[scilence]

I am desperate to try anything over the counter!
I had a baby 3 1/2 years ago. I got an epidural and after 2 days they decided to do a c-section. I was told I had to get a spinal block because the epidural was not placed right and it numbed one side and not the other. I got the spinal block and they placed it too high up and it paralyzed my diaphragm and I had to be intubated. I have had back pain every since. It is horrible! I take 2 and 1/2 tylenol every 4 hours and 800mg of Mortrin every 6 hours. But it's just not doing it any more. The heating pads help but not much... Any suggestions?

[Leed]

Whoever did both the epidural and spinal block was an IDIOT. Both of these SHOULD have been done with a scope (I can't remember the actual name for it). The scope shows EXACTLY where to place the needle, and he can see it on a monitor!!! He's an IDIOT for doing it just by "feel." He could have done some serious damage by doing it like that!

You really need an MRI with and without contrast material to see what is going on in there. X-rays wouldn't show everything cause they don't show the soft tissue and MRI's do, and that's what needs looking at. You MIGHT have bulging/herniated discs or there could be something else wrong. So PLEASE see your doc and ask him to do an MRI but make sure he tells them to use contrast material too. Some docs don't order that.

After you get it, make sure you get a copy of the report of the MRI and post it here. We can help you "decipher" it. I wish you the very best. God bless and take care! Hugs, Lee

[scilence]

[QUOTE=Leed;2514863]Whoever did both the epidural and spinal block was an IDIOT. Both of these SHOULD have been done with a scope (I can't remember the actual name for it). The scope shows EXACTLY where to place the needle, and he can see it on a monitor!!! He's an IDIOT for doing it just by "feel." He could have done some serious damage by doing it like that!

Yes, it doesn't help it was a teaching hospital either

You really need an MRI with and without contrast material to see what is going on in there. X-rays wouldn't show everything cause they don't show the soft tissue and MRI's do, and that's what needs looking at. You MIGHT have bulging/herniated discs or there could be something else wrong. So PLEASE see your doc and ask him to do an MRI but make sure he tells them to use contrast material too. Some docs don't order that.

I have had several scans done. The pain in where the spinal block was done (in the middle of my back) the MRI says it is a fusion. The lower back (where the epidural was done) shows there is a "cystic structure" growing on my spine. My primary care doctor has been the only one to try and get something done but every specialist he sends me to tells me I am too young to have problems and makes it out like I am faking it.

It doesn't help either that they put in my medical records "C-section performed without complications". So, it makes it look like I completely made up this whole story.

I just want to know what I can do to help the pain. I stopped complaining to my primary care doctor because I know he is frustrated because no one will back him on it. However, I'm tired of being in pain all of the time.

[nicoleb2]

I am dealing with chronic back pain too. I need to suck it up and go back to the pain clinic, but I don't really want to.

Have you tried a pain clinic? Maybe they'd have some idead

[Leed]

The MRI says it is a "fusion?" You haven't had previous back surgery have you? Cause a fusion means that evidently you've got 2 or more discs fused together! And that's not good. That causes major instability!! And that COULD cause herniations & bulges! Just the 'fusions' alone could cause pain due to the fact that it's made things unstable, and you have to compensate for it by perhaps walking differently (just a bit) which could cause pain. There are all sorts of things here that are possibilities. Your primary doc should be looking into these things -- evidently he just doesn't know enough about it or doesn't want to take the time. Shame on him!!!

As far as what you can do -- GENTLE stretches can help. DO NOT do any vigorous exercises, as that will make things worse. Don't lift any heavy objects either.

Try ICE -- heat will make it worse. Heat draws blood to the heated area, and causes swelling and increased pain. ICE reduces swelling and pain. Wrap the ice in a towel, and place it on your back for 20 minutes every 2 hours. That can really help especially if you have any inflammation in there, which usually happens with back pain.

