How do you deal with it, besides meds? This month is 25 years for me, L-4, L-5, S-1. Left foot is numb and hurts 24/7 from nerve damage. Inoperable. Ran out of options years ago. Been in the "Live with it" stage for years. Distractions help, good movie, boobies, etc...What about you?

try eliminating almost all carbs and sugars. Take fish oil, boswelia, hyaluronic acid and alpha lipoic acid, B12 seems to help with nerve pain. Walk a lot and try and keep moving and stretching and stay hydrated. Worth a try

Don't have answers but sorry to hear about that. One of my BIL's is in the same boat. Every joint in his body looks painful to even look at (RA).

Have you tried CBD/THC?

Thanks ribka, I'm familiar with those suggestions, I have a bit of a sweet tooth so cutting out sugar has been hard for me. I have celiacs, so I don't do grains.

duck911: Thanks for the suggestion but high potency CBD has been zero help and THC is illegal in Idaho so that's not an option.

Been going thru the same for the last 43 years, haven't found anything that really helps. Mine is L3,L4,L5,SI, and have arthritis in with the bad discs. I've been told the same as you that I've just got to live with it or get it all fused and I don't want any part of that, already have C3,4 and 5 fused.

I've had the L4-L5 pain for 3 yrs now, been living with it taking OTC pain killers up to a couple months ago and I tried CBD for a while and it was about as effective as OTC pain killers. I started the steroid shots 2 months ago which just help a little. Planning on surgery to fuse the vertebrae in January. Why is your inoperable? Have you had 2nd opinions?

L4, L5, maybe S1 arthritic stenosis and bulging discs. Shots for those every now and again. Was thinking of signing up for another when The Corona hit. Decided to wait a bit more.

Moderate to severe arthritis at the base of both thumbs, in my hands and some in my feet too. Kidney issues preclude the use of Advil and stronger NSAIDs. 2000mg of turmeric every day, 3 pills of the Costco glucosamine with MSM, 2000mg of vitamin C, and regular exercise keep the pain down to a dull roar most days. When it gets a bit worse, a couple of Tylenol Extra Strength. Much worse and I have some "pills", but too many and they make me want to sit on the couch all day.

Didn't necessarily think the turmeric would work well, but a friend suggested it and then one of my kidney specialists, from Harvard Med School, said their studies are showing there seems to be something to it. Maybe it's all in my mind, but I seem to be able to do more before the pain gets bad.

Was in my mid- late 50's when I woke one morning to the realization there would be no more pain free days. Oh well, I'm still kickin'.

Having the knee replaced after a few years of living with it bone on bone arthritis sure made life about 75% better though. Big help, that.

Good luck with it.

I ordered this. Heard good feedback

https://teeter.com/product/dex-ii/

Stretching, yoga and movement, healthy low carb ( have to commit every day) really does help with pain. The worst thing you can do is remain sedentary and eat crappy processed food

Going on 10 years... first my knee went out then lost my balance because I was to vain to use a cane and fell and hurt my back.... back pain makes knee pain seem easy. The first orthopedic surgeon I saw when coming to grips with loss of ability to get around like I want to said, "Don't let the pain define who you are..." I thought about slugging him . Easy for him to say.... Turns out it was pretty good orthopedic psychiatry.

I have had some success ignoring it.... try to focus on stuff I still can do.... some days are better than others and I try to make the best of those.... Swimming has done more for pain management than anything else.... up until COVID hit and the pool closed.... that has sucked.

I had developed a group of "pool buddies" that I talked to hanging out in the whirl pool. It is good for me to visit with others who have some kind of medical thing going on but understand you can't just take a pill and be all better. Diet exercise and attitude are 3 things we do have some control over. I miss my pool buddies.

My guess is that there are several of us here getting a bit long in the tooth and dealing with pain/mobility issues. I'd much prefer to talk about dealing with there "challenges" soaking in a turbo charged whirl pool... but thanks for starting this thread.

Platelet-rich-plasma. Helped me avoid spinal fusion. Still have to watch what I do, but I'm not in pain any more. Worth looking into at the very least.

Also, improvements with stem cell treatment in recent years.

As Bill Clinton said, "I feel your pain".
Unlike him, I really did.
I'm sorry to hear about your challenges.
Injury or diabetic neuropathy?

I had Serious back injuries all the way down. Totally healed now and full range of motion restored, thank God.

Aside from opiates it's best to keep the anti inflammatory meds in the system. Once you've experienced opiates ain't nothing else going to help.

g

Lyrica / Cymbalta combination therapy

And radio frequency nerve ablation

fluoroscopic guided spinal epidural

Have had the third suggestion a few times.

