Retrolisthesis

[mkredd]

I have pain in my lower back left side. It hurts all the time sitting is the worst. It feel like a burning pain..
I don't want to take pain meds.I've tried steroid injections they didn't help. I don't want surgery. Is there any
treatment or exercise that i could be doing?

[mkredd]

A year ago it did radiate down my leg, now it's just on the left side of the buttock in the same place. I did have a SI it  helped  in that spot but moved to another....I was told after that can happen sometimes..I thought why wasn't that told to me up front, i might have thought twice about having it done.  I had to pay out of pocket as i have a high deductible. I'm just saying it would have been nice to know....

[mkh9]

Hi and sorry you are having so much pain. I wouldn't be the one to diagnose you based on just burning pain (though I know this is a sign) so I would try to get a good ID of what you have if possible. If you do have nerve pain yes they do use antiseizure drugs such as neurontin and the others that were mentioned here and it does help. Some like lamictal and some like lyrica. For me it didn't help with the pain (well maybe a little) as I think I have SI joint dysfunction.I'm going to go to a physiatrist (physical medicine/rehab doctor to see if she can diagnose me for sure. I may try the SI joint injection just because it is a diagnositic tool too but can give relief. I also have found even though my PT was too aggressive because I have been deconditioned due to so much sitting that his correction, which is very simple that works on the muscle helps for a bit and gives me control.  My pain is in one single spot, is sharp most of the time and hurts to sit also but if I have a chair with a soft bottom and pillows on my back to keep me sitting straight it helps. Standing can be hard for  a long period. I walk about 30 minutes (very slowly) a day. I'm trying to increase it one minute a day. Walking doesn't usually cause damage but I would walk on a flat surface. I had to start with two minutes a hour. Then I did 4 and so on until keep my base at around 27-30 minutes. If you if hurts to walk then try getting into a pool or stationary bike. But, I know it can too much to start. Does your pain radiate down the leg or other place or focal to the buttock? Good luck and I hope we help you,
mkh9

[mkredd]

Hi, how are you now? Still dealing with it or is it better.

[happyhbmom]

Yes, all of the meds they use for nerve pain are in the class of anti-seizure drugs.  They do something with the messages between the brain and the nerves.

PT is great, and besides the exersize help they can also do things to relax muscle spasms, like ultrasound, deep heat, deep tissue, etc.  

In 3 years I've done it all.   Steroid injections also helped.

[mkredd]

Thats a good idea, having pt check to see if i'm doing my exercise right. thanks

[JadedSweetheart]

Topomax, like Neurontin is also prescribed for nerve pain.  I was taking it before I had to stop some of the meds and I found it did help with the nerve pain.  I hope to take it again when I can.  
PT and exercise can hurt a lot at first when we start rebuilding atrophied muscles.  It's not like regular muscle soreness from having a good workout, it's a hard, constant pain that can last for days or longer depending on the frequency of exercise.  
I have heard that PT can be a great way to help with the pain, though, and is especially helpful for recovery after surgery.  It's great that you love to workout.  It might help to hire a trainer or ask the PT to make sure you are doing the exercises correctly and not doing too much.  A good PT will know.

[mkredd]

Isn't topamax used for seizers? How would that help with your pain.

[mkredd]

It all started when I was at curves trying to keep in shape. I guess i pulled something . I saw my Dr. and he put me on oral steroids, that helped for a few months ...I also did P/T I must say that really didn't help, and i think i took a step backwards .I've had two surgery's in the past for herniated disc 1967-77 This is been going on now for almost 18 months.I'm 60 years old 5'6" and 150 lbs. I love to workout, walk , bike. all the above... I wonder if i should keep pushing myself...

[happyhbmom]

Have you tried acupuncture?

I don't know.  I have a retropulsed fracture at L2 and it creates a pain similar to what you describe.  I have done everything (actually not acupuncture, but almost everything!), and will soon be having surgery.

Medications are what helps- but not pain medications.  What helps with the burning pain is antiseizure medications prescribed for nerve pain- the best was Lyrica but I had to discontinue due to weight gain.  I now take Topamax.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Mkredd,

Welcome to MedHelp's Pain Management Forum. I ma glad that you found us and took the time to post.

I am very sorry that you are suffering from sciatica. It's a horrible pain to try and ease and treat. You didn't share with us the cause of your pain. Knowing what produces it may help us offer you suggestions. Burning pain is usually indicative of nerve pain but does that mean you have a nerve entrapped within your spinal column or is this pain from another source?

None of us want to take medications. I am sick to death of swallowing pills to function. But I, and many others simply don't have another alternative. When you've tried everything in th end you do what works......if that means oral pain medications most of us take them. You're correct, surgery should be your last choice.

Have you sought second and third opinions?

Again, if you can share with us the source of you pain it may be helpful. I'll look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Take Care,
~Tuck