Chronic Pain Ireland - Discussion Forum: Lower Back Pain

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Chronic Pain Ireland - Discussion Forum : Rhizotomy

Topic: Lower Back Pain

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PatriciaB
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Newbie

Joined: 29 January 2010
Location: Ireland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3

Posted: 23 May 2010 at 1:57pm \| IP Logged

Hi All,

I am new to this site but not new to pain. I started having lower back pain mainly on the left hand side in my early 30's. I am now in my early 50's. Dont know why. Over the years it got worse. Had a major flare uo in 2006 which lasted 6 months. The neurosurgeon recommended an epidural. Had 3. No good. Then he referred me to a Pain Management consultant. At this stage 90% of my pain was on the right side of my abdomen. I could barely walk. The consultant gave me a block into the right abdominal area. It worked. He also put me on Lyrica.He also did some Facet Joint Blocks after that, roughly every 3 months until March 2008 Until 2009 I was managing ok. In May last year the pain returned in the abdominal area and also in the back. I tried to contact my pain Management Consultant. It took from May to the end of August to get to him. He did a Facet Joint Block to no avail. At that stage I had decided to change consultants to one that I could access quickly. He prescribed Versatis patches. They were magic. He recommended Radiofrequency Lesioning. It was a nightmare of a procedure. I was in agony afterwards. Now the patches gave no pain relief whatsoever. I was devastated. Two months later I was put on Steroids. They helped though my moonface was awful. 3 months later I had pulsed Radiofrequency Lesioning, a much gentler procedure. I had immediate relief in my back but the pain got much worse in the rigthside abdominal area. PRL there a week later was of little benefit. I struggled on. Tried to go to work every day. At Eastet I pulled at a very heavy object. Straigtht away my back erupted in violent pain. What a fool I was. PFL a few days later eased the severe throbbing. A nerve conduction indicated that a nerve on my righr hand side was not functioning properly. 2 weeks later a nerve block there did not work. Around this time I began to get chronic body chills, tremors and skakes. The consultant thought it was just a virus. I do not think so and believe it to be some form of abnormal activity in my nervous system. I now wear thermals, even in this heat. I now have awful pain on the right abdominal side. Severe pain in lower back sometimes in the tailbone area. I know that I will be forced to seek early retirement on disability soon if no relief is forthcoming. I am due to see the consulyant on Tuesday. He is a lovely man always accessable by phone and to meet with if necessary. Sorry for being so longwinded. But right now I feel that I can take no more. My friends are sick of me and I think that they think it is all up in my head. This past week I had scans, blood tests, X-Rays and ultrasound of every organ. So far all tests are clear.

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Patricia B

PrettyP
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Joined: 13 January 2010
Location: Ireland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 42

Posted: 24 May 2010 at 10:57pm \| IP Logged

Hi Patricia,

I'm relatively new to this forum too but since I found it I have been posting quite regulary. Here you can blow off steam, talk to people who understand what you're going through and generally get a bit of support. I'd be lost without it.

Like many others, I too have had many tests which all came back clear. The number of times an arrogant doctor looked at an x-ray or whatever and then looked at me with that look of suspicion. It's enough to make you go crazy. I've also had friends getting fed up with me but I've learned that those people aren't worth it.

I accept that it's difficult for people to understand but if they're your friend they should trust you and believe you and if they don't then you're better off without them. A number of years ago my best friend of 20 years got very annoyed with me because I told her I was in too much pain for her to come over for a chat. She got really annoyed and said something along the lines of "sometimes you just have to get on with it and stop moping around". I was so upset that I cried for days.

Eventually I sat down and wrote her a letter to try and explain what life was like for me. She was still annoyed when she got the letter saying she didn't have time for that sort of thing. A couple of days later she rang me and asked if we could meet. I was reluctant but I did it and we thrashed it out. I came to realise that even though she was my best friend I told her very little about what I could and couldn't do. All she ever heard from me was "no, I can't" without much of an explanation. We talked for hours, shed a few tears and sorted things out. That was 5 years ago and she is a different person ever since. She asks me do I need help, she comes to visit me when I'm stuck in the house and doesn't get offended if I ask her not to.

So anyway my point is that I now explain things to people and if they're still fed up after that, well then tough, I've enough stress in my life without dealing with other people's attitudes and I am better off without them.

Anyway now I'm rambling. I really hope you do get some relief somewhere soon.

__________________
Paula

Age 24 fell down stairs. Age 29 severe pain began. Age 31 spinal manipulation. Age 34 facet joint pain diagnosed. Age 35 trial facet joint injections. Age 36, 37, 38 & 39 rhizotomy

PatriciaB
Newbie
Newbie

Joined: 29 January 2010
Location: Ireland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3

Posted: 05 June 2010 at 2:41pm \| IP Logged

Hi Paula,

Thank you for your advise. I have reached the same conclusion. I now know the friends that are genuine and those that are not. I realised it last January when I needed someone to pick me up from hospital after a back procedure. I asked a friend. She said that she was playing golf that day and could not collect me. I was so hurt that a close friend would put golf on a dreary January day before helping a friend in need. Her husband died 2 years ago and I was there for her. Our friendship has not been the same since.

I am currently waiting for a bed in hospital. My doctor wants the chills and shakes that I am experiencing investigated. I am happy to go now as I am worried and anxious and tired of feeling unwell.

Patricia

I

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Patricia B

SandraB
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Joined: 08 April 2010
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Posts: 13

Posted: 06 June 2010 at 11:41pm \| IP Logged

to patrica and pretty p . im also new to this site i find it great when im down.we all understand each other.i was very indepentent did every thing for myself and always there for others.now hate to ask .i did ask for help from friends but they never understood. they talked about me behind my back realy hurtful things so i stopped that cant leave myself open again. you realy very carful who you trust.hope all goes well for you patrica b .be good to hear how you get on when you feel up to it.

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Sandra B

Stan
Senior Member

Joined: 08 October 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 343

Posted: 23 August 2010 at 5:15pm \| IP Logged

Hi you Guys,

Welcome, I know you Paula, I was in the heat when the rest of you found the site, but I hate to say welcome to people in dire straits, but as it's to friends I suppose it's OK.

As an aside, many years ago I discovered who were friends and who were acquaintances, both in Dublin and now here in Wexford. TG I have "Simply the Best" husband, and twice a week I have a home help. Otherwise I see nobody, I'm housebound.

Patricia you seem to be a bit like me, facet joint, dorsel joint blocks etcs, then the operation, it failed. I was reading about BONO IN sATURDAY'S Indo, his ligaments and spine, something like me but I dont have the money or the fame. Mind you I'm glad for him, cos I love the music, honest "Without or without You" just super plus !"ONE"

Ah an ould wan like me but music makes me happy, but it must be loud, very loud.

Not doing well lately that's why I go awol, it's just I'm n ot able, to-day is a bad day, but I'm in bed, ca't get out but as I'm on the go like everyone of us we overdo it.

Please keep in touch.

Only me, Noelen (Stan)

__________________
L5 Disc removed 1982, Failed surgery ; Cronic Lumber Pain : Musclular Skeletal Spasm : Neuropathetic Thigh Pain : Arthritis in both hips and knees.

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