Back Pain

I haven't been on a lot.. but I've been lurking.. I have had an extreme amount of back pain. My PCP gave me drugs and when that didn't help he gave me bigger drugs and sent me to a specialist. The spec. gave me bigger drugs and shots directly into my back and that only helped for a few hours. NOW my pain has gotten worse. I have pulled 3 major muscle groups on the right side of my back. On monday I woke with pain at a "10" it went to a "12" and by the time I would say the pain was at a "15" I was in the urgent care crying. Specialist is now saying I need an epidural thingy.. He wants to give me shots directly into my spine to block the pain. This requires a special table that may not hold me. Also this is usually done with the patient on their stomach. I haven't laid on my stomach in YEARS. So he still wants to do this even if it means with me on my side and a modified table. It's normally a quick procedure. He said he'd have to clear his schedule and it would take all afternoon. If he gets in there and feels as if he's causing damage he'll stop. He said if things go wrong I could very easily wake up paralyzed!!! I asked about NOT getting the procedure and he said as soon as my body gets used to the new muscle relaxers I'll be in spasm again and nothing will help me eventually. I am so scared... Anyone else go thru this??? Thanks for listening.

You know, I think I'd get a second opinion. I'm not saying that the doc doesn't know what he's talking about, but it never hurts (bad pun, sorry) to seek a second doctor's opinion. Have you also considered alternative medicine, such as acupuncture or a chiropractor? I know back pain can be debilitating. Take care! Kix

Sorry I don't have any advice, but, I sure feel for you! Lori

I have not gone through this before, but I agree with Kix, get a second opinion. Look into alternative medicine like Kix said. My heart goes out to you and I wish there was something I could do to help you with your pain. All I can say is do what feels right to you and take things one day at a time. Have faith that something will help you. If I can help you with anything at all, let me know, I am just an email away. Take care Erin

Thanks for the great idea Kix.. I have had the 2nd opinion and I am limited in what my insurance covers. I do appreciate everyone's kind words and support. I wish this would be enough for them to hurry up and do the WLS.

Will they be able to do WLS if you are having such terrible back pain? They may want to defer it until your pain is under control. Is the specialist a back doctor or is it a pain management specialist? If he's not a pain management specialist, I suggest trying to get a referral for one. Right now, the important thing is to get your pain down to a manageable level if it can't be eliminated without having back surgery. Kix

Hi Kix, From what they are telling me this should speed up the WLS. The pain is coming from the weight of my stomach hanging. The back specialist is a pain dr and spine specialist. He's taught at famous schools and has all kinds of degrees and what not. His official title is pain and spinal medicus. What he's propsosing isn't quite surgery just a very scary procedure. I am mostly decided against it ... and then my back locks up and I can't move or even take a breath and I feel it's my only hope. Thanks for all of the support and ideas. It's hard to think on all of these pills. I hate that feeling.

First I am sorry you are in so much pain. I well understand the pain of a bad back. I had that procesure done about 5 yrs ago. It helped for a couple of months and then the pain was back. As far as pain when they done it there wasnt much as my pain doc numbed it really good. Eventually I opted to have my back fixed by a back surgeon. And luckily I have had little trouble with it since. I wish I had had the back surgery done yrs ago. I can walk without pain now. I also seen several back doctors from large hospitals. St. Louis, Champaign, Therre haute, Evansville and from smaller practices as this had went on for years. They all told me that I would eventually have to have the back surgery but hold off as long as possible. Well I wish I had done it years ago. Cause I feel so much better. But my back doc says I am one of the lucky ones that he has actually helped, sometimes he said it does no good or makes things worse. Good luck and look at all your options before doing anything. love marie

Hey there you blushing bride!!!! May I ask.. What kind of back surgery did you have? What were they correcting? This is just a spinal epidural pain blocker thing...steroids and pain killers. Is this like what you had? Just asking cause I know you had surgery. Thanks!!