When you lay down at night, and are on your back, make sure you place a bunch of pillows under your knees. Laying flat is HARD on the spine. By placing pillows under the knees, you relieve pressure on the spine. When you lay on your side, make SURE you have pillows between your knees. That keeps the spine aligned. NEVER lay on your tummy!!! That is an absolute no-no for a spiine patient !!! That increases the curvature in the spine and causes MUCH more pain plus it might do more damage.

Sorry this is so long. Take some Ibuprofren too -- that's good for inflammation. God bless and take care. Hugs, Lee

[avoice]

Something that mite help. Have you seen a Back Doc? Sometimes you get a good one. They make there money working on backs that's the thing about back Doc. There ready to do almost anything to help you. I had three back surgery's. Finally got a spinal cord stimulator implant. At first I hated it now I love it. It blocks my pain before it hit's my brain.

[Travelinglady]

If you are somewhere you can't use ice, then there's a product called Biofreeze that can be gotten as a roll on or as a gel. Rubbed on the painful area, it can help. It can be obtained from some chiropractor's offices.

[nicoleb2]

Originally Posted by PAYNE1

If you are somewhere you can't use ice, then there's a product called Biofreeze that can be gotten as a roll on or as a gel. Rubbed on the painful area, it can help. It can be obtained from some chiropractor's offices.

I have used biofreeze before. It is great. It works way better than some of the rub on ones you can get at the store

[Leed]

Nicoleb2 -- I've been thru 3 pain clinics, and I've had every single thing done to me that pain clinics can do. Everything!! And now, no pain clinic will take me. LOL

Usually what they start with are epidural injections, which I HATE. None of them every worked for me. And they're just "bandaid" fixes anyway. Plus even the injections can cause problems for SOME people.

Then they go on to physical therapy.

After that they start thinking about the SCS - the spinal cord stimulator. I had that implanted too -- but I was too skinny, and the "generator" started working itself out. so I had to have it removed. Not a nice thing.

Then after the SCS -- if that doesn't work, they usually just "fire" you. At least they did me, cause they said they couldn't help me anymore. And they don't "manage" chronic pain patients, meaning they don't continue to prescribe pain meds for pain patients. So I was all done. I had to find someone else to prescribe my meds. Not an easy task anymore!!!

Just thought I'd let ya know. Hugs, Lee

[nicoleb2]

Originally Posted by Leed

Nicoleb2 -- I've been thru 3 pain clinics, and I've had every single thing done to me that pain clinics can do. Everything!! And now, no pain clinic will take me. LOL

Usually what they start with are epidural injections, which I HATE. None of them every worked for me. And they're just "bandaid" fixes anyway. Plus even the injections can cause problems for SOME people.

Then they go on to physical therapy.

it was just a thought. I have only been to one pain clinic, and have had way too many epidural injections that I never want to have to do again. Still dealing with a lot of pain, but do not want to do the injections again

[scilence]

Thanks for all of the comments and help. I am going to get some biofreeze today. I don't do pain clinics or pain meds. I am in school and have a 3 year old so I need to be as alert as possible.

[Ike McCaslin]

I have had chronic low back pain for the last couple of years(bulging disc). The epidural steroid injections did not help at all. Back in February, at he pain clinic, they did a radio frequency ablation to the medial branch nerves in the facet joints. Two months after this procedure, I woke up pain free and have been for the last six months, with no percocet. My insurance did require that they do two different injections into the facet joints with lidocaine before they would authorize the ablation, which I thought was unnecessary and extremely painful. I can see one, but two? I hate mis-managed care.

[Leed]

I had that done too Ike, and it didn't work one little bit. Don't have a clue why, as I had one of the best doc's in the state.

Oh well. It's all over and done with now. I'm stuck with pain meds now as that's the only option I have left.

Glad you got great results Ike. That's good to hear!! I'm glad someone gets results out of these procedures! God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee

[Ike McCaslin]

Thanks, Lee. All is good for now, relatively speaking, but I was told that the nerves would probably grow back at some point. So now I am swimming four to five times a week for at least thirty minutes a day. Hopefully that will make my back stronger when the nerves do grow back.

