Back pain every other day

[mkh9]

I have had back pain since last August and have been reinjured several times. I have variable pain day to day. Almost like clock work it is low one day, moderate or high the next, low, moderate until after I haven't injured myself for a while then it startst to level off. I did notice that when I took either Tylenol or Celebrex on the bad day it started to break the cycle. Any suggestions or has anyone seen this?
thanks,
Mkh9

[mkh9]

Thanks, I hope to get a diagnosis it would help. The big issue there is that each doctor you go moves you around and ends up hurting a lot more it seems.  So , I am reluctant to go to say a pain doc to try a steroid injection into the SI joint. But, what meds do you recommend? I was on tramadol and it was ok for a while and then I got insomnia and shortness of breath after a month of use. Then a week of bad withdrawal. Even Celebrex gives me insomnia if I take it for 4 days in a row. I seem to be reacting to a lot of the drugs and getting the lesser side effects.
thanks again,
mkh9

[sandee1818]

I posted in your other post.
We do not always get a definite diagnosis and alot of times the Doctor's will diagnosis you with what fits best and this isn't always the correct one.
This is why so many of us has had to go to many different Doctor's to get a definite diagnosis. Do not give up though you can get a definite DX it just may take some time and the right Doctor.
You may want to speak to your Doctor about managing your pain levels better as this will help a great deal. There are non narcotic medications that you can try if your not wanting to be on narcotics for the pain.
I do hope you find a definite DX soon and get the treatment you need for your pain.

[mkh9]

I am going to copy and paste my comments or intro that I have on the backpain site. I guess it doesn't carry over to this site. See below. I want to thank you both for you comments. I did stop the Celebrex for a montha and I still got the eye problem so I think unless Celebrex in still in my system that it is the Neurontin. I  am tapering off the Neurontin and will be going to 400mg on Saturday. I think  you are right I will go back on Celebrex as soon as I'm sure I don't have eye damage or that it is not the med causing the problem. See below for my details on what I have done. Sorry if it is long...Then let me know what you think if you want to.
I have low back pain. My MRI, and bone scan were normal and I have either SI joint dysfunction or muscloskeltal injury or both. I was going to a physical therapist  but I kept pulling muscles then finally tore something. I am trying to do therapy on my own since two physical therapists didn't work. Since I am weak from sitting too much since the tear I don't want to reinjure myself again if possilble. At this point I can walk 30 minutes (slowly) and 10 minutes in the afternoon. I am trying to do my stretches I learned from the physical therpist.. But I have stiffened up after not stretching for a couple of months. My question is general, how can I prevent reinjury?  I am doing the pyriformis stretech, knee to chest, rock knees side to side, tighten stomach and kegal, and pelvic tilt. I can do these but am limited in the distance I can move. I am so stiff that I cannot reach to wash myself (vaginal area) without hurting and I can cross my injured leg while sitting in a chair but can't cross it well enough to put my pants on. Where should I go from here? I have seen my family practise ( unsure of diagnosis, goes with whatever other docs say) Orthopedic surgeon says dynamic not structural, pain doc says chronic myofascial, and two Physical therapists say SI joint dysfunction.  I just want to get better, please advise where to go or what

[namnam46]

I meant to add that to find out WHICH med is causing the eye problems you should stop them ONE at a TIme.  That way you will know.  I THINK that you've pretty much figured it out that it's the Neurontin and not the Celebrex that was causing it from what you have said to me.  Especially since that is one of the side-effects of the Neurontin and VERY seldom (only -  was is it  5%?) for the Celebrex.  I'd take the chance that it IS the Neurontin and go ahead and take the Celebrex since it helps your pain.  It's worth a try, for IF it Stops AFTER the Neurontin is GONE, then you know that you CAN take the Celebrex. IF it starts again then you would know that it was BOTH.  IF you stop BOTH meds at the same time you WON'T know which one it is.  You might be stopping a VERY good med that helps control you pain when it wasn't necessary.

I wish you the very best and hope that it will work out for you.  PLEASE let us know what you find out.......Sherry

[JadedSweetheart]

I agree with RunningMom and Sherry.  You should see your PCP and tell them what's going on and ask for an MRI.  It sounds like you may have a bulging or herniated disc that is causing muscle spasms.  Definetly try to get an appt that works with your husband's schedule so that he can drive you.  I use a pillow or two when I'm riding in the car and I use one of those neck pillows when I drive.  Depending on where your pain is a neck or a lumbar pillow would help to give your body support when you drive.  
I am also guessing that on the days that the pain is lower, you're doing more.  Then the next day when the pain is worse, you rest.  It's a vicious cycle as when you feel good you're active and it causes the pain to get worse so you have to rest and it gets better.  I would recommend taking the tylenol and celebrex for a few days and resting up.  See if that makes it feel better longer.  You should still see the doctor, though.  That's just a sugestion on what to do in the mean time before you can get into the doctor.
I really hope that you're able to get into the doctor soon and find out what's going on so that you can get the relief you need.  Try to rest your back in the meantime.

[namnam46]

I think your best bet right now is to have your Husband take a morning or afternoon off and drive you to the Doctor.  There's not much else that you can do.  You need to get an x-ray or an MRI and find out WHAT is going on. If you can't then you might wind up injuring your back that will REALLY cause you PERMANENT damage of some type.

I wish you the VERY best of luck and that you can get the help that you deserve.

I hope that you will keep us updated as to what is happening.  :).........Sherry

[mkh9]

Hi, again
Well the tylenol helps but you can't take it all the time or you get liver problems. I off of Celebrex because I 'm not sure if it is the Celebrex or the Neurontin causing my eye problems. the other problem is that I can hardly do anything without tweeking myself. Like I tried to get into bed and I kind of semi-jumped up or reached too quickly up(very lightly trust me) and it pulled my back (a little). Also, just any too fast of a reach or turn. I wish I could get past this atrophy phase but I keep pulling muscles. Frustrated and sad.  My husband is doing everything around the house and he works full time and drives a hour each way. He is exhausted. I want to go back to doc but haven't been able to get into the car since my last pull. Don't know what to do next. ...

[RunningMom]

If the tylenol and celebrex is working, that is great news.  You may want to go to the doctor and find out what is causing this pain through a MRI.  The MRI will show if there is any discs that are bludging or slipped.  Good luck.  I'm happy the tylenol and celebrex are enough to control your pain.