Does Back Pain ever Get Better?

@ashby1947 Very sorry to hear about your back pain. Mine changed to 0 when I got a new air-cushion mattress/bed 15 years ago (won't give the brand). Years later some of the old problems came back but not related to a bad mattress. A back-torqueing golf swing brought back my problems and new ones. Eventually, a spinal cord stimulator, monthly chiropractic adjustment of my sacrum, and hydrocodone as needed and I'm totally pain-free 29 days a month. It may sound drastic but a life without pain is worth the effort.

@ashby1947 I'm so sorry to hear about what you're going through. I'm right there with you. I have had severe lower back pain for 10 years - and all of the diagnoses you mention! I'm 62, and over the past 2 years have had the back pain, of course, but also a total knee replacement which had to be redone completely one year later. The back pain really complicated my PT. I will say that I had a nerve ablation right before my revision surgery so this round of PT went better...until the effects of the ablation eventually wore off. (I got about 3 months of relief.) So, it's back to the pain doc to, presumably, do it all over again.

Like you, I'm used to being an active person. I was an athlete when younger. Now I can barely move around my kitchen to cook a meal. My parents lived to be near 90 and were in great health until their early 80s; I didn't expect to be felled by so much disability at what I consider a young age!

Anyway, best of luck to you - I hope you'll post again after your procedure.

As a retired architect in Iowa, I look at historic barns.. their structural frames sag and sink... I relate my structural system...spine...to be subject to the same gravity and accidents.. I had my L4-L5-S1 fused in 1995 because of an accident that pushed L5 out of the stack about a third of the way...I lived with it for 6 months...my Primary care physician recommended an orthopedic spine surgeon and a neurologist.. I saw both.. selected the surgery route by the orthopedic spine doc.. he told me I would know when the pain got too much.. how true . ..As I was then a University professor I turned in my grades before Christmas, had the 8 hour surgery...and recovered enough before second semester started..so the surgeon team cleaned up the other potential problems..put in 2 plates and 6 screws.. took bone from my hip, used some donor spacers, and I have had a very mobile life since...A great doctor in OKC... I'm 82 an stairs are no problem... Get the best structural fix possible. .. hearing and feeling bones pop and crack when manipulated is not necessarily healing.

It has become obvious to me after reading numerous (hundreds) messages about pain, the same complaint over and over and everyone spinning their wheels looking for that magic bullet (pill) that will end their pain, that there is NO pill. It’s time to research other alternatives and it will take work and commitment on your part. Since I have heard over time that pain comes from your brain and not the actual area we all say hurts, I decided to look into this new path. I am excited about my findings.

@arlenejc, Any findings you want to share?

@arlenejc I agree that there is no magic pill for dealing with pain, be it chronic or sudden onset. There seem to be many different ways to deal with pain, and what works for one person may not be successful for someone else. And what one person considers to be debilitaing may not be for the next person. I am curious, what are the alternatives you are researching? Are you yourself, or someone close to you, suffering from physical pain of any sort?
Ginger

I have suffered with back pain for eight years. I’ve given everything a good try. CBD helped for a while but then that didn’t work any more. I had surgery in 2014 and that lasted about a year of no pain. I have scoliosis, spinal stenosis, neuropathy and arthritis. I’m 86 and healthy in every other way. I am the caregiver for my husband who has Alzheimer’s so lots going on.
I decided to do other types of pain research and as I said in my message this morning, I had often heard that the pain was the work of your brain, not really the location of the pain. I found a site and there are more than just this one, but I chose one called curablehealth.com. The information makes a lot of sense. It is probably not for everyone as you have to be willing to put the time and effort into it. Don’t get discouraged because you have to do the work. No magic pill to help instantly, etc. It’s worth a try. I love it and feel some better already. I have more to do but I’m willing to go on as long as it takes.

@arlenejc Thank you so much for your post and your reference to Curablehealth.com. I looked into this website and am now a subscriber. I can’t believe I haven’t seen something like this before. I have tried so many other remedies for my pain. The information on the website looks like it will be helpful. I encourage others to take a look at it. I hope you will be helped by this program. Thanks for sharing!

Have you tried physical therapy? I had stenosis several years ago and had surgery to take out two lumbar discs. Then they put in a rod. The pain after surgery is awful. I did physical therapy and got so much better. Two weeks ago I fell on ice and landed on my backside. I've been in horrible pain. My doctor ordered physical therapy. Hope it helps. I use a tens unit. It doesn't always help but when it does it feels wonderful. I have a brand called Omron and it has lasted so long. It is $45 at Walmart.