alwayswondering Posted June 23, 2006 Share Posted June 23, 2006 I woke up about 5 days ago with severe lower back and leg pain on the right side. The pain is worst when lying down and getting up from lying down, or bending over. It starts in the right lower back and sends shart shooting pains down the right leg. Lower back is tender in one spot. Dr said spot is where SI joint is. Was given steroid shot, anti-inflamatory, and muscle relaxers. Did not help. Now given oral steroids and pain pills. Steroids do not work. Have to have an MRI. I am completely terrified as to what this could be, especially with the steroids and anti-inflamatories not touching the pain. I did nothing to injure my back at all. Any ideas? I am terrified it is cancer or something. Please help! Thanks Link to post Share on other sites
ThumbingMyWay Posted June 23, 2006 Share Posted June 23, 2006 from what you discribed. I would guess a buldged/ruptured/etc lower disc in your back. MRI will show better detail. I had/have this too. Was 3 years ago...and unfortunately, I still have daily pain, not as bad as when it all started. I got lower back pain and sharp shooting pains in my leg. Back of my buttocks and back/outside of the calf in my left leg. I did the pain/anti inflams too, did not help. Finally got the epidural steriod shots (3 of them over 2 months) Helped for a while but I still suffer from daily pain. But after 3 years I learned to live with it and know what I can and cant do as far as how I use my back in my daily movements. Doc says to walk everyday to strenghten back Not to be doom and gloom. But if it is a buldged disc....its for life and you will have to learned to live with it. But there are numerous PT exerciese and some people even get relief from chiros. Link to post Share on other sites
princessesmom Posted June 23, 2006 Share Posted June 23, 2006 I also think it sounds like a buldged/ruptured disc. I also have this L5-S1 disc. I have done everything that you have done and nothing has helped. I have no idea how it happen. (a friend had this happen to her too getting pop out of her car) My doctor just gives me meds every month. I only take the pain meds when it is really bad. I have had it now for 3 1/2 years and it does get better as far as doing your everyday stuff. Just a FYI check into the steroids that you are taking. I know it is not good to have to much in a year. Good luck Link to post Share on other sites
Author alwayswondering Posted June 23, 2006 Author Share Posted June 23, 2006 Thanks everyone for the replies. I tend to freak out about things and hope it's not cancer or something like that. I think I will feel better knowing it's nothing extremely serious. I am still nervous though. I think it might be a disc problem too, but it just worries me that the steroids or anti-inflamatories have not worked. I didn't know if that was typical for disc problems. I am overweight too so I am sure that is not helping matters any. They only gave me the dose pack of steroids that you take over 5 days. Muscle relaxers seem to maybe help a bit, but they just help me relax and don't really help the pain, I have bad anxiety so anything that helps me relax is a a plus. Link to post Share on other sites
ThumbingMyWay Posted June 23, 2006 Share Posted June 23, 2006 Steriod pills will not have same affect as an epidural rigth into the spinal canal. Its a process of 3 max shots over a period of 1 to 2 months. At the pain clinic I went to, they give you a local shot in the lower back. Then they used a 3D xray to view the insertion of a hollow needle right into the bad disc space/spinal canal and inject the meds right into the bad spot. I felt TONS better after the 3 shots. But over time it comes back. It always comes back....but I am no were near as bad as I was. Still have daily pain and pain when i move wrong or lift wrong. I did yard work last month and hurt for about a week....but through exercise and walking it goes back to what I call normal...which is far from heathly normal, but tolerable pain. Dam...been 3 years and I guess I am just used to the pain/numbness. Like i said, its life long injury, the material between the disc never grows back or rejuvenates. Your Doc should suggest a plan to lose weight and get on a walking/exercise program to strenghten your back muscle. Also ask to be refferd to PT for lower back pain. I am 35 years old and I hate the thought of having this the rest of my life...but thats the way it is. Link to post Share on other sites
Becoming Posted June 23, 2006 Share Posted June 23, 2006 I've had this too. Terrible. A chiropractor helped me, but it took awhile. Only have it ocassionally now. Link to post Share on other sites
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