Serious questions about lower back problems

[OH71RRunner]

This is a long post.

A little background to start with....
Last year in March started having pains in my back. Felt like pulled muscle. Kept getting worse. Finally got to where the pain was in my groin. Felt like my testicles were in a vice.
Turned it in at work. Doctor tried me on different pills. No luck, I kept getting side effects as I normally don't touch any type of pills. MRI in April showed bulging disc L4-L5 which is pinching a nerve. Referred me to neurosurgeon. Workers comp deemed it wasn't a work injury. Luckily I had Cigna, or so I thought.
Did physical therapy 3 times a week for most of the year. Finally saw a neurosurgeon in August. He basically said I have the back of 60 year old but didn't want to do surgery yet. I'm 37.
Cigna paid me for short term disability. When it was gonna switch to long term, they denied it. Appealed it. All the while I'm fighting Cigna, I'm still doing physical therapy and seeing pain management doctor. Had 2 ESI's (epidural steroid injection) in October/ November. No relief. After the second one, I couldn't walk for two days. Had to switch pain management doctor.
First of the year Cigna denies my appeal. They said pain is not a reason to be off of work. At this point I'm broke. All financial resources exhausted. So, I have two choices: we sell the car or I go back to work and deal with it. I've already sold a ton of stuff. So I go back to work.
New pain doctor decides to do MBB's (medial branch blocker). Again, nothing.
Another MRI last week shows my L4-L5 disc hasn't changed much. But now L5-S1 says "disc desiccation" and a measurement of 7mm where previous MRI showed 4mm measurement. Doctor says there's a change, but not enough to make a significant difference.
So, basically, my back is worse. Pain doctor says surgeon doesn't really want to do surgery on me because of my age. Going to do another ESI on Friday.
Doing some research, I found out that if I could've waited until April, I'd be eligible for disability because I would've been off of work for 12 consecutive months. I screwed that up by returning to work last month.
I'm in a really bad position right now. My regular doctor will pull me out of work anytime I want. He didn't want me returning to work in the first place, but knew we were out of money. The physical therapist, which I saw from April till December said it would be a mistake to return to work.
I'm not wanting to be on disability as I can make way more money working.
Anybody got any suggestions or ideas of what I should do or which way I should go? Anybody ran into anything similar? What did you do?

 

[dan juhasz]

37 is young but back surgery is not such a big deal anymore. What you describe suggests they would just nip the herniations and you would be set. My business partner delayed for years because of the fear of the surgery if something went wrong. He waited until he has some permanent nerve damage that left him with numbness in his toes.
Pain management is nonsense as are epidurals in my opinion. Your young get fixed up and get back to living.
Best of luck

 

[OH71RRunner]

37 is young but back surgery is not such a big deal anymore. What you describe suggests they would just nip the herniations and you would be set. My business partner delayed for years because of the fear of the surgery if something went wrong. He waited until he has some permanent nerve damage that left him with numbness in his toes.
Pain management is nonsense as are epidurals in my opinion. Your young get fixed up and get back to living.
Best of luck

I've been trying to push for surgery. Nothing else has helped. But I keep being told that I've got to go through steps for my insurance to approve a surgery. Right now, it's not showing severe enough in my MRI's. But the pinched nerve shows more and more problems to me when I do things.
If the ESI doesn't work Friday, the pain doctor should send me back to the surgeon for another evaluation.

 

[Rick62]

If the problem is pain without other nerve related issues look into this: radio frequency ablation. It's procedure by which they kill the nerves that transmit the pain signal. Not a cure for everyone or every condition but it did wonders for me. Not very invasive and not much risk.

 

[mopar 3 B]

You tried an inversion table yet?

 

[OH71RRunner]

If the problem is pain without other nerve related issues look into this: radio frequency ablation. It's procedure by which they kill the nerves that transmit the pain signal. Not a cure for everyone or every condition but it did wonders for me. Not very invasive and not much risk.

That's what the MBB's were supposed to be for. They injected me with numbing solution to see if ablation would be beneficial. The numbing did not work so they did not do the ablation.

You tried an inversion table yet?

Tried in physical therapy. It put too much pressure onto my spine and caused my back muscles to tighten and spasm.
Only tried the one time. This is also how they learned manual manipulation would only make things worse.

Apparently, my back muscles are severely protecting my spine and not loosening up enough to do anything. The physical therapist and my regular doctor were always in communication with each other.

 

[Bladecutter]

This is a long post.

