Oh My Aching Back!
I have been having back problems for about 15 years now. The pain is in the lumbar region of my spine, and causes me agony sometimes making it nearly impossible for me to walk. I have seen several doctors over the years, taken loads of medication and even had some physical therapy. At times the pain is quite severe and certain activities can cause exacerbation.
I am the fortunate child of a physician, I say this facetiously because doctors never think that anything is wrong with their own children. My father told me several times this was probably just a muscular problem (the muscles were weak, injured or torn). Until yesterday I was nearly convinced this was the extent of the problem.
In the last 12 months I have nearly been immobilized by the pain on several occasions, I am currently experiencing such an occasion. Last night my father examined me and when he bent my left leg at the knee and rotated it slightly, I suddenly felt as though I was being skewered with a hot iron poker! The pain shot up my spine and caused me to cry out.
The diagnosis, I most likely have a herniated disc. Needless to say, I am having a great deal of difficulty moving and will not be posting for a few days.
posted by Neel at 5:15 PM
35 Comments:
ouch...
the one time i had back spasms.. i was in tears.
i am sooo sorry.
6:13 PM
i hope you feel better.
Take care of yourself :)
6:19 PM
Neel,
so sorry you're feeling like this. I don't mean to sound like the "new kid on the block," but have you considered alternative solutions such as acupuncture?
Just a thought...and needless to say, will miss your very enjoyable posts.
7:27 PM
oh no, sweetie. get better.
7:33 PM
Oh Neel....I KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT YOUR PAIN....not kidding either. I know someone with the EXACT same problem. They were operated on last summer and the operation was not successful. In fact they fused the disc rather than removing it and all it accomplished was moving the pain from the Sciatic area (nerve) to a more central spot on the back. Not good. Considerations....another operation, again with an 80% success ratio, but even then....is it really worth it. Pain killers, no longer subdue the agony. Needles with freezing to try to eventually alleviate feeling in the area of pain. All very long and drawn out, MRI's, etc.
Is there a solution? Not sure. I swear by hot baths, hot water bottles and pillows under the knees.......but I do not suffer this pain.....so what do I know really? So Sorry to hear this....you poor thing. Best wishes in your relaxation over the next few days.
get your dad to rent you some really good porn....that might help! No WAIT...that may make you work areas you shouldn't! ;)
8:15 PM
god! u must be in awful pain!
rest as much as you need and seek good treatment for this, back pains are awful! hope u get better soon. :)
3:03 AM
hope you feel better soon. Take care of yourself neel..
must be feeling good to have doctor at home :)
Good Luck for the treatment.
8:54 AM
OUCHY...
I had a friend who had one of those and it bothered him all the damn time.
I hope they don't have to do surgery on you which was the case with my friend.
10:44 AM
I need to make one thing clear, I am not seeking any sympathy with this post, I just wanted to let people know that I will not be posting as much because of the discomfort. Last time I took a while between posts some of my readers became restless.
Ms. Laughs, thank you at least this is something a lot of people can relate to.
Lorena, Thanks very much. I'll keep reading your blog, that should make me smile.
Ro, you were a very cute child. Yes, I have considered alternative medicine in the past for other problems. Unfortunately this is no longer just pain, its physiological. Just as you wouldnt try to fix a broken bone with acupuncture, in this case the treatment would be futile. Thank you for the suggestion though.
Transience, thanks I think I have figured out your secret.
Mitzzee, thank you for your very heartfelt post. My brother just had a disectomy a few months ago and his went quite well. Your friend sounds like they had a very severe case. Fortunately, this is my dad's specialty, so I will get the best of care, but I dont want to ask him for the porn, why dont you bring it?
Karen, thank you.
Natasha, that sounds really great, will Mitzzee be there?
Gulnaz, thank you very much. I am on bed rest for a few days and medication. I am seeing another doctor today.
Venus, yes it is nice at times when I go to my parents to have a doctor to ask questions etc. I had intended to become a doctor myself, but I lost interest in my first year of college. Thank you for your good wishes.
Boahban, I hope I dont have to have surgery either, but if it will alliviate these flair-ups it will be worth it.
Thanks to all of you for your consideration!
11:23 AM
Sorry to hear that, neel. Hope you get to feeling better soon.!
xo
11:40 AM
ohhh, please feel better soon. we'll miss you. :(
1:09 PM
oh yes, a happy face for your recovery :)
1:12 PM
with your aching back, u can laugh it out a little with what i just read- a funny oneliner from school test paper:
The spinal column is a long bunch of bones. The head sits on the top and you sit on the bottom.
1:42 PM
how sweet neel, that makes me smile see --> ;)
2:12 PM
Neel, I have my own beliefs about medicine and health. Please take what you want from this, and leave the rest out that doesn't help you.
I see patients everyday, having tried several modalities of Western medicine. They are in pain, tired, and frustrated as all hell with being drugged with pain killers.
There is more to the physical than first meets the eye. What does the back represent? The center? The support system? Do you feel supported? Is the weight of something, or the world coming down on you? Are you an Atlas reincarnated?