They suggested when that quits helping to go to number two suggestion.

I'm not a fan of the side effects of #1 components, so I may just go for CBD, or something "along those lines" (It's legal here but dangerous for me)

Have had 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc opinions, surgeons say the same thing, they can take the pressure off the nerve but the damage is done and will still hurt so why bother. Have tried multiple shots, no help. Good luck with your situation.

Lyrica and opioids help me maybe 20%-25%, RFNA pretest was a fail, epidurals (multiples) were no help.

I aint never flew outta no window or nothin

Stared a wall for a couple hours, several times, but only because I ran out of playdough to eat

Hate to hear that

I recently had a knee done, RF was less than hyped expectations, help about 50% of pain had.

I'm betting there weren't any catboxes around.


Hopefully.

Only old guys eat tootsie rolls

Was that the dangerous part ?

🤣🤮

Tambourines and elephants.

Look at all the happy creatures, dancin' on the lawn.

BTDT..................I think.

That must be a bad thing, sorry some of you do!

Osteoarthritis gives me quite a bit of pain. Used Norco or similar for years. After hip replacement, stopped those, but other locations of the body have the condition. Mostly I just live with the 24/7 pain. Did not go back on opioids.

A friend is a retired Army Ranger. After many parachute jumps, he's retired on disability because of back injuries. He finally resorted to acupuncture. He has little gold needles in his ears. He says that while the pain isn't gone, it's greatly reduced. It's worth looking into, anyway.

Do two ex-wives count?

John, walking sticks that can be used for defense if need be are cooler than canes. I've seen some pretty nifty ones out there or make one.

Since my gym closed because of Covid I feel like crap. I am doing weights but no cardio. Right now I am on a waiting list for the Concept2 rowing machine. They are now telling me it will be the end of September before they can ship.

Lower back below belt line through tailbone.
Pudendal nerve and sciatic.
Every day.
Sometimes lightning bolts but usually a dull ache that is ALWAYS there.
Just makes ya tired, half a breath kinda thing.
I work, job physical.....but always muscle and mental fatigue because this chit never leaves.

Well almost never. Oddly, I got 3 days in a row pain free last yr.

Weird.

Sitting in Jeep at surgery center now. Kid blew up a knee, getting checked out. So am on web, sitting in jeep w my lower back at low burn ( simmer) and a bit of leg numbing.

Good times

Back pain, lessens the pain ( felt ) for chronic headaches ( every day ) and bum shoulder.

Nothing is fun anymore.

Oops on an outpatient deal had me really fugged for 3 yrs w wicked pain, then pinched nerve in middle back and now this lower back crap. Have been hurting since 2000.

Just notice it way more now.

I have ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis in the spine. I take methotrexate weekly along with several daily vitamins. I have prednisone for flare up as well. Like was said earlier limiting sugar and carbs helps tremendously.

My knees have been in rough shape for a long time. I am 57 years old and they have seen a mountain of abuse in my lifetime.

Had two surgeries over the past 20 years... went to a doctor about 2 months ago to start the process of a total knee replacement. Taking care of an elderly parent at the moment and was just simply trying to buy some time with some cortisone shots or whatever... until a future date.

X-ray showed severe wear between the fibia and the fibula.

Just finished a third shot of three of euflexxa... and holy smoke this knee feels like it is New Again. I am not exaggerating. Simply unbelievable the night and day difference. Crazy stuff... I am a total believer.

Apparently this knee goo is a supplemental lubricant acid that replaces the natural lubricant acid that keeps your various cartilage hydrated and at peak cushion.

I have no idea, but I have gone from barely able to walk to contemplating taking up jogging again.

Believe it or not... my insurance also covered the prescription. Doc said it may last years but if not every six months as a treatment is allowable by both the medication specs and the insurance company.

Only sharing as a comfort to folks that may suffer knee pain also.

Yoga has certainly helped my lower back pain even just doing the beginners series of stretches. Also been doing reverse hyper extensions.

I had a disc slip at L4/L5 in 2009 and had it shaved off. I've dealt with scar tissue pain ever since. I fell again in 2016 and have been dealing with a lot of pain last few years. I now have L4/L5 S1 issues. With the L5 S1 pinching my left leg goes numb if I walk or stand too long. They want to put pins and screws or a titanium brace in my L4/L5 but I am waiting until I absolutely can't stand it any more. I've had three different opinions so far and may go for one more.

I can't take oxy's or the like, they make me sick in the stomach. And I really have to watch taking the Ibuprophen (NSAIDs) because my kidney function goes bonkers if I take a lot. They made me quit taking Cymbalta because of my kidneys.

