[Gazelle]

well, he said that there wasn't anything he could see that was causing a problem that was spine related. Recommended PT for me. Guess I'll be going there.

I lived on muscle relaxants since August 30, which was when all this really got bad. On Thursday last week, the 13th day, was when it seemed to let up. I didn't really have any spasms. After the plane right back to the US on Monday I have had some more spasms, but they've not been too bad.

I'm sure my boss is going to love me going to PT. Now I have to investigate places around me that do it--I don't know any since I've lived here about 2 years and have never needed those services. Blech..... But it's certainly better than feeling carpy from pain.

[lady_express_44]

Gazelle, some doctors believe that some back symptoms are related to spinal lesions, and some don't. I happen to know they are for me.

I have had "attacks", where the main symptom is what I call "spinal headaches". I've also had "attacks" where my back ached along with other new symptoms, then when the other one's let up, so does the pain in my back.

I did PT and massages fairly consistently for several months last year, even though it didn't seem to be helping. I have the BEST PT guy, who I've been seeing since the mid-80's for various reasons, and if there was anything that could have been fixed, he'd have found it!

One day I woke up, and everything was gone.

With PT . . . if nothing else, it will feel nice to have the surrounding muscles worked. If they can offer any strengthening exercises, for your back, tummy muscles, etc., you might find that is helpful in the long run too.

Good luck!

Cherie

[watsonsh]

Originally Posted by Gazelle

well, he said that there wasn't anything he could see that was causing a problem that was spine related. Recommended PT for me. Guess I'll be going there.

I lived on muscle relaxants since August 30, which was when all this really got bad. On Thursday last week, the 13th day, was when it seemed to let up. I didn't really have any spasms. After the plane right back to the US on Monday I have had some more spasms, but they've not been too bad.

I'm sure my boss is going to love me going to PT. Now I have to investigate places around me that do it--I don't know any since I've lived here about 2 years and have never needed those services. Blech..... But it's certainly better than feeling carpy from pain.

Ya mean the spine doc did not say hmmmmm your images are strange I see four legs and hooves errr I mean hoovers?

Two weeks ago I was having some lower back pain and the PT gave me some stretches to do that have helped significantly. I just need to really make em part of my everyday routine like brushing my teeth (do gazelle's brush? )

Give PT a chance and PM me is you want to talk about the stretches he gave me. Apaprently I had some muscles deep in my pelvis that were really spasm'd and pulled my spine out of alignment.

Now go vacuum ole hoovered one.

[DM]

You are a good lil gazelle~ My Spine Spec wanted me to do exercises and PT, both of which I haven't done. (Bad DM) But, I continue to have spasms, so maybe when I heal from this last fiasco, I may give them a try.

Good luck w/the PT... and I'm anxious to see if it gives you some relief.

take care of yourself.

[Gazelle]

Originally Posted by shelley

Ya mean the spine doc did not say hmmmmm your images are strange I see four legs and hooves errr I mean hoovers?

I just need to really make em part of my everyday routine like brushing my teeth (do gazelle's brush? )

Now go vacuum ole hoovered one.

He was munching when I talked to him--tops of trees you understand--he mentioned something about a shortened neck on my type but....

Of COURSE gazelles brush. what DO you think we live on?

Couldn't vacuum. This bag was full.

I will PM you.

Originally Posted by lady_express_44

With PT . . . if nothing else, it will feel nice to have the surrounding muscles worked. If they can offer any strengthening exercises, for your back, tummy muscles, etc., you might find that is helpful in the long run too.

That's what the spine guy said too. Guess I'm just a bit shy of PT as I was stuck there for 9 months after my car accident in '94. That did help, however no matter how painful it was. And I was pretty religious about doing the exercises at home and at the gym too.

Originally Posted by DM

You are a good lil gazelle~ My Spine Spec wanted me to do exercises and PT, both of which I haven't done. (Bad DM) But, I continue to have spasms, so maybe when I heal from this last fiasco, I may give them a try.

Maybe? MAYBE?? Heal already (silly DM) and fairy dust yourself over to PT and do exercises! <gettin' out drill sergeant cap> I'd kinda like to see you feeling better, oh princess.

Spine guy mentioned something about using a ball at PT. Pretty sure it wasn't about having a ball at PT, but you never know. In any event, I figure I'll have more exercises and stretching to do at the gym--if I can get back there and not have another bout of really bad fatigue. There's also a place around me that does a type of exercise called Yamuna body rolling that was recommended to me by someone here. Sounds very interesting.
http://www.yamunabodyrolling.com/

[weegot5kiz]

gaz the small back muscle exercises will help a lot, as shelley said you just have to make them part of your everyday activity, curious this doc's visit and what ever you had done mri. cat? this rules out a pinched nerve? I had a test of course no idea what it was called eek ekg egg one of those E test for pinched nerves (emg?) Hoping and praying PT works and helps you out

[DM]

I hear ya Gazzy, but I think the thought of driving to another town several times a week, just puts me off. You do know that I live in Toad Hollow, right? It's like freakin Hooterville.

I'm seriously thinking of thinking about PT.

How ya feeling today?? Better, I hope!

[Gazelle]

Good, DM. I'm glad you are considering it. And yes, I know where you live. LOL I've seen the pics your stalkers took.

Just lingering muscle spasms in several areas--not enough to make me go for medication. Which is good.

The physiatrist's office sent me the following pain scale to rate pain. I thought it was worth sharing because I found it easy to understand and to relate to others how I was feeling. When I got it, it made me chuckle because when I related the # of pain to the docs in the ER (before I'd seen this chart) I said 7-8 on a scale of 0-10. And reading it validated that I'd placed my pain level the night I went to the ER right where it needed to be placed. Which was cool and disturbing all at the same time.

Pain Scale

Scale is 0-10 with 0 being none and 10 being maximum pain.

0 = none at all --- pain free

1 = slight---------very minor annoyance; less frequent strong twinges

2 = very, very weak--Minor annoyance; occasional strong twinge

3 = very weak-----Annoying enough to be distracting

4 = Moderate------Can be ignored if you are really involved in your work, but it is still distracting

5 = somewhat strong--can't be ignored for more than 30 minutes

6 = Strong---------Can't be ignored for any length of time, but you can still go to work and participate in social functions

7 = Very strong-----Makes it difficult to concentrate. Interferes with sleep. You can still function with effort.

8 = Intense---------Physical activity severely limited. You can read and converse with effort. Nausea and dizziness sets in as a factor.

9 = Very intense----Unable to speak; crying out or moaning uncontrollably

10 = Maximal--------Unconscious; pain makes you pass out.

[Gazelle]

Originally Posted by weegot5kiz

gaz the small back muscle exercises will help a lot, as shelley said you just have to make them part of your everyday activity, curious this doc's visit and what ever you had done mri. cat? this rules out a pinched nerve? I had a test of course no idea what it was called eek ekg egg one of those E test for pinched nerves (emg?) Hoping and praying PT works and helps you out

Thanks, Frank.

Yep--I have C and T spine MRIs and apparently (although I forgot about it) an older lumbar spine MRI too (from 2003). The C and T spine are from 2007, so they're fairly recent (done in Dec. 07).

Oh boy..... don't MENTION the EMG word with me. I hate those bloody things. If I don't have to go through another one I'll be terribly happy! Don't like them.

[watsonsh]

Hey hoovered one, I had a great PT session today and we worked mostly on my lower back. Some intersting stuff. Lets chat soon.