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Back Issues

Keefe said:
So I’m dealing with some fairly major back issues for the fourth time in the last seven years. This time has been the worst. L2-3 herniated disc. I’ve been doing PT for three weeks so far and feel like I’m basically no better. I’m not in pain and haven’t been for 2-3 weeks. Just tightness and discomfort really. But to the point that if I did anything to sudden or involving too much weight, I know I’d **** it up again. Yep I might get an epidural in a few weeks if I still feel like I do now but can’t decide. Part of me wants to do more PT instead of the injection but at a different place.

Anyone have any experience with any of this? I know @Archie Moses has but his was far more serious than mine.

I’m slightly hesitant to get the injection as my wife knows someone who did, felt better, started working out, and then six months later, was a complete mess. The steroid only masked the problem or something. She had to get surgery.

For me, on top of doing PT, Im trying to lose weight as that’s a fairly major contributor in all this. I was 220 pounds at its onset and am down to 213. I could probably get to 207 by the end of this coming week—drinking always sets me back some. And I’d like to be 204 by the end of the month. 199 by the end of September. Etc.

Anyone? Any help here would be greatly appreciated. TIA.
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Get yourself a Teeter-Hang-Up, best decompression besides being on a table.
 
Not my back, but I have a “severely ruptured” C5/C6 disk that is causing “severe stenosis of the spinal column” and pinching the nerve that feeds my left shoulder and arm. I’m ****ing miserable.
The surgeon I was referred to said it’s non urgent and wanted to schedule my first appointment a month out. I basically told them to **** off. I found a doctor that fixes these things non surgically, but the insurance doesn’t cover it. I did the whole appeal thing. They hired an “outside source” to review it. They hired a ****ing neurosurgeon. Surprise, surprise the surgeon said the non surgical treatment is a no go. Now I’m appealing to the state insurance commission to see if they’ll approve it so my insurance will have to cover it. I really really don’t want to do the surgery and have vertebrae fused together in my neck.
 
bigb said:
Not my back, but I have a “severely ruptured” C5/C6 disk that is causing “severe stenosis of the spinal column” and pinching the nerve that feeds my left shoulder and arm. I’m ****ing miserable.
The surgeon I was referred to said it’s non urgent and wanted to schedule my first appointment a month out. I basically told them to **** off. I found a doctor that fixes these things non surgically, but the insurance doesn’t cover it. I did the whole appeal thing. They hired an “outside source” to review it. They hired a ****ing neurosurgeon. Surprise, surprise the surgeon said the non surgical treatment is a no go. Now I’m appealing to the state insurance commission to see if they’ll approve it so my insurance will have to cover it. I really really don’t want to do the surgery and have vertebrae fused together in my neck.
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What's the specialty of the non-surgeon?
 
bigb said:
That’s what he does. Non surgical treatment of exactly what I’m dealing with. https://advancedspineutah.com/
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www.nbcnews.com

Patients pay thousands for back pain treatment — with little scientific evidence that it works

Claims of success for spinal decompression devices stretch the truth, an investigation found. The treatment hasn't been proven in rigorous studies.
www.nbcnews.com www.nbcnews.com

If it really worked, insurance would jump all over it, because it would save them thousands of dollars. Health insurance companies always prefer the cheapest solution.
 
bigb said:
How are we going to get enough data if they’re not going to pay for it? Not everyone can afford the money to self pay.
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Promising research gets funded by the government.

I'm not telling you what to do, just making sure you see all sides first.
 
bigb said:
Not my back, but I have a “severely ruptured” C5/C6 disk that is causing “severe stenosis of the spinal column” and pinching the nerve that feeds my left shoulder and arm. I’m ****ing miserable.
The surgeon I was referred to said it’s non urgent and wanted to schedule my first appointment a month out. I basically told them to **** off. I found a doctor that fixes these things non surgically, but the insurance doesn’t cover it. I did the whole appeal thing. They hired an “outside source” to review it. They hired a ****ing neurosurgeon. Surprise, surprise the surgeon said the non surgical treatment is a no go. Now I’m appealing to the state insurance commission to see if they’ll approve it so my insurance will have to cover it. I really really don’t want to do the surgery and have vertebrae fused together in my neck.
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I don't blame you for not wanting vertebrae fused. Check to see if you insurance will cover Cervical Disc Replacement. Some will. Some won't.

