Man Down

[Flash Gordon]

Oh yeah. Lumbar injections, lots of narcs, the whole deal. I hurt my back pretty bad lifting Ford transmissions as I use to R & R them a lot back in the day at the Ford dealer I worked at: AXOD & E4OD. I used to lift those things by myself and move them around - try getting another flat rate guy to help you. Finally I had surgery and it fixed the problem.

Medrol is a steroid, and it has anti-inflammatory properties. The goal with a Medrol Dose Pack is to take a high dose of steroids and taper down quickly as not to cause steroid withdrawal. It doesn't matter to much that you take the tabs as it says on the package as long as you get the whole day's supply in that day. Take with food and expect to have problems sleeping.

Usually sciatic nerve pain heals on its own if you leave it alone and it's the first injury. The problem comes in if you have disc degeneration or have re-injured it multiple times.

Good luck.

This is the 1st time this has ever happened this severe. Should I be using ice or heat?

I'm not going to become dependent on narcotics to fix this

 

[Dr_Pain]

This is the 1st time this has ever happened this severe. Should I be using ice or heat?

I'm not going to become dependent on narcotics to fix this

Ice does help numb the pain and heat does help the muscle guarding, the true answer is which ever feels better.

Treatments fall in only 2 categories 1) Active and 2) Passive. All passive treatments including chiro, massage, acupuncture, e-stim, ice, heat, meds, injections etc... are for symptom modification only. The fix is to normalize the tissue ASAP.

 

[geekdout]

I am really sorry to hear about your pain issues. I know all too well what back pain can do to your mind and body, I had my first two back surgeries at 26. Please don't try and tough it out, get to a good doctor. If you try and just deal with it the repetitive motions associated with detailing will only cause more damage.

The others have given you some good advice, but you still need to be under the care of a doctor just in case this becomes a recurring issue. In the mean time I would recommend trying out some light yoga. If you have access to a pool I would try swimming or just sitting in a hot tub can beneficial. I hope everything works out for you.

 

[Flash Gordon]

One thing I can tell you for sure, you will not ever get permanent relief with Demerol, Aleve, Bayer, drugs.

And you will never get permanent relief from acupuncture, this only blocks pathways to the skull.

If you are overweight, lose it, if your diet is poor, change it, if you lack at least a simple excerise program, get off the booty and walk, jog, lift weights per your abilities.

See a chiro. Yeah, everybody says a chiro is a quack doc. Don't believe it, find yourself a good one, some manual manipulation, a few visits, if it don't work, find yourself another.

6' 193. I could stand to loose 20. Quit smoking 2 years ago May and became chubby. I walk 3 miles every morning, but am addicted to Hot Fries & M&M'S

:hungry:

 

[swanicyouth]

This is the 1st time this has ever happened this severe. Should I be using ice or heat?

I'm not going to become dependent on narcotics to fix this

IME ice/heat won't help much with sciatic type pain because the inflammation / compression is at the nerve root - where the ice/heat won't penetrate. However, heat can help with muscular pain localized to the back.

I'm assuming your having bad hip/leg/calf/foot pain - and that may be worse than the actual back pain?

The WORSE thing you can do is start taking opiate pain killers (Vicodin / Percocet). While they are OK at initially providing temporary relief, they actually can sensitize you to pain over longer periods.

However, if the pain is unbearable - sometimes it can be the only way to manage it. Yes, I know this pain can be unbearable - as I lived with it for 2 years. I also had the same idea of "I'd cut my leg off to get rid of this pain".

However, most people generally get better in a few weeks to a few months. Just try to take it easy.

 

[inDetail]

I'm sorry to hear about your pain. I have L4-L5 bulged disc and you have some of my symptoms, hip pain, lower back and shooting nerve pain down the legs. Get your back checked out by a specialist. I had nerve block shots done in September and my pain level is quite manageable. I had two really bad days since my shots and I'm a full time printer so lots of lifting. I take Skelaxin for a muscle relaxer time to time and I'm good. Get those discs checked out if one is bulging it will shoot pain all over your body.
My wife is getting hardware installed, fusion and a bone graft in the next few weeks so I understand how painful it can be. She has days where she can barely walk and she's only 37.

