The results? I have the lower back of a 60 year old!! Can you believe that? And by degenerative, that means as I get older it will get more and more painful. No cure. Just management.
For now, we did 4 very painful shots to my lower lumbar this evening. If this works over the course of the next few days, I may be doing this every couple of months for a while!
Why? The Pain Management Specialist believes it was caused primarily from childbirth and my prolonged bedrest.
Suggestions:
A glass of red wine every night - I'm loving this doc already!! This will decrease the swelling.
Yoga
Less red meat
Can still do Zumba, as long as my feet stay on the ground - no jumping whatsoever!
Stretching
I will definitely be working on each of his suggestions because this BLOWS!!
Oh, yeah, did I mention those shots really friggen hurt!!!!
37 with Degenerative Arthritis! Unbelievable! I can't catch a health break at all!!!
4 comments:
My back went out for the first time when I was 27. I have scoliosis and three herniated disks. I'm telling you now, there is virtually nothing you can do but learn to deal with it. Believe it or not, a lot of it is mind over matter (check the research). The bottom line is, 80% of Americans suffer from some sort of chronic back pain. Surgery should be the last resot because it rarely works. Those shots ... sorry, but they won't work. I'm sorry to be doom and gloom, but I've been dealing with this problem for YEARS, and I've seen and done it all. The only things that might give temporary and fast relief is Aleve, and getting the heck on your feet and walking it off the minute an episode starts, or, when in agony, a heating pad on your lower back with your feet up, under some pillows, but get out of bed and MOVE as soon as possible. Also, and I wish I coul dfollow mt own advise ... stomach exercises to make your stomach muscles as strong as possible. That might take some strain off your bakc. Oh, and never lift with your back. Good luck, honey, and welcome to the club.
It could be worse. You could have colon cancer before you're 40. Don't know if I could do the lower back injections. That's gotta be just as bad as chemotherapy.
@BonBon -Thanks BonBon! I did see your post. And it definitely is what it is! My diet starts today, the red wine starts today, and my yoga started this morning. Believe me, I get it, that's why I made sure to write that I know there's no cure...just management. Sorry about yours, had no idea! See you are my MamaBon b/c I inherited this from you LOL
@Leon - you are surely right, and I continue to keep you in my prayers. The back injections were wicked!! Made my epidural seem like a baby pinch!
Yipes! Management is key, Phoebe. Keep it under your own control. My thoughts are with you.
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