Degenerative disk

Really not sure how you guys suck it up and keep going. I had a blown disc between L4 and L5. Bulged out and was impacting my sciatic nerve. Entire left leg was not good. Standing was really the only relief. Tried the Chiropractor, made it worse. Then to therapy, made it worse. then to shots, nothing there. Could only sleep about 15-20 minutes on a stack of six pillows or crammed between the bed and a dresser. Could not shake it. tried the drugs no real effect. I just wanted to get some sleep! Finally got recommended to a good back doctor in Pittsburgh. Kids took me down in the back seat of the car. I was very fortunate that was all that was wrong, they sniped out the problem, and I try to be careful of what I lift now. 

Sugarmaker wrote: Thad,  Back off the work thing some how! Hope all the folks on here with cronic pain and back issues can see some improvement!  Regards,  Chris

Chris I’m seriously trying. My occupation isn’t a good choice for my condition. It’s all I’ve ever done. I don’t know anything else.
I tell people my dream is sacking groceries at the local grocery store.
Gonna have a hard time giving up the $$$.

I've been going to a chiropractor for 7 years for degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis.  We'll all get degenerative disc disease if we live long enough.  The chiropractor was successful in relieving pain in my neck and shoulders.  My MD recommended "Aleve" because it has Naproxen in it.  That's more powerful than ibuprofen.  When arthritis began to effect my hands my MD prescribed "Meloxicam" which was very effective with my hands and helps my back, shoulders, and neck, too.  Can't take Meloxicam with over the counter naproxen or ibuprofen. Ice packs help, too.  I bought some gel packs from my chiropractor and keep them in the refrigerator.  I also bought a back belt from my chiropractor which helps when I'm lifting or driving a long distance. Stretching exercises also help.  Spinal stenosis is arthritic changes to the spine.  Almost a year ago I started experiencing severe back pain.  Chiropractic was ineffective.  After my insurance company insisted on an x-ray of my back (which my MD said was useless), and a minimum of 12 sessions with a physical therapist or chiropractor, all out of pocket, the insurance company finally approved an MRI.  Then began the search for a competent orthopedic surgeon who wanted to treat a patient with diabetes.  I found Dr. Herbert Biel at BJC (Barnes, Jewish, Childrens) Illinois Medical Group in Belleville, IL.  While being coached through a review of my MRI, I could see what the problem is in my lower back.  L2, L3, L4, and L5 are full of arthritis build up and the arthritis is squeezing my spinal cord nerves, thus the lower back pain.  The solution is to have surgery and have those vertebrae cleaned out so there's no pressure on the spinal cord nerves.  However the insurance company insisted on steroid injections to help ease the pain.  The 1st set of injections were amazing.  I felt significant relief within a few hours.  Then the benefits started to wear off.  I've had the 2nd and 3rd injections since.  Never did get back to where I was right after the 1st injections.  But I'm better than I was before the injections.  At the end of December I was having stabbing pain down both legs almost to the point of making me quit what I was doing.  Now I have pain that is manageable and tolerable.  Stretching exercises and ice packs help a lot and the Meloxicam is helping.  The surgeon agrees with my regular MD that I should keep using the Meloxicam.  I go on Medicare April 1 which may put surgery back on the table.  (I also have Scheuermann's Disease which is a whole separate chapter.)  Hope there's some info. in this bio that helps!

As the saying goes, I worked like a Hebrew slave since I was 13. I’m 61 now. I had a couple accidents that damaged neck and low back. Then in 1999 broke my neck in a fall. In 2005 destroyed my neck from C-2 thru T-1 inclusive with 100% compression of all L & S levels. Neck doesn’t turn, twist or tilt. I drink through a straw always. I pushed the low back pain in my little box and trudged on. I woke up July 5th 2010 and couldn’t move or feel my legs. I had been raking hay every day for the preceding 3 days. After emergency surgery I have cauda equina syndrome , a big fancy word for little or no bowel or bladder control. Now I’m disabled have a hard time walking because of messed up balance which will never return. I used to be a mans man with 18.75 inch biceps from hard work. I never lifted any weight until rehab. Now it’s 10-15 pound lol. Be careful. Listen to your doctor. Just because you can push through the pain like I did. Do you Really want to be afraid to go anywhere never knowing when your bowels or bladder will let loose. I know all about depends. But the looks you get in a restaurant or in line, insert store name, when your bowels move. Then the clean up after getting home while sitting in your mess. Not a future I’d wish on anyone. Be careful they can’t fix messed up too bad. Keith

sometimes the pharmacies put them behind their counters, sometimes they are out on shelves. there are larger sizes that Joe talks above. but I too use the 2x3 inch ones. just stick them on where it hurts. I have even wrapped them around my fingers at work when they would hurt from typing a lot.

shameless dude wrote: one thing I have used quite a bit is SALONPAS patches. I think they have something like BEN GAY in them, but they do work!

Where do you get those?

one thing I have used quite a bit is SALONPAS patches. I think they have something like BEN GAY in them, but they do work!

Cortical Steroids will work awhile, just caution as they do wear off and they promote degradation of a already damaged joint. I had two spinal block attempts for pain management, failed, had CS injections three times and only made it madder. Not all get as far or as severe where most can manage day to day with stretch exercises and relaxation techniques, a old fashioned steam bath and a trip into the Rockies where found the Hot Springs was wonderful for myself.

What's that old saying? "If I knew I was gonna live this long I'd have taken better care of myself!"  41 yrs driving a truck hasn't helped

I have three compressed disc in my lower lumbar (one was fractured) from a parachuting accident.  Stretching, and on a regular basis before it starts hurting, has worked well for me.  Also looking to get an inversion table.....I also like to grab the top of a door jam and kind of hang a little (6'5" so that takes some creativity) but it all tends to help.  Also find laying as flat as possible on a good firm mattress or hard surface (carpeted floor) for 20-30 minutes helps......and when the wife finds me asleep I just tell her my back was hurtin and just needed some attention....must have drifted off.