Next Step for Lower Back Pain
 

I have had this lower back pain for four months now and stretching, chiros, cold, heat, etc has not improved it. The movement restriction is constant but the pain is not. Resting on my back there is no pain but when sitting , driving, leaning etc there is pain which increases. I guess my next step is an MRI and then is the next step usually a shot in my lumbar area? For those of you that have had the shots, do they usually work and for how long. If that doesn't work, what is the next thing to try. I am 69, not overweight and healthy up till now, but this is changing my life. I am a Kaiser member here in Los Angeles and has anyone had any neg or positive experiences they could share relating to spinal problems. Thanks for any advice or sharing. Dixmo

The MRI is a good plan. The shot helps alot of people, but not all,from what I hear. I did it once, only lasted about 3 weeks. Physical Therapy may help in your case.

As you can see, I'm up, it's 3AM in Alaska....thinking about going back for another shot...I need to sleep, can't take it any more....miserable......I wish I had been your age when it started. 43 here and figure I'll suffer the rest of my life :(

I would recommend that you see either an Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon or a Neuro Surgeon so that they can assess you and advise from there on the treatment options.

Your symptoms sound very similar to the sort I have in my Lumbar region. I began getting back pain when I was 17 (3+ years ago) and am still trying to be seen by an Orthopaedic Surgeon or Neuro Surgeon as I have tried Physiotherapy, exercise and other conservative treatments and haven't gained any relief from any of them.

I hope I may be of some help to you. :)

Dixmo,

It really depends on what is going. I have similar issues with sitting, driving, leaning, etc. I also have pains in my legs. Anyway, I know I have a disc bulge at L4/L5 and stenosis at L5/S1. I have had one ESI that didn't work, then facet injections which helped a great deal and finally an RF that worked just great for a year. I need another one! :) There are also Selective Nerve Root injections. So, you see, it just depends on what the problem is. The pains I have with sitting and driving are from the facets and the stenosis issues. The legs pains I believe are coming from the disc bulge. In any case, yes, I would get an MRI and take it from there. A good spinal pain management doctor is usually who people see first and then if the situation warrants it, referred to an NS or OSS. At least that is how it has been for me see I go to a Spine Group. Good luck. :)

I would assume that the MRI should have been the first step...Make certain there is not something there before someone starts doing manipulations, etc...I, personally, would have started with a good OSS...let him make an assessment...He would probably send you for an MRI...make an assessment from that...then determine if a shot is necessary...then maybe some aqua therapy...or PT...stay away from the Chiro...just my opinion of course...maybe Yoga...AFTER you see the OSS of course and get permission...get an assessment first...then proceed!:) I agree with Kathi...100%...Good advice! The epidurals never worked for me...SI joint injections did, but not epidurals...They are two different things though!:D

Thanks Gloria,

I think what confuses people is when they hear they word "shot", they immediately think ESI. And that is not always what is given. I ran into this with my husband. He went to get an injection one day and came home and couldn't tell me what TYPE it was. So, I had him call the doc's office back to find out. Based on his description though it sounded like a SNRB and that is precisely what it was. So, I think anyone and everyone here should ask just what kind of shot they are going to receive. I know the PM's we see do NOT like to give ESI's more than 3 times a year. However, for facet injections, it is not a big deal.

What I want to emphasize is something you said as well. I would NOT go to a Chiro or PT or anyone that wants to do any kind of manipulations until you know EXACTLY what is going on. MRI's are usually the first thing anyway! And I have ran across one Chiropractor who went by xrays only. Thank goodness I had the sense to "run" since I already knew what was wrong with my spine. All I wanted to see him for was to release some spasms. But he tried to sell me the biggest crock of goods imaginable! AND...he wanted me to sign a contract. No way!!! And, well, I will just state what my PM said...there is NO WAY they can realign your spine. It is just not physically possible without rods and he was referencing scoliosis as an example. I had to laugh when he said, "If this were true and you had disc put back in place, then wouldn't it make sense it would pop right back out if you bent over to pick something up?" He was just trying to make the point that discs just don't go back and forth like that. :) Yet, that Chiro tried to tell me he could straighten my whole spine. :rolleyes: