Hi
I hurt my back in November 2008 lifting an item at work the pain started in my left side spread down my leg and had really bad pins and needles from thigh down to my toes within a few hours the pain had spread to my lower back and i could hardly walk. since thes i have been on Paracetomol. Ibroprofen, Co-codemol, Tramodol,diclofenic,diapzepam, amitriptyline and saw the physio who said i had 25% movement and due to the pain could not treat me ,had a MRI scan in January which they could'nt seem to find anything i was referred to a pain specialist who injected my spine wih 6 facet joint injections these did not work. Went back to see the pain specalist who said that my whole spine is affected not just the lower spine as suggested and if he was to re inject my spine it would have to invove every joint, he gave me an exercise programme to follow and to take paracetomol i am in chronic pain and my gp advised me to try burtrans patches as paracetomol would not help, i have been on 20mg patches for 2weeks and no pain relieve just terrible side effects have seen my gp today who has taken me off the patches and given Targinact (oxycodone). In the meantime my occupational doctor has told me not to follow the exercise programme advised by the pain specialist and im not fit for work my sick pay runs out in a few weeks and my work are not willing to support me although it was an accident at work.
I am really at the end of the road and do not no what to do regards my chronic pain.
I am now being referred back to the back consultnt who orginally referred me to the pain specialist.
Im only 24 and cannot understand when they dont know why im in this pain that at nearly 6months of pain no painkiller will provide some relieve.
Any ideas help is needed x
I had and still (over the last seven months) have the same symtoms as yourself, and have and still do take the same medication, amitritptyline, Targenact and other opiaites to relieve the pain. I have not been able to have a MRI as I am unable to lay down long enough to have it due to the pain. About a month ago I could not even stand up let alone walk so I know how you feel I was taken into hospital where the specialist concluded that I have a classic S1, which Sciatica caused by the discs in my lower back touching the sciatic nerve in my spine. But since then I have had steriod injections into my spine (nerve blockers) and now finally been able to lay down and have a MRI. The results are that I have prolapsed discs and need an operation on my back. The only down side is that I have to loss 3 stone in weight by November, and that means no BEER, CURRY'S, CHEESE and all the other food that normal people eat.
Don't know if this helps but if anything, your not alone there are alot of people out there that have the same symtoms and their Doctors still dither about. As your Doctor about the the Steriods injectionsa and if you can see ***********
Good luck from another back pain sufferer in Kent
(Sorry but Patient Admin have removed either a Consultants name, a Doctors name and or a Hospital / s name / s from this posting as it is the policy of Patient UK not to publish these on this forum.)
My humble piece of advice is to try the Iplikator. Sort of a fakir bed (the technique is acupressure). You lay on top and it instantly makes the blood flow, heats the zone, and relax muscles and tendonds, relieving pain. Give it a try, seriously, it helps.
You can read more about it at http://www.dolorfree.com
Cheers
Joaquim
I'm in a very similar situation and young too. Osteopathy is the only thing that works for me. Good luck.