I am a 14 year old girl, who's had back problems most of her life. I've always had lower back pain, so I often self-popped to try and relieve some of the pain. Last month, I started playing volleyball. I guess it's good to note that I played a previous season of volleyball and hurt my back then. However, in the few months I didn't play, my back felt better. Before volleyball season, I had someone try to pop my back by stepping on it. They are very heavy and they put all their weight on it all at once. Volleyball then started and the constant conditioning and diving started to take a toll on my body. I was misdiagnosed with chronic back pain and then with a torn or sprained muscle. I got my back set by a chiro, in hopes that it would help. It didn't. It made it worse. Finally, I had to get an MRI. The MRI showed that I had a bulging disc on my L3-L4, and a diffused bulging disc on my L4-L5. The paper also said I had multilevel spondylosis and mild multilevel degenerative disease. I've done all the research I possibly can and I have a doctors appointment tomorrow, but I need to know what this all means for me. I'm so young and I feel so alone. I feel as though people, especially adults, think I'm over exaggerating the pain or even lying but how can I fake this type of pain? It's getting to the point where I can't even walk without pain. I can't do anything anymore. I've become severely depressed and I'm gaining weight and I just need help. I'm scared I'll have to get surgery or have to put more drugs into my body. I've been diagnosed with depression and ADHD and anxiety and sports was my only outlet to channel all of that energy. Now I just lay in bed. I'm grumpy all the time. I blame myself for the injury.
Hi Hannah,
I am sorry you are feeling bad. I am surprised that adults think you are exagerating when the MRI revealed that you have a buldging disc. That is incredibly painful. Your mom doesn't have empathy for you?
You are very young and this will not change the course of your life. It is good that your family is keeping you on schedule with medical appointments. Although, very scary if you needed a back surgery it is incredibly routine and very low risk. HOpe you feel better soon.
Your very and there is so much hope it you. You need to talk to a doctor
About exactly how u feel. There are pain clinics that can teach ways
To handle or help pain without medication. But if you need medication
For pain you don't need to be frightened, not everything is addictive
And even if it is, if priscribed by a doctor, You and b taken off it if or when
Ready. So gradually you won't feel anything. I'm talking through
Experience. Having a counsellor and really too. If your in UK a doctor
Can refer u to see a cpn or psychologist. At your age that a seem
Shameful. But to me you can't let pride stop you getting do
You need. They will teach you things to help you cope with stress
Depression etc and help talk through problems. The younger the better
And you get hell before things get worst. Trust me honey. Self help
Books can help a lot too
Hi Hannah - so sorry to read of your situation. It's cruel that someone so young can have a problem that can be so debilitating. The thing a bout back problems is that no-one can see the injury so they tend to dismiss your suffering. Ignore them. Please don't let people stand on your back, it could lead to a more excerbated problem and could cause irreversible damage. I would suggest that the depression is due to the frustration and apparent hopelessness of yor situation. Since you have had all the topical applications available - drugs, MRI, chiropractor etc, and since you have a visual of the issue - bulging discs in the spine, I would suggest you contemplate the matter of surgery. Discuss with your parents and doctor. You are very young with your whole life ahead of you, and it would be wise to try everything before giving up. Back surgery is a common operation and can have startling results. You will bounce back nicely from it, and the likelyhood is that it will be very successful. Some trivia for you - Elizabeth Taylor, one of the most beautiful and famous stars of her time, suffered a back problem while filming National Velvet when she was about your age. Best of luck for your future.