent is a great approach! On this site you will find many chronic pain sufferers who have learned to take charge of their bodies and to advocate for their medical care. It can also be helpful to bring an important person in your life to appointments to help press the physicians for info, care and follow up. Here, we share many of the frustrations we run into while seeking treatment and relief.

I congratulate you for having the strength to reach out to others. In reaching out to others with chronic pain, I have found a wealth of information and experience. I have also found new approaches from others which has helped very much in finding relief from back pain.

Good luck to you on your journey!

[johnsmith]

Nothing wrong with being negative. Just observe when this occurs. Sometimes it is an indication that you are not getting enough sleep. Being positive can be very energy draining and can require the need to recharge the batteries.

Grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can;

And Wisdom to know the difference.

Grant me the peace to live one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to wisdom

[lowlife]

I have spondylolisthis L5 & S1 bilateral pars defect and I can relate to leg pain and sleepless nights. Sometimes I wonder why I bother going to bed at all. I try to stay cheerful in the day in front of family etc but I cry a lot at night with the pain. Your definitely not on your own on this site as im sure most of us here don't sleep very well. To have to fight the pain 24/7 is exhausting which then causes depression. I refuse to go back to that awful dark place and fight to keep on top of things by going out and looking around me to see so many people struggling to walk or in wheelchairs and know that there worse than me. Try and keep your chin up and focus on what you can do rather than what you can't. ☺

[jewel8888]

I happened on this post todaY, thankfully. I had fusion at l5s1 15 years ago, then injured my neck and having 4 level fusion for it 2 yrs ago. Since the neck accident my back and legs have been weak and painful. It's a pAinful illness and I also have RA and psoriatic arthritis. It hurts, Dr's want to help me and I'm sure there is help out there for you too. I find that my abilities are more limited but I've had to find inner peace with my situation, it helps me to think I'm in winning the war in my body just getting thru each day. My best wishes you find some relief by chatting in our forum, I'm so glad you joined. Julie

[Hidden in reply to jewel8888]

Hi Julie, really pleased I joined group. I take heart from other people's experiences and positivity. I, like others do not like to exhibit self pity as the guilt which follows can be worse than the pain! I am probably adapting to the recent changes. Things will get better. I love the sky, the sea, the trees. I was hoping for surgery but have been told to many discs have prolapsed and surgery could make things worse. Now have to decide do I request second opinion so I can have some closure and move on??Ray