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Severe chronic back pain
Severe chronic back pain…I’ve suffered for years and have been told different things about my back pain, I was told taking weight off would help ive last 50 pounds and no relief if anything it’s getting worse. I’m having a hard time doing basic things without being in severe pain. I’ve done massage Acupuncture physical therapy serval times. Now I’m just frustrated about even going to the doctor cause nothing changes. It hurts to even walk and my big toes on both feet are numb. What should I do I’m losing hope and I don’t know how much more pain I can handle. Please help
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What specific blood work is there for muscle function? I've had the EMG done on my legs and there is nerve damage to the lower right leg from being pre-diabetic. I have foot drop on that side.
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1 Reaction@bajjerfan
Do you have your pre-diabetes under control and have you been able to reduce blood sugars to stop the progression of nerve damage?
Creatine kinase (CK): This enzyme is primarily located in the brain, heart, and skeletal muscle. When muscle damage happens, CK seeps into the blood in growing amounts.
1. https://healthcareconsultantsusa.com/what-do-blood-work-muscle-enzymes-do.html
2. https://thekingsleyclinic.com/resources/understanding-muscle-enzyme-tests-procedure-levels-results/
3. https://drjockers.com/functional-blood-analysis/
4. https://mdaquest.org/key-diagnostic-tests-for-neuromuscular-diseases/
5. https://thereadystate.com/blogs/how-to-use-bloodwork-to-understand-inflammation-and-movement-quality/
6. https://www.rupahealth.com/post/lab-tests-for-patients-with-persistent-muscle-cramps
7. https://www.medicine.com/health/tests-musculoskeletal-disorders
I have had two expensive lower back injections for scoliosis and a herniated disc.
They proved useless as far as pain was concerned and left me with permanent numbness in both lower legs.
For the past 10 years I have taken daily doses of Hydrocodone, as needed. That relieves the chronic pain and pressure on my back and helps me sleep at night.
I still can only stand for a limited time and need to rest between chores, but at least the chronic pain subsides enough for me to tend to most of my personal needs.
I am also fortunate to have a family member nearby when I have taken a tumble and cannot get to my feet without physical help.
A back specialist said an operation would leave me in a wheelchair. Enough said.
In some cases, opioids can provide the only relief from chronic back pain.
Any nerve damage seems to have stabilized. At last check my A1c was 6.9 and I was told it would need to hit 7.0 before I would need something like Metformin. I don't know if it would be better to consult one of the local endocrinologists to manage my diabetic issues or my PCP.
@bajjerfan
You can work with your PCP or an endocrinologist but it may be good to see a nutritionist/dietitian to help you modify diet to reduce A1C rather than wait for you level to go from 6.9 to 7.0.
I am prediabetic and my mom had type 2 diabetes. My A1C is below the level that they prescribe the new medications. I find it frustrating that our healthcare system waits until people get sicker to reach a certain level before doing anything. They are still focused on illness and prescription medication and not wellness/prevention. We all suffer as a result and waste a lot of money for poor health outcomes and poor patient quality of life.
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1 ReactionOne of the things they recommend is exercise, but it's not possible for me to do enough to do any good. Shouldn't be hard to look up A1c and diet.