Anyone a back Dr?

**jkuo** · 03-18-2015, 11:27 AM

I'm not a back doc, but I suggest finding a good physical therapist. Even a good chiropractor or osteopath may only be able to treat symptoms without fixing the underlying cause. Back pain is often a sign of suboptimal movement patterns or abnormal movement compensations. Another thing to consider is that most people have some form of spine abnormality (spondylolisthesis, herniation, bulging, facet thickening, etc) but are asymptomatic. In my opinion, your best bet is to approach back pain from a movement-based therapy approach first. Fixing the structural problems is like putting on a band-aid, but doesn't tackle the root problem which caused the structural damage.

**Taverna78** · 03-18-2015, 11:34 AM

The main problem is this... I am 6'4 250lbs. My work I drive semi truck ariund Chicago and I deliver 170lb kegs of beer all day long. Upstairs downstairs big curbs low ceilings. Back support or back brace has done nothing even posture belt because of the weight I lift it simply is no use for the brace because the weight pulls me whatever way it wants to. To find another job and make close money around here is very difficult and I only do tis job my whole life.

**eboone** · 03-18-2015, 12:41 PM

You need a good primary care doc who can help you negotiate the system, help you get things done. Johnny's suggestion of PT is a good start, and a PCP can refer you to someone who is good. If 8 weeks or so of physical therapy PLUS the home exercises they prescribe do not help, then the PCP can help you determine if the next step is surgery or if perhaps epidural injections would be of benefit. Surgery should be the last resort. And it is a good idea NOT to get started on stronger (narcotic) pain meds, you will just get temporary relief and a life long addiction.

And you might need a new job, unfortunately. Even if you get relief from your back pain now, you should not expect to work at the same thing until retirement without it coming back.

Good luck!

**Taverna78** · 03-18-2015, 12:52 PM

At my chiropractor appointments I also had 45 min PT. I learn exercise for home and have had 3 Cortisone steroid injections which I can not receive anymore for a period of time. I have and will never use narcotics. I only use Voltairn or diclofenac sodium. NSAID. I look every day for opportunity but here is only offer over road trucking and is hard to sit for long times. I am great people person and I could sell an Eskimo wearing white gloves a ketchup popsicle on a 100 degree day but I do not have degree. There is so many talent people that can make the world better if companies didn't only hire degrees. I will never see retirement at my job even if I was healthy. They keep making the age higher and higher. But as far as my back goes I've even seen a forgin doctor i think is called apropath ? It is terrible for me but I can not take much longer.

**SCfigFanatic** · 03-18-2015, 01:00 PM

I have spinal cord injuries which were left go for too long. Then found out I have MS.
I was always too busy with my growing business. I lifted A/C units by myself for years on end.
Now a major surgery can "hope to keep it from getting worse" but it can't un do
the injury or the fact that it is getting almost impossible to walk. Go find a good neurologists and let them look at your mri. They can send you where you need to go to find out what is fixable. I wish you the best, but don't delay. Walking or the ability to walk is a privilege you do not want to lose. I went to the Medical University of South Carolina. I saw a neurosurgeon Dr Kalhorn, he explained what was going on in my spine, my lack of feeling in my legs ect. Just don't put it off.

Doug

**Taverna78** · 03-18-2015, 04:02 PM

I'm sorry to hear that for you SC it is hard for me because if my only option is knife I lose my job and are left trying to live life (yes walking) but finically challenged. I will see dr

**WillsC** · 03-18-2015, 04:45 PM

Mike,

Here is mine.......

**newnandawg** · 03-18-2015, 05:31 PM

WillsC, that looks too much like mine. My plate is just a little larger than that though.

**Taverna78** · 03-18-2015, 06:26 PM

Originally posted by WillsC View Post

Mike,

Here is mine.......

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n10806[/ATTACH]

**FMD** · 03-18-2015, 08:57 PM

Wills, got one just like yours except lower down the c-spine. It was worth the world. Radicular pain is a special type of torture I do not wish on anyone.

