desperate for help

[dizianna]

have had acute back pain exceeding 12 months. now seems to be more prominent down the tailbone. had epidural spinal needle with child birth 30 years ago. since have suffered migraine.msg intolerance and a week back. not sure if any connection or if i injured over lifting which started acute back problems. have tried naturopaths, eat healthy, do not drink or smoke. have also had blood tests for regular searches . walk regularly. just need to know how to fix this as it has become depressing  

[Jaybay]

Good for you!  I'm so glad to hear you're going to see your doctor.  Two years is a long time where spinal changes are concerned so there's no telling what might show up on an MRI or CT scan now.  Stay in touch and let us know what happens.  :-)

[dizianna]

checked my last imaging records done in 2008 when the pain was located in my mid back area and across pelvic area. these showed no explanation for that pain. since then it had mostly been acute back pain and no way i could lift small grandchildren without suffering for days. no imaging was done on the spine then as there was no pain there. now it feels as though the tail bone is inflamed and i am always aware of its soreness. it is also radiating to the back and across pelvis also. Will take advise and make appointment for imaging now of spine and tailbone.  I like exercise but you do need to enjoy it without inflicting more pain if not done correctly

[skmedlin27703]

Sounds like the "acute" pain has become "chronic".  I had increased pain after the birth of my second child, they had problems with the insertion of the needle for the spinal block.  Anytime a needle is near your spine there is a risk of causing a problem, I believe.  I would have it checked out as soon as possible... do not suffer any longer. Hope you feel better soon.

[Tuckamore]

Hello Dizianna,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I am sorry to hear about your long term chronic pain (CP). We all know how disruptive cp can be in our daily life and my heart goes out to you. CP often takes much of energy and leaves us fatigued.

I wish I had a magic answer for you. Unfortunately I don't. Do you have a specific diagnosis? Does your pain radiate or does it stay in the tailbone area?

If you have consulted a doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) have they done OMT (osteopathic manipulation therapy)? My PCP is an Internal Medicine D.O. Her manipulations are a very important part of of my chronic pain management. I know that not all D.O.'s do OMT. I didn't even know it existed until I had to change physicians and chose a D.O.

I don't know what in which state you reside but most states have PM Clinics. It is a PMP that treats, follows and prescribes for CP patients. In my state it is the PCP that does that by we do have PMP that solely do treatments.

If you have a chronic condition that has little chance of improvement than at the very least you deserve to be as comfortable as possible. This can be obtained through good pain management, rather that is your from your PCP's monitoring with medications and treatments or a PMP.  

As jaybay said no matter how healthy a lifestyle you lead it cannot "cure" a chronic pain condition. It can reduce the possibility of it worsen but often even that is beyond our control. So please don't settle for your current pain and limitations. Unfortunately if you do nothing, nothing is likely to improve. If you don't have a definitive diagnosis you need one....or at least as close as medical science can get. While you are searching for a diagnosis you should have at least some pain managment.

If you have a diagnosis than it's a matter of treatment. Be assertive and insist of being more comfortable. Don't settle for, "Learn to live with it."

I hope you will keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Please feel free to ask additional questions. We are here to offer information and support. I wish you the very best and hope that you will soon find some solutions.

Take Care,
~Tuck