What can help with constant pain in back, hips and legs?

@heyjoe415
I'm glad joe gave this advice.Because, after reading ninety nine percent of these, I was about to give up with advice for you too. I'm three years out of s one l five l four fusion, and one year out of taking the hardware out also. I only took three of the five hundred or so oxies that they gave me access to. Of course.Core strength and getting your body better than it's ever been is the only way to live this out. Start with stewart mcgill's big three. From there, make this your number one priority.

@gwj734 I have been treated like a junkie as well. After 4 spinal surgeries and living with 15 levels of my neck and spine fused, I have realized that I just have to ignore doctors like that.

First - surgery is your only answer UNLESS you don't want to stay independent. You didn't say why it wasn't an option so no advice can be given. If you don't have surgery, your vertebrae will fuse by themselves and they will squish the nerve roots that feed the rest of your body, and you will get Foot Drop and, incontinence and be in a wheelchair. I have a feeling it is because you are by yourself. I am 69, and I have been by myself for all of my 5 major joint replacements and fusions. You just deal with it. The best part is life goes on and you get your life back!
If there is something else stopping you, please let us know. Some people decide years too late that the pain sucks and they are ready for surgery at any cost, but the doctor says they can no longer do the surgery because the body is too compromised. This all may sound harsh but you either can take control and regain your life and independence or be controlled and live in a wheelchair in a little room at a facility. If this is your fear (that you are alone with no family) write back and I'll fill you in. By the Grace of God we do go, and people ARE there to help us through these things! For sure. For sure.

@loriesco
Thank you for your comment. I appreciate you being direct. When I say I am alone, I am alone. My closest family is 500 miles away and they have full time jobs and children. I have no friends that would help me. I have a special needs dog to take care of. Dr says I would be in the hospital for several days. I have no one that can step in and care for my dog. There would be no one to help when I get home.
I don't trust the medical community. There wouldn't be anyone to advocate for me.
Everything you said makes sense. I do appreciate you laying it out the way you did. You have given me a lot to think about. I am scared and confused.

Hi jong and thank you for your kind words.

What was your experience like after having S1/L5/L4 fused. These are the vertebrae I would likely need fused. I'm doing all I can to maintain a strong set of core muscles and avoid this.

I'm interested in the length of your recovery, PT, and how long the pain lasted post-op.

And thanks for letting me know the hardware can be removed after a few years, I didn't know that.

Thank you jong!

Joe

Hi Barbara,

I'm sorry for the pain you are going through with your hip. If your Dr suggest a hip replacement, and your pain is primarily caused by osteoarthritis, then replacement surgery is probably the best way to go, after taking everything about your health into consideration.

I was 70 when I had my right hip replaced. The surgeon used an anterior incision (on the front of my hip) and recovery was pretty straightforward, post-op pain minimal, recovery and PT pretty fast, and no more pain!

Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best!

Joe

Very good advice Lorie. Getting older isn't for sissies!

For now, I'm avoiding any lumbar fusion. I don't have any sciatica symptoms (and I know exactly what they feel like!). I'm in the gym everyday and do a lot of exercises for my core muscles, which my spinal surgeon says support the L spine.

I have heard a number of people say they are avoiding surgery because they live alone. I understand that concern but it should not prevent someone from getting a needed surgery. It may take some calls and even involving the Dr's office, but support can be found in most cases.

I know a guy at the gym, same age as me, 71, with an inoperable rotator cuff tear. He's had this for 2-3 years - at least. He can't do pushups, pull-ups, chest presses, or bicep curls and his upper body is atrophied. He tries to do these exercises and is very limited by the pain, and is probably doing more damage. I told him I thought he should get the reverse total shoulder replacement to fix this, and I believe he is just afraid of the surgery. I have stopped talking to hm abut this. We are all responsible for our own health, after all - and it's not my place to be making/suggesting decisions for anyone but me.

I had my left shoulder replaced last year (my rotator cuff was intact so the replacement was anatomically correct). I knew it had to be replaced and I did it. Along with both knees replaced in 2022 and my right hip and left shoulder in 2026, I'm a veteran of these surgeries! And my wife was extremely helpful in all of these surgeries and I' certainly grateful. The pain relief after the surgeries was such a joy…….

You rightly point out that if orthopedic surgery is delayed, permanent structural/skeletal damage is possible, most notably in the shoulder if a rotator cuff is beyond repair. IMO this guy is just afraid of the surgery (reverse total shoulder replacement). He'll likely be worse off in a few years. Again, not my decision.

Anyway thanks for pointing that out Lorie. A good surgeon will explain all options - and if they don't 1) ask or 2) find a new surgeon.

Joe

WOW!! If I didn’t know any better I’d swear I wrote this. I just started gabapentin last week, so far no side effects and I think it’s helping, I’m up to 2 a day. I have no answers for you but just thought it was weird to be reading my own story that I didn’t write. I see a surgeon next month just to see what he has to say, I don’t want surgery either and supposedly my only option. What I can’t get an answer to, from oncologist or back doctor, is this from the myeloma????? Or is my back really that jacked up, it’s only started getting really bad after treatment. So I’m going to talk to him and hopefully get some answers. I do have the same exact issues as you, I’m 69, I am married though & about 400 miles away from other family. I wish I could help you, the crap ain’t for sissies.

Thank you! @heyjoe415

@jstpeachey
Have you had an mri yet? That will give you a lot of information. I was on 300mg of gabapentin at night. It did help with the pain. But then I read about how it can affect your cognitive health, that's why I stopped. When it was completely out of my system I was amazed at how my mental health improved. But every one is different. I wish you well on your journey.