Hello Erica and also to Catchfish...

Sorry I didn't see your post until today. I too like daisy am feeling for you. I'm on my second painkiller in about that many hours. Hey, and a hot pad is great idea.

I was born with Spina Bifida. I have six lumbar and extra stuff everywhere else down there. I have had four back surgeries with three of them being in a two-year period of time. My first surgery helped a lot. For the first time in my life, I felt pretty good. So good that I did something stupid and fractured my back and that is where I got my next two surgeries from.

Have you gone to a good Neurosurgeon? I know you probably don’t need surgery but if you do then it will save you from seeing two different doc’s…

I do know alternating ice and heat help with the swelling, which is a big contributor to the pain. When you do this, it brings more blood to that area which helps with healing too.

Hope things start to get better soon. Head over to the spinal forum if you haven’t done that all ready, there are many great folks over there that might help with some of your questions…take care!!