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EnergizedLib

(1,897 posts)
Sun Aug 6, 2023, 01:04 PM Aug 2023

Aren't I too young for this?

If you're a fan of the Lethal Weapon movies, you'll know Murtaugh's catch phrase, "I'm too old for this (expletive)."

Well, I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum, at almost 32, I'm too young for this (expletive).

So, what exactly is it? An x-ray I had this week confirmed what I've known for some time about my scoliosis and curvature in my spine, but the back pain has been very intense recently, and I've had soreness/pain in my buttocks that isn't going away. It hurts to get out of bed, get out of chairs, to sit down, takes a lot of effort to get up. I'm taking different medications now and getting different relief. There's even been tingling in the back of my legs.

I was talking with a relative last night who wonders if the burnout from my job is contributing to my pain and if it's stress related.

I'm supposed to have an MRI a week from tomorrow, could be a candidate for surgery or not, but an MRI would give me more detail on what's going on than an x-ray would.

It hurts to even bend over, to crouch down, to hug a loved one or to lean over and wash my hands over a sink.

I've got a few extra pounds on me, but I'm not morbidly obese.

To paraphrase Roger Murtaugh: I'm too young for this (expletive).

21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Aren't I too young for this? (Original Post) EnergizedLib Aug 2023 OP
I really hope the MRI provides a definitive answer so it can be taken care of. Yes, you are too LoisB Aug 2023 #1
Thank you EnergizedLib Aug 2023 #2
MRI MOMFUDSKI Aug 2023 #3
Thank you EnergizedLib Aug 2023 #4
okay, here's a bit of unsolicited advice WhiteTara Aug 2023 #5
Good for you EnergizedLib Aug 2023 #6
not acupuncture which is to create balance WhiteTara Aug 2023 #8
The needling wasn't too painful, was it? EnergizedLib Aug 2023 #9
No, for the most part, I didn't even know WhiteTara Aug 2023 #16
ya know, i've asked that for years. mopinko Aug 2023 #7
Now that you mentioned job, usonian Aug 2023 #10
Thank you EnergizedLib Aug 2023 #13
I've had a similar experience... jmbar2 Aug 2023 #11
Thanks for the vid EnergizedLib Aug 2023 #15
having a pt guide you through the exercises WhiteTara Aug 2023 #17
Stress is a nasty foe and can add to pain, in my case at least. Yrs ago appalachiablue Aug 2023 #12
Thank you EnergizedLib Aug 2023 #14
I also have scoliosis. silverweb Aug 2023 #18
Thank you very much EnergizedLib Aug 2023 #19
You should. silverweb Aug 2023 #20
I wish you well. Sometimes things get better with age. twodogsbarking Aug 2023 #21

LoisB

(7,206 posts)
1. I really hope the MRI provides a definitive answer so it can be taken care of. Yes, you are too
Sun Aug 6, 2023, 01:08 PM
Aug 2023

young for that. Good health to you.

MOMFUDSKI

(5,556 posts)
3. MRI
Sun Aug 6, 2023, 01:11 PM
Aug 2023

is best way to see what is happening. You should be given options afterwards. Patience for now. Best wishes to you

WhiteTara

(29,718 posts)
5. okay, here's a bit of unsolicited advice
Sun Aug 6, 2023, 01:16 PM
Aug 2023

here's my background: I had a serious fall during my late 20s and have deteriorated ever since (50 years worth) and I have had surgeries, chiropractic care, physical therapy, all to no avail. So during an injury diagnosis for some other new fall, the dr sent me to a nearby pt clinic. There I was introduced to a technique called "dry needling." This entails a trained professional inserting acupuncture needles into trigger points in the muscle. Acupuncture works with the nerve points.

So after a 30 minute therapy session, the intense pain I had been experiencing for a few months was completely GONE!!! I was stunned and signed up for more sessions. The broken back problems have been greatly mitigated and I was feeling so great, I overdid the climbing up and down the ladder and the pain has flared up and I'm scheduled another session this week.