Eastern medicine has it's place. Don't get me wrong. There is nothing like Western medicine with it's technologic advances, tx of fractures, cancer, diabetes, etc. But, acupuncture, ayurveda, etc have worked wonders for some people I know with chronic pain, like low back pain. I try to get them to see the underlying psychological component that may also cause the problem to persist.
When my father had his heart attack 2 months ago, Western medicine saved him. However, there is more to his heart healing than the drugs he is on. (I’ll spare you the details).
In short, this is not just your back, this is all of you. I hope you find comfort soon.
4:20 PM
Deem, thank you I am having a hard time staying away as you can see.
Stella, I am actually feeling better, so here I am back at this. Look for a special post from me soon.
Venus, thank you for that, you made me laugh, and smile as I write.
Lorena, I am glad... you have a beautiful one!
M, you are very wise, and that is true. I have been resting up, thank you!
1:03 AM
Mermaid, thank you for your very thoughtful post, you are quite passionate about your feelings. I realize that I said, "I have taken loads of medication" without really thinking about what I was saying.
I rarely take medication unless it is needed. I am a person with a very high pain threshold and do not believe in taking pain, or any other kind of medication irresponsibly.
Today I had an appointment with a M.D who specializes in physical medicine, but is coincidentally a licensed acupuncturist. He examined me, prescribed me some more medication (some of which I talked him out of) and ordered an MRI.
I too believe in alternative medicine to an extent, but like you, I feel there are times when the intervention of modern medicine is absolutely essential. Thank you again for your post and your concern, I think you have inspired me to write another post!
1:03 AM
as long as you are feeling better, that's all that counts...good that you have good care....and yes, I'll head on over to Natasha's with the porn, she's got the drinks and the bath ready....see u soon! ;)
7:32 AM
oh and btw...it's not that people are pitying you...we just enjoy you!
7:33 AM
I hope you feel better soon, Neel.
10:50 AM
Call me woman, call me temperamental. I failed to read your response here. Ok, I'll keep posting my passionate perspective here.
(This will make sense after you read your email).
2:14 PM
Too many weird sex positions do that to your body, Neel.
*wink*
I got in an accident just this year.. our car was sandwiched and I was sitting in the back where the impact occurred.. in fact.. it will be 1 year in July. I've done my therapy already but my back still hurts. I need to see my chiro.
I hope you get better and if temporarily is all you get.. i hope it comes soon..
2:52 PM
nobody is giving you sympathy! where would you get that idea?!?
;)
too bad man.. if people like you and they know you're hurting.. you're going to get sympathy.
3:06 PM
Mitzzee, Thank you for your kind words. I have just been to visit your blog, but it's hiding. When are you coming back out to play? How could I turn down your lovely invitation?
Sara, that is very kind of you. I am already feeling better, it is amazing what a bit of rest can do.
Mermaid, your passionate perspective is not only welcome but has become a part of this blog. Thank you again for your email, you amaze me.
3:07 PM
Cedia, wow, you and Ms. Laughs were both posting while I was responding to the others. I think the root of this injury, like yours, is car accident years ago. It heals then I re-injur it because of the natural tendancy. The disc is protruding and when it flairs up from irritation it plays havoc with the connective nerve tissue. (at least I think thats right) I hope you are well, thanks for caring.
Ms. Laughs, have you considered stand up, or publishing a humourous works? You always crack me up! I am working on posting something new, but it is very sweet of everyone, including you, to care!
3:19 PM
i'm a natural...
i love making people laugh.
i've been asked about stand-up.. but.. never really considered it. i made my boyfriend spew tea out of his nose this morning. i forget what i said.
6:04 PM
Wow. I am so sorry. I'm having terrible problems with my upper back - between my shoulder blades. I start PT in about 10 days. But now you've got me scared. I've heard people are out of work for months with herniated discs. I can't afford that. I hope you can afford to take it easy and rest up so you can heal! I'm thinking of you and sending healthy back thoughts your way. ;-)
10:00 AM
Ms. Laughs, yes you are! Your poor boyfriend, my best friend used to do that to me all the time when we were kids.
Tasha, got your email you cooky girl you!
Sk8r, the nice thing about a herniated disc as opposed to a perforated disc or slipped, is that it will usually rectify itself with time, rest, and care. Me thinks! Thanks for the back thoughts, I think they are working... I am feeling better!
Spock, thank you for that!
2:15 PM
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
4:18 PM
Well i hope you are better now...
3:06 PM
Nasra, thanks. I havent heard from you for a while, I hope you are well.
11:55 PM
hope you are feeling better now.
my dad too has herniated discs from L1 through to L5.
1:35 AM
Herniated disc, definitely not good. Hope you find some comfort soon.
7:03 AM
Wow, I wonder who coulndt figure out what they wanted to write, they deleted 4 comments.
Gulnaz, today is actually not a very good day, I am very stiff. Thank you for inquiring.
Robin, thank you, that is very kind.
10:45 AM
Nasra, how do I comment on your blog?
4:49 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home