Back injury and sabbatical

The immediate concern is reducing the inflammation from the injury that is causing the nerve pain. It's very important to stay as mobile as your are able. A chiropractor will probably be able to assist you with this, but don't get suckered in to doing this on a forever basis. If there is not obvious improvement after say six visits, that's probably going to be a dead end. Anyone honest will tell you this and have an excise plan to assist you as well. As JR seemed to suggest, if periodic traction is not contraindicated, that might help in the long term.

Failing all other conservative treatment options, back surgery should be your very last option. Do everything possible to avoid it. Once you have a laminectomy another will eventually be needed as spinal fusion tends to degrade the adjacent vertebrae.


Good luck. Originally Posted by Enchanterlingum

The alternate thinking that the sports teams use is: use it or loose it. I was down so long with my back injury that my left calf muscle shrank up (withered - atrophy). The only way to bring it back is to use it. Assisted stretching can help a lot. But many of the doctors are not into the physical training. It is easier to just give pain medication.

JR

Unfortunately I have developed severe scoliosis and back surgery is the most likely outcome at this point. I will keep everyone updated and special thank you to all the gentlemen that sent me PMs with doctors information and specialists.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but a back injury like yours is going to be a prolonged problem. I ruptured a disk when I was 19 years old and it bothered me for years. The pills that they gave me didn't take more than the edge off, if that. The good news is that through strength training I got over my injury. I went from worrying about every sudden bend or misstep to being able to lift over 300 lbs. Still shows up on an Xray but I beat the prediction of being on a cane by the time I am 40 by at least 20 years. I lay on the floor for the first few nights (not that helped with the pain) because that was the most comfortable of several uncomfortable positions.

Too bad! Get well soon dear. I have always wanted to meet you. Until then, take care of yourself.

Karma is a bitch, eh?

You know what I'm talkin' 'bout.(I'm not going to get in it in this thread, PM if you want to know more)

at any rate

Try some topical DMSO
or oral DMSO to help with the pain
http://www.dmso.org/articles/information/muir.htm

I'd explain more, but I dont wanna..

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but a back injury like yours is going to be a prolonged problem. I ruptured a disk when I was 19 years old and it bothered me for years. The pills that they gave me didn't take more than the edge off, if that. The good news is that through strength training I got over my injury. I went from worrying about every sudden bend or misstep to being able to lift over 300 lbs. Still shows up on an Xray but I beat the prediction of being on a cane by the time I am 40 by at least 20 years. I lay on the floor for the first few nights (not that helped with the pain) because that was the most comfortable of several uncomfortable positions. Originally Posted by JD Barleycorn

Keep the strength comments coming. The problem is that health insurance does not pay for the Gym, where the real progress is made. Insurance pays for Physical Therapy, which is kinda a rip off. They can help some, but the problem is that they don't get very aggressive when it comes to strength training because they are afraid of lawsuits; thus, they only do a little bit for you.

My doctor told me that I would never regain the feeling in my left foot. Well, I fooled him. I went to the Gym and worked out with my foot. I hired my own therapist and the guy worked on my left leg and foot to stretch the muscles and help me bend my foot to stimulate the nerves in the foot until I felt the pain. Give me the pain, it shows that the nerves are working and you are developing new nerve pathways. I know you have pain enough, but the muscles will shrivel up if they are not used. I got back the feelings in the foot, and I try to work at it constantly to keep walking straight.

Been there, done two times with the cain and walker nonsense. The other time I had to use a cane was after an injury in the Marine Corps. Well the spirit of the Corps is never give up. Overcome any obstacle. Never, Never give up.

