back trouble

[passinthru]

So how many of youguys deal with back pain? Ive dealt with it for many years and now its getting worse. Im only able to work for afew hours at a time without having to sit down. The back cracker guy is not helping much anymore. For me its a siatic nerve thing and dont know what to do next. Im not a person who goes to the doctor much. Anyone else deal with these problems? Any type of relief you can reccomend?

[smokeinthewoods]

I feel your pain Passin. I too suffer from back pain caused by degenerative disc in my lower back. It is almost constant and at times can keep me from going to work. About the only thing that helps is a dose of Aleave pain pills and a long soak in a hot tub at the local "Y"

Surgery isn't an option for me at this time, but I have a feeling that it won't be too long before I have to go that route.

Ain't it fun getting old?

Smoke...

[passinthru]

Fun no not really but we all have to deal with it huh?! Ive been on the Aleve program for years and the hottub isnt always an option. Was hoping someone knew of a better anything to help out. lol

[ned]

I occassionally suffer from back pain, I don't like the ciropractor so I recently had massage therapy and it worked much better than the ciropractor used to. My mother was bed ridden with it years ago, if you are having siatica i wouldn't be getting your back minipulated.. a quick search and I found this www.medicinenet.com/sciatica/page3.htm

Ned

[passinthru]

Thanks for the link Ned it was an interesting article. Just gotta keep movin foward!!!

[JD]

I know back pain, and know it very well.

First, and foremost, get to the Doctor ASAP. You need hi-res, detailed MRI images of your spine. Nerve damage is nothing to put off. If you have a herniated disk, and it is pinching a nerve, the longer you wait the less chance you have of a full recovery. Nerves can repair themselves, but only if the damage is not bad. I put off mine, and as a consequence, the nerve running down my right leg to my foot has died completely. The right side of my leg, and ankle as well as my toes are completely numb. When walking for more than 10 minutes, my whole right leg goes completely dead.

If you just have bulged disks, they can be treated effectively with physical therapy. There are exercises they will have you do that will actually draw the bulged disk back where it belongs.

But again, you need an MRI to identify your problems. Until you know WHAT is wrong, you cannot treat the problem only the symptoms. The problem with only treating the symptoms is you may increase the damage inadvertently.

Take it from a guy with 20/20 hindsight, and a guy who will live the rest of his life with nerve damage. It sucks, and sucks bad.

If you have any questions, or want to discuss this more just drop me a PM. Good luck, and take care,

JD

[passinthru]

Thanks Jd. Im not sure how bad it really is. I know the pain can be unbearable at times but i hate Doctors! I know i should go but i will probably wait a lil while longer. If i can!