Mike, my advice is to get a referral to a respected neurosugeon. If surgery is not indicated, he/she will tell you. As stated, surgery is a last resort but you do not want to wait too long either as some of the damage may become irreversible. I am not a back specialist but see many, many patients with similar back issues in Urgent Care. I commend you on your attitude towards chronic use of opioids.

**Rui** · 03-18-2015, 09:13 PM

Wow, Wills, you have a two-level? Nice hardware. I have a single. Yours are higher up, the higher they go, the less range of motion. I got the cadaver bone spacer, not the cool threaded rods. I had nightmares for months after the operation: screws were loosening and I had to keep cutting my neck open to retighten them, or the cadaver disk was rotting... Mike, you got one too? I don't think I knew that, I thought it was just the trachea. We should form a trio, and call ourselves the Stiffnecks! *edit for comment from Frank below* Frank, you too? We're gonna need a bigger tour bus...
I still tremble as I remember the words from the Neurologist after the MRI "You're a sneeze away from being paralyzed, or worse..." GULP!

Taverna, I had the protein leak you're talking about some 15 years ago (extreme mountain biking) and luckily I was dating a girl who was a transcriber for a Chiropractor that worked for the Insurance company. He knew the business! Within a couple of minutes of having me do this and that movement, he had my condition pinned.
He gave me great advice, and I haven't felt any pain in my lower back since.
The thing I took away from that experience - stop jolting your spine, let it heal. Understand that pain is the trigger that makes your body repair itself, but you must allow it rest and time to do what it needs.

The spinal surgeon that did my discectomy was a well-known gentleman named Dr. Thomas Lee, in NY. He worked with my doctor, they came up with a plan, and I was out of work for 4 months, pain-free within weeks (and since), and he isn't affiliated with any insurance companies. He'll take whatever your insurance is willing to pay, and your end of the bargain is to try to get a reasonable amount, and when the insurance company sends YOU the check, get it to his office, quickly. Believe me, when you see a check from your insurance for $100,000 made out to you, you get strange thoughts...

Even if you can't get to NY, he may be able to refer you to a colleague he trusts nearer to you.
He's not beyond doing free surgery, there was an article about how the press caught wind of the shenanigans an insurance company was trying to pull on their patient, and he went ahead with the surgery anyway. They later backtracked and agreed with his diagnosis and procedure, and paid.

I agree with the previous comment about your work. It's not fair to make an employee do that kind of stressful work. The body is not meant to take that abuse. That's why all retired athletes walk with a limp.
I'm sorry for what you're going through.
You seem like a personable guy, and there are more kind employers out there than you'd believe.
Network yourself, get out there, ask people, and I know you'll find a way out of that damaging job.
You need your body for the rest of your life. And you need that back for lifting fig pots

Sorry everybody, I got inspired.

**Taverna78** · 03-19-2015, 05:19 AM

Thank you Rui for your advice and experience. You are 100% correct with what you say. I believe hearing story from people help me in right direction. Grazie

**WillsC** · 03-19-2015, 08:07 AM

Frank and Rui,

My case was a bit different as I was having no pain at all but I was having problems with my hands falling asleep, numbness in my fingers that sort of thing. They did the hand bending carpal tunnel tests which I passed no problem so they sent me for an MRI and was then referred to the surgeon. When I called to make the appt the nurse said the Dr. wants to see you as soon as possible, I said how soon and she said today, at 5:00, I said what time do you close? She said 5:00. That did not fill me with a sense of well being

Met with the surgeon and he said it was a 12mm intrusion of the disc in my neck shoving on my spinal cord and the one below it was bad but not as bad. He said one fall, one minor car accident and you will be a quadriplegic. That was on a Thursday........Friday had blood work done and Wednesday at 7:30 I was on the table. Surgery was a piece of cake........no pain after it but that damn horse collar you have to wear for 3 months 24/7 was a nightmare. Can't sleep laying down....when I finally was freed of that torture device I burned it. But the numbness and the hands falling asleep were gone.

