i know some of you know that i went for an MRI on my back monday night. i've had chronic back pain since "throwing out my back" lifting emily off the floor when she was about a year old.
after years of chiropractor visits and other attempts at managing my pain, my family dr finally sent me for an MRI. he and i were both expecting nothing to show up and ending up with a muscle weakness issue, but i guess we were both wrong.
they called today and said that i have degeneration of the L4 and L5 discs with early signs of arthritis. they also said that there is narrowing approaching the left L4 nerve root. they referred me to a pain management dr who i will begin seeing on the 22nd.
none of this means much to me, so i just have to wait to see the new dr i guess. i don't think it's a big deal, other than the fact that i'm going to be managing this with pain meds for the rest of my life. :(
in other news, my finger (which i also had an MRI on monday night) came back negative. so can someone please tell me why i can't get my wedding ring on and i am having chronic pain there too????
i seriously feel like i'm starting to fall apart.
-- Edited by apies on Thursday 8th of October 2009 03:17:34 PM
i have live with chronic back pain for many years until i could not handle it anymore and the only option was surgery (not that I'm telling you to do this...)
Anyway here are a couple of ideas that the doctors have given me over the years:
walk. walking helps with back muscles and they provide strenght to handle the pain. walk and walk. at least 30 minutes.
if you do have a problem with your nerves you'll probably need some heavy medcation and rest before you start to walk.
be careful about lifting any weight. i did have a degenerative disc and what they told me is that is very common to have that... at age 75!! The doctor told me that the surgery was an option to improving my quality of life. In my case he was right.
You should do some physical theraphy. It might help.
wow, April...I'm sorry you're having to deal with this pain. I didn't know it was that bad and didn't know about the MRI. I hope the new doc will have some answers for you and you'll be able to find relief in something other than meds. ((hugs))
oh goodness!! I mean I am glad you have some answers now as to why you have constant issues with your back and how it will go out on you. But still sad none the less. I hope the new Dr. will shed light on things and you will get on a pain med plan that you like and feel comfortable being on.
as far as the finger. glad it is negative hopefully it will stop being a pita soon and straighten up to allow that ring on there. ;)
I hope you find that the new doctor has some simple solutions and you have pain relief without medications everyday. I am sorry you are having to go through this. and :fingers: that you have answers and solutions for both soon.
Ugh. Back pain is truly the worst and I'm so sorry it's something you have to deal with so often!
I really hope the new Dr. has some good advice and a plan to help alleviate your pain. Hopefully without too many meds (but when it comes to back pain, ITU why you need them to even function!)
OMG April, I am so sorry. A lifetime of pain managment sounds just awful, and I was hoping it wasn't going to be anything like that. I really hope and pray the pain managment doc has some encouraging news and can help you get rid of this pain.
Gosh, April. That is a good thing you did have an MRI. At least now you can manage the pain properly.
Is it possible you have arthritis in your finger? Can they do blood tests to rule out arthritis? I cannot remember.
tysm girls for all of your support. i'm obviously not happy about the news, but i am happy to know that what i've been dealing with for years has been legitimized, i guess.
melissa, the hand surgeon told me that if the MRI came back negative, he would do bloodwork next to look for any type of issues that would attack my joints. my guess is that will happen on monday at my follow-up. i'll lyk.
and :fingers: that you have answers and solutions for both soon.