A little background to start with....
Last year in March started having pains in my back. Felt like pulled muscle. Kept getting worse. Finally got to where the pain was in my groin. Felt like my testicles were in a vice.
Turned it in at work. Doctor tried me on different pills. No luck, I kept getting side effects as I normally don't touch any type of pills. MRI in April showed bulging disc L4-L5 which is pinching a nerve. Referred me to neurosurgeon. Workers comp deemed it wasn't a work injury. Luckily I had Cigna, or so I thought.
Did physical therapy 3 times a week for most of the year. Finally saw a neurosurgeon in August. He basically said I have the back of 60 year old but didn't want to do surgery yet. I'm 37.
Cigna paid me for short term disability. When it was gonna switch to long term, they denied it. Appealed it. All the while I'm fighting Cigna, I'm still doing physical therapy and seeing pain management doctor. Had 2 ESI's (epidural steroid injection) in October/ November. No relief. After the second one, I couldn't walk for two days. Had to switch pain management doctor.
First of the year Cigna denies my appeal. They said pain is not a reason to be off of work. At this point I'm broke. All financial resources exhausted. So, I have two choices: we sell the car or I go back to work and deal with it. I've already sold a ton of stuff. So I go back to work.
New pain doctor decides to do MBB's (medial branch blocker). Again, nothing.
Another MRI last week shows my L4-L5 disc hasn't changed much. But now L5-S1 says "disc desiccation" and a measurement of 7mm where previous MRI showed 4mm measurement. Doctor says there's a change, but not enough to make a significant difference.
So, basically, my back is worse. Pain doctor says surgeon doesn't really want to do surgery on me because of my age. Going to do another ESI on Friday.
Doing some research, I found out that if I could've waited until April, I'd be eligible for disability because I would've been off of work for 12 consecutive months. I screwed that up by returning to work last month.
I'm in a really bad position right now. My regular doctor will pull me out of work anytime I want. He didn't want me returning to work in the first place, but knew we were out of money. The physical therapist, which I saw from April till December said it would be a mistake to return to work.
I'm not wanting to be on disability as I can make way more money working.
Anybody got any suggestions or ideas of what I should do or which way I should go? Anybody ran into anything similar? What did you do?

Back pain is what led me to discovering i have cancer....my L-5 is one of the problem areas. Tumor pinching the cord. Best of luck to You OH71.

 

[OH71RRunner]

Back pain is what led me to discovering i have cancer....my L-5 is one of the problem areas. Tumor pinching the cord. Best of luck to You OH71.

Sorry to hear thats how you found out. Hopefully it was found soon enough to get it taken care of. And, as always, prayers are to you and your family.
Luckily, so far, nothing other than bad discs have only been discovered. I'm worried about the nerve problems and potential long term damage. The more I continue to work, the more things are coming up.
For instance, it started with left leg and glute pain and issues; not fully able to control muscles. It's now slowly working it's way to the right side.
In all honesty, I could deal with the back pain and problems with walking. But it's the groin pain that's the major problem. Its about the equivalent of being kicked repeatedly in the balls.

 

[747mopar]

I'm in the same boat, same symptoms and also a herniated disc, bad enough a few times that I couldn't move. I'm surprised they're making such a big deal out of the surgery? Have you tried the Cleveland clinic? The surgery is pretty simple now days, they make a small incision and trim the herniated portion of the disc off then 8 weeks healing. The 8 weeks isn't like your bed ridden but no heavy lifting while the band reforms around the disc where they removed the bulge. Everybody I've talked to that's had it done says it's instant relief and would do it all over again. Inversion tables never helped me but staying very active has, it's painful to work threw but movement is all that has ever helped me. Avoid sitting anymore than possible, if you need to rest lay on your stomach but walk a lot. Still haven't had the surgery but feel 100% healthy. If you happen to work threw it it's important to know what not to do, any work that involves bending over for long periods of time , learn to lift with your legs, stop when you feel any discomfort, avoid anything that involves lounging around all day.... I feel for you cause it sucks!!!

