Author Topic: Update on my back. (Read 2589 times)

powderman · « **on:** January 03, 2013, 07:11:06 PM »

As most of you know, I have 4 bulged discs partly out of socket pressing on the sciatic nerve. It's been 6 or 7 wks now.
I'm doing much better. I walk every day with a crutch and have been cutting way back on the percocet. Only had 2 today, one this morning and 1 tonite. I took ibuprofen through the day and did very well. A week ago I made myself miserable. I felt so good taking 4 percs a day that I walked without the crutch four or 5 days and really set myself back.
Today at goodwill I found a set of crutches made for my height, I'll donate the other shorter pair to our local clothes closet. There they will be GIVEN to somebody, not sold.
Three weeks ago I was taking 6 percs a day and needing them. I haven't taken more than 4 a day for several weeks and just 3 a day for the past several days, 2 today like I said. A couple nights ago I had to sleep sitting up on the couch for a few hours but ok since then. Cannot sleep on my back or left side, only my rt, the side that hurts. I have a terrible time getting to sleep. I can be dead tired and my mind will just not close down. I took a benadryl the other nite and it helped a bit. It's 1:00 am and Im wide awake. I'll lay down in a bit and try to sleep. Prayers appreciated and still needed. POWDERMAN.

bigMikeA · « **Reply #1 on:** January 03, 2013, 07:55:50 PM »

Hang in there my friend. Will continue praying for you and your family.

powderman · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2013, 05:28:11 PM »

I decided this morning that I didn't need a percocet so took ibuprofen instead. This afternoon I was hurting but said to myself, this aint so bad, more ibuprofen. I was tickled to death when 6 oclock came around cause I was miserable. Just took another one, I reckon I'm just a bit anxious to get off the perc. I'll take one in the morning and see how the rest of the day goes. God is good. POWDERMAN.

thumper113 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2013, 10:51:51 PM »

Our prayers are with you my friend.

wncchester · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2013, 10:01:49 AM »

Prayers appreciated and still needed. POWDERMAN.

You got 'em buddy; that's bad! I knew something was wrong but had never picked up on what. I've had similar but not nearly as bad as you. DON'T get behind the curve with precs, it's too hard to get caught up so take 'em and just go to sleep. I 'bout live in my recliner when I have to, sure can't lie flat.

powderman · « **Reply #5 on:** January 15, 2013, 08:52:31 PM »

Yeah I know it's late, can't sleep. Not from pain just can't turn my mind off. It's been 2 mo or more now and I'm still using a crutch, dr said if I didn't use it he'd tie it to me. If I'm not healed in another week or so he wants me to go back to the spclst and get the shots in my spine.
I'm much better and I walk every day, I'm telling ya that a crutch and mole runs don't mix well. I've taken ibuprofen all day til about 1130 and took a percocet. For the life of me I can't understand why these druggies pay such big bucks for percocet and some of the other pain killers. All it does for me is help with the pain.

I've been having trouble sleeping for quite a while. I've tried to stay up all day hoping to be able to sleep at night but even that doesn't help. Sun night I took a perc about 11 pm then nursed a 1/2 pint of Kessler til midnight. It helped me relax and I got the 1st good nights sleep in quite a while. I will NOT make a habit of that.

I took a 1/2 sleeping pill 2 nights in a row recomended by my dr and I slept but I was so tired the next day all I wanted to do was sleep, I quit taking them. Patty has been my Angel through all this. I thank God every day for her and she hasn't been well either. I'm going to look around on the net for another 45 min then I can take some ibuprofen and maybe be able to sleep. Thanks for the prayers guys, I really do need them. Charlie. Sad

BUGEYE · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2013, 11:10:23 PM »

Quote from: powderman on January 15, 2013, 08:52:31 PM

I'm telling ya that a crutch and mole runs don't mix well.

I can see how that wouldn't work out. I had to grin a little. I'm not being cruel, I've been crippled for some time and my wife and I found that if we laugh at the less serious happenings, we both feel better. your condition won't get better without surgery. the shots are temporary and sometimes make you feel good enough to chop firewood and that's a mistake. no matter how good the shots make you feel, you still have to be very careful in your movements.
I feel your pain and I'm still praying for you.

about that mole run, my wife would have said to me "there's better ways to kill moles"

powderman · « **Reply #7 on:** January 16, 2013, 02:51:14 PM »

Quote

your condition won't get better without surgery. the shots are temporary and sometimes make you feel good enough to chop firewood and that's a mistake.