I certainly can't do what I could do 10 years ago and it sucks.

I also have ankylosing spondylitis, diagnosed with it in '81 when I was 23yrs old. Also have scoliosis which worsens the AS. Combine that with congestive heart failure with first pacer in '95 @ 39yr old. Prosthetic mitral valve @ 41 which I have to be on warfarin for. Then a bad stroke Jan of '15 5 days after new pacer/defib implant. With all the heart issues and blood thinner there are many meds I cannot take or procedures they cannot do. Been on/off opiates since '97 or so. Took 3 10mg of oxy yesterday because things were so bad. Disk between L2-L3 I guess pretty much gone and pinching sciatic nerve into right leg. So left leg numb and foot just feels like I am dragging a mass around. Right butt cheek and back of thigh and calf hurt like hell some days with constant (4-5on pain scale) pain 24/7. Least I guess I am one of the few who has not become addicted to opiates according to Doc. Many days I just take Tramadol and get by.

All I know is after 40yrs+ of pain and no real fix anymore for anything I am waiting for my creator to visit. Hardly can sleep and mentally is a challenge every day!!!! Wished I could remember when I had no pain but cannot, been at least 20yrs I know.

Since 1985.

After a while you learn to get along with it.

Even those times when you have to remember to breathe.

I take some meds but back when i had the fusions done i turned them back in because they worked to good.

The Doc said that he had not had a patient turn in something because it worked to well.
I just told him that i wanted to things other than sit on the couch or chair all day.

Sometimes it gets hard to get going in the morning.

No meds, put it out of your head and keep plowing, left knee ortho, spinal fusion, ping pong ball bone knocked off right elbow, rotator cuff tear, healed, meniscus tear, healed, 4 fuggin bullet holes, hatchet to the right hip bone, little bones that make up the arch of your foot, cracked all those sombitches, healed, back of head peeped like a banana two times to remove shrap, gas on it man, never quit!

Dang gunner, were you a cashier at a 7-11 in the ghetto?

You could say that

Someone mention acupuncture? My mom has had great success with nerve and arthritis pain.

All cutting up and being silly aside Slum, nothing, and I mean nothing hurt like that hatchet hitting live living 'green' bone, it felt like god hit me in the side with a bolt of lightning, fear the blade my Friend, anyone shows you a blade in anger, shoot the fu-k out of em!

No scrip meds here.
The occasional Excedrin for headaches beyond the norm ( no migraine last 8 yrs or so ......those fuggers suck ).

I just take the pain. Work standing on concrete lifting stuff.
Shift starts at 4 and will be getting warmed up til about 6. From 6 to 10 i feel pretty good. Been moving enough.
Done at 12, home, showered and rigormortis by 1 am.

W my back its stand 5 sit 5 walk 5 repeat.

[quote=gunner500]All cutting up and being silly aside Slum, nothing, and I mean nothing hurt like that hatchet hitting live living 'green' bone, it felt like god hit me in the side with a bolt of lightning, fear the blade my Friend, anyone shows you a blade in anger, shoot the fu-k out of em! [/quote
I winced reading your first mention of that.

Lots of folks don't realize how soft "green" bone is. Until they break one, or get hit by a hatchet.

I've had the ends of two digits grazed by things taking the end of the digit off, or trying to. Wasn't fun.

Gotta keep moving is right. Drug, no drugs, homeopathic stuff, witch doctors, medicine women, crystals and amulets, Stations of the Cross...............whatever works, just don't give up!

Man you sound like me. 15 years. Two back surgeries. Two foot surgeries to correct improper stance caused by nerve damage. Thankfully pain is not constant, but there is pain of some sort every day. Gabapentin, Duloxotine help. IMS weekly. Some days pain is frequent enough and bad enough, I question if living is worth it. Pain really wears you down. My wife and children keep me grounded along with a Christian faith.

I also use Biofreeze and Voltaren to help mitigate pain. Sometimes I wonder if CBD oil might not help?

I'm going on about 9 years and getting worse every year. Started years ago with random foot or ankle or tie joint pain. Spent years trying to treat it as gout with little success. 9 years ago back pain started. Ended up with central stenosis down to 5mm at L3 L4, And L5.
Ended up with cause equine syndrome and had emergency laminectomies.

Other joints, knees, hips, and especially Achilles tendons got really sore and stiff. Started growing bone spurs everywhere. Finally figured out it was ankylosising spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. I'm in pain all the time now and its really slowed me down the last few years.

