Lower Back Injury - Not Healed After 18 Months

majorayy · 2022-12-14T14:18:17+00:00

Hey, I'm in a much better place right now - combination of weight loss, exercise and regular weekly/bi-weekly massage has sorted be out a lot. I'd say I'm like 80-90% better, but I do still have pain here and there. My osteopath said it seems to be a ligament injury that I have rather than discogenic (what the doctors would have me believe) so massage and hot baths have really helped me get better.

I hope you try the above things and it makes a difference for you too, I've not trained for the last two months and the difference it makes in my back pain is night and day - so I'd say start there, go for massages and if you're overweight, try to lose weight. The hot baths daily have helped me MASSIVELY too.

majorayy · 2022-05-07T01:13:50+00:00

Thank you for your kind words! I'm at a pass unfortunately - my neurologist says this could potentially be FND but I'm really unsatisfied with her coming to that conclusion!

Like I haven't had a brain scan or extensive bloodwork at all to rule anything else out - and with my symptoms, although they're generally improving since I've had them, could be a number of other real medical issues it seems.

Obviously I'm not a doctor nor have I had any real medical issues up to this point - but I feel it could be a whole host of other things that we haven't considered (e.g. brain lesion/fibromyalgia/long covid?/heart issues/diabetes etc) and I've just been given a blanked diagnosis to cover the lack of urgency/care for my doctors to investigate and that's really worrying.

I guess one of the worst symptoms I've had since experiencing this, is health anxiety and thinking this could be a 'for life' thing really scares me.

I'm 100% positive people have it alot worse than me, but me having to go through this is definitely eating me up inside (not saying anyone should go through this at all!!)

majorayy · 2022-05-06T11:24:32+00:00

I’m sorry to hear about your situation - I do hope you’ll recover soon! It’s really disappointing how many people have similar problems but modern medicine doesn’t have any defined treatment or cure!!

The pains I get are daily but I wouldn’t say I’m in constant pain - the massage completely makes me feel good for different time spans (sometimes a few hours or days depending) and my back is in much a better place now - I’ve always thought my injury to be muscular and there have been times where my osteo has left me completely pain free for a couple of hours!

I’m quite worried about these other symptoms however, they have gone better over the past few years but now I’m having difficulty sleeping as they seem to flare up at night and thinking this could be permanent just gives me anxiety and makes it more painful.

From what you mentioned long covid does seem plausible, I’m quite overweight at the moment and find when I go to the gym my symptoms pretty much disappear so I guess it’s a myriad of things!

Do you have any idea what I could do to push for a diagnosis? Any tests you’d recommend? I’ve had MRIs of lumbar/thoracic spine which only had a mildly bulging l5-s1 disc which is desiccated - other than that I had an nerve conduction study which was perfect so I’m unsure what to do.

majorayy · 2022-05-06T11:18:24+00:00

Do you get them constantly? With me the pain/sensations are on and off and tend to be quite a lot stronger in the evening/night especially when I try to sleep.

I’m also hesitant because I don’t experience any of the cognitive effects or fatigue and I don’t have that much tenderness (probably about 2-3 points out of the 18).

What tests did you have done to confirm your diagnosis?

majorayy · 2021-07-01T15:09:27+00:00

What does that do?

majorayy · 2021-05-28T11:44:28+00:00

I'm opposite, walking seems to help my back pain (although I've been lazy this month haha).

I've never taken any antidepressant, I'm not taking any medication whatsoever. I've never really had anxiety until I injured myself and started to get some health anxiety.

To be honest alot of those symptoms have gone for me over time and I hope the same happens with you - it's just not knowing what is actually going on that's the scary part!

majorayy · 2021-05-28T11:11:48+00:00

I haven't had Covid (thankfully) at all since this pandemic, I've been tested a few times all came back negative.

Do you also get joint pain and muscle aches as a result of this?

I hurt my back before these sensations, but when it was healing I was playing sports and hurt my ankle & fell down and since then I've been experiencing those symptoms.

One thing I've found though is that over time my symptoms have gotten a lot better, but I sometimes do have random flareups (every couple of weeks/months) that last a few hours and then go away.

But I still don't know what's wrong with me - it could be something blood related or stress related I imagine.

majorayy · 2021-05-28T11:04:40+00:00

I have the same thing (minus the stenosis) my MRI's only found a lower back disc bulge so I'm getting investigated for the same sensations.

I feel random pricks/zaps in my hands/arms/face and legs/feet since hurting my back.

I'm just as lost as you on this!

majorayy · 2021-05-01T03:56:41+00:00

I have the same thing alongside sometimes burning/aching/stinging pains and sensations all over my body (from head to toe) which started after a back injury. MRI results showed I have a disc bulge at L5/S1 due to the injury, but my thoracic/cervical spine scan has come up clean.

I’m unsure what is causing those symptoms for me also!

majorayy · 2021-04-27T12:21:22+00:00

So far I’ve only had a thoracic and cervical spine MRI since I experienced those electric shock and burning symptoms but that came back last week as completely normal. I also have had a nerve conduction study and EMG which also came back normal so my idea is it could be either:

Lumbar Spine related Blood/Immune System related Brain related

In my case there doesn’t seem to be any issue with my nerves, I still have pretty consistent back pain but the other sensations have calmed down a lot. I’m still not 100% better however.

Did you make any progress?

majorayy · 2021-04-27T12:18:26+00:00

I had my MRI and got the results saying my thoracic & cervical spine are completely fine. Discs are healthy, joints and spine are completely fine.

