Question about back pain...lots of details??
Question: I'm 17 and I have had horrible back pain for the past 7 years. It continues to get worse every day. It feels like somebody is drilling on my spine with a jackhammer. I also feel and hear a popping noise in my lower back when I walk. I have had 3 MRI's, 3 bone scans, been checked for RA, and no telling how many x-rays. I have scoliosis, mild spina bifida, and a missing lamina, but I'm told none of these are supposed to cause pain. I've seen over ten doctors. I have tried physical therapy and chiropractors for a few years and absolutely no relief. No medications have ever helped, they just put me to sleep for awhile. I'm no longer able to enjoy any of my activities or sports. I missed so much school with pain and doctor's appointments that I had to withdraw and finish my senior year in homeschool. The doctors won't take my pain seriously because of my age. Several of them have told me I'm faking and to get over it . I'm completely desperate. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Answers: First and foremost do not go around thinking that eveyrone thingks that you are fakingit- that is the worst thing for chronic pain and the quickest way to be depressed!!
You feel this way be cause of the cycle of pain that you are experiencing..
It could be possible that instead of RA that you have RSD/ and definitely CRPS chronic reflex pain syndrome
Have you ever heard of a spinal column stimulator
There are 3 companies that provide stimulators for this treatment
Advanced Bionics (name changed to Boston Scientific neuromodulation)
http://controlyourpain.com
Medtronics (Jerry Lewis has one)
http://www.medtronic.com/neuro/ttp/
ANS-MEDICAL
http://ans-medical.com
You are not to young to be considered for one of these if it will certainly help with pain.
Go to the websites and sign up for the FREE info they will send you a video and pain diary - BRING THEM TO TO A DR
I have 2 of them myself.and would definitely talk with you if you want to know more
You are NOT faking pain - PLEASE try and get that out of your head -- i have had to deal with pain from a young age, but chronically for 20 yrs i think that the dr's are taking your pain seriously.. PLEASE discuss with them what you are feeling
An idea would be to search for someone to be your pain advocate, you have to be able to confide in them and have them go to the dr with you. I would thing that your family does that for you...
anyway i am not here to put you down, just encourage you to go to the websites and seek the info -- and ask the physicians if they would consider implanting one.
Something that i have found - have 2 of these
The trial didnt provide much, but it isnt explained , and often misunderstood that the implant is so much better then the trial -- go thru with the implant , and give it time
know this that the setting after surger are alot higher then after a couple of weeks
let's talk...SOO MUCH EASIER -OK and I can give you so much more information
there is help for you!
Hi Sweetpea
If you have all these tests and seen all these people then don't worry it is likely the problem is not that bad. I know you will being saying it is bad for you which it is because you have the pain. It just means that the causes are not serious which is good news.
As to how to get rid of it...
Back pain is caused by numerous factors - tight muslces, weak muscles and joints not moving correctly.
To remove your back pain you need to fix all of these. You can do this at home with some simple techniques that will ease your pain quickly and prevent it returning.
The scoliosis may cause pain but for most it won't as they are common in everyone. Spina bfida is common and usually doesn't cuase pain and a missing lamina may reduce a bit of spinal support but combined thee may allow a few issues to arise.
If you are not getting help from your doctors (and you have seen a lot), then do a few simple things your self. Check out the link below for some things to try now and feel free to email me for advice.
All the best
Dr Graeme Teague
Well, to me it sounds like it is a mixture of things. I think that you may have a nerve that is being pinched inbetween the vertabra disk in your back. On top of that I also think that the cartilage in that is acting as cushions for your discs is being degenerated away which can be caused by Scoliosis. My mother had the same problem (although she is in her late 40's and just developed scoliosis two years ago.)) She had to have the disc in her back fused together and they added an artificial disc in her back and filled it with bone marrow.
I don't have a definite answer, but I can tell you the doctor's are wrong when they say scoliosis does not cause pain. That is a highly debated issue among doctors with some claiming no pain, whereas others say that it does cause pain, especially the older you get. I don't think it would cause the severe pain you have, but it may be a factor along with something else. You may have two things that combine to make unbearable pain.
find something at http://www.vc22.com/category/back-pain/
I don't really care what *those* doctors say about scoliosis not causing pain. I know that either scoliosis or an effect of scoliosis, does cause pain.