 
bigb said:
Not my back, but I have a “severely ruptured” C5/C6 disk that is causing “severe stenosis of the spinal column” and pinching the nerve that feeds my left shoulder and arm. I’m ****ing miserable.
The surgeon I was referred to said it’s non urgent and wanted to schedule my first appointment a month out. I basically told them to **** off. I found a doctor that fixes these things non surgically, but the insurance doesn’t cover it. I did the whole appeal thing. They hired an “outside source” to review it. They hired a ****ing neurosurgeon. Surprise, surprise the surgeon said the non surgical treatment is a no go. Now I’m appealing to the state insurance commission to see if they’ll approve it so my insurance will have to cover it. I really really don’t want to do the surgery and have vertebrae fused together in my neck.
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That's essentially what my cancer surgery did. They fused C6 to T2 and sacrificed all nerve roots that feed my left arm. That's the exact pain I've been dealing with as well. I hope they figure it out for you. That really sucks.
 
I've recently been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my middle and lower back, and it hurts a ton. Started PT on Friday. I am grateful I don't have the serious problems that many of you have. But on top of my recent diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and my on-going heart and lung issues, there is just too much pain going on in my body.

I decided to order the McKenzie book suggested by a couple of you ($9.99 on Kindle). Sounds like it will give me a better understanding of my back and its issues. I suspect the arthritis is due to the many car accidents I was in during the 80s and 90s (no, I'm not a bad driver - only one was my fault). I remember a doctor telling me back then that I would have back pain for the rest of my life. I haven't until now, so again I'm grateful.

As far as mattresses go, I bought a Serta hybrid 3 years ago and I love it. My bed is about the only place I can get comfortable. Not all the time, but at least most of the time. I'm a side sleeper and don't move too much. I rotate it six months or so for the other side to get some use (for some reason, I can't stand sleeping in the middle). I got a free Purple pillow at the time, and it is my favorite pillow ever. Keeps my head cool.
 
bigb said:
Not my back, but I have a “severely ruptured” C5/C6 disk that is causing “severe stenosis of the spinal column” and pinching the nerve that feeds my left shoulder and arm. I’m ****ing miserable.
The surgeon I was referred to said it’s non urgent and wanted to schedule my first appointment a month out. I basically told them to **** off. I found a doctor that fixes these things non surgically, but the insurance doesn’t cover it. I did the whole appeal thing. They hired an “outside source” to review it. They hired a ****ing neurosurgeon. Surprise, surprise the surgeon said the non surgical treatment is a no go. Now I’m appealing to the state insurance commission to see if they’ll approve it so my insurance will have to cover it. I really really don’t want to do the surgery and have vertebrae fused together in my neck.
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**** man, I’m really sorry. Your situation sounds awful and is infinitely worse than mine.
 
JazzGal said:
I've recently been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my middle and lower back, and it hurts a ton. Started PT on Friday. I am grateful I don't have the serious problems that many of you have. But on top of my recent diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and my on-going heart and lung issues, there is just too much pain going on in my body.

I decided to order the McKenzie book suggested by a couple of you ($9.99 on Kindle). Sounds like it will give me a better understanding of my back and its issues. I suspect the arthritis is due to the many car accidents I was in during the 80s and 90s (no, I'm not a bad driver - only one was my fault). I remember a doctor telling me back then that I would have back pain for the rest of my life. I haven't until now, so again I'm grateful.

As far as mattresses go, I bought a Serta hybrid 3 years ago and I love it. My bed is about the only place I can get comfortable. Not all the time, but at least most of the time. I'm a side sleeper and don't move too much. I rotate it six months or so for the other side to get some use (for some reason, I can't stand sleeping in the middle). I got a free Purple pillow at the time, and it is my favorite pillow ever. Keeps my head cool.
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I hated my purple pillow. I think it’s still floating around here somewhere.
 
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