Back Pain Support Group

In 2002 I fell in a grocery store in a puddle of shampoo. I seriously injured L5-S1 and have several bulging discs on in particular that is shifted 75% to the right. As a result I have severe issue with the right leg and numbness, pain etc.

I have had caudal, epidural and facet injections. The facet doing the most but not enough to go past 1 series. Trigger points have been ok for mild flare ups and steroids really the only real relief outside of very strong opiod therapy. I discontinued those after a family member went through addiction and sobering up. I take tramadol 50 mg for pain now. Lidoderm helps for minor spasms and achiness.

I look forward to "meeting" you all and making new friends.

What a horrible way to injure your self. Can you sue the store?!?

I also have back pain and RSD and possiblly fibro and CTS so I can relate to (almost any) chronic pain out there.

Feel Good.

Welcome to the forum. I'd love to say it's good to see you here, but I hate to see people suffering, so what I mean is that it's nice to see another familiar face!

I didn't know you had all that trouble with your back! I'm so sorry to hear about all the pain, and about the accident. I with that I could help you, but it seems that you've been through a lot of issues. One thing I wonder is if you've done any PT with a TENS unit or anything like that? The TENS unit seems to do a lot of good for a lot of people. It's similar to e-stim that is done in a PT office, only you control it at home.

I hope this finds you as well as it possibly can!

Hugs,

jen

I have had some PT and have used both a TENS and a larger unit called a muscle stimulator. Minimal results, my lumbar area is like an iron bar. I have been told I need surgery but at my age I'd need a secondary procedure at an older age. So I am waiting until surgery is the only option.

Thanks for the welcome!

Cat

Well, I'm just glad to see you have a great sense of humor about it all.

Hugs,

jen

The muscle stimulator is similar to a tense in that it sends an electrical signal to the muscle. However unlike the tens it is stronger and you set it to mild discomfort and lie with patches (large) for 45 mins as it 'reconditions' the muscles. It does help if done twice daily.... time factor there. And it is hard if not impossible to do alone.

Definately ask about one for lumbar tighness and spasm if you can commit to usage daily and have help.

With out a sense of humor about the whole thing it just gets ugly...really ugly..

Peace & Hugs

Cat

Hugs,

Jen

My back issues also started with a fall down some stairs at work. It is amazing how much pain a person can actually deal with on a daily basis. The thing I have problems with is knowing that like yourself I live in pain everyday because of someone elses lack of action. I have actually lost count of the times that I have fallen now but the initial two were not due to my own actions, yet I get to live with them everyday. I also agree with you that there must be humor daily or it does get ugly fast. I do use the Tens unit and even with that it can be funny trying to hook myself up so to speak. It is nice to meet a new friend but I also am sorry that it is pain bringing us all together. Then again for many years I survived without this site and do not want to do so again.

kjv1956

Cat

Peace & Hugs

Cat