I wish I had known about this years ago, but it seems to be new in the pt field.

Good luck with your search for health.

EnergizedLib

(1,897 posts)
6. Good for you
Sun Aug 6, 2023, 01:18 PM
Aug 2023

Good luck with the acupuncture, sorry you had to go through so much before your pain subsided. Hopefully it does again this time.

Thanks for the well wishes.

WhiteTara

(29,718 posts)
16. No, for the most part, I didn't even know
Sun Aug 6, 2023, 02:20 PM
Aug 2023

he had inserted the needles. There were a couple places in my back where he went through a major "trauma point" where the muscle had almost calcified (my word) But then it would almost immediately dissipate and when the treatment time ended (I think around 10-12 minutes) I felt really relaxed. Many people fall asleep, but I was feeling the energy flow and was fascinated by the feelings. For some reason, I feel connected to the ground under my feet at the end of each session.

BTW, my insurance covered it. He charges $30 for a session without insurance. Just to give you an idea of the cost/benefits.

mopinko

(70,127 posts)
7. ya know, i've asked that for years.
Sun Aug 6, 2023, 01:18 PM
Aug 2023

i started losing bone mass in my 40’s, and my intestines started going, too.
i had a double disc fusion a few yrs later. multiple other annoying things that arent supposed to happen for 20 more yrs.
turns out to be autoimmune. my da was the same. all the same systems.

not saying this is, but sometimes our bodies pile on to the aging process.

usonian

(9,815 posts)
10. Now that you mentioned job,
Sun Aug 6, 2023, 01:58 PM
Aug 2023

Please be aware of your posture. I remind myself constantly about my own posture, computers, piano bench ( no support at all! ) chairs and couches, and despite general wellness, I give the spine a gentle foam roll in the hallway now and then. Stress definitely contributes in a big way.

Now, these are just going to help, but not cure, but they are always worthwhile.

Hoping you get an accurate diagnosis and cure.

And take care!

jmbar2

(4,890 posts)
11. I've had a similar experience...
Sun Aug 6, 2023, 02:01 PM
Aug 2023

I found a series of physical therapist vids online that are VERY helpful.

Bob and Brad have hundreds of videos on various topics. They are a little tongue-in-cheek, but very good. One of them has recently had to retire due to his own issues, but it's worth a look through their videos to try some of their exercises.

Good luck!

appalachiablue

(41,146 posts)
12. Stress is a nasty foe and can add to pain, in my case at least. Yrs ago
Sun Aug 6, 2023, 02:02 PM
Aug 2023

I fractured a bone, it healed fine and months later imaging showed some spine changes. A couple of medical professionals made a huge deal of this and scared me a lot.

The situation never got as bad as they claimed but the worry it caused contributed to mild back pain, mostly generated by nerves I think.

This is my personal experience of course, and may be irrelevant to your situation. But stress is generally thought to be unhealthy and detrimental to effective recovery. Reducing it is often the challenge.

Anyway, I hope you receive expert info. and assistance. TC and all the best.

silverweb

(16,402 posts)
18. I also have scoliosis.
Sun Aug 6, 2023, 03:23 PM
Aug 2023

Mine is lumbar scoliosis & it sounds like yours is, too. I also had intense buttock pain, especially on the left. I worked with a physical therapist for several weeks, who gave me a graduated program of core strengthening & balance work. This didn't *eliminate* the pain, but alleviated it greatly in both low back & buttocks.

He also said it's important to avoid exercises that could/would make it worse, which include twisting, bending and twisting at the same time, sit-ups of any sort, rowing machines, and any heavy lifting at all. If bending is necessary, "hinge" bend at the hips, never the back.

Now I only need occasional ibuprofen & acetaminophen together, and a rare 50-mg tramadol. The right exercises can help a LOT.

Another thing that helps me is dead hanging from a doorway pullup bar. It's instant traction and may hurt a bit at first, but then is very helpful. My physical therapist said if it helps, it's fