Tired of hurtin!

For the past few months I have been dealing with lower back pain.

My doctor hasn't been the best help, mainly because SHE can't find it (mind you she is an interalist) then.. well.. there should be nothing wrong..

I am here to say I am absolutely SICK of hurting all the time. It is amazing how hurting can effect everthing! Today is especially bad. I have a feeling a lot of it has to do with WORK. Seriously. I have tried massage therapy (which feels wonderful at the time.. like a hurt so good kind of thing) accupuncture.. and that seems to help for (record has it) for a day 1/2. I CANNOT wait until my treatment tomorrow!!!!.. and if anyone says.. accupuncture doesn't hurt.. they are lying!

I tell you if I was NOT in pain.. there is NO WAY I would let someone stick 12-15 NEEDLES in me!!!!

It seems the more sitting I do (i.e. work-day job) the more the pain progresses throughout the day. I tell ya.. how does a doctor HELP you? When they don't even believe you? I have an MRI scheduled wednesday and after that I am telling my doctor to give me up and let someone else take over (someone who can help!)

I have tried not to post about this only because  I KNOW.. there are A LOT of people who have it A LOT worse than me.. but today... I am sorry.. I couldn't help but vent....

I wanted soooooo bad to go to Art n Soul Vendor night in Portland this weekend... but 6 hours in the car seems like a nightmare to me right now! :(

Comments

[Paulette]

Oh Stacie I'm so sorry to hear you've been in so much pain. I hope your back gets to feeling better soon. I had been wondering if you were going to be coming down for Art & Soul. Thought we might get a chance to meet (I'm helping our dear friend Tracy at her booth on vendor night), but hopefully next time you're down here in Portland. :) Take care!

[joan in italy]

Hi Stacie,
could all be down to stress and depression...........they do strange things to you that no one can explain.
Go enjoy yourself at the festival
hugs
joan in italy

[Suzanne in Albany]

A friend of mine was recently having chronic back issues and was finally diagnosed with uterine fibroids, that's what was causing it! She had to go down the garden path before someone finally figured it out.
My life is on hold right now because I was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease (lymphoma). Not to worry, my prognosis is very good as it was caught very early. But I also was hoping to get to attend Art&Soul this year, and possibly Artfest next year, but now I have chemo&radiation to deal with--BOO-HOO! It's the inability to be able to plan things right now that is bugging me (almost) the most!
Take care,
Suzanne

[Amy]

You absolutely need to have a doctor who will listen to you and believe in you. Otherwise, they can drive you crazy! I hope you feel better soon.

[Jen Osborn]

I know I keep saying this, but I'm really going to give you a call about this next week. You are so not alone in your chronic back pain, and yes I do think it is related to the kind of artwork we make (the hunching over and working at low tables)!

I've been going through my whole back nightmare for 3 years now and it's finally starting to pay off. I'll tell you more about it on the phone, but injections are only the beginning. They worked briefly for me (which is good news I guess) and now I'm on to rhizotomy (which is burning the nerve roots [they grow back in 6 to 12 months]).

I have to admit I'm finally feeling some relief after hashing it out with my own GP and being refered to a Pain Center.

You need to be asked for a referral to a Neurologist and a Pain Center. (your hospital should have one) They have fantastic doctors who specialize in chronic pain and don't ridicule or deny your pain! They even do pain counseling and biofeedback!

I'm going in for outpatient surgery (my second one in 2 weeks) on Thursday and I have in-laws in town until Sunday, but I will call you next Tuesdayish and let you vent and offer suggestions :)

hang in there!

hugs
me

[erika]

I am so sorry to hear that you are hurting! Back pain is the worst! I am a believer of the chiropractor - have you tried it? Yoga/pilates have helped too but probably not if it is deeper and a serious problem. I hope you get better! And thanks for asking, I would never say no to help, but right now I got everything under control (I think). Get well!

[Maija Lepore]

Spinal injection of cortisone!! It was a life saver for me. I had the pain start and it got worse until I couldn't walk anymore. I got 3 injections (the most you can get for at least a year) and I haven't had severe pain for about 9 years. This was a miricle for me...I had some debilitating back problems....buldging disc. Sometimes I get some back ache, but a lot of that can be attributed to my excess weight.
The steroid injections rock! It's not painful, just really queer feeling.
oxox

[Teresa]

I am so sorry, there is nothing worse than backpain. My husband had the same thing and it ended up being a kidney stone--go figure. Hope you are better soon!

Teresa

[angela mary]

I don't know if you've already tried this, but I find stretching and excercising my back every morning has worked wonders. My physiotherapist gave me the best back-care routine, and now I'm pain free and bending without fear.

(Sorry, you don't know me as I've lurked for the last few weeks, but I love your work and find you an inspiration).