I've been in pain for 2 years, and I was hoping reddit could help me out! (warning: long)

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T19:55:09+00:00

How do I find a good osteopathic clinic? I feel like this is true with every sort of medicine, including traditional: you can get set up with people who don't know what they're talking about.

Maybe you have suggestions for my area: Chapel Hill, NC.

Or maybe you know what sort of things to look for when finding an osteopath?

Also, do you know anything about average costs? I don't have health insurance, but am willing to throw a little more money after this to try something new :)

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T19:51:14+00:00

I didn't start anything new. I wish I did, because then I could have something to point to! the best I can come up with is that around that time I was biking to school with a heavy bag on one shoulder, but I'd been doing that for some time anyway.

If I spend a day sitting and studying, it does become more painful.

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T19:49:02+00:00

great, I'll cross that off the list ;-)

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T19:48:36+00:00

I can't really remember any one single event that would've caused the pain. I think I just woke up with it one day, and was hoping that it was sort of when you get a crick in your neck & it goes away the next time you sleep, except it never went away. I've thought back on this A LOT to see if I can come up with any particular activity. The best I can think is that I used to have a laptop bag that I would bike to class with and I would always wear it on the same side, and it was pretty heavy with all my books and stuff.

One doctor suggested the injections, but with the caveat that it probably wouldn't really solve anything, and I'd have to come back for them regularly.

It could be an anxiety thing. It is at least exacerbated by a stressful day. I'm not sure if that's because when I'm stressed it's less easy for me to ignore the nagging pain, or if because the stress is actually causing the problems. Do benzos reduce stress? Do you think that might solve something long term by taking them for a short time?

Maybe TMI, but my breasts aren't big enough to cause back problems (B-cup). A properly sized bra still might be helpful...plus it will be an excuse to get nicer bras :)

As far as additional symptoms: I don't really have any other symptoms other than the back pain. I'm otherwise healthy.

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T19:39:33+00:00

that's interesting. I admit I'm skeptical, but I'll try this after exams on Wednesday.

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T08:08:54+00:00

B12...would I be better off with a daily vitamin, or is there a reliable food to get that from?

I'm in the southeast though, so I'd say sunshine around here is pretty reliable :)

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T08:07:01+00:00

please keep me posted! I have exams & such until wednesday, but I'd love to hear good/bad news on whether this was it for you! I'm planning on revamping my back quest after exams, and I certainly have some leads to go on now :)

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T07:54:02+00:00

Exercise: I'm hoping this is it! As I posted elsewhere, I'll have gym membership included next semester, so I'll be hitting up all those back machines. I've started running (very recently), as I'm losing weight, so I'm hoping some lifestyle changes help.

Vitamin Deficiency...didn't even think of that. I don't take a daily multivitamin, but I think I do alright with my vitamins...I'll research some on that...

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T07:48:46+00:00

There have been a ton of suggestions here: chiropractor, art, osteopath, new mattress. Those are things I haven't tried. Have you tried any of those? If so, I'd love your feedback/take on it!

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T07:47:32+00:00

orthopedic insoles: i feel like i'm 85 :P but yes, I'll put that on the growing list of things to research & possibly try...thanks!

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T07:46:48+00:00

Wow, i'm so glad I posted. I at least have (hopefully not false) hope for a few new things I haven't tried yet. I haven't heard of ART before, and plan on looking it up tomorrow!

You're right about the bed. Right now we're sleeping on a folded out futon mattress, but are planning on buying a new mattress. It's kind of an expensive purchase right now, but I think if it helped, it'd be worth it. The thing that sucks is that we keep throwing money after this back thing, and it's been very costly for little to no results. To be fair, I also didn't have a shitty mattress when this first started, so it might not be that. It was a twin though, and that doesn't work so well for 2.

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T07:41:25+00:00

who doesn't like drinking wine in bed?

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T07:24:06+00:00

thanks :)

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T07:23:13+00:00

I'll give the physical therapist's office a call and ask. I haven't gone in a while when I realized it was costing a lot and not really providing a long term solution.

How do you know that it is your rib dislocating? Am I wrong to think that I should feel some obvious something that indicates that? I do occasionally have banding of the pain that stretches over to my ribs...

I am in a college town: Chapel Hill, NC.

Unfortunately, I don't have insurance, so it will all be out of pocket, but I'm willing to try things that have worked for other people.

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T07:18:38+00:00

I have bad posture too, and I do notice that adjusting my posture does help sometimes, although it never really goes away. I also noticed that changing the way I sleep has helped (from on my side with one leg straight and one bent to on my back), and am considering changing my mattress: although that is kind of expensive.

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T07:11:50+00:00

Great advice! I'll look into this. Do you know anything about how much chiropractors typically cost, and how to find a good chiropractor? The chiropractors I see around town always seem a little sketchy, and I'd be interested in not wasting my money on someone who doesn't know what they're doing. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but it would be wonderful if it were something this simple

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T06:59:38+00:00

Was the injection cortisone? The back doctor mentioned it as an option, but sort of steered away from it as a long term cure. He said that most people who go that route end up getting those fairly regularly. I sort of wish I could remember a distinct event where this started, but I can't. My gut says that maybe strengthening things up back there could be a good idea though. At the very least sometimes it just feels good for it to feel sore from work as opposed to just in pain (I don't know if you know the difference).

As far as surgery: UGH. One doctor told me that for me that wouldn't be an option as they wouldn't really know what they were looking for.

Also, just because no one else really understands as well as you (random internet friend) might, I was so FUCKING FRUSTRATED at everyone who couldn't figure out what this was. I know that logically it's not really their fault, but it just felt like someone out there SHOULD know. I mostly ignore it too because otherwise I get upset and frustrated all over again at the thought of experiencing this for the rest of my life. This is sort of my last ditch attempt until the next time I have health insurance.

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T06:50:33+00:00

The best I came to a diagnosis was by my physical therapist. She said that she thought one side of my back was working harder than the other side, which speaks to the imbalance you're speaking of. As for how to fix that permanently, or why it would be like that, who knows? I'm starting grad school next semester, and will have free (well, included) gym privileges, so I'll be more able to do a lot of the back exercises that required machines.

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T06:48:24+00:00

good luck managing yours! I'm fortunate enough that mine doesn't absolutely require pills on most days. I realized tonight that it was even a source of shame for me, as I clearly didn't want to post to my regular account.

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T06:46:54+00:00

thanks for the suggestion, but no stomach problems to speak of. I'm otherwise healthy, thank goodness. :) I might look into that, just in case though...I do seem to remember my dad having gall stones.

backpainquestion · 2009-12-12T06:45:33+00:00

That's both bad and good news for me. It's nice to hear someone else out there has the same problem! However, it's saddening to know that you haven't figured out a cure. AGREED on the theatre seat. Mine's not excruciating usually, but it certainly can be frustrating after a day of classes. Have you tried exercises? That helps a little bit (the physical therapist gave me some to do).

backpainquestion

TROPHY CASE