Curtisd3
Newbie
Reged: 01/29/04
Posts: 49
Loc: Michigan
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About six months ago I began a boxing class--not the most subtile of excersices I know--but I love the physical nature of the sport not to mention the wonderful shape the sport forces you to get in to. Anyhow, I'm 35 and anytime I begin an excersice regimen, back problems develop. I also sit a lot (in cars and on planes) because I'm in sales.
First, about 2 months ago, I went to a chiropractor (nice guy, very healing personality) who's diagnosis was--guess what?--bone or vertabrae misalignment. I couldn't take all the crunching and cracking not to mention the 2-3 times a week he wanted me to come in. So I stopped going after the 1st of the year--I would have had to pay $250 for my insurance deductible again--and found myself in spasms in a matter of 2 weeks. Next I went to an acupuncturist, which I would recommend to anyone who hasn't tried it, but again to get any real benefit a person needs to go at least twice a week. I've also tried Yoga, which hurt more than it helped. Lastly, I went to the E.R. on a Friday night when I'd had enough and was beginning to spasm again. The doctor gave me an injection of Toradol (amazing, instant relief which lasted a week) and sent me home with Skelaxin (not-so-good, didn't help a bit) and Bextra (heals a headache and that's about it.
Now comes my question--I have Soma (good stuff, highly recommended) should I use this daily as a preventative medicine or only when I begin tightening up?
In conclusion, the acupunturist's diagnosis made the most sense--that I have a weakened muscle (I can't remember the name he called it)or muscles in lower back which causes all the other muscles to compensate, hence the spasming. I have an appt. with a PM in Chicago a week from today. I have the ER report enroute to his office, I have X-rays in hand and will have report from the acupuncturist. Advice on handling a PM visit would also be appreciated.
Thanks! I love this board! I'm so glad I found it!
Curtisd3
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BlackCat
Old Hand
Reged: 09/22/03
Posts: 403
Loc: Bed
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My advice is to consider getting an LS spine MRI to make sure nothing more serious than muscle spasms / pull are causing your back pain, such as herniated/ruptured discs.
Your experience sounds strikingly similar to my own. I initially experienced somewhat intense low back pain from exercise (running) and was initially mis-diagnosed as an exercise-related muscle pull by a VERY experienced orthopedic specialist. Xrays didn't show anything and things suddenly got worse the next weekend (with NO WARNING) and I experienced tingling/numbness down one leg and foot and couldn't get out of bed due to the elevated pain. After getting an emergency LS spine MRI, I was correctly diagnosed with a severely herniated disc (it essentially "exploded" according to the neurosurgeon). Given the nature and severity of the rupture (spinal canal was nearly severed, causing permanent nerve damage that I suffer from to this day), emergency surgery was then prescribed. I hope that didn't scare you too much - it's probably nothing, but when I hear about chiropractors cracking and twisting you all around without knowing what's going on in there I cringe.
Bottom line: If you suspect more than a muscle pull and this has gone on for more than a week or two, go to a Neurologist or PM specialist and ask about getting an MRI before you wake up unable to move one day from a disc rupture and suffer permanent nerve damage.
Just my 2 cents.
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Curtisd3
Newbie
Reged: 01/29/04
Posts: 49
Loc: Michigan
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Blackcat,
My problems began w/ running about 3 years ago--unbelievable pain in the neck and shoulders area.
Curtisd3
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sam001
Journeyman
Reged: 02/03/04
Posts: 69
Loc: Nordstroms
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Good luck managing your back pain. 55% of the adult population has low back pain some time in their life.
As much fun as boxing is, it may not be the best sport for you.