I wish you the best with your pain. Is surgery not an option?

[Cherry73]

I have been dealing with chronic back pain for the last ten years. The doctors have given me less than a year before being wheel chair bound. I currently walk with either a walker or cane. I have stenosis, ddd, L3 is crushed, and L1-S 1 are all herniated or bulging. I have exhausted injections, physical therapy and am managing on narcotic pain medications. I needed to have hardware put in my spine but am too overweight. I am having bariatric surgery to lose weight so I can finally have back surgery. This whole ordeal has be dragged out because I'm a single mother of two young kids. I also live 800 miles away from my family. Luckily after the geriatric surgery my parents are coming to move my kids and I back with them so I can have my multiple back and knee surgeries.

[Leed]

Just so you know, nerves grow back at the rate of one inch per month, and of course that's an average. It's slower for some, and faster for others. They'll start growing back as soon as the inflammation subsides, probably so it won't be long I'm sorry to say.

No, surgery isn't an option for me. I've seen the heads of Neurosurgery at 2 major hospitals, and neither one would touch me. LOL I also have osteoporosis/osteoarthritis and that's the biggest problem -- the bones are too weak, and surgery just wouldn't work. But thanks for asking.

Keep us posted on how long your pain relief lasts, will you? I sure hope it's a good LONG TIME!!! God bless & take care. Oh -- and swimming will certainly help with the pain! So good for you! Hugs, Lee

[Ike McCaslin]

Originally Posted by Leed

Keep us posted on how long your pain relief lasts, will you? I sure hope it's a good LONG TIME!!! God bless & take care. Oh -- and swimming will certainly help with the pain! So good for you! Hugs, Lee

Thanks Lee. I will keep you updated.

[Leed]

Cherry, don't expect the surgery to help with the pain much. Surgery is ONLY for mechanical problems, not for pain. Usually after surgery, you're left with the same pain or worse. Also, if they're using instrumentation, you're going to have to worry later on about breakage -- the instrumentation many times will either move/break and more surgery is needed to repair it. Screws break and plates moves, etc.

The healing time for the kiind of surgery you're looking at is going to be quite long. You're going to need some help during that time so I'm glad you're moving back home. You won't be able to do much at all after surgery, other than walk around with help. There will be other restrictions, but let us know when you're closer to surgery and we can give you more information.

I wish you the very best with your bariatric surgery too. Please take care of yourself, and let us know when you have that done. Prayers are coming your way! Hugs, Lee

[continuosly blue]

Originally Posted by scilence

I am desperate to try anything over the counter!
I had a baby 3 1/2 years ago. I got an epidural and after 2 days they decided to do a c-section. I was told I had to get a spinal block because the epidural was not placed right and it numbed one side and not the other. I got the spinal block and they placed it too high up and it paralyzed my diaphragm and I had to be intubated. I have had back pain every since. It is horrible! I take 2 and 1/2 tylenol every 4 hours and 800mg of Mortrin every 6 hours. But it's just not doing it any more. The heating pads help but not much... Any suggestions?

Hi, I think I know something about back pain. I had 2 laminectomies and a bi-level spinal fusion done about 12 years ago. I've had residual pain ever since. It did help overall since I could hardly walk before the surgery. Try to get an consultation with a neurosurgen or orthopedi surgen and go thru the protocols, like over the counter drugs like your doing all the way up to discussion about the possibility of surgery. Remember, everybody is different. Your pain is your pain and you need to find out the cause of YOUR pain. Good luck Hope you get well. cb

[Corina77]

Wow, I am so sorry. I had a similar experience, but not nearly as traumatic as yours. I had a lot of luck with aminoactiv, an OTC anti-inflammatory that didn't mess with my stomach. It also comes in cream form, so I could rub it directly onto my lower back. This helped a lot. I also got a lot of pain relief from acupuncture. Good luck!