Bb

Might try a TENS unit, but a hospital grade, not one from Walmart. I have lived with back pain for over 50years. Two surgeries,that helped some . I wore a TENS unit every day for for about 12 years before my last surgery. I still use one when my back acts up.

I also use a topical cream called SOMBRA Cool Therapy (Amazon , about$ 18) There is also a warm therapy,but it has the Capsacian (sp) in it that I can't use.
Ialos use acBD cream

I stay away from Gabapenton.Too many side effects

For me it's just a matter of which of my chronic pain issues is going to be the worst on any given day. Bad knees. Bad back. Bad shoulder. Chronic headaches. Anal warts.

I have three lower back disc that are basically gone they look like thin black lines on the MRI, and a pucked up right shoulder . I use a small TENS unit every night specially if I've been working hard or just tweaked it somehow. Small portable TENS unit does wonders for me, long drives put the pads on and cut it very low and drive with no pain for hours. Sometimes going to the movies and will be setting up for an hour and a half can't move much I put the TENS unit on I've worn it at school many days working no issues. I would much rather use the TENS unit then narcotic pain relief. I have prescription anti-inflammatories and sometimes can get away with just ibuprofen but usually just use the TENS unit.

Phoouuuck.

After reading all of these,,,,I feel great!

Seriously, never take a good day for granted.

“Remember thou thy Creator, oh man”

Ecc. Talks about the vissictitudes of aging and what to expect.

Paul,,,,,ya coulda left out the last part.
Grins

Edited to add:
That’s what q u e e r s call “speed bumps “.

I was just checking to see who was reading all the way through...maybe.

You can get relief. There is a doctor in OKC and he also goes to Weatherford OK that gives a couple of shots called Dexalog 12. I live in Arkansas and heard about it from my son in Kansas. I called a guy that he knew that had had the shot and decided to give it a try. It cost $300, and insurance won't cover it. But they are the best things on earth for pain. He puts one shot in a short IV and pushes it straight into a vein. Then he puts the other in the shoulder. You will be pain free for about 3-6 months, depending. It's different for everyone. You can look them up on dexalog12.com

See the edit.

Dang right Geno, that kind of pain can't be explained, hope no one else has to find out, and Yessir, never stop, like those race Hemi's out in the shop, turn em over every now and then, or if not going to race for a season, back the valve springs off, they'll cease just like us from inactivity, do not yield, and don't quit!

Core strength cures a lot. It ain't easy, but anything worth pursuing isn't.

Ribka has about the best idea that has no cost, and will help you loose weight besides. About 1 1/2 yrs ago , I made a thread " sore all over. " Several here said stop the carbs, soda ands bread ETC. My friend who is my age can run 10 miles. He told me to quit that sugar and carbs crap. In a week , I lost 3 lbs and felt a lot better. By end of summer , I was down 12 lbs and felt really good for 55 yrs old . I slowly started with the bread, a burger , a soda, , ice cream a little at a time. Today I decided to go back to the barbless diet cause I am sore all over again. Pain in my joints cause sugar inflames your joints. This might not help the main problem, but it will get rid of other pain if that is part of the problem. In your case , get rid of anything that may cause pain , and it may be several different things.

I can attest to this. When I was 18 or so I cut my index finger on a bandsaw, straight in the end of the finger and about 1/2 to 3/4 inch into the bone. Like you said "Bolt of lightning" hurt like hell mfor the first week and by the end of the second week it only hurt when you bumped it.

BTW, it sure seems like you bump your finger a lot.......I had no idea.

As for 270winchester either he or the Doc waited to long to get something done. when I started to have back problems I did a lot of reasearch on it and found out that you can only ding a nerve so many times and the damage is permanent. it's important to not put things off when it involves nerves.

Don't get sucked into pain management (Unless all other options have failed) and don't get fooled into thinking shots are the way to go either. both of these options only mask the problem neither one fixes it.

Your best option is to do your due diligence and find a good neurosurgeon and just get it fixed. it's a bitch being off work for 5 months and having to be careful with your back for 3 to 4 years afterwards but it's worth it in the long run. it's certainly better than becoming disabled and have chronic pain for the rest of your life.

Surgery is no fun but it's a Godsend when done by a competent doctor.

YESSIR, steel splitting our bones mucho sucks!

Lots of pain for some of you fellas.
Sorry to hear this.
Myself: 14 surgeries. All kinds of good things have been done.
Four spinal surgeries, A Fusion in my neck and my lower back is fused L3 to S1
I hurt some days more than others.
What helps: Diet. low carb, very little sugar. When I eat, I tell myself to eat smart.
I walk a lot, do calisthenics. No alcohol.
Three knee surgeries, all on my right knee. They are both wore out.
Not going to give up.
I’ve worked hard all my life. I’m 63 years young, wake everyday thankful.