 

[Kacz]

Something you may want to look at...GF and I were at Costco and saw it; she has a really bad sciatica symptoms/back issues (car accident).

The woman and my mother swear by it, a few co-workers use it, people they know use it and it gets good reviews. Its worth a shot.

 

[Paul Mitchell]

Wow Flash! I hope whatever you do works for you. Good luck.

 

[01GreyStangGT]

I am a chiropractor and treat this almost every day. Treatment includes spinal adjustments, muscle stim and traction for the spine and then some massage therapy can be helpful. I sometimes use decompression therapy for the symptoms also. Doing some rehab exercise to strengthen weakened muscles helps.

 

[custmsprty]

One thing I can tell you for sure, you will not ever get permanent relief with Demerol, Aleve, Bayer, drugs.

And you will never get permanent relief from acupuncture, this only blocks pathways to the skull.

If you are overweight, lose it, if your diet is poor, change it, if you lack at least a simple excerise program, get off the booty and walk, jog, lift weights per your abilities.

See a chiro. Yeah, everybody says a chiro is a quack doc. Don't believe it, find yourself a good one, some manual manipulation, a few visits, if it don't work, find yourself another.

Just curious, have you ever had a severe sciatic issue? Multiple issues over a period of years?

 

[wlshephard]

Sorry you are feeling bad. The last time I had surgery I was out of commission for 8 weeks. To override the cabin fever I watched the X-files series from start to finish. That kept my mind off the pain somewhat and kept me occupied. Get to feeling better.

 

[hernandez.art13]

Hope all gets better for you Flash...

Art

 

[cardaddy]

I sure don't want surgery if I can help it. If it continues like this though they came chop my leg off

I've never felt so helpless physically

Dude, welcome to my world.
Sorry I did not read the entire thread already and with the app I cannot multi-quote.

However, I've suffered with DDD for most of my life, yet it wasn't until it hit my sciatic nerve some 14+ years ago did it disable me.

Last August I did something it didn't like and it's been down hill since! Since November I can hardly walk (and already used a cane) which lead to a walker in December.

We're going to the dr in the morning to go over the latest tests, the MRI and CT myelogram and all that jazz .

Myself like you I feel that if they were to take a chainsaw and just remove everything from my waist down my complete right leg with it and the right half of my hip life would be better!!!!!

I only wish medrol packs would still work for me. Direct site injections can surely help.

Actually the inversion machine you bought is not a bad tool. I have two of them I use to be able to use. One is like saw horse that you walk up to you and place your pelvis against a pad and then it has to say rod between your legs that holds more pads behind your legs. Then you win over forward and flip upside down and basically an inverted seated position with all your weight being suspended on the front of your thighs. It straightens your spine while it decompresses it, and its not a bad deal if you could stand 10-15 minutes at a time 2 to 3 times a day.

The other one is an older version and a much higher quality version of the teeter hangup machine, where you basically grab your ankles your snap um in and you flip upside down!

Both machines will help the decompress the spine but you need to be careful. I use to do exercises while hanging upside down on the ankle grabber.

But as you are finding out now pain is relentless and you do not have a choice, rather it tells you exactly what it wants you to do, the problem is that's not very descriptive other than that it wants you to scream and yell a lot!

I have taken as many as 3 different muscle relaxers at the same time, soma, robaxian, and xanaflex. The first one I've been taking for 37 years! The second one for 10 and the last one I took for 3~4 back in the mid 2000's. (Gave me cotton mouth something FIERCE! )

Follow those with Neurontin, hydrocodone, hydromorphone and fentanyl and your in my wheelhouse. Brother.... I would NOT WISH THAT on anyone here!

Hopefully yours clears up soon. Just take it easy, use heat and ice, and hopefully you'll be up and at it in a week or so.