It sounds like you've never seen a scoliosis specialist. I'd suggest seeing your family doctor to get a referral. The scoliosis specialist will examine your back and give you recommendations for back treatments. This can range from nothing or PT for minor curves, to bracing for moderate to major curves, and if your back is already bad enough, surgery.
You can also get a referral to a pain management doctor. These guys have seen it all and treat others with pain from their scoliosis.
Email me if you have more questions.
Take care.
Answers: First and foremost do not go around thinking that eveyrone thingks that you are fakingit- that is the worst thing for chronic pain and the quickest way to be depressed!!
You feel this way be cause of the cycle of pain that you are experiencing..
It could be possible that instead of RA that you have RSD/ and definitely CRPS chronic reflex pain syndrome
Have you ever heard of a spinal column stimulator
There are 3 companies that provide stimulators for this treatment
Advanced Bionics (name changed to Boston Scientific neuromodulation)
http://controlyourpain.com
Medtronics (Jerry Lewis has one)
http://www.medtronic.com/neuro/ttp/
ANS-MEDICAL
http://ans-medical.com
You are not to young to be considered for one of these if it will certainly help with pain.
Go to the websites and sign up for the FREE info they will send you a video and pain diary - BRING THEM TO TO A DR
I have 2 of them myself.and would definitely talk with you if you want to know more
You are NOT faking pain - PLEASE try and get that out of your head -- i have had to deal with pain from a young age, but chronically for 20 yrs i think that the dr's are taking your pain seriously.. PLEASE discuss with them what you are feeling
An idea would be to search for someone to be your pain advocate, you have to be able to confide in them and have them go to the dr with you. I would thing that your family does that for you...
anyway i am not here to put you down, just encourage you to go to the websites and seek the info -- and ask the physicians if they would consider implanting one.
Something that i have found - have 2 of these
The trial didnt provide much, but it isnt explained , and often misunderstood that the implant is so much better then the trial -- go thru with the implant , and give it time
know this that the setting after surger are alot higher then after a couple of weeks
let's talk...SOO MUCH EASIER -OK and I can give you so much more information
there is help for you!
Hi Sweetpea
If you have all these tests and seen all these people then don't worry it is likely the problem is not that bad. I know you will being saying it is bad for you which it is because you have the pain. It just means that the causes are not serious which is good news.
As to how to get rid of it...
Back pain is caused by numerous factors - tight muslces, weak muscles and joints not moving correctly.
To remove your back pain you need to fix all of these. You can do this at home with some simple techniques that will ease your pain quickly and prevent it returning.
The scoliosis may cause pain but for most it won't as they are common in everyone. Spina bfida is common and usually doesn't cuase pain and a missing lamina may reduce a bit of spinal support but combined thee may allow a few issues to arise.
If you are not getting help from your doctors (and you have seen a lot), then do a few simple things your self. Check out the link below for some things to try now and feel free to email me for advice.
All the best
Dr Graeme Teague
Well, to me it sounds like it is a mixture of things. I think that you may have a nerve that is being pinched inbetween the vertabra disk in your back. On top of that I also think that the cartilage in that is acting as cushions for your discs is being degenerated away which can be caused by Scoliosis. My mother had the same problem (although she is in her late 40's and just developed scoliosis two years ago.)) She had to have the disc in her back fused together and they added an artificial disc in her back and filled it with bone marrow.
I don't have a definite answer, but I can tell you the doctor's are wrong when they say scoliosis does not cause pain. That is a highly debated issue among doctors with some claiming no pain, whereas others say that it does cause pain, especially the older you get. I don't think it would cause the severe pain you have, but it may be a factor along with something else. You may have two things that combine to make unbearable pain.
find something at http://www.vc22.com/category/back-pain/
I don't really care what *those* doctors say about scoliosis not causing pain. I know that either scoliosis or an effect of scoliosis, does cause pain.
It sounds like you've never seen a scoliosis specialist. I'd suggest seeing your family doctor to get a referral. The scoliosis specialist will examine your back and give you recommendations for back treatments. This can range from nothing or PT for minor curves, to bracing for moderate to major curves, and if your back is already bad enough, surgery.
You can also get a referral to a pain management doctor. These guys have seen it all and treat others with pain from their scoliosis.
Email me if you have more questions.
Take care.
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