I guess this is the short story.
Take care

Dang right Hammerdown, if we quit, we die, your post reminded me I have a compression fracture at C6 vertebrae too.

Man I havent heard the word calisthenics since Alice’s cousin Sgt Emma filled in for Alice in The Brady Bunch


Alice's cousin Emma, a former master sergeant, takes Alice's place while she is away, and she subjects the Bradys to a demanding military-like routine that makes them feel like they've been drafted into the Army


.....deep thoughts

What Hammerdown said about a low carb/low sugar diet helping with pain is all true. I am full of Osteoarthritis,so I have chronic pain and lots of it. Had full knee replacements on both knees at 48. Trying get where I can swing being off for 2 months to have ankles cut on. I started on keto earlier this year and noticed pretty quick that cutting back the carbs and sugars really helped with joint inflammation. It's not a cure all,but it made enough difference to be worth sticking with it.

Liberals have been a pain in the ass since the early ‘60s AFAIC.

Well , in a way I chose it. Picked every tough job and liked them, horseshoeing, pipe fitting, riding colts.... Ain't no office boy.
I have trouble at night and getting going early due to many fractures and repairs. The worst was an shoulder anchor that absessed and damn that hurt.
I move better as the day progresses and I work at staying limber and toughened. This isn't dress rehersal- give it everything you got. Cheers

Have you tried the epidural injections.You can get three injections two weeks apart once a year. Pain doctor, yes there are doctors that deal with nothing but pain.

I feel for all of you. Chronic lower back pain here now for about six years. I ran for exercise and stress relief until 60 when I had a bad leg injury. In retrospect, it was probably a good cardiovascular thing but no doubt cost the muscular-skeletal system a bunch.

I was an anesthetist and did pain management (all the fluoroscopic spinal injections) until ‘15 when I retired and then did only pain injections until 2019. In ‘15 hurt my back in the Wind Rivers on an elk hunt and had all the injections and RFA’s since without relief. Radiographs, MRI’s also showed some scoliosis and degenerative disk disease (DDD), which is fairly common at age 50 and over.

Really can’t take NSAIDS (aspirin Ibuprofen, naproxen etc) because last fall developed paroxysmal a-fib (means it occurs every once and awhile) which requires an anticoagulant and all the OTC pain relievers can add to that “blood-thinning” effect seriously.

So, I wear a brace, use ice, stretch, lie down, and take occasional tramadol. Interestingly, I found a dropping barometer greatly affects my discomfort

Some perspective: not much good happens to the body after thirty or so (for some earlier) and it’s the rare 80 y/o who doesn’t have some of these serious medical issues. I doubt I experience what some of you do by your explanations but some times, it’s quite bad.

But then I’m a pilgrim and just traveling through; heavens my home and it “looks“ better every day.

You guys have me knocking on every piece of wood within reach.

Ice baths seemed to help with the pain, especially when my back is “locked up” and I can’t move. Yes, the shrinkage is real.

Another to try is epson salt bath.
I took one a couple of weeks ago, it seamed to help.
I’m not one for bathtubs. First one I had.
It’s hard for me to get in and out of the bathtub. Bathtubs aren’t made for people six feet and taller.
And a fused back.

You described my issue to a T only it's the right foot and 17 years. Amature surgeon at Walter Reed.

kwg

I feel so bad I ever thought,"Um, yeah right..." when I heard an older person say, "Good Lord I can feel it in my bones... the weather is going to change...".

It was not their imagination.... It never occurred to me I'd become that older person.... I'm still immature I'd been counting on that to keep the slings and arrows of aging at bay....

I have been a serious swimmer much of my life and especially so the past 10 years for pain management.... I had been thinking that low impact regular exercise would subtract about 10 years worth of aging pain and mobility problems.... I have not been in a pool for 5 Months now.... pretty sure this is what feeling 10 years older is like.....

Been paying for my federally funded demise at an early age.. but I figure I owe somebody Ive never met something.

The pain isnt as chronic as the guilt.....

Glad it helped you.I’m fused from L2-S1.If I had it to do over again,I would have never had the first one.Y’all exhaust all the other options before the knife.Prayer,distraction,stretching and low-impact exercise,NSAID’s and pain meds only go so far.Lot of truth in not giving-up,but I can’t say I’m not ready to see heaven’s gate.Keep your mind strong and full of good thoughts,and never forget that it could always be worse