o/t- back trouble

farmerjohninpa · Nov 22, 2008

lovey, {my wife} in the last 6 months has been going slower and hurting more then ever. she has a bulged disk in her lower back and the last week she has really been hurting her,has pain down both legs with numbness in both feet and her hips.be taken her monday for some kind of shots in that area to help her out.
does anyone know of any body who has had back surgery and not have worse pain after the surgery then before? hear nothing but horror stories about back surgery.
wish there was some old time remedy that would help her out,,or has anyone ever tried acupuncture ?
when she hurts, i hurt,makes ya feel helpless for the love of your life. praying in penna. john

Dozer Guy · Nov 22, 2008

You and Yours are in our prayers ! Keep us posted.

Jim H SW-PA · Nov 22, 2008

I know how you both feel.

I have had a bad episode of back pain a few years back and couldn't straighten up to standing position but with therapy and a good chiropractor I am fine now and can imagine a full time pain.
Surgery has come a long way and we do have the best specialists in Pa.

I don't know where you live in Pa but For where I live I would go to Latrobe or Shady Side in Pgh.

These Hospitals have the teachers that teach the new drs. and are there to watch over them.

If the bones are not degenerating rapidly I suggest a good chiropractor. other than that it is quartizone shots to ease the pain.

WE don't like to see anyone suffer and prayers are with both of you.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 22, 2008

I have had 2 back operations. Both on L5-S1. The first was in 1983 at 23 years old following an accident I had when I was in the in the Army. The pain was awful. Comming out of the operating room I could have gone dancing. It was a miracle cure. The second happened when I was 37. That took a bit longet to recover from. But I am fine now. Yes, the back surjuries have helped me and a bunch of others I know, several cousins, uncles and co-workers of mine have had excellent results. One guy had a disc replacement operation in Germany, he rides dirt bikes now. Don't let that conservative management stuff such as PT, acupunture or chiropracture go on to long. The longer that ruptured disc (they don't bulge)puts pressure on the nerve the more permanent damage is going to happen. Not to mention the emotional exhaustion. If it was my wife we would be seeing the best neuro surgeon in the region. Penn State Med School has to have some great ones. Avoid orthopedic surgions as if they were pitbulls with rabies and AIDS.

Old Timer in Ohio · Nov 22, 2008

Hey there farmerjohn;
My wife had a back problem, that caused her to
walk in a stooped-over manner. The Dr's said she
had a pinched nerve, in her neck, and a ruptured
disk in her back. They put a titanium strip in
her neck, to keep the bones from shifting again.
She had surgery on her neck first, then about 6 months later had surgery on her back. Its a relief to see her walking upright again. I sure felt "helpless" too, she don't complain about any pain, and its been about two years now. They've made great advances in the medical field.
Bob
God Bless

Anonymous-0 · Nov 22, 2008

We aren't in the horse and buggy days anymore. There are some quacks but also real good doctors. Just saw on TV that there is a clinic in Switzerland where they (for example) shave/trim the edge off a disc that is being pinched and the folks walk out pain free without a hospital stay. I have off and on back pain also. It started getting real bad (to me) and we changed mattresses and got me a kind of bean bag pillow. I feel like new now. There are folks that swear by akkupuncture also, just got to make sure you don't get a quack.

Good Luck,

Dave

Spook · Nov 22, 2008

My dad had back pain so bad he almost couldn't walk. 6 months at a chiropractor did no good. A visit to a specialist ended in a operation. A year later he finished a mini triathlon, at age 70. Go see the docs.

Gus · Nov 22, 2008

Has she tried a physical therapist? Sure fixed me up.

ohiojim · Nov 22, 2008

try the local chiropractor first, sometimes they can work wonders, if it comes to surgery look into the new laser,..i've suffered for 40 yrs. with back pain, had one surgery that was a failure, was a laminectomy, don't get that as it leaves the offending disc in place,...hope ya get to feeling better.....

ericlb · Nov 22, 2008

if you find a way to get her help please let us know, i have had the same problem for 25 years [ a truck sort of fell on me] so far nothing ive tried has helped except lots of pain pills

Mike M · Nov 22, 2008

I have been hearing more and more about spinal decompression lately. They have some fancy computerized machine that streches you out and the disks are to regenerate or something ? May not work if too far gone. I was thinking about trying it as mine are compressed and most times not too bad. Likely the best time to start trying this ? but money is tight and my insurance sucks.