Oh speaking of heat, do not fall for Walmart heating pads those are useless. Look up Battle Creek equipment Thermopore therapy pads. These suckers will go thermo-nuclear on ya'! Up to 160 degrees, and make their own moist heat. I wear out one a year. (And the warranty is longer than that so I just keep getting free ones! ) :laughing: I have one on NOW!

Good luck dude, we'll keep you in our prayers.

I just hope they give me some news tomorrow that helps them make mine better! Never thought I'd be BEGGING for lumbar surgery! (I begged for them NOT to do cervical surgery in 2006, go figure.)


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using AG Online

 

[BobbyG]

I've heard of this but had no idea it was this widespread of an ailment. I really hope everyone suffering from it finds some relief from the pain and discomfort....

 

[cmanningjr]

I feel for you man!! I've had 2 surgeries back in my early thirties. I sure didn't expect to get down that early in life.

Inversion tables are great. I love mine. Although I'm guilty of not using it everyday like I should. Mainly when I flare up.

Daily doses of anti-inflammatory and the occasional Tens unit help me make it thru.

I can't do a lot if things like I used to, and probably never will. But I can still get around and hold my own..





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Flash Gordon]

Ice does help numb the pain and heat does help the muscle guarding, the true answer is which ever feels better.

Treatments fall in only 2 categories 1) Active and 2) Passive. All passive treatments including chiro, massage, acupuncture, e-stim, ice, heat, meds, injections etc... are for symptom modification only. The fix is to normalize the tissue ASAP.

Ice like to killed me yesterday. Heat feels nice. Got a decent nights rest (3 SOLID hours)

Tips on normalizing the tissue:
Rest?
Excercise?
Chiro?
PT?
SURGERY?

I am really sorry to hear about your pain issues. I know all too well what back pain can do to your mind and body, I had my first two back surgeries at 26. Please don't try and tough it out, get to a good doctor. If you try and just deal with it the repetitive motions associated with detailing will only cause more damage.

The others have given you some good advice, but you still need to be under the care of a doctor just in case this becomes a recurring issue. In the mean time I would recommend trying out some light yoga. If you have access to a pool I would try swimming or just sitting in a hot tub can beneficial. I hope everything works out for you.

When you say "Get A Good Doctor", what kind?

I'm doing lite hamstring excercises multiple times each day. The mind tricks are like a bad acid trip!

No Hot Tub, No Pool

IME ice/heat won't help much with sciatic type pain because the inflammation / compression is at the nerve root - where the ice/heat won't penetrate. However, heat can help with muscular pain localized to the back.

I'm assuming your having bad hip/leg/calf/foot pain - and that may be worse than the actual back pain?

The WORSE thing you can do is start taking opiate pain killers (Vicodin / Percocet). While they are OK at initially providing temporary relief, they actually can sensitize you to pain over longer periods.

However, if the pain is unbearable - sometimes it can be the only way to manage it. Yes, I know this pain can be unbearable - as I lived with it for 2 years. I also had the same idea of "I'd cut my leg off to get rid of this pain".

However, most people generally get better in a few weeks to a few months. Just try to take it easy.

No pain from the knee down. Numbness in calf though

Other then Aspirin, no Pain Meds. I have access if I want them; and that's peace of mind I guess\

Hope this doesn't last 6 weeks

I'm sorry to hear about your pain. I have L4-L5 bulged disc and you have some of my symptoms, hip pain, lower back and shooting nerve pain down the legs. Get your back checked out by a specialist. I had nerve block shots done in September and my pain level is quite manageable. I had two really bad days since my shots and I'm a full time printer so lots of lifting. I take Skelaxin for a muscle relaxer time to time and I'm good. Get those discs checked out if one is bulging it will shoot pain all over your body.
My wife is getting hardware installed, fusion and a bone graft in the next few weeks so I understand how painful it can be. She has days where she can barely walk and she's only 37.

Sorry to hear about your wife. I'll keep her in my prayers for sure

Something you may want to look at...GF and I were at Costco and saw it; she has a really bad sciatica symptoms/back issues (car accident).