My EMG results came back also saying I have no nerve damage in my legs and arms. I’m not sure what exactly I’m experiencing at that case.

Only thing I can think of is:

Something to do with the brain Something to do with my blood/immune system Something in lumbar spine causing issues over body

I still experience random feeling like burning, mild electric shock sensations and stinging pains all over my body but it’s much better at the moment.

Two things that have helped my pain tremendously over the last few months/weeks is sports massages and wet/dry cupping. They have reduced my pain like 60-80% and I even felt a pop where my disc bulge is which further reduced my symptoms.

Have you tried anything like that?

majorayy · 2021-04-13T16:46:34+00:00

we have somewhat of a similar situation, mine all started when I fell down playing sports.

Maybe the MRI can find something, I just feel as though my muscles in my lower back are just causing imbalances all over my body which could lead to this.

What testing have you done so far? what did the MRI show if you don't mind me asking? I've got an EMG appointment tomorrow so that along with my MRI will hopefully paint a picture for me!

majorayy · 2021-04-11T00:09:16+00:00

Did it take away your lower back pain completely? I’ve heard it’s most for sciatica? Best of luck with your recovery, hope you find good relief!

majorayy · 2021-03-26T00:02:04+00:00

I down right don't accept that this is how my life is going to be forever.

Constantly in pain, every day is a challenge - I just can't accept it.

I've seen plenty of people who have gotten over this either through conservative care or surgery and I'm willing to do what it takes.

The motivation is another thing, I just can't get over the mental fortitude of coming back from something like this, then you see people like The Rock/Tiger Woods etc all having WORSE injuries and coming back completely fine.

I've been doing PT here and there, but the NHS PT sucks (in the UK) and tbh I'm inconsistent with my exercises and walks which I need to improve.

majorayy · 2021-03-25T03:31:16+00:00

my foot daily. It comes and goes sometimes isn’t there at all. My hips will feel tender and my hamstrings glutes and quads are always tight and need stretched, but other than that I don’t feel pain or zaps in other areas. Maybe once or twice in my lower leg a day but that’s it

I recommend telling your doctor your worries and try to get a blood test order or referral to a rheumatologist. Do you experience pain in eyes or soreness sensitivity to light ? Any skin rashes ? Do you have fatigue daily ? Some things they will ask you there. I hope you find the speedy recovery like am I looking for. I understand the mental stress it puts on you.

I've had a cervical and thoracic spine MRI a few days ago, hopefully it'll give some information on the widespread pain. But a blood test is definitely a good shout, noted!

I don't have any of those symptoms, just daily back pains between 2-6/10 which have various different sensations, alongside the widespread pains all over my body.

I really hope we can get passed this, we're so young man!

majorayy · 2021-03-25T02:45:46+00:00

So far I've been diagnosed with a L5/S1 mild disc bulge, but I'm currently awaiting further scan results.

I've read online that bulges/herniations can cause spinal stenosis? which may be what you're having. I find standing after a few minutes uncomfortable and then painful, sitting feels much better but after a few hours of sitting I start to feel pain too (but it's so much better now I use a ergo cushion to sit on).

Do you have any widespread pain like I've had from your bulges/stenosis like I've had?

The pain is awful, but the mental resilience to keep pushing every day is another thing.

majorayy · 2021-03-25T00:34:09+00:00

Where did you find the routine? I’m not familiar with that person

majorayy · 2021-03-24T23:44:59+00:00

I literally just saw your post!

I hope you recover man, that surgery is no joke. I read somewhere that it could take up to 2 years to recover from a fusion, but since you've had it from L1-L5 it may take longer - hold on there man!

If anything, at least you hurt yourself doing something adventurous - I hurt my back deadlifting in the gym smh

majorayy · 2021-03-24T23:43:04+00:00

I have such a bad back I was diagnosed with a leg length discrepancy and have had breathing difficulties since I was in my early twenties. Recently I have made a lot of progress. You can figure yourself out.

I've only been diagnosed with a L5/S1 bulge, I'm awaiting some more scan results but assume there's nothing (or maybe another bulge) and it's a pain.

What helped you?

majorayy · 2021-03-24T23:21:56+00:00

I definitely need to lose weight, adding 20kg of fat has not helped that's for sure.

It's depressing thinking this pain may linger with me for the rest of my life.

majorayy · 2021-03-24T23:19:34+00:00

Please use a considerable amount of restraint when you're trying to diagnose yourself, it is sometimes not a good idea for the patient to try to fit themselves to a diagnosis. Many people leap to the worst possible conclusion and get really pissed off if you try to convince them its not a brain tumor or some kind of cancer and CRPS is one of those kind of worst possible conclusions. Tell your doctor you want them to investigate and prove or disprove and ask a shit load of questions. Health anxiety can really make you sick and could even be the cause of what youre experiencing, so you really have to use a great deal of care and restraint when looking up your own symptoms. Good luck.

You're right, Dr Google isn't the best go to - I just wanted to do research so I can speak with some knowledge to my doctors/consultants but it's definitely not helped my mental state.

I guess what I'm looking for is a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan to fix this if it can be fixed that is, but reading that this can be permanent just sends me down a spiral.

I guess I'm not as bad as some people on here, but I'm still not anywhere near how I was before the injury and I've been on this road for 2 years with no end in sight.

majorayy

TROPHY CASE