So after 3 months I could return to normal activities and I did so and within a week the numbness returned to my hands........went back in to see the surgeon and he said the neck looked great, healing perfect and he did the bending tests on my wrists yet again and I passed again, no carpal tunnel. He requested I go in for a nerve study on my arms......the results? Severe Carpal tunnel in both wrists and by this point was so bad therapy was not an option just surgery. So had one wrist done and 14 days later did the second wrist. Doc said it was so bad the numbness would probably be permanent but would keep the nerves from further damage. It fixed the problem 100% no numbness.

In the end the wrists probably kept me from being paralyzed. The surgeon said only about 1/1000 have stenosis (disk shoving on spinal cord) and have no pain or symptoms from it. So I was lucky the wrists caused them to find the problem in my neck.

**newnandawg** · 03-19-2015, 08:42 AM

Wills, very good outcome for you. While we are telling our medical stories here is a little one of mine.

I was like you not having any pain but quiet often weakness in my arms and legs and some numbness in my toes
MRI indicated issues in both my cervical spine and lumbar. In Oct of 2013 I had the neck surgery where the cadaver
bone was used and also removed three large bone spurs in addition to the clean out. Neck surgery results were good
except for clipping a nerve in my neck that paralyzed my right vocal cord. I have since had an injection in the vocal cord
followed by an implant to help keep it up right towards the center line so the left one can vibrate against it. It has
helped but still issues most likely for the rest of my life. My surgeon says the surgery was a success but the left vocal
cord has some atrophy that was most likely caused by straining and maybe over use. He is suggesting an injection and
possible surgery.

In December 2014 I had the lumbar surgery where the plate, pins, rods and cage were inserted. All because of deteriation
and an adult scoliosis. Even with a ten inch scar ,this was by far the easiest and most successful of all the surgeries I have
endured in all my life, which there have been many.

Taverna, as you can see many of us have our battle scars but you have to find a medical professional that can diagnose
your particular situation and get you to the right treatment.

**strudeldog** · 03-19-2015, 08:50 AM

Wills,

Now that scares me. I have had numb hands and fingers for 20 years. Tested for Carpal a couple times and tested okay. Then they stated I have cubital tunnel syndrome related to a nerve in elbow, and they don't advice surgery as it is pretty risky. At least that was recommended 15 years was to live with it as long as I can. But they never did MRI.

**WillsC** · 03-19-2015, 11:04 AM

Mike,

The funny thing is I was 47 at the time of the surgery and up to that point had never had a surgery then had 3 in 6 months

On the nerve was it not in the right spot or was it a mistake on the surgeons part?

Phil,

For some reason that wrist bending test they do to test for carpal tunnel just does not work on everyone. Did you ever have the nerve conductivity study done? I guess that is the tell all of what the issue is. Not a bad test they just shock your arms a bit, feels like they are tapping your funny bone. There is one needle involved at the end then they shock the needle but none of it hurts. I know people tell horror stories about the carpal tunnel surgery but it isn't bad, does take awhile to heal. I wanted both hands done at the same time as grouper season was coming up, the doc said 4-6 weeks apart so we compromised on 2 weeks apart. He was right lol......I should have done them a month apart as at two weeks hand one was still pretty bad. It didn't help that I did not heed advice and carried something I should not have and tore the palm open.

**Taverna78** · 03-19-2015, 11:14 AM

Everybody story's makes me think very hard with tis. It sickens me that I keep pushing myself to work knowing what the end result could be if I don't get help and I still push myself to work because I am afraid I will not be able to support my family and we lose everything I work so hard to maintain. What saddens me is that I am only 36.. Not even half life(textbook) and tis is happening. But I suppose I will not make it to the 3/4 mark walking if I don't seek help. but your surgery success story's is keeping me positive. You all are inspiring to me. Grazie

**newnandawg** · 03-19-2015, 12:13 PM

Wills, what my surgeon told me and other medical people have told me is that they know about where the nerve is
suppose to be but its not in the same place on everyone. It extends from the base of your skull in the rear down the
neck and turns toward the base of your neck on the right, or something like that.

