What to do for chronic pain in my lower back right side?

Posted by mwrussell @mwrussell, May 23, 2023

I have chronic pain in my lower back right side. For over 30 years it never goes away. Different levels but always there. The older I get the worse it gets. I have tried everything I can find or doctors recommend. MRIs show a healthy back no structural damage. Can Mayo diagnose the reason?

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sandpiper49 | @sandpiper49 | May 30, 2023

In reply to @je16384 "MIR test lumbar, check L1 to L2 and L3 L4 disk problem very likely. Cold" + (show)

A disc problem would have been evident on an MRI.

spudmato | @spudmato | May 31, 2023

Your problem seems muscular not skeletal?
An osteopath may be you answer, or your problem could be as simple a arch supports?

marcd2k | @marcd2k | Feb 23 3:24pm

In reply to @je16384 "Electromyography (EMG) measures muscle response or electrical activity in response to a nerve's stimulation of the..." + (show)

@je16384 Good afternoon, I am familiar with these tests, the EMG and NCT, as I had them done last year. The doctor found where I have denervation at the T12-L1 area of my spine, and the diagnosis was Radiculopathy. He tried an epidural (nerve block) in the area, but there was no relief at all.

My right flank/oblique area has been numb, and the muscles are in a permanent spasm. This is causing a lot of pain, which results in me spending half the day in bed to get the muscles to calm down. This is the only thing that has ever worked, laying on my back. No treatment or medication does anything to relieve this.

I'm basically disabled, as I cannot drive due to my side going into spasm at the slightest physical activity being done. This is also preventing me from exercising and stretching, as my side locks up and I have to lay down. The only time I've left the house in the past 3 months is for doctor appointments that my wife drives me to.