Hello, I have suffered from lower back pain for years on and off, having MRI Scans, physio sessions, taking pain killers. This year the pain never goes away. The MRI Scan shows dehydrated bulging discs at L4 & L5. I exercise and walk. I really struggle to bend down and sit for over 10 minutes.
Does anyone else suffer likewise and if so how do you manage the pain? I am fed up of the doctors only changing my pain killers, which so far don't seem to work.
Look forward to hearing any replies. Thank you.
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Bantam55
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Like you I have suffered for many (9 or so) years with debillitating ain originating predominantly from L4/L5 compression, I initially had acute sciatica for a long period of time and it progressed into the chronic stage during which time I had all medications which did not help, nerve blocks, c audal epidural infusions and, after a year and a half a decompression operation. Nothing resolved or significantly reduced the chronic symptoms, Eventually I was referred to Pain Management who said I would get a spinal chord stimulator (scs)implant as all else had failed. That was in 2018 and I eventually I had an operation in April last year to fit the scs implant. The procedure was halted after aless than an hour when the surgeons concluded trhat in my cas it proved ineffective, probably, as they said, because my nerves and neural system were too "damaged",
For these past few years I have learned to control/mitigate the pain to a certain extent and I generally manage to have a reasonable, if not ideal, lifestyle. I have learned to try to stay as active as possible (exercising, cycling, walking, etc) and by pacing myself, avoiding activities which exacerbate the pain, resting (only on my left hand side) when pain is increasing and controlling my thoughts and emotions (trying to avoid apprehension, anxiety, agitation and stress) which I have found can be major contributory factors in pain build up.
My spinal defects have not disappeared and, in fact, have actually got worse as seen in most recent MRI last year.
I say I have a constant companion and he is called pain and he comes from a very "bad place". He is not a companion I would have chosen but I an stuck with him. I used to rail and fight against him but I came to learn that it only made things worse and if I did the things I mentioned earlier he would quiten down. I believe that I am stuck with him but at least he is useful in letting me know when "bad place" is about to kick off.
I hope you can find ways to improve your situation.
Thank you for explaining your situation and how you deal with it. I quite like your expression of how you take 'Pain' , to be your companion. I can see the relevance, as the pain is a constant reminder most of the day, so why not embrace it. Does this come from physiological studies, i'd be interested to know.
I am now about to go onto Gabapentin, as all previous pain killers, don't seem to work. You would think by now, there would be a wonder pain killer to ease the suffering.
It does not come from any information I have read, it is just what I have learned by trying to self-manage my pain after trying all medications and procedures. I found that stress is a major factor in the level of pain build up. Generally as the pain built up I became apprehensive, anxious, annoyed, agitated then stressed and I found there was a positive feedback effect between my mental state and pain level. I now use techniques like mindfullness, etc to avoid or mitigate the pain build up and it works. I also do other things as I described in my earlier reply to you. There are various theories around like sensitisation of the neural system, etc which all relate to training your mind to try to stop focussing on pain. You just have to try as much as you can and find outy what works for you.
I have had a back problem since 2012 when I suffered from a herniated disc in the lumbar vertebra. Rest and exercise eventually solved the problem after about 3 months , In 2022 the problem returned with a vengeance and I saw an orthopaedic consultant who sent me for a scan. This showed a stenosis and I under went a hemilaminectomy in March 2023. The relief from the pain was instant , but after about a month it returned and gradually got worse. I went back to the consultant who sent me for a post op scan. This revealed that the op had removed the pressure on the nerve. As the pain was getting worse I was referred to a neurosurgeon who said it looked as if I might have a piece of disc wedged under L4. I underwent another op to remove the piece of disc. Again the pain relief was instant. After about 6 weeks the pain started to return and the consultant sent me for lumbar x-rays from which it was concluded that I now have arthritis in the facet joints in the lumbar region. I was referred to a pain consultant who is going to inject six of the lumbar facet with a nerve block. If this is successful I will be a good candidate for denervation of the nerves involved in the hope of getting lasting relief.
One thing I have learned during this time is that nothing can be guaranteed. However i am willing to try anything in order to be pain free. I have been given all sorts of pain killers and found one of the best to be Arcoxia. However when this dose was increased to 90 mg per day plus the Buprenorphine patch I developed swollen legs and had to stop taking them. I have now been on a Buprenorphine patch which certainly helps but is not so effective as the patch plus Arcoxia.
I hope this is of some use to you and I hope you can get some relief from the pain you are in.
Have you tried Pilates to strengthen your abdomen which in turn helps to support your back more or is that too difficult to do? Is there any alternative medicine you could try for dehydrated disks or supplements to help them? What has caused it? Physio will help to strengthen your body but not help the pain I wouldn't think.
I can't sit to do pilates , due to the pressure on L4/L5 bulging discs. I struggle to bend down in general to pick anything up.
My back originally went about 20 years ago, but would get better , then go again over time. My first MRI Scan in 2002 showed i had Spondilytis. I had physio sessions etc and it held it at bay. I had another MRI Scan i 2018 again showing degeneration of the lower lumbar. Was put on Diclofenic, then taken off and put on Neproxin to take as and when i had pain, for a couple of years. Then a Physio said try Celecoxib (which is for inflammation). This seem to work quite well for a few years. My back went big style, early last year 2023. Had another MRI Scan showing dehydrated bulging discs L4/L5. Had physio which did not seem to help. As the pain worsened over months i became be anxious, depressed. Put on Amitriptyline, which again hasn't eased the pain. Then put on Methocarbamol for a couple of months, still not pain free. Now go onto Gabaprentin, so will see how that goes. It seems the doctors just say try another pain killer every time, which is becoming warring, as all you want is to be pain free.
I do exercises daily at home, which don't ease the pain but doctors/physios always say to exercise? I find walking the best exercise and stretches off the lower back.
To be honest, i have just become so so fed up of having pain daily. It does get to you.
Hi Bantam55 I have collapsed disc and bulging discs after an accident in 2016 I have tried almost everything you could think of I am now on morphine pregabalin and numerous other medications i have never been free from pain but this is the best I have been try to keep moving and keep busy to take your mind off it sorry that’s the only advice I can give
Hi Cappo, I am about to try Gabapentin, which i think is a pre pain killer to pregabalin.
I do walk, and do floor exercises as instructed to do so by the physio. As you say, with it being constantly on your mind, it does take over your life, thinking about it, all the time.
It really does depress you, having pain daily and not finding a solution for it.
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