You go girl,

JR

Back injuries suck. get better soon jaycee

I had a twisted my back and a disk slipped partially out and broke off. I went to several doctors with no help at all. A lot of research I found the Doctors at Pain Care, especially Dr. Daniel L Bruning M.D. He is rated as one of the best in the country. The difference between his work and the work done at a well known and highly rated hospital near the Plaza was like the difference between night and day. There may be a big difference between doctors.

http://www.kcpaincare.com/our-physicians/

My back pain was so bad I can not even describe it. I could not walk for a long time. I kept talking to the physical therapists I was assigned to, but they didn't seem to understand. Finally, they asked to supervising doctor to look for a piriformis muscle spasms (Syndrome). One shot into the piriformis worked wonders. Seven years later, I still pay to get stretched every week. (see my private message).

http://www.spine-health.com/conditio...ormis-syndrome

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/87545-overview

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/308798-overview

With my injury, the L5 was twisted while lifting. But the muscle condition followed. I use stretches to keep this thing functioning properly so I can walk straight.

JR Originally Posted by JRLawrence

Should have done more research about the doctors there. They are a factory worried more about money than patient care. Heard Bruning even messed up one of the nurses with a pain shot. If I remember correctly, ended up paralyzing the woman's arm. The article is about his partner at the practice, but lets you know to be wary of PainCare.

http://www.thenationaltriallawyers.o...-suicide-pain/

Best bet is to take recommendations, but search for lawsuits filed against the practice as well. Remember, you health is just as much your responsibility as the doctors. Don't let them rush. If they do say something.

Should have done more research about the doctors there. They are a factory worried more about money than patient care. Heard Bruning even messed up one of the nurses with a pain shot. If I remember correctly, ended up paralyzing the woman's arm. The article is about his partner at the practice, but lets you know to be wary of PainCare.

http://www.thenationaltriallawyers.o...-suicide-pain/

Best bet is to take recommendations, but search for lawsuits filed against the practice as well. Remember, you health is just as much your responsibility as the doctors. Don't let them rush. If they do say something. Originally Posted by kcbigpapa

Wow, thank you. I do not know of Dr. Kimber Eubanks, I only knew of Dr. B. I received about a lot (more than a few, maybe less than a dozen) of spinal injections, sacrum and muscle injections from him in 2008.

The first shot I got was at St. Lukes from a female Doctor from India, what a joke. After being carried into the pain clinic a first year resident asked me if I would let him give me the shot. I asked how many he had administered so far: his answer, none. The injection did not relieve the pain at all. ZIP NA NA. Dr. B went into the surrounding sheath and got the job done with immediate relief.

One has to shop around, in the middle of the pain. What I did learn from the experience is that the muscles can seize up and prolong the pain and deform the spine. The muscles are trying to protect the body by stiffness.

I did a lot of reading on this problem. Dr. B. was then rated as one of the top 20 pain specialists in the US. I don't know about the other guy. But all of these pain medication can mess you up. It was a year later before I got off of the stuff, and then I had cancer which took more stuff to relieve the pain, before getting rid of the stuff again. Nothing to mess with. But I am thankful we have it for the times it is absolutely needed.

Thanks for the response.

We should all wish Jaycee the best.

JR

Ouch!!! Sorry baby hope a speedy recovery

Hope you feel better soon !

Dear Jen,

You are on my heart and in my thoughts for a favorable and speedy recovery. Can't help but say boo...I missed your companionship today.

I'm a phone call away for whatever you need!

Too late by now but be CAREFUL with chiropractor. Good ones are fine. Bad ones, can really, REALLY harm you trying to adjust you.
The MRI is good. Do NOT rush to surgery. Get a second opinion and possibly a third. Those of us who like to cut say jokingly "a chance to cut, a chance to cure," but the stats don't show better outcomes from having surgery. Ice, heat, Yoga.

Update: I am getting cortisone shots in the L4 bulge. It's a moderate bulge causing lots of issues. I am still going to be out for at least two more weeks. I am promised the scoliosis can be fixed. No surgery as of this moment but now have plenty of recommendations.

That's awesome Jaycee, I hope you make a full recovery. You are much too young (and beautiful) to be burdened by such a serious condition.