@hello, I am Peach.
after suffering many months not knowing if this new different pain is my rheumatoid arthritis or my psoriatic arthritis I after two MRI's I now know it is my spine. Two bulging discs and a pinched nerve. Two days from now, Monday, I will go for a spinal injection to hopefully relieve the pain. After that I will get a second doctors opinion for an operation, Yes, at age 80, i cannot stand the pain and being doped up to take away some of the pain. So this woman who does not gamble, will gamble on an operation. Do not know if this wise. Any suggestion please? P>S> perhaps you should know that the pain is so bad that the only way I fall to sleep is when I pass out from the pain. And the pain brings up the blood pressure to a dangerous level even with blood pressure medication. So, once again please, I will appreciate any suggestions please. (Am worried the operation can make me a cripple). Suggestions......

Hello Peach I would wait till you have your pain injection before you make any decisions I've had the shots and they gave me relief for 6 months I had a fractured back that causes my pain.I will be going for one soon.

Peach. I am so sorry. I am 75 and have been complaining about my back for years and years. The last doctor I went to looked at my Xrays and said that I am loaded with Arthritis AND, I have an extra Vertebra in the lower end. NOW WHAT? Think about the surgery. Maybe it is best to take the pain meds. My daughter had back surgery and it worked well. MY husband not so much. Let us know how it all turns out. Oregangirl

Hi Oregongirl I am @marield65 and 72 years old and had 1 fusion, 3 minor back surgery and several epidurals and when the spine shot worked I felt terrific but when they didn’t work I was horrible and on opioids until my next shot which you can only get 3 a year.
Now I need another fusion because they weaken other discs over the years and you may need more surgery.
I think you should try the shots first and always surgery is a last resort but you have to think of your pain. If it’s bad, you will know what to do and when.
But you give me hope because I was wondering at what age would they not want to do surgery on an older person. And I am holding off for now. I have to baby my back. Almost can’t do anything but I will be going back to physical therapy. So it’s a waiting game to see how long I can go before I have to have surgery.
Keep me up to date on how you are doing and I will also. Good luck
Marield65

@peach414144

Do try the injections. They work well for many people. My wife tried it twice, but it only lasted a couple of weeks. She has spinal stenosis, which means that the spinal canal is constricted and putting pressure on the sciatic nerve. She's been in a ton of pain. She has surgery scheduled for 3 weeks from now, to scrape the bone so the nerve has room. The surgeon was very encouraging. I looked up his credentials, so I know that he has a lot of experience with spine surgery. We have friends who are new people since having the surgery. Other friends have been really pleased with the injections. Any good surgeon would recommend trying injections first. I suppose you've had an MRI.

Sorry for your pain. I know how much my wife is suffering.

Jim

Hi I'm 75 and need the pain injection in back for me 3a hear does it .I have an extra vertabre in my power back I found the s chiropractor is the only one that can help me for this so I try to go monthly for this .Linda

Linda I too have an extra Vertabra. I had never heard of this.

@Dear Jim, thank you for caring and the information. it will give me more of this subject to consider. Again, thanks Peach