I think I'm falling apart
I was hoping that my back would be feeling better today, but no such luck. When I got up this morning, I was just barely able to stand up straight. I went into town to go to the bank and when I walked back out to my car, I must have stepped wrong because I had a pain shoot down my leg and up to my shoulder blades (at the same time). It hurt bad enough that I actually had to stop and catch my breath.
I've been dealing with this back pain for so long now that I feel it is a part of my life. I'd love to have it "fixed" but I have limited options on what to do about it. I have scoliosis and have two metal rods in my back so going to see a chiropractor is out of the question. I've asked the local ones if they'd do anything for me and both said they wouldn't touch my back with a ten foot pole (too much liability). Our regular doctor also hasn't given me many options. He says the majority of my back pain comes from the scoliosis and figures that some of it is also nerve related (sciatic). He also thinks that when I had my back surgery, the doctors somehow caught a nerve when they were sewing me back up and that's why there is a certain area of my lower back that I can't even stand to have someone touch. That is also where the majority of my back pain hits...lower back.
For the most part, I've just dealt with the pain. Usually I'll be down about once a month or so for a couple of days, but here lately it seems to be bothering me more and more often. I'm to the point of calling the doctor and getting some major muscle relaxants or something just to take the edge off so that I can function. I hate to go that route because it's not fixing the problem, it's just helping me cope. Any opinions on what I should do?
3 comments:
I happened across your blog via BlogVillage.
I've had back issues for many years. Not scoliosis, but I blew my first disk when I was young and lifted heavy things for a living.
To make a long story short, I've had four back surgeries, culminating in a fusion of the bottom three vertebrae in my back, complete with metal rods and screws and such.
Pain is an every, single, day ordeal.
I work as an engineer now, and need to stay sharp mentally, and for me, I've found that Lortab as a pain reliever and Skelaxin as a muscle relaxer helps me get through my days at work with the least effect on my mental abilities.
I hate taking them, but I would have to miss so much work otherwise that it's basically necessary.
Skelaxin is a muscle relaxer that doesn't make me sleepy, and Lortab cuts the pain enough to make it through.
I take maybe two of each on any given work day, not enough to get addicted, but enough to help me greatly.
Anyway, that's my story, and although I wish I didn't need to take them, Tylenon or Asprin family pain relievers do absolutely nothing for me. Nothing.
My doctor gives me the Lortab and Skelaxin because I only average less than two per day (I rarely take them on weekends were I can just lay down at home when I hurt). I read about people who get addicted and take 25 to 30 a day. I can't imagine that, but on really bad days I'll take as many as three, exactly what the prescription dictates, up to three per day.
So I walk a thin line to give myself enough relief to have the pain go down so I can work well, and that's it.
Best of luck to you.
Thanks for letting me know how you deal with your pain. I'm going to the doctor today to see what my options are. I can't handle the pain anymore.
Hi,
Your blog appeared on a google alert for information about Scoliosis. Thought I'd drop you a note.
If you have Harrington Rods, you may need x-rays and to have a scoliosis specialist review your films to make sure it's not a surgical issue. A general orthopedic doctor may not be familiar enough to understand why your in pain.
Dr. Robert Pashman at www.eSpine.com did my friend's surgery.
Hope you feel better soon!
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