Debilitating lower back pain

[challyann]

Since pregnancy - 49 years ago ! - I have suffered from lower back pain, initially fleeting and infrequent, for the past 2 years since a total knee replacement, persistent and very frequent. Chronic pain! I have had no benefit from facet joint injections, ablation, caudal epidural and stubborn attempts to help myself by osteopathy, aqua therapy, heat pads , physio etc. I felt (and so did all the health professionals that I saw) that I was managing my pain well. I continued with voluntary work and a little paid work at my local Hospice. The only pleasure that I had to totally give up was my golf.

No more. For the past couple of weeks the pain has been worse and present constantly. Ibuprofen combined with cocodamol haven't helped and now Tramadol and Paracetamol have also failed to help. In desperation I have made an appointment for an MRI scan and consultation with the same specialist I saw a year ago. That was on the NHS. This time I am going privately. The appointment is in 10 days time and meanwhile I am struggling to cope.

Does anyone have any experience of this situation? Any advice/common struggles shared would be gratefully received.

[Bananas5]

Have you ever had a diagnosis of cause for the pain?

I hav serious problems with my sij

x

[challyann in reply to Bananas5]

Thanks for your reply. The key words in my MRI scan result in September 2017 are: no lower limb pain, multi levelc spondylotic change and in particular spinal canal compromise of the caud equina and multi level facet joint arthropathy.

[Bananas5 in reply to challyann]

Multilevel spondylosis means that these changes affect multiple vertebrae in the spine. ... Spondylitis is inflammation of one or more vertebrae, such as in ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory form of arthritis of the spine.

My husband has had AS for over 30 years...it has shredded the Myelin sheath. He does receive spinal injections every 6 months which helps a little. but...other conditions have caused his spine to disintegrate in parts and fuse in others.

Don't feel you are alone...

x

[challyann in reply to Bananas5]

Thank you. I do know what the terms mean .

[Hidden]

Hi

I'm so sorry you are suffering so much. I have many conditions causing me pain. I've had lower back pain for a long long time, I've got spondylitis and degeneration of the facet of the facet joint. I'm waiting for injections , I hope they work. The pain killers I'm on are nortriptyline, duloxetine, zomorph and oramorph. I sometimes take cuprofen and paracetamol. These do take the edge off the pain but I still only get one hour or less sleep per night due to pain. My husband bought me a back massager which has helped me, it does ease it for about half an hour but I've still got all my other conditions causing me pain. I'm sorry I've not been much help , just wanted to let you know that I'm here for you. Do you have anyone who you can talk to. I'm lucky to have a great support network plus everyone on here who are fantastic. You can pm me if you want to. Please take care of yourself. Love and hugs Lynne xxxx

[challyann in reply to Hidden]

Good to have your support. I do have people to talk to, but live on my own. At 73 this is so not me and totally depressing.

[Hidden in reply to challyann]

Thank you. I'm here if you need me. Love and hugs Lynne xxxx

[Hidden]

I've had ten years of back nerve pain.

All I can say is everyone is different and only you can learn what helps you.

What helped me was exercise and rest, determined to take my mind off the pain and a good Tens machine. I still take pain meds but at a very low dose. Good luck and stay positive.

[Hidden]

I feel for you. My pain got so bad in my lower back and neck that I couldn’t get upright and get my legs out of bed. Did all the things you did. Finally had MRI at Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota had found I had degenerative disc disease. Vertebrae were crushing against each other. Had 8 spinal fusions, fusing all discs head to below waist over 19 years. Amazing! I’m 70 years and can do a lot with my grandkids even getting down on the floor. I wish you so much luck and hope. Consider surgery.