Thursday, October 25, 2007

Finally an answer to my pain

I've been dealing with lower back pain for a couple of years now. It comes spuratically. About every couple of months. I've never had a back injury of any sort. I think it's just from getting older. I used to carry the grandkids around on my back singing "Giddy Up A Oompapa Oopapa Mau Mau"..but had to give that up because of the pain it would cause the next day.
I've been doing physical therapy twice a week for the last 3 weeks for a pulled hamstring and I'm thinking the exercises they are having me do has caused this to flair up again. It started on Monday and I finally decided I needed an answer. I went to the doctor today and since I've never had any kind of diagnostic treatment for it she decided to have me have an MRI and Lspine xrays of my back. I went directly to my work and they were able to get me in right then which was wonderful. I guess it pays to know people huh?
Well the results came back as follows:
AT L1-L2 I have a broad based disc bulge
L2-L3 there is another disc bulge and mild facet degenerative changes.
L4-L5 a mild central disc bulge
and at L5-S1 I have a right paracentral disc herniation.

So there is my answer. It wasn't all in my head. I'm going to have to quit my physical therapy on my hamstring now because several of the exercises I was doing do not sit well with back problems.
At least I have an answer and can learn to deal with it. I will try to be more careful lifting etc.
It won't get in the way of my exercises and outdoor things I love to do. Thats for sure!!
If any of you have had back pain you know how it can get you down. I sit on my butt for 12 hrs a day at work so I know that doesn't help at all. I'm always having to get up and walk around and bend over to stretch. (maybe i'll get my doctor to sign me a note saying I can't work for a month!!) hahah..

7 comments:

Shana said...

Yeah! Finally a blog! :) Well, I am sorry about your back. So there is nothing they can do? Just told you to be more careful?? crazy. Get a note! ;) LOL Glad you found out and sad the kids are missing your oompapamou mou! !HEHE

Jessi said...

From watching my dad I know how debilitating back pain can be. I hope yours gets feeling better soon!

Kami Hall said...

That doesn't sound like fun. I hope you get feeling better! I get back pain sometimes too, I wonder if I need to get checked?

Michelle Pyne said...

Ouch! Mel will have to tell you about the "Joe Montana" exercises he did for disc problems like yours. (Joe Montana also had disc problems - you are in good company.) I hope you get the pain under control!

Brynn said...

Ouch I can feel your pain. I suffer from lower back pain and there is nothing worse. I'm glad you got some answers. It's annoying to have a sore back all the time and not know what it's from. I hope you get feeling better soon. Be careful and go to your physical therapy. You should get massages regularly too. If I was there I would do it for you!!! Love you

Elaine said...

Oh my Gosh!!! No wonder you're hurting. You need one of those traction beds to relieve the disk bulge. I'm sorry....

Unknown said...

Hi Chris,

I have a friend who is a Chiropractor and he has this machine he puts people on that relieves and heals these types of things. I don't know a lot about it but I know that people have had great success. My grandma has some deteriorating discs and she is going to go to him. Maybe you could find a chiropractor up there or you could call the willowbend Chiropractic here in St. george just to ask them about it. Just some info for what it's worth. It's not fun to be in pain. Good luck!