JDemaris · Nov 22, 2008

I've been done three times in three different areas of my spine. Now my lower back and neck is fused. With all, I was better after surgery than before. But, the 1st attempt was a lamenectomy - where part of the bulging disks were cut out. When that was done, I didn't last 6 months and I was then, worse than ever. Then I got fusion done - and they used pieces of my hip bone to fuse my spine - and that worked fine. I was last done in 1991.

Look at it with a mechanical perspective. The discs are rubber-like shock absorbers inbetween the vertabrae. If one bursts, and all you do is cut some out - you have less ability to absorb shock, not more. So, if you plan on living easy after the operation, it might last awhile. But, if you go back to heavy lifting,turning big wrenches, etc. - not much chance of success.

I have to add though, that I was run over by a farm tractor once - which caused more than normal "wear" damage.

JDemaris · Nov 22, 2008

I know it works temporarily. Years ago, I broke both my legs and had to use a walker for awhile. Since doing so stretches the back out, I felt great - other than my bum legs. But later, after I was walking again, carrying heavy weights etc. my back got bad as ever again. That, until I had surgery.

omahagreg · Nov 22, 2008

My Dad had numbness in his legs radiating from his back. Had shots-did not help. Dr wanted to do surgery-but wasn't sure how much good could be done 'no guarantee'. Dad figured what did he have to lose-he bought himself an inversion table-I believe less than $200.00! Works like a charm. He now just uses it when he feels it coming on. My uncle had problems all his adult life from driving semis-no one could help him. He finally bought the inverion table and now SWEARS by it! Greg

rrlund · Nov 22, 2008

An older brother had surgery on his lower back after having problems since he was a kid. Came out great. His best friend was so bed ridden with problems,he got so he wouldn't even get up to go to the bathroom. They infused some discs in his back with papaya juice and he hangs drywall for a living now.

El Toro · Nov 22, 2008

There's a man in OH that use to post on the Farmall forum has a son in his 30's that went to Germany for back surgery. He's getting along fine now and is repainting tractors again. Sends me the pics and I post them on the forums.
Here's the web site where he went for surgery. Here's one of the tractor's he painted for a lady for a Christmas present to her dad. Hal

http://getadr.com/

T_Bone · Nov 22, 2008

Hi John,

For pain control you might want to check out what ice packs does for pain.

Japan about 15yrs ago was doing extensive research into using freeze tunnels for people with back pain.

I, by accident, received a 2hr treatment of ice water bath on my bad leg. I had a hip wader leaking. The pain was all most unbearable for about 2wks then the pain let up and has never returned to that stage.

My bone pain is for ever as I shattered all the nerves inside the bones. I've even considered having my leg amputated to stop the pain but that won't stop this type of pain.

Pain killers, including morphine, are not alot of help. Grain alcohol will take pain away alot better than commercial pain killers. Just don't mix the alcohol and pain meds together.

Good luck finding a good Doctor. i've seen almost 30 Doc's and won't give you a plug nickle for any of them.

T_Bone

Anonymous-0 · Nov 22, 2008

You have what to loose? Are you expecting something like witch craft to help? We all expect things to get better on their own. Very much like most folks having a heart attact.

Back pain, giving birth, divorce, and hang overs are something everyone must try before they can understand. I had to take my ex-wifes opinion on one of those.

I get into troubles ever few years, and ice the first 12 hrs, then a hot shower hot enough to almost bring on blisters on my back is what works for me.

My brother waited 15 years and on the day he priced wheel chairs he decided he had little to loose.