 

[Bb70charger500]

Straight forward answer you f-ed.
Your in the same boat as me ,I'd say at this point I've been hear long enough I think I'm the cap. by now! I'm 29 now was 25 when I got hurt . I've been in this insurance mess for years now but I get an even better twist I'm to young for disability I'm told! My L3-s1 got all messed up in a car wreck worker comp involved was my work truck . After years of them draging there feet and I continued to be in pain and misery they put me back to work or I was fired ,I got hurt even worse after that . And it progressively got worse I had the s1 nerved pinched . I lost the use of my right leg basically if I put pressure on it I'd almost pass out from the pain . It was bad ,I was in a terrible spot between no money no work and horrible pain I almost ended it a few times but I kept going day by day figured I would get fixed soon . I finally got a injection ,it made life worse more pain ect. I got surgery a bit down the road wish I just shot my self ! I had little improvement . Workers comp said OK your fixed back to work .I said I couldn't doc said not yet they got on the doc with in two weeks he said go back to work but take it easy . I was a heavy equipment mechanic ha yeah easy my ***. I finally told comp I couldn't work because of the pain . They took me out and said work or else I got an attorney and sued them . I then was able to get a different doc that actually looked at me and couldn't believe how eyes what doc one did broke off and was laying on my cyatic nerve Every little movement hurt we found out why ! Well now it's on me and my insurance to pay for surgery they refuse to pay they said I need to do xyz before they approve it to show I really need it. Well basically if I got a nerve block and it was successful they said they would approve surgery. I said great let's go they said let's try therapy first for 8 months then if not better we will approve it ,my doc decided to pay for the nerve block out of his own pocket because he knew I was getting over this . Positive results I had no pain for 2 weeks now we're waiting on insurance to keep there word .we will see . I I could of done it all over I would say look into the laser surgery getting cut open like a pig isn't good . I'm extremely depressed all the time and if it wasn't for my mother being alive I probably would of ended this crap long ago . Get yourself a attorney to look at what's going on with you long term diss they get stuff done . Don't push your back trust me it's not good .
Things to try
tenz unit (elctro therapy)
Heat then stretchs
Nerve block it numbs your nerve basically locates the problem child.
Acupuncture I'm told it works I've never tried myself.
Wild turkey

I wish I had something nicer to say but I don't sugar coat stuff it's not good dude .
I sold just about everything when I first got hurt to keep a roof over my family and beans + hotdogs and Raman noodles in the house.
I'm getting towards the end I'm told surgery should be this year . I get another nerve block on Fri they are hopping it will last longer this time .
Stay positive s### will get better if I made it threw you can too. I bought cars off c.l. washed them and flipped them I made $3-400 profit here and there . Not alot but it kept me going I used to actually fix them then flip but if I see something that is cheap and I think I could make a bit more on it I'd go haggle it then flip it for more I know I hate those people too but you got to do what you got to do to survive! The ones I looked for is the ones where they need the car gone asap or they need the money asap there negotiable alot more .I was you the best . Keep on going you'll get fixed eventually .

I heard about the sound wave thing hell at this point if try anything .

 

[polywideblock]

did L3-L4 , L4-L5 and S1 all at the same time when I was 17 (worked in heavy industry ) stupidly took the payment ,5K was a lot of dough in 1980
they wanted to fuse my back but it was when the 60 minutes exposé come out so told them where to go . had a few months of physio and was taking pain meds for years, could see where it was going and quit . still have the "burning feet " ,phantom pain in thighs ,buttocks and occasionally a "fizzy "dick ( yeah its real interesting ,feels like a mobile phone on vibrate is in your pocket ) . we are adaptable ,you can learn to live with anything . sure my ex and kids used to call me a "cranky old bastard" but I'm med free that's what counts ,don't get hooked on pain meds that's the big killer
I found a job I could do and have been doing it for 27 years ,you can overcome anything if you have the right mindset

 

[73HEMI_RR_GTX]

Just for S&Gs have you had a PSA check done. I know you stated that you are 37 years young. But you stated that you had pain in your groin/testicles. Prostate Cancer can end up in the pelvic area causing lower back pain.
Most men don't get Prostate exams prior to 50.
just a thought.

 

[OH71RRunner]

So far, I've been available to avoid pain medication. I don't like pain pills. I am however on an anti-inflammatory and some mild muscle relaxers. I don't take them all the time - only at work or real bad days.
My doctor is on my side, but he's only a general practitioner. There's only so much he can do.
Sorry to hear that some of y'all have it worse but glad to hear some positives have come from things. I know things will eventually get better. One phrase I've always looked towards, "no matter how bad things get, it can always get worse." It makes me think about the positive things that I have and that I wake up every day. Life is about struggles for many people and keeps us humble and thankful for things that others don't have.

When I first saw the doctor, he asked me a million questions about the groin pain ruling out testicle, prostate, and something else but I forgot what the other thing was. The nerve(s) being compressed are the ones that go to groin, leg, back, and butt muscles. That's what I've been told anyways.

