First post, advice needed!

rbrown · #1 (**permalink**) 07-14-2013, 07:09 AM

Mark called me and we were able to chat a bit. I mailed him copies of my MRI and Xrays. Maybe he will see something and have some ideas of what might be going on. It seems that a discogram might be a logical test but who knows if I'll find someone that does them through our HMO. I'm still having the low back spasms on and off. Less than before but still there. I'm trying to stay out of bed as much as I can during the day, I'm sick of laying here! Last couple days ive been on my feet, sitting for short periods and streching and excercising to the extent I can. I havent been having much leg pain and am wondering if I just tore or stretched a muscle/muscles or ligament or tendon or something in my low back. Maybe someone can comment if its "normal" that a disk or nerve issue is causing the muscle spasms or is it more likely that its just a muscle issue? I know the spine doesnt follow a given set of rules but I'm hoping that its a muscle problem that will heal sooner than later. I dont want another surgery and cant find a Dr that cares to find the problem. I'm still seing the Chiropractor but the last couple visits he didnt really get any adjustments done cause my pain and back are guarding to much for him to get any movement. I am getting electronic stim and cold lazer therapy there so I assume that is better to have than not.

Maria · #2 (**permalink**) 07-14-2013, 07:36 AM

Can often happen when spine is guarding or protecting itself. Torn ligaments, tendons, muscles take a long time to heal. Maybe a strain.

Disc material leaking out on a nerve (as in bulging disc) can create muscle spasms and usually does..

Try getting an injection of Toradol 60mg IM (Nsaid) if no known allergy to medication and no probs with kidneys. This often helps with muscle spasms pretty quickly and can break up a cycle that might take weeks to otherwise alleviate.

I had electric stim therapy and cold laser and did well with it though that was long ago and took many sessions.

rbrown · #3 (**permalink**) 07-15-2013, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maria

Can often happen when spine is guarding or protecting itself. Torn ligaments, tendons, muscles take a long time to heal. Maybe a strain.

Disc material leaking out on a nerve (as in bulging disc) can create muscle spasms and usually does..

Try getting an injection of Toradol 60mg IM (Nsaid) if no known allergy to medication and no probs with kidneys. This often helps with muscle spasms pretty quickly and can break up a cycle that might take weeks to otherwise alleviate.

I had electric stim therapy and cold laser and did well with it though that was long ago and took many sessions.

Does a bulged disc necessarily mean leaking disc material? If a disc is leaking will it stop leaking at some point? Would the Toradol injection still help even after ive been on two cycles of Prednisone? Can my primary Dr give me the Toradol or does that have to be a specialist?

Maria · #4 (**permalink**) 07-15-2013, 07:18 AM

Good reference is ChiroGeek's Home Page
You can get answer to many of your questions there.
Bulging discs when actively flared up are usually leaking some disc material. I have had flare ups for years with regard to leaking disc material from disc bulge. This is even after a discectomy at L4 and L5S1. Meaning the discs rebulged after surgery. I have not had fusion surgery or ADR. I think with either of these surgeries the complete disc is removed. While in theory this should mean no more pain from disc it doesn't mean there won't be pain from other sources.
I have had 2 spine surgeries and had 10 years worth of Epidural steroid injections and have taken a low dose opioid pain medicine now 1x/day for 12 years and Toradol injections help greatly to alleviate muscle spasms for me. it helped many people I know with back pain from spasms and most recently my ex has had an acute bout of back pain with spasms so I told him to go to Urgent Care and get an injection of Toradol and it helped him immediately. He still has some discomfort but he couldn't move at all hardly for the pain until he got the shot.
My primary care doc can give this injection, urgent care doctor, ER doctor, Pain Management doctor, etc. It is a Non steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. It may not be given if one is taking oral Nsaids on a daily basis, or one has an allergy to the medication or has problem with his or her kidney function.

rbrown · #5 (**permalink**) 07-15-2013, 09:25 AM

Maria?
Would it still make sense for the Toradol if two cycles of Prednisone havent taken the spasms away completely?

Maria · #6 (**permalink**) 07-15-2013, 02:45 PM

I imagine it might help although I'm not sure what your pain generators are and maybe the bulging disc or spasms isn't creating your current problem? Really I cannot say. If it were me I'd approach your primary care doctor about getting a Toradol injection (or whoever prescribed the steroids). It can't hurt to ask and even if one doctor turns down the notion then approach another.

Steroids are very potent anti-inflammatory meds but I don't like to use unless in an epidural steroid injection. I try to avoid taking them orally and preferably at all.

jsewell · #7 (**permalink**) 07-15-2013, 04:59 PM

Randy i am glad you sent your materials to MARK , he is the best.
About the bulging discs, i have had some that were bulging and they did not show any signs of leaking when i had the discography. so it is hard to say. Prednisone is a very strong anti inflammatory , you just have to really be careful not to take too much as it can shut down your adrenal glands from making cortisol as they haven't needed to when on prednisone. That is a nightmare i have experienced. you don' t want to go there. i am surprised someone gave you 2 doses so close together.
you said the chiro had not had any luck helping much the last few times. I am sorry about that.
I really don't have any advice at this point. Just hope your week goes well.
judy