Since we have such a diverse member base here and chances are im not the only fish in this pond, thought i'd get your guy's/gal's take/advice/info :hug:
For those of us or close to us, to perhaps benifit from one another, i'd like to share my situation with you and maybe find some good awnsers and help! Now ill start off saying, im not out to grind my ax or gather sympathy from you guys, cause i know theres folks out there far less fortunate than myself and im thankful for what ive got
Since about 18ish or so, ive kinda had back pain issues. Nothing real severe at the time, just some what frequent back pain, i never really gave it much though, kinda attributed it to my lifestyle. We here a few years ago, after increasing pain and frequency of it, it kinda struck me that this just isnt right, somthings not correct. So after some visits to the doc and some anti-inflamitorys and exersices to do, not much improvment came. So i was x-ray'ed and found a narrowing (likly "bulged/herniated/slipped" disk)between my vertibrae in my lower lumbar and found i have light/moderate scoliosis. And the whole time, nothing in over-the-counter pain relief helped, even in exessive amounts. So at that point, i had been prescribed a narcotic pain killer to numb me up when i hurt enough to to cause secondary issues, like beeing unable to perform at work. And I have managed my prescriptions very well, and done so for over 2 years now as the same, no addiction issues or anything. My pain level has stayed fairly normal for the 2yr and doing well. Here in the last 5-6 months things started to change. Now worse pain, more frequentlly, and so on.At times severe enough to almost bring me to my knees! Not even double or triple dose of Oxy would phaze it. Now over 2yrs from my initial x-rays, its gotten a good deal worse. After more X-rays, I now have narrowing in my T-Spine, C-Spine and L-Spine. Thats lower/middle/neck that have disk issues now. The one in the center on my back, causes pain below my shoulder blades and into my chest making breathing hurt and every so often, it will pop/crack in there and if feels better, but its a contenious cycle. I've now been diagnosed with Degenerative Disk Disease and arthritis in my spine aswell. My scoliosis shows no changes as of now. Still enough curvature where there could be some bone rub in there though. So now a change in meds again (I wear through them and they become ineffective) and on a steriod, im doin ok, lil better, gettin my ambition again to do things. I have to be alot more careful about the physical things i do, and unfortunatly cant lift much, that really agitates my back. It still hurts pretty much 24/7 but manageable for now. Doc hasent deemed MRI's or surgery needed at this point yet. Ive watched my dad suffer from a back injury that he got while on the Fire Dept. and We now share a common affliction that is basically permanant damage that we have to live with. Crappy part is i started on it early:spit: Im gettin close to 27 here in January 30th.
I even already had 2 colon polyp's removed a month ago! I feel relived bout that, maybe overted our family cancer history, my uncle passed from it @ 25 when i was little. Anyhow...
So im after some advice from you guys:hug: For you guys in the same boat, what do you do for relief?
I have a number of aids, that help, but nothing magical. I somtimes use a back belt, the pressure feels good somtimes. Somtimes Icy-Hot or a heat pack/pad is good too, but that has its limits. I even bought an Inversion Table! It locks my ankles and i flip over and hang by my legs, kinda helps straighten/strech me out and lets fluid get back in joints. It does give decent temporary relief but its a big piece of equipment that i cant take around and do get head blood rush on it:rofl:
Just wondered if theres anything that works good for you guys that i might be able to try? I'd be welcome to some more relief! I could use it! I know that my days as an auto technican are numbered, that jobs too hard on me and i have no idea what to do after this, that stresses me out and gets me down, thats the last thing i need!
I appriciate your input and advice, i see you all as a big family of friends and glad to share my story with you all!
Thanks!!!!
Chris:thumb:
For those of us or close to us, to perhaps benifit from one another, i'd like to share my situation with you and maybe find some good awnsers and help! Now ill start off saying, im not out to grind my ax or gather sympathy from you guys, cause i know theres folks out there far less fortunate than myself and im thankful for what ive got
Since about 18ish or so, ive kinda had back pain issues. Nothing real severe at the time, just some what frequent back pain, i never really gave it much though, kinda attributed it to my lifestyle. We here a few years ago, after increasing pain and frequency of it, it kinda struck me that this just isnt right, somthings not correct. So after some visits to the doc and some anti-inflamitorys and exersices to do, not much improvment came. So i was x-ray'ed and found a narrowing (likly "bulged/herniated/slipped" disk)between my vertibrae in my lower lumbar and found i have light/moderate scoliosis. And the whole time, nothing in over-the-counter pain relief helped, even in exessive amounts. So at that point, i had been prescribed a narcotic pain killer to numb me up when i hurt enough to to cause secondary issues, like beeing unable to perform at work. And I have managed my prescriptions very well, and done so for over 2 years now as the same, no addiction issues or anything. My pain level has stayed fairly normal for the 2yr and doing well. Here in the last 5-6 months things started to change. Now worse pain, more frequentlly, and so on.At times severe enough to almost bring me to my knees! Not even double or triple dose of Oxy would phaze it. Now over 2yrs from my initial x-rays, its gotten a good deal worse. After more X-rays, I now have narrowing in my T-Spine, C-Spine and L-Spine. Thats lower/middle/neck that have disk issues now. The one in the center on my back, causes pain below my shoulder blades and into my chest making breathing hurt and every so often, it will pop/crack in there and if feels better, but its a contenious cycle. I've now been diagnosed with Degenerative Disk Disease and arthritis in my spine aswell. My scoliosis shows no changes as of now. Still enough curvature where there could be some bone rub in there though. So now a change in meds again (I wear through them and they become ineffective) and on a steriod, im doin ok, lil better, gettin my ambition again to do things. I have to be alot more careful about the physical things i do, and unfortunatly cant lift much, that really agitates my back. It still hurts pretty much 24/7 but manageable for now. Doc hasent deemed MRI's or surgery needed at this point yet. Ive watched my dad suffer from a back injury that he got while on the Fire Dept. and We now share a common affliction that is basically permanant damage that we have to live with. Crappy part is i started on it early:spit: Im gettin close to 27 here in January 30th.
I even already had 2 colon polyp's removed a month ago! I feel relived bout that, maybe overted our family cancer history, my uncle passed from it @ 25 when i was little. Anyhow...
So im after some advice from you guys:hug: For you guys in the same boat, what do you do for relief?
I have a number of aids, that help, but nothing magical. I somtimes use a back belt, the pressure feels good somtimes. Somtimes Icy-Hot or a heat pack/pad is good too, but that has its limits. I even bought an Inversion Table! It locks my ankles and i flip over and hang by my legs, kinda helps straighten/strech me out and lets fluid get back in joints. It does give decent temporary relief but its a big piece of equipment that i cant take around and do get head blood rush on it:rofl:
Just wondered if theres anything that works good for you guys that i might be able to try? I'd be welcome to some more relief! I could use it! I know that my days as an auto technican are numbered, that jobs too hard on me and i have no idea what to do after this, that stresses me out and gets me down, thats the last thing i need!
I appriciate your input and advice, i see you all as a big family of friends and glad to share my story with you all!
Thanks!!!!
Chris:thumb: