I was born with a Spina Bifida; with a hole I my back. Not knowing what it was in 1932, the doctor just sewed my back up. I was blessed through the years with basically doing what I wanted to do with very little problems; just don't touch my back. I had scare on my mid-back and it was very tender. If I was touched or hit hard I had a terrible sensation in my back or just passed out.

When I was 68 years of age my lower back and legs began hurting, then really got bad. The only thing that helped them was lying down. I went to my doctor after it became on bad and he finally sent me to a ortheapedic doctor; he made x-rays and told me I had a spina-bifida and my spinal cord had tethered. He sent me to a neurologist who told me if I did not have surgery within a few years I would be paralyzed and in a wheel chair and lose control over my bowels and bladder. He then sent me to a neuro-surgeon who told me the same thing; I had bone where there should be none, and did not have where there should be. I had surgery at 70 years of age with no guarantee that it would work. Had physical therapy, went home, had physical therapist come into the home for a while. I felt so much better I really thought everything was going to be okay. No so, since then my lower back and legs have hurt most of the time, and at times I have spasms in my back. I also have numbness in my left leg along with sharp and tingling pains. Both legs hurt really bad at times. I can't do anything like heavy housework, etc. I also have Arthritis and a bulging disk in my back.

Does anyone know of anything that will help me. I have recently had injections in the nerves to my leg; however, did not help.

Thanks.

It sounds like you were faced with a Hobson's Choice, be paralized or have pain.

I am guessing that the physicians have told you that exercise will help your situation, am I right? And, they are reluctant to give you pain killers because of the opiate problem?

What about some kind of spiritual approach to pain? Perhaps, explore eastern methods of accupuncture or self-hypnotism. Or, a traditional western approach such are reward for completing your exercises and for enduring?

Best wishes going forward,

Choux

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Originally Posted by Choux

It sounds like you were faced with a Hobson's Choice, be paralized or have pain.

I am guessing that the physicians have told you that exercise will help your situation, am I right? And, they are reluctant to give you pain killers because of the opiate problem??

What about some kind of spiritual approach to pain? Perhaps, explore eastern methods of accupuncture or self-hypnotism. Or, a traditional western approach such are reward for completing your exercises and for enduring??

Best wishes going forward,

Choux

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At this point I am willing to try anything. I have an appointment with a phyisist(don't know if spelled right) this month. If it will help I will try accupuncture as one of doctors located in the office my primary phycian is does this. Thanks... Agnes Conway

Given the circumstances behind your condition, I would think that accupuncture would be minimally invasive and being neurological in basis, I think this would be the best option as further surgery etc. would be counterproductive for you.

Exercise may antagonise your condition-do you smoke? This coud also antagonise the pain.

Now normally I would not sugest such a thing-however have you ever tried marijuana? I have heard that the THC component can work miracles for pain management, different to opiate-based medication.

Let me say again-this is a last resort-I do not advocate drug usage, however there may be a medical-necessity for you to apply to use it for LEGAL pain management.

No, I do not smoke. I, personally, have not thought of Marijuana; however, if I can't get help otherwise that could be an answer.

I have an appointment with a physiast(probably not spelled correctly) which the surgeon recommended this month. Hope he can help me.

Thanks for the information.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by acc15519667

No, I do not smoke. I, personally, have not thought of Marijuana; however, if I can't get help otherwise that could be an answer.

I have an appointment with a physiast(probably not spelled correctly) which the surgeon recommended this month. Hope he can help me.

Thanks for the information.

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Okay-good on the non-smoking.

Also medical use of marijuana could be effected not only by smoking it-you can use it in cookies or as "green chicken soup" (as one enterprising friend of mine stated!

I have another friend that had buggered knees-he used marijuana for this (nothing else worked).

I think you would have wonderful results with acupuncture. It really makes so a wonderful difference in your pain levels. Now, I do not have pain as bad as you describe yours but I do have bursitis in my heels and bad pain in my feet as well as pain in my lower & upper back. I have been getting acupuncture for 2 years. When I first went I would go twice a week now I go about once a month. My pain is so much better at this point then it was 2 years ago. It actually feels manageable which was all I was ever looking for.

The Physiast should be your next shot... I have a condition also, that the Neuros and M.D.s and everyone else, refuse to discuss. Post- Polio Syndrome. When these Quacks don't know the answer and are too lazy to try and learn, they will tell you that you have Fibromyalgia, although I don't meet any of the symptoms for that.They came up w/ this "disease" to cover their tracks. I've read books and articles, and all suggest the Physiast. I also have Scleroderma, and those symptoms mimic those of Post Polio, so that really is a puzzle for them. ( The M.D.'s) I will try the Physiast, as they are supposed to be able to deal w/ the pain of these " untreatable" diseases. Good luck to you. Why not try it?
I am 76 and not wanting any invasive surgeries, which I probably wouldn't recover from...

Just reviewed the dates on these posts and are yrs. Old. However, someone who reads MY post, still could benefit from the answer.