**Taverna78** · 03-19-2015, 12:51 PM

Ok I get surgery but one of you members in a nice cliamate near the sea must hire me as your pool boy/fig helper and fishing buddy ahahaha! Or we can combine some money and get me a couple pieces of machinery over to Italy and I'll go there (or any volunteer) and clear out all of my papas unused acres of land and start a commercial fig/fruit tree farm and import them back here. There is perfect climate and irrigation is free on mountain. There is a lake ontop of mountain that feeds every town their water supply. And I'll say tis much. It is ice cold and cleaner than any bottled water in the world. We've got about 3500 acres which maybe 1/2 is actually flat enough to plant level farm. Otherwise plains must be built on side of mountain

**strudeldog** · 03-19-2015, 03:26 PM

Willc,

Yes I had the electrical test done for Carpal. It's not the Carpal surgery I was worried about it was the Cubital tunnel syndrome surgery. it's that nerve in you elbow, the one when you hit your elbow that some of us call the funny bone. That surgery at least 15-20 years ago they discouraged me from, maybe I should ask again as my hands fingers mostly pinky and next one beside it are still asleep. What scared me is the one fall paralyzed part as they never checked my back, but I doubt I have that condition as I am a clumsy and fall all the time

**FMD** · 03-19-2015, 04:14 PM

Many years later, I can laugh but at the time it was enough to make a grown man cry.
As luck would have it, the pain hit at the very start of a two week European vacation.
So, each city we toured has a memory associated with the neck pain.
In Catania, I ordered myself high doses of ibuprofen and prednisone. At the Vatican I would seek out the ubiquitous marble columns to rest my aching neck against the solid coolness.
In Madrid, I remember retreating into the marbled bathroom and letting out silent screams of pain and frustration trying not to wake my wife.
Back in the States, the long plane ride and car trip from Jacksonville to Tallahassee were unbearable.
A short time later, I had same day surgery on a Friday and was back to work on Monday. No narcotics or neck brace was needed.

JD · 03-19-2015, 07:19 PM

As I read this thread, all I could do was put my head in my hand. I had a cervical and lumbar MRI last week. And I have experienced all of the symptoms described in this thread with the addition of one: waking up with temporary paralysis (about 90 seconds) of both arms no feeling or ability to move them. I exploring all options sans surgery but I fear that my opt-in days of head trauma (football) is the direct cause of disc disease and surgery is in my near future. It is good to read that there are many of you who have good stories to tell. It does not make me feel better but I appreciate having data points that demonstrate long term post-op 'success'.

**Taverna78** · 03-19-2015, 07:26 PM

FMD,
Tis is true Saint Peter square Collum are very cold all year. are always cold for some reason. Tis why tourist sit by them in summer time. I have yet to need your search for coolness to relieve pain but tis diclofenac sodium is wonderful. No narcotics. No bad inside for human body. Just anti inflame. I take when my alarm sounds at 3:30 am and by 4 I can come out of bed alone. If I have no more I can't sit up my wife help me. Cazzo if I am over sleep! My papa land in Taverna CZ,Sorbo San Basile CZ and "Taverna" CZ and mountain top of Sila (no good for fig because is snow) Is most mountain but from years of hand down of dying brother and sister he has many acreage that is prime for fig. But he is not capable of doing anything here. We think maybe mountain water bottling company but everyone there is very SLOW nothing get done. They work on fountain of Trevy for almost 3 year with little progress. Aspete the simple life

**Taverna78** · 03-20-2015, 05:53 AM

JD

have you tried any home therapy? Such as decompression methods, or stretches ? I just ordered a back bubble to see if it'll help. There's also wearable decompression belts and neck braces. Thing I heard bad about the wearable stuff is because it relieves the pain you become dependent on it and while the disc heals it also weakens. So it shouldn't be worn 24/7. It seems like most if your all injuries are in the neck. Mine Is in my lumbar lowest point of my back. I am in same worry as you. If you still in pain I can't stress enough while you seek medical professional try Voltarin diclofenac sodium 75-100mg. When I wake up I take tis and wait 10 min I can get out if bed in my own and start my day. If I run out my wife help me out of bed and worst is trying to use the bathroom in morning. I always are in the bathroom for a hour because it hurt too bad to go. Once Voltairn is dispersed I do not feel much of anything and I can go about my day. Although it is not good because then I sometimes forget I am injured and do things I probably shouldn't be doing.

Anyone a back Dr?

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