My husband has been having chronic lumbar pain for about a month now and has been in and out of not only the doctors office, but also the emergency room. He's missed a lot of work, and could now possibly lose his job. He is a chef and woks in a kitchen 40+ hrs a week. He's been perscribed Flexeril 10mg, Vicodin 500mg and 750mg, Motrin 800, Tramdol 50mg, and Robaxin 750mg. Im starting to get worried that this is going to hurt his body more, seeing as how it doesnt help much. He has recently had a nerve test done, but the results just show mild pain. He's at the point where he'd rather be paralyzed than in this kind of pain. The doctors wont give him a MRI (if that would even help). Im wondering if anyone has had similar symptoms and if so, what was the outcome? What steps should we be taking?
2007-09-29 13:47:07 · 6 answers · asked by .Jules. 3 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
I hate to tell you this, but a MRI is exactly what he needs and I don't know why a doctor won't give him one. A X Ray only shows so much, your husband most likely has a ruptured or herniated disc, possibly into his sciatic nerve. He must have a MRI to detect this, X Rays do not show soft tissue damage.
My suggestion is to insist that a MRI is given. I had to deal with the same type of situation when my back started hurting and due to the wait on the MRI and the lack of concern from a few doctors I now have severe sciatic nerve damage and chronic back pain, and have never been back to work.
Most likely he doesn't have any pulled muscles so he may want to stop taking the flexeril, sometimes it makes things worse. Looking at the prescriptions that your husband was prescribed I would guess that his doctors know what is up with his back and are hoping that the swelling will go down and "heal" itself for awhile. Not likely to happen if he is in this much pain though. I know what you mean by him wanting to be paralyzed instead, I cannot even begin to describe the pain that he is feeling right now, but it is horrendous believe me. Is he icing his back at all, I found that icing the lower lumbar around L4/L5 and then the hip area helps a bit, if he wants to it wouldn't hurt to alternate ice with heat about 15 min each.
Again, a MRI is exactly what your husband needs!! Demand it, no hospital can deny a patient in pain. If they do, go directly to the Patients Advocate of the hospital they are there to help you and they will.
I hope you guys get the help that you need, soon. If I can help at all feel free to email me.
P.S. Please do not go to a Chiropractor, I have seen many people who have been injured severly by them when the back pain is so extreme. If one is needed your medical doctor would have told you.
2007-09-29 14:59:39 · answer #1 · answered by DeltaQueen 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have to back up Delta Queen. I was injured at work six years ago and was manipulated by workmen's comp for several months until an MRI was ordered on my lower back. It showed an SI joint displacement that was not picked up on x-rays and required two injections to lubricate the joint. I was also taking many of the same medications you mentioned. Physical therapy to strengthen my lower back muscles and a TENS unit to relax the spasms did more than the drugs. Chiropractic care only aggravated the condition and would not have been ordered if the MRI had been available for diagnosis. I still have pain today, but it is not as paralyzing as it once was. I moved from Denver to Miami and the heat does more to alleviate the pain than anything. I ride a bicycle at least 20 miles every day and have had periods as long as 15 minutes where the pain is not noticeable.
2007-09-29 22:29:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have the same symptons and yes an MRi would show more. I go to a pain management doctor and shots and exercises have really helped me, though many claim they dont help them. He can also give you alternate routes of advice on how to deal with it. i now only take a little bit of meds so I can sleep at night.
Also, a lot of back clinics are spreading all over the place. look in the yellow pages or on line. They will give him probably more specialised care.
2007-09-29 16:26:31 · answer #3 · answered by reneem1954_2000 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
With him on his feet as much as he is he should invest in some quality shoes. Is he wearing worn out shoes? If so it can through his step off and that can cause back pain. Also just as the other person mentioned is trying a chiropractor that can't hurt but only help. Is he over weight? I know extra weight around the middle can cause the back to hurt. I truly know how back pain can make you miserable and I hope he starts to feel better. Good luck.
2007-09-29 14:03:55 · answer #4 · answered by grassneedscutting 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
has he been refer ed to a surgical neurologist? My husband also got where he would loose feelings in feet and leg and would actually fall. Have your family Dr. to refer him. They will do ct scans and mri's to see whats going on. He had a L5 that they took out and grouted it out and placed it back in, it was pinching a nerve in his back. He also had steroids shots into his spine 3 times but it did no good so they operated. Keep complaining to your family Dr. so that maybe he can send him to the right place for help. Surgery doesnt fix it like it use to be, but does help.
2007-09-29 14:07:51 · answer #5 · answered by sunshine 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Get to a chiropractor or osteopath and start treating the injury instead of the symptoms.
2007-09-29 13:51:22 · answer #6 · answered by Barry S 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/about/spine_back_surgery_testimonials_noflash/
These people appear to be a great help.
2007-09-29 14:08:02 · answer #7 · answered by peterngoodwin 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