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Neurology (Expert Forum)
back pain lower left side
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back pain lower left side
by kevin doyle, ph.d., Jul 15, 2000 12:00AM
My mother is experiencing lower left side back pain
ONLY when lying down. Her GP had no ideas. She would like to know what could potentially cause this condition. She is VERY active and experiences NO pain while standing, sitting, dancing, working in her garden and so on, but the pain is starting to seriously disrupt her sleep patterns. She is 73 years old. Her
cholesterol is a little high (HDL's very high), but otherwise she is in excellent health. Her blood pressure is erratic, but not
considered high, usually 130/80. She does not nor ever has smoked cigarettes, but lived with a smoker approx. 40 years. She drinks alcoholic beverages moderately (at most a few ounces daily). Any
suggestions wil be appreciated.
ONLY when lying down. Her GP had no ideas. She would like to know what could potentially cause this condition. She is VERY active and experiences NO pain while standing, sitting, dancing, working in her garden and so on, but the pain is starting to seriously disrupt her sleep patterns. She is 73 years old. Her
cholesterol is a little high (HDL's very high), but otherwise she is in excellent health. Her blood pressure is erratic, but not
considered high, usually 130/80. She does not nor ever has smoked cigarettes, but lived with a smoker approx. 40 years. She drinks alcoholic beverages moderately (at most a few ounces daily). Any
suggestions wil be appreciated.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS, Jul 16, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Dr. Doyle:
Lower back pain is one of the most frequent complaints in a neurological practice. There are a myraid of etiologies of back pain. I would recommend seeing a neurologist and have your mother evaluated. Likely, in addition to the neurological exam an MRI of the back will be needed. Without doing the exam and seeing a scan (MRI) it is impossible for me to tell you why your mother is having back pain. Sorry, I am not much help.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Lower back pain is one of the most frequent complaints in a neurological practice. There are a myraid of etiologies of back pain. I would recommend seeing a neurologist and have your mother evaluated. Likely, in addition to the neurological exam an MRI of the back will be needed. Without doing the exam and seeing a scan (MRI) it is impossible for me to tell you why your mother is having back pain. Sorry, I am not much help.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Also, the first time I heniated l5/s1, it was excruciating lying down. I had to stand or sit very straight for a couple weeks. I got no sleep - awful. I tried conservative therapy first time around. Mistake. It blew badly 18 mo. later leaving some permanent damage. Not to imply conservative might not be best here.
Usually people with a herniation are better when they lie down. But, not always. A GP may not know this.
See a neurologist, they can do an MRI to see what it is and then help select appropriate treatment.
I'm not sure a neurologist would be the way to go unless there are additional symptoms, but a neurosurgeon would be a good place to start. Anti-inflammatory meds are helpful. I have gotten very good results with Relafen, over some of the others.
Best wishes to discovering a cause of her problems and a "cure". :0)
an MRI has shown to be ruptured L5-S1 with disc fragments pushed onto the nerve root itself. My doctors are recommending surgery
sooner rather than later. has anyone else gone through this ?
is surgery the only solution...though at this point, I'm ready to do it myself to get some relief.