Chronic Lower Back Pain MRI Normal

Updated on January 31, 2011
L.W. asks from Plainfield, IL
9 answers

I’m extremely frustrated. I’ve had chronic low back pain for over a year now. The pain was already there and was made worse after I had a minor roller skating accident. I was taken out by an 8 year old and fell flat on my back onto the little boy’s roller skates. That’s when I finally went to see my doctor. I had huge bruises on my bottom from the skates that I fell on. I had an MRI that showed a minor bulge on my L4 and L5. I’ve tried steroid injections, Physical Therapy, Chiropractor, Acupuncture, Weight loss, Endometriosis Surgery, massage, and a new mattress with no relief. The first thing I do in the morning is take 2 Aleve. My Dr. prescribed pain meds but they don’t work and make me tired. The Neurologist and Orthopedic surgeon cannot understand why I’m in so much pain. The pain is actually right above my butt and hurts constantly while sitting and trying to stand. I’m even having trouble trying to sleep. I do have Endometriosis, but had surgery back in August to have it removed. Now, the orthopedic Dr wants me to have a Pelvic MRI. Does anyone know what this will show? What can an MRI show that my Gyno couldn’t see back in August. Can it be something in my pelvis that is causing my back to hurt? Could it be my tailbone? The MRI was only of my Lumbar Spine and not my sacral or tailbone.
I have been having horrible periods since my surgery in August including horrible bleeding, cramping, vomiting, and infertility. My husband and have been trying for months with no such luck. I know what you’re thinking, why would we want to get pregnant when I’m in so much pain. We have wanted another baby for a long time and we don’t want to wait too long and miss our opportunity. I would prefer to fix my back before we get pregnant though.
I just can’t take the pain anymore. Sorry about the rambling, but this is affecting my livelihood.

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F.W.

answers from Cumberland on

My husband had severe back pain in the sacroiliac joint area--the pain would radiate down his leg and feel numb. While the chiropractor helped, the cheapest and most effective solution has been Dr. Scholl 's insoles for back pain relief. He barely has problems now despite the fact one of his vertebrae is basically dead

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

I can't believe your orthopedist didn't have you get an MRI a long time ago.

I broke my lower back when my daughter was a baby and it was hell.
The bad news was there wasn't much they could do about it until it healed. That was over 20 years ago and I still have problems with it sometimes. Sitting too long, especially in the car, really bothers me.
I am very active and walk/get around just fine, but it took a long time for the pain to go away after it first happened.
Definitely get the MRI done so you can know where your pain is coming from. It's my guess you fractured something when you fell.

Best wishes.

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J.S.

answers from Chicago on

Hi, I know you said you tried acupuncture, but I just wanted to make sure you saw an actual acupuncturist (not a chiro who also does acupuncture - chiros are great, but they can do acupuncture without going to school for three years like an actual acupuncturist). My hubby is an acupuncturist and I've had severe lower back pain since I was a child and acupuncture is the only thing that has ever helped it. His website, www.SassackAcupuncture.com has some info. Sorry I don't have any more advice than that.

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N.D.

answers from Benton Harbor on

Are you under a lot of stress? Do you feel overwhelmed with parts of your day to day life? I recently read The MindBody Prescription when I was dealing with rectal spasms. My pain seemed to get worse with stress. When I read the book I realized how much internal rage I had about things in the past and the pressures of being a "good" wife and "good" mother. This doesn't mean that you are imagining the pain. Not at all. It just means that your brain would rather distract you with back pain (by cutting off blood supply to that region) rather than feel threatened by the repressed emotions.

Just a thought, and it might sound looney but it just may help.
Good luck!

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A.L.

answers from Las Vegas on

try yoga... apart from the roller skating accident and other direct hits to the back, that which causes back pain is tight hips and thighs.. they pull on the muscles around the area.. often the reason our knees hurt are because of tight hips but same goes for the lower back..... tight hips pull on the surrounding area ... it's worth checking out... also, believe it or not, they have yoga classes that are designed for women trying to conceive.... it's believed that specific poses help to open up the body... I knew a woman who did this and it worked twice. Now, everyone is different, what worked for her may not for you, but in terms of back pain, the yoga could possibly really help you... it's worth checking out.. best of luck

G.T.

answers from Modesto on

Get a tush cush, they really help relieve spine pressure and alleviate some of the pain.
Are you over weight at all? Sometimes our bodies let us know when you get to much meat on our bones. When I ever I get about 20lbs over weight my knee hurts, if I lose a pound it stops.
It sounds like you've had every test possible.
I have 3 herniated disks, but the epidural really helped me a lot. I had the shot back around the end of October and have been pretty much pain free since. My doc also told me to start using the tush cush so I've been using it religiously.
Pregnancy would be the last thing on my mind if I was in that much pain, my hat's off to you for considering it. Just sounds like torture to me. good luck.

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N.D.

answers from Chicago on

I think that you absolutely need to have the MRI of your pelvis done and am shocked that given your injury that they didn't look at this sooner. You clearly have something going on and you definitely need to get to the bottom of it. I wouldn't wait on that.

I wanted to also let you know that I had Endometriosis and had 4 laparoscopies done to try to help it. Once I was done having the children, I made the decision to have a Hysterectomy. It was absolutely one of the best decisions that I have ever made! My lower back pain is gone and I am no longer in chronic pain. While I know that this isn't an option for you right now...it could provide some relief for you in the future.

Good luck. I hope that they get to the bottom of this!
N.

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P.M.

answers from Portland on

Since the pain was there even before your fall, I wonder if the endometriosis was possibly the origin. I have really extensive adhesions from a burst appendix when I was 12, and I have had belly, flank and low-back pain ever since, which became worse after I gave birth, and then much worse around menopause. Just a suggestion – I think the muscles surrounding my lower torso "freeze up" to protect my innards.

I sure do hope you find a cause that you can work with. If it seems to be your body's attempt to protect something tender inside, you may get some benefit from deep tissue work (contact a chiropractor or massage therapist for more on this).

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L.L.

answers from Topeka on

You could of broke or cracked your tailbone why wsn't there x-rays taken after the accident occured in that area?Prolong getting pregnant till you have more answers a vaginal delvery isn't what you need right now till you get your pain under control & kow what your dealing with

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