Suffering for years with back pain.....No relief...

[Kellsc1980]

Hello.......I am 29 years of age. I am a female and love to be active in sports and dancing. I used to dance until I got so tired I would drop in the floor and even then would still try and get up and do more dancing. I absolutely loved to dance. I love being outdoors also. I used to be a skinny minny too. Well all of this changed in 2007. I am a LPN and have been working at a long term care facility. One day, I was approached by another nurse and was asked if I would help pull a resident up in their bed. Of course I did because I love helping others. This resident was obese and all residents need two nurses or staff to pull them up in the bed. Well I helped to pull that person up and when I did, I heard something pop in my back and it started hurting real bad. Well I made it known to the nurse I was helping and to a RN also working there that night. Well I didn't think anything of it. I thought maybe I had pulled a muscle. I took some Motrin and it went away. Well I thought that was the end of it. A few hours later it came back with a vengeance and I made it known again to the RN. She advised me to fill out an incident report for Workman's Comp. I did, she seen me fill it out. I believe she even saw me stick it under the DON's door. Well, as time went by nothing was said and I was still in pain in my lower back right side. I approached the DON. She said she did not receive an incident report. Bull $%^*! Well I filled out another one and handed it to her. She investigated and noone and I mean NOONE would tell the truth. They acted like they didn't know what I was talking about. How rediculous. Anyway, I know I'm rambling. I had an MRI and it showed Large bulging disc at L5S1 and small bulging disc at L4S1. I have been in so much pain since then. I have tried PT, tens unit, Lumbar injections, steroids, motrin, narcotics such as Percocet, Vicodin, Ultram, etc. Nothing seems to help. As I said previously, I used to be so active. Now, all I do is lay on the couch with a heating pad from dusk till dawn. I've tried ice as well and nothing helps for a long period of time. My pain runs from my back down my leg to my knee. I've been to several Doctors and they say that surgery would not help. They say" there's nothing to operate on." Well you know just get me out of this pain. That's all I want. I've even had a nerve study done. Nothing came back on that. I have been seeing a pain management facility for a while now who did my lumbar injections and nerve study. All they give me now is Ultram for the pain and a muscle relaxer. The Ultram does help some. I just want off all meds and live a healthy exercise filled life. I'm 29! I should be running around feeling good. I feel like I'm 70. Well if you have come this far in the reading I appreciate you letting me ramble. If you have any suggestions let me know. By the way, Workman's Comp. rejected my claims due to the others not telling the truth. How wonderful is that?:mad:

Thanks...........KC:)

[suede]

KC

First let me say welcome to BT and that I am so sorry for your need to be hear.

I can relate to your story all to well as in been there and done that.

Have you spoken with an attorney about your WC claim if not I advice you to as I'm sure you know this is has been 2 years now and could be on going and not only lengthy but very expensive.

I am NO expert by any means but it sounds to me as if you may have anular tear(or tears) also.

When it comes to matters of the spine it is a whole other world your case sounds so much like mine I went years being told it was bulging disc and nothing operative live with it, when I wasn't being told it was all in my head.

After years and numerous ESI'S, test, procedures and MRI'S and the list goes on I had a discogram done and found that I had the tears that weren't showing up on the mri's by then I already had permanent S1 nerve damage done.

Here is a site I recommend you check out that may be helpful to you

http://chirogeek.com/

By the way mine was also a WC case.

I wish you the best of luck and please continue to post and keep us updated and vent when you need also you can always send me a PM anytime.

Good Luck,
Linda

[Mark N]

KC, welcome even though it is a shame you are here for pain relief. The link Linda gave you is a good one that I hope you take a look at. I know what you are going through as I have been dealing with spinal problems since I was 22 so it has been 31 years now. I was lucky that I could continue to be athletic for another 12 years as the pain episodes were just several times a year during that time. I am now totally disabled as a result of continuing deterioration of my disks, pain, and severe muscle spasms.

For pain relief, you will need to push your current PM to do more to treat your pain or find another doctor that is more concerned about controlling your pain levels. Constant high pain levels have their own health problems and should not be ignored. You may also need to see a psychologist to help deal with the loss of dancing and athletics but if you are handling it fine then there is no need to do this. I saw one as part of my PM and after the first visit was told I was dealing with my pain very well so no need to come back. There are other pain meds out there other than opiods that may help with your pain. I use Cymbalta to treat my neuropathic pain and it works well for me. There are also nerve pain medications like Lyrica, Neurotin, etc. Good luck and I hope you get some relief soon.

[baabr]

Hi KC i am new here to; i also feel a loss regarding physical activity; it was such a important part of my life

i am sorry; you are right; you should be out and enjoying life

[Diandra]

Hi KC,
I agree with others that you need to push your primary care doctor a bit. If you have not, try to get to a pain mgmt. doctor, often a physiatrist (not to be confused with psychiatrist). A physiatrist is a doc who is rehab specialist who often treats chronic pain. That is the kind of doctor I go to and he has been wonderful, letting me try everything under the sun to help treat my pain.

I know it must be just unbearable to be 29yrs old and in your position, you have my complete sympathy. Have you ever tried the long acting meds like oxycontin or MSContin. etc? I know you don't want to live on drugs, yet they may enable you to have a more active life. I started taking Lyrica almost 2 yrs ago and it has helped my nerve pain alot. It had alot of side effects in the beginning and I could not drive for a few weeks but it was worth wading through those side effects for the relief it gave me.

I am glad you joined this forum and I wish you the best.

Take care,
Diandra