TENS unit didn't work. Neither did ultrasound therapy. Heat only makes it worse. Acupuncture was talked about but haven't done yet. No alcohol here, so Wild Turkey is out. Haha

Thank you all for sharing your stories with me about your personal ordeals with similar problems. We'll all get through and be better people because we overcame our struggles.

 

[73HEMI_RR_GTX]

OH71RRunner,
Glad they ruled out the Prostate. I was not trying to be morbid by suggesting Prostate Cancer. But that disease snuck up on me and I had no symptoms.

 

[GetX'd]

My wife is an RN and hurt her back. I forget which discs but the dr. Said her back doesn't match her age just as yours doesn't. We opted for minimally invasive surgery. There are doctors that specialize in that form on surgery. She couldn't even sit down hers hurt so bad. Did the surgery - basically like 747 above describes. She was up walking within a couple hours,of the surgery. It's been about a year now and she experiences no problems. She had severe pain all the way down to her foot to where she was getting nerve damage. We researched doctors that did that kind of surgery and a family friend who is a doctor referred us to the one we chose after seeing a couple. She took a couple of months off work on short time disability. But now life is back to normal. I would do some research in your area and look for a surgeon that can do that type of surgery. You're young and need to get your life back.

 

[Z-Man]

OH 71 Runner. Sad to read your story and all the others. I've had back spasms most of my life. The best thing for me is to keep moving no matter what. Just like what 747 mopar said. I've had it so bad that I could not get out of my truck after work. I'm thinking of accupuncture. Some say it works good. I hope you find your cure. Best wishes Z-man.

 

[cryplydog]

Oh 71, I am not going to bla-bla on my life struggles but I can give you some good advice and I don't know if you are 400lbs or 100lbs or in shape or not. you HAVE TO find one of these so called specialists that will REFUR you to a surgeon at a University Hospital or a Large hospital in a Large town, only see a surgeon that specializes in this kind of procedure because that's all that they do all day every day. Do not let these idiot savants waste any more of your life. I finally demanded a refural and had surgery. You can get this done but you might have to get a little nasty. Good luck. I also have been using a inversion table/rack for 35 years and they are a godsend. Every body that I know locally in this condition likes the Teeters Hangup Inversion rack. Oh yeah, they have cut the **** outta me 3 times and I more than likely will have another one if I last long enough.

 

[Dennis H]

Lifetime of back trouble. L-1 and L-2 messed up. Have a pretty physically soft job so I can contnue to work. Try to go as long as possible between re-injury. The epidural really works for me. I just get a local, and if he hits the spot I get relief within one hour that can last up to 3 years! I use the inversion table. When you feel better, try it again but don't go full inversion. This is why it is called the "practice" of medicine. That's all it is. There is no cure for my back, just injury prevention and pain management. Lyrica fucked me up bad. Never again. Good luck.
Injury can occur at any time for any reason. Just bend wrong and reach even without any weight in hand.

 

[Bladecutter]

Sorry to hear thats how you found out. Hopefully it was found soon enough to get it taken care of. And, as always, prayers are to you and your family.
Luckily, so far, nothing other than bad discs have only been discovered. I'm worried about the nerve problems and potential long term damage. The more I continue to work, the more things are coming up.
For instance, it started with left leg and glute pain and issues; not fully able to control muscles. It's now slowly working it's way to the right side.
In all honesty, I could deal with the back pain and problems with walking. But it's the groin pain that's the major problem. Its about the equivalent of being kicked repeatedly in the balls.

I found out i had bladder cancer August lat year. For 3 years previous, i thought i was pushing kidney stones. But it was the back pain that started in July that i gave up & went to ER. The stones were the calcification broken off of the tumor, as it grew in the bladder. A 5.5 centimeter. Then a few mos ago, after an MRI my Oncologist ordered, the cancer in my back & bones was discovered. The 1st time i ever pissed blood was early 2012. So the timeline pretty much points to that ive had cancer around 5 years. I can relate to the groin pain, i moved a lot of debris.
About this time last year i pissed a 10mm rock. Theres a pic of it in calipers on a thread here called Kidney Stones. You probably have covered Your bases, but some chance Your bladder hasnt been checked, do it.

 

[Car Nut]

If I was you, I would travel to Mexico, then jump the border back into America as an illegal, don't speak any English! You'll be set with plenty of benefits.