BUGEYE. They didn't tell me that. I took a pain pill about 11am and just ibuprofen since. I'll take another tonight before bed. I laid down about an hr, I got incredibly tired, believe that is my heart though. I took a good walk today again without the crutch. Doc said to use it or he'd tie it to me, I didn't want another run in with the mole raceway. Hard to believe they are still active, but they have been with the mild temps. Thanks for the prayers my friend. POWDERMAN.

hillbill · « **Reply #8 on:** January 16, 2013, 03:07:02 PM »

Quote from: powderman on January 03, 2013, 07:11:06 PM

As most of you know, I have 4 bulged discs partly out of socket pressing on the sciatic nerve. It's been 6 or 7 wks now.
I'm doing much better. I walk every day with a crutch and have been cutting way back on the percocet. Only had 2 today, one this morning and 1 tonite. I took ibuprofen through the day and did very well. A week ago I made myself miserable. I felt so good taking 4 percs a day that I walked without the crutch four or 5 days and really set myself back.
Today at goodwill I found a set of crutches made for my height, I'll donate the other shorter pair to our local clothes closet. There they will be GIVEN to somebody, not sold.
Three weeks ago I was taking 6 percs a day and needing them. I haven't taken more than 4 a day for several weeks and just 3 a day for the past several days, 2 today like I said. A couple nights ago I had to sleep sitting up on the couch for a few hours but ok since then. Cannot sleep on my back or left side, only my rt, the side that hurts. I have a terrible time getting to sleep. I can be dead tired and my mind will just not close down. I took a benadryl the other nite and it helped a bit. It's 1:00 am and Im wide awake. I'll lay down in a bit and try to sleep. Prayers appreciated and still needed. POWDERMAN.
my back is a mess and my doc dont seem to care.ive lived my whole life lifting heavy stuff and doin hard werk.

i was in pain daily until my brother turned me on to his iversion table.3 days later im almost pain free.sumpin to try?

[/quotemy back is a mess and my doc don t

hillbill · « **Reply #9 on:** January 16, 2013, 03:17:23 PM »

your mind not closeing down is jus a symptom of sumone who is not lazy.it is a very hard thing to avoid. yu are alwasy looking for sumpin to do.you know what needs to be done and want to do it.just relax, it will get done.and if it doesnt so wat?

BUGEYE · « **Reply #10 on:** January 16, 2013, 03:31:48 PM »

PM, when I said the shots were temporary it was kinda misleading. They can be good for months, but you have to do your part. Don't try to drag anything out of the woods heavier than a squirrel.
When you need to pick up something from the floor, use your other arm to support some of your weight on a chair or something.
If you get your shots and feel good, don't put on a chubby checker record and start doing the twist.
You have to change your lifestyle a little.

powderman · « **Reply #11 on:** January 21, 2013, 05:24:37 PM »

I have a dr appt in the morning. A week ago Sun I was prayed over with 2 others. Within 2 days the pain in my legs had pretty well stopped but my back still hurt. I haven't taken more than 1 percocet a day all week. In the morning I hurt quite a bit, so I put the heating pad on my back and take a perc. The rest of the day nothing but ibuprofen. At night I take 2 ibuprofen and 1 xtra str tylenol, yeah I know, not exactly drs orders but it works for me.

I'm going to ask him for another scan to see exactly what is going on. I walk every day without the crutch. I walked close to 3/4 mile the other day and felt good. It was so cold today I had trouble breathing outside so only about 4-500 yds today. Thanks for the prayers guys, they are working. My sinuses are so bad my teeth hurt, I'm sure I'll get some antibiotics tomorrow too. Isn't God great?? POWDERMAN.

rio grande · « **Reply #12 on:** January 22, 2013, 06:09:05 AM »

Very sad to hear you are hurting.

Be assured of my prayers for your relief from pain, your health, and your happiness.

Bugflipper · « **Reply #13 on:** January 22, 2013, 07:18:28 AM »

Hope you get it whooped pretty quick PM. Don't be afraid to get second opinions from other specialists. The old way it to fuse the discs together and give shots to block the nerves. They aren't solving the problem in a lot of cases. The nerve is still rubbing. The new way is to cut a relief so the nerve doesn't rub anymore. Of coarse everyone is different. Maybe the inflammation is causing the nerve to rub? Maybe the misalignment? Maybe just the deterioration? But regardless your doc needs a clear plan set out that you understand. To many folks get surgeries that don't solve their problem. If you have to have one it's better to have it work instead of being in the same shape after 2 or 3 later.
Best luck to you.

powderman · « **Reply #14 on:** January 22, 2013, 02:12:41 PM »

The doc said no scan was necessary and that he is well pleased at my progress. I left my crutch at home today, didn't need it. My worst pain is in the morning when I get up. By then it will have been at least 8-9 hours since I've had any meds and I'm really hurting. I put the heating pad on my back and take a percocet. I've tried just ibuprofen in the morning but it does not do the job. Doc was very pleased at 1 perc a day. My pain is minimal compared to what it has been and mainly in my back, so it's apparent the nerve is not being pinched as it was. I appreciate the prayers guys, I've sure needed them the past 2 1/2 mo. POWDERMAN.