I've had back problems for quite a few years. The non pharmaceutical things that help me most are stretching, heat and exercises that strengthen abdominal muscles. I do enjoy yoga. For aerobic activity I walk and swim. As for meds, I prefer valium for severe spasm. Soma and Flexoril cause me to sleep 10 hours and still feel groggy. Toradol is a great injectable drug, however it doesn't seem to work as well when taken orally. In the world of NSAIDS, naprosyn works just as well as any of the others for me. The OTC version is Alleve. Although I do have friends that swear by Vioxx and Celebrex. When NSAIDS are not effective I take hydrocodone. I don't take meds to prevent pain but neither do I wait until it's severe to treat it. I know quite a few people who have switched to water beds or air beds and have obtained significant relief of their pain. I could go on for pages but I don't want bore everyone. Feel free to PM me if you'd like the 12 page version.
Good luck with your doc and managing your back pain/spasm.
PS - There is a bit of a fine line between when to exercise and when to let your back be at rest. Best to take it easy until you see your doc.
Edited by sam001 (02/11/04 05:43 PM)
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Winter
Member
Reged: 04/08/03
Posts: 105
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I would have to agree on getting the MRI done.
I had a spinal fusion when I was 12, but before that I was seeing a chiropractor that just did x rays & was cracking on my back for the same reason they are doing yours the misalignment. By the time I got to a specialist mine was an emergency surgery also. Hopefully your PM DR you have the appt with will order you an MRI.
I had my fusion 20 some years ago (im 35 also) but I do notice when I dont hit the treadmill or exercise my back will start to bother me so I know keeping my muscles in shape around my back are key in not needing another surgery. Sitting alot always makes mine act up.
As far as the soma goes I really would take it only when you need it unless your hurting all the time otherwise the whole tolerance thing starts. Thats just my opinion though. Hopefully the PM specialist will help you out as far as what other DR's to see & what exercise & meds will help.
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Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
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BlackCat
Old Hand
Reged: 09/22/03
Posts: 403
Loc: Bed
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If you have medical insurance, it should be a NO BRAINER to get your PM doctor or a Neurologist to prescribe a MRI of the LS section of your Spine to check for things that would NOT show up on an X-Ray.
You could be sitting (literally) on a ticking bomb of herniated or bulging discs waiting to burst and send you into the emergency room. Young people have alot of "pulp" in their discs waiting to cause damage if let out in a violent episode since dessication really hasn't set-in at age 35. Disc herniations gone bad can lead to excrutiating pain, PERMANENT nerve damage (causing PERMANENT loss of feeling, numbness, tingling, etc. in an extremity, such as your leg and a lifetime of pain and suffering).
Your post indicated you just had an X-Ray and then everyone assumed it was "tight muscles", "muscle spasms", etc. in your lower back. I had the same thing. In my case, these tight muscle symptoms were ABSOLUTELY SECONDARY and WERE A RESULT OF the primary underlying condition which was a severe herniation of one disc (and several other bulging discs) waiting to explode, WHICH IT DID prior to receiving the correct diagnosis, which led to life changing pain & suffering.
Don't fool around if you suspect this could be the case with you also. Get an MRI, ESPECIALLY if you have the med insurance to pay for it! And STOP letting the chiropractor "crack your back" without knowing what is actually going on down there (an X-Ray won't show the full picture). I went to a chiropractor and several accupuncturists to try to treat my pain / numbness from the permanent nerve damage YEARS AFTER my mis-diagnosis, emergency surgery, and years of physical therapy. When I ended up going to the Chiropractor and Accupuncturists, they were well aware of my back problems, surgery, etc. and treated me DELICATELY and with special care around my problem areas so as not to do any more damage and still try to treat my pain without drugs.
Long post here, but it struck a chord with me. Even if you don't have medical insurance, I would AT A MINIMUM, discuss the option of a LS Spine MRI with the next doctor you go to so you can *HOPEFULLY* rule out and disc/vertabrae injuries and *CONFIRM* the chiropractor's diagnosis of tight muscles causing the back pain. Hopefully some time has passed and your pain has subsided and this was a transitory experience. I wish you well!
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Curtisd3
Newbie
Reged: 01/29/04
Posts: 49
Loc: Michigan
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Thanks everyone! Good, helpful, possibly health-saving advice! I'll keep you updated. I have an appt. w/ a PM dr. on Wed., 2/18.
Best Regards,
Curt
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