The woman and my mother swear by it, a few co-workers use it, people they know use it and it gets good reviews. Its worth a shot.

Just bought one! It'll be here tomorrow

Wow Flash! I hope whatever you do works for you. Good luck.

Hey Paul. Thanks for dropping by with your support!

I am a chiropractor and treat this almost every day. Treatment includes spinal adjustments, muscle stim and traction for the spine and then some massage therapy can be helpful. I sometimes use decompression therapy for the symptoms also. Doing some rehab exercise to strengthen weakened muscles helps.

I have a Chiro customer. Thinking of contacting him today

 

[dad07]

Flash I hope you get better soon....I'm going through the same thing myself.

Started Christmas eve and hasen't let up since.
Pain,pain and more pain....cannot sit more than 20mins. Cannot stand for more than 20mins.

Mrs07 has an endless supply of skelaxin and that does help me some.

Going to the spine Dr in a few weeks and hopfully he can do something.

Hang in there Buddy your not alone.

 

[tuscarora dave]

Flash, I'm sorry to hear of your current troubles. I have yet to experience this. I really hope you can get it sorted out and under control soon. I suffer from "big belly and bad ankles". The big belly causes a lot of lower back pain, while the bad ankles (when I take on extra exercise such as long walks) get me to a point where the pain in my feet when I stand up is sometimes unbearable.

I try to watch what I eat, but I seem to really struggle there too. Pushing through it for me, and limiting my portions at refueling time seems the best I can do right now.

I'm sorry you're going through this, but reading through this thread has refortified my own willingness to become a little more diligent within my own affairs, so you should at least know that what you're going through might be creating positive change in the lives of others.

Prayers for a speedy recovery my friend and if you've got cabin fever and want to chat, please know that you can call me anytime.

 

[Vegas Transplant]

Good luck and God bless Flash. Get well soon, you're not getting any younger you know...Im the MAN

 

[cardaddy]

Flash I hope you get better soon....I'm going through the same thing myself.

Started Christmas eve and hasen't let up since.
Pain,pain and more pain....cannot sit more than 20mins. Cannot stand for more than 20mins.

Mrs07 has an endless supply of skelaxin and that does help me some.

Going to the spine Dr in a few weeks and hopfully he can do something.

Hang in there Buddy your not alone.

Tim,
MAN I hate to hear you're going through it as well dude. WOW!
The sleep cycles, and sitting, standing, walking cycles y'all are talking about sure hit close to home, that's for sure. That is what disabled me, the fact that I couldn't do anything for but a few minutes.

Eventually, and with the right doctor, I was able to semi-function.

By right doctor (imho) I'm talking a "Board Certified Psychiatrist". Basically they are both certified in Psychiatry and Neurology. Much MUCH better than your run of the mill pain doctor, (even if he's specialized in neurological pain). I've been to them all, including the Director of Pain Management at Emory University. This one I found in 2004, and is without a doubt a MAJOR contributor to the fact that I still walk this earth some 10 years later! Taking meds isn't a bad thing guys, it's just one step in *managing* your pain. The last thing you want to be is a martyr, just to prove a point. I used to gag at the thought of hydrocodone. Then they gave me stronger stuff, hated the IDEA of that although it didn't make me sick like hydrocodone.... but learned it's a fact of life with chronic pain. I also learned that I can take less than was prescribed. That in and of itself is a "small victory".

The mind can be a cruel mistress! Sometimes we have to learn to tell that witch to get in, sit down, shut up and HOLD ON, 'cause it's gonna' be a bumpy ride. Other times she'll slap you around for MONTHS and you'll be begging for surgery. (I'm on the second one about now.)

Oh, and the TENS unit. LOVE them, I have two dedicated TENS and got a neuro-stim Muscle Stimulator here lately. Also have a vest with electrodes that you can take on and off to put electrodes anywhere on your back when you're by yourself. Pretty cool device. It allow me to run both TENS, 8 electrodes total, all at the same time. (Think it's called Aviva stim or something like that.)