Back pain, any help?

[KimberlyV]

I was working when I lifted a crate of 30 glasses into a slot, basically lifting from (6 inches) on a rolling platform  and turning to my left and lifting up to a 4 feet slot when I felt a flick kinda pop, not painfull, just weird feeling. The more I continued working I was getting contraction kinds of pain, where I can feel it coming on, then it releases. I was also getting more stiff. I went to the company doctor where they did a full work up on me. The doctor said my MRI showed a degeneration of my lower disk, but didn't give me any other information about any of the other tests. He said that's probably where my pain is coming from, but I don't think so.
I went to 12 therapy visits, but i feel the same exact way I did when I started. The pain is right in the middle of my lower pack 3 1/2 inches from my tail bone. The pain is pushing pressure pain, not sharp pain. Then the pain is also off to the left of that area, now that area gets sharp pinching pain, like an electric shock. The pain is also in my left buttocks, literally in the joint, I dig my fingers in the joint to try and to relieve the pain, it does help. The pain in my left buttocks runs down the back of my leg to the top of my foot. The pain is tingly wet pain, like I'm sitting in a bowl of ice water. I have good days and bad days, the good days is stiff lower back with dull pulsating pain in my left joint. Bad days are stiff pressure pain where I can't stand straight up, I walk hunched over, pinching shock pain on the left of my spine. Standing or sitting seem to really aggrivate the symptoms. I've been yelled at by the insurance company and told me I was fine and i'm faking it. The company doctor stabbed me in the spine with his fingers saying, "does that hurt, does that hurt" the pain gets so bad I'm in bed 20 hours out of the dy and I've recently in therapy lost control of my bowels and urinated my self when I got the sharp pain, any help or advice? I'm seeing a new Neurologist next week, any questions I can ask him? Should I ask for a new MRI from a different angle?

[smiley357]

Hi Kim, i havent been on here in awhile and i see you havent either .I too have been in the same situation as you . So how are you now ?? I am still going to pain management and doc is right now trying to summit me to have surgery. My insurance denied me the first time so its been this long that i have been dealing with this , have injections and another myeologram done. I think the all are money hungry and dont really care how we feel. I really dont want surgery but whatelse is there? He wants to put some kind of cage like in there. I wish they could do some kind of laser so they dont have to open my back up    write back   thx   Smiley

[KimberlyV]

I went to an Orthopedic Surgeon and he said what I couldn't believe the insurance was not telling me. My L5 and S1 is in need of replacement and that's probably what's causing my leg and hip pain. The problem is they are trying to say it's pre existing and won't help me, they basically kicked me to the curb. I can't walk, stand or sit for more then 30 minutes without needing to lay down. I was in perfect health for 10 months at that job and I guess at the same time I injured myself the degeneration kicked in, I don't understand that. I'm only 38, I have an 18yr old, 16yr old and 5yr old twins, I can't keep laying in bed for 18 hours out of the day and pills don't help anyway, so I don't take them. Any other options, I don't want surgery.

[squirtatious]

Have u tried a good chiropractor? They are experts in the muscular/skeletal issues. Take care

[helenlegs11]

Degeneration of lower disc,is so non specific. It could mean almost anything. As already said, get a copy of your MRI scan and report. Clinicians will take loss of bladder and bowel control VERY seriously,especially if it happens frequently. I had a couple of incidents of loosing bladder control,in the early days of my problem (caused by a fall) but beacause it didn't continue,thankfully, it doesn't seem to be an issue.
Your symptoms include sciatica, which is an impingement/irritation to the sciatic nerve. This is the longest nerve in the body, and while a ruptured disc which then impinges on the nerve, is one way in which sciatica can occur, it isn't the only way.
You do mention buttock pain and pain when sitting/standing. These could be symptoms of piriformis syndrome/posttraumatic piriformis syndrome. It is a much misunderstood and misdiagnosed condition, I know, I have it.
Best to Google or you tube it but if u have trouble finding out I can give u lots more info.In a nutshell, the piriformis is a deep muscle running horizontaly across the buttock. The sciatic nerve crosses it ( in 17% it can run thru it,partially or wholly), so a spasm or other problem with this muscle can cause sciatica. It can become more difficult to diagnose because, I think that, any trauma to the back area can cause the surrounding muscle to spasm ( you mentioned contraction)It the body's way of protecting itself.Then, even if the initial problem has recovered, the muscles can still be tight. If it's the piriformis, problems occur. Usually physiotherapists have a greater understanding of muscles etc. Don't expect a spinal consultant, neurosurgeon have any/much understanding of this condition. Don't rule out having both a spinal/disc problem AND piriformis syndrome.  

[squirtatious]

To hear u lose control over ur "bladder and urinated yourself" makes me suspicious of a possible herniation or bone spur protruding into ur cauda equina. Our spinal cords end at about L2 and below that we have what's called a "horse's tail" branch out which consists of root nerves from the spinal canal, exiting the foramin holes on either side of each vertabrae. It goes into what's calle the cauda equina. U definetely have sum sort of issue going on be it at or around the l5/s1 area. I'm no dr, just my opinion. What was ur exact mri report? What did it say? I understan only too well about dr's thinking ur faking ur symptoms. I had to go thru 11 months before a surgeon would take me seriously, and u have a workman's comp case. Hang in there and don't stop fighting, I wish u the best, take care!!:)

[atombomb]

based on what you said, my guess is you have a disc herniation/bulge, im just saying this because i have a herniated disc on L5S1 and im only 23, and experience many of the same simptoms as you. I still have complete control over my bowels and bladder though. I wish you luck with this issue, you definitly need to see a better doctor, as having issues with your bowels my doctors told me to immediately contacked them as that is a reason to have surgery very soon as it can cause nerve damage.

[Kalvin]

Sorry to hear about the rough time you're having. Do you have a copy the MRI report? If you don't get one from the place that did it. As a patient you have a right to a copy. When you get it post it on here so we can take a look at it.

Take Care