KansasPaul · « **Reply #15 on:** January 22, 2013, 02:38:23 PM »

Sorry to hear that you are suffering with sciatica - it's a horrible illness. Like you, I too have back issues. I have a herniated disc at L5 that was diagnosed in 2010. I had sciatica that lasted for 8-9 months. I tried the doctor and drug route but it really didn't do much for me. My relief came from stretching, exercise and an inversion table. I have been mostly pain free up until about 5 weeks ago when the sciatica returned - not sure what has caused it. I'm again stretching several times a day, I hang inverted (well, at 60 degrees) and walk as often as I can. Like you, mornings are rough but within about 30 minutes of movement I begin to get some relief as my muscles loosen. I will add that in 2010 I had injections in my back but they really didn't help. Folks praying, my stretching routine and movement seemed to be the most helpful.

I am praying that you will receive some relief and that you will be healed.

Blessings

Paul

mechanic · « **Reply #16 on:** January 22, 2013, 03:10:02 PM »

You need some muscle relaxers to take at night. When you try to relax, the muscles "knot" up from the pain they've been experiencing......that is unless you have serious heart problems.

Ask your Doc, the flexeril is not expensive, and is a Godsend.

Ben

powderman · « **Reply #17 on:** January 23, 2013, 06:31:07 AM »

PAUL. I'm sorry you are hurting too. I felt so good yesterday not using a crutch I think I overdid it a bit. Walking was fine but I did a bit of stooping bending and a bit of lifting. About 5 am I was hurting but didn't take any meds til 8 am. Prayer sent my friend.
I had posted before about not being able to sleep. Oddly enough since I quit the percocet at night and now take 2 ibuprofen and 1 tylenol I don't have much trouble sleeping anymore, I thought the perc was supposed to knock me out.

BEN. I no longer have much pain at night, but I do wake up in the morning hurting. I had 5 bypasses in 2003 and have an enlarged heart so I'm pretty careful what I take, I don't think I need the muscle relaxers, in fact I asked about them and the dr said he'd rather I not take them. Thanks for the prayers guys, thats what keeps me going. Charlie.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #18 on:** January 23, 2013, 06:47:49 AM »

Quote from: mechanic on January 22, 2013, 03:10:02 PM

Ask your Doc, the flexeril is not expensive, and is a Godsend.

Ben

That's true. one or two at bedtime and you sleep like a baby.

Powderman, confound it, when you get to feeling better, don't start doing the jitterbug.
you have to change your lifestyle. that may mean using a cane. I use one and it's handy for using my arms for getting up and down instead of straining my back. it's no different than having a walking staff when hiking or hunting.
Am I gonna have to come up there and there and show you some tricks for old folks??

powderman · « **Reply #19 on:** January 23, 2013, 04:40:58 PM »

BUGEYE. I reckon I had a junior moment yesterday. I've behaved today though, had a good walk and no real pain since this morning. POWDERMAN.

nw_hunter · « **Reply #20 on:** January 29, 2013, 07:08:42 PM »

Quote from: powderman on January 23, 2013, 04:40:58 PM

BUGEYE. I reckon I had a junior moment yesterday. I've behaved today though, had a good walk and no real pain since this morning. POWDERMAN.

Prayers for you PM! I'll tell ya! This getting old is not for the timid

I know the pain you suffer, because I've suffered from sciatica for a long time now.I keep it in check, but it's always with me. I've lost a lot of feeling in my feet because of it, and pretty much have to live on pain meds.Had a knee blow out last month, and had a MRI this morning. The Dr called this evening, and said he's setting up an appointment with a specialist to see about knee surgery. Lots of Arthritis in the joint and a tear. Save some of that Kesslers for me lol! Get well and God Bless!

powderman · « **Reply #21 on:** January 31, 2013, 05:54:31 PM »

HUNTER. All prayers appreciated, and needed. The long ride to ILL and back didn't hurt me as bad as I expected. I woke up hurting again this morning but decided that I was NOT taking a percocet this morning and didn't. Nothing but ibuprofen from now on, knock on wood. Had a good walk today but like to froze out there, that wind was raw. I've been getting much better after being prayed over 2 weeks ago. I'll gladly add you to my rather lengthly prayer list. POWDERMAN.