Ya, he probably isn't the toughest guy to purchase a big motorcycle last year, and the young guys at work can maybe out lift him when showing off. But he is the only guy I know that has absolutly no pain in his back and can do anything he pleases.

Another friend (after surgery) that farms brought three bundles of shingles part way up a ladder 240# when I yelled that I needed the red tool box as soon as possible. You guessed right, he backed down the ladder and brought it up at the same time. There wasn't a gall for miles to show off to either.

If you ask either one of them, they have a very strong opinion in favor of surgery.

As I heard once...When they have taken everything away, they have then set you free !! Perhaps you have little or nothing to loose.

North East IA

old · Nov 22, 2008

I had the L5-S1 disk removed and I hurt a lot less now then I did but I'm still in pain 24/7 but not as bad. I'm also limited on how much I can now lift but before I lost the use of my left leg so it was surgery or no walking
Hobby farm

chvet73 · Nov 22, 2008

I had just about the same situation as Old. Slightly different location. Although I still have pain, it's alot better after surgery than before.
Scott is right avoid the orthopedic guys. Seen plenty of them for both knee and back. The only one for a back is a neurosurgeon.

preacherman · Nov 22, 2008

My back wnt out Oct.'06. I worked for Fire Dept. was lifting strecher into back of ambulance. L4 & L5 blew out. We tried all the available opportunities before surgery. I went through about 1 month of therapy and had the Ephidural shot, nothing helped the pain. Had surgery Feb.'07. 6 screws, 4 rods and two new disc. Right now I'm beginning to get better. I still have good days and bad days. Cold and rainy weather is terrible on it. Had to find a new line of work, I'm now working in safety for a large power plant contractor, making a LOT more money. Ain't God GOOD!! Good Luck.

Tom B...IN · Nov 22, 2008

I had the same deal. I got hurt and was getting the same pains and problems. I got the "injection" and they didnt do a damn thing. So under the knife I went. After about 2 months of taking it easy I was back to normal. The surgery was unbelievable! prior to it I could hardly stand up and walk some days, but now I dont feel a thing.... and heres the best part... they were hesitant on doing the surgery because I was only 17.

My vote would be find a good Dr. and go for it.

Tom

Walt Davies · Nov 22, 2008

I have know several people who had back surgery only one came out of it better. When the fuse you back it seems to make things worse.
I had a real bad back injury in 1980 I did water exercises and swimming and now I'm doing fine not great but fine. Just be careful how you lift and never, never bend over, Squat to pick anything up.
Walt
PS no playing in bed for 6 months to a year.

GRJ · Nov 22, 2008

Had back surgery many years ago to repair herniated disc.Wasn't all that bad and YES the pain and numbness went away immediately.However,most of these back problems are arthritis type problems and that continues.I still have troubles from arthritis all over. By all means get her operated on asap to relieve that pain.Good luck.

Tedoh · Nov 22, 2008

farmerjohn,
I put up with back pain for about 12 years. It just kept getting worse over the years. Even the pain pills stopped working. Then I bent over one day to stack some wood and couldn't get back up. Chiropractor sent me to specialist. Had 2 ruptured discs and one bulging one. Talked me into surgery. Now have three vertebra fused together with bone removed from my hip. All the horror stories had me scared to try surgery, but didn't have alot of choice. I was 29 yrs old at the time. That was Jan. 1993. Took about 7 months to get back to normal but I'm sure glad I did it. Ted.

Don-Wi · Nov 22, 2008

My Father-In-Law had several back surgeries in the past, all in different places. He still gets around good, works in a foundry and has about 3 years left til retirement.

He's laid up for a little while after the surgery, but after he's rested up he goes out fishing, helps us move stuff (not too often- don't wanna wreck him...) and overall has a pretty good life.

Donovan from Wisconsin

rodgernbama · Nov 22, 2008

Are they doing multiple disc replacements now. I talked to dr. 2-3 years ago and he would'nt even talk about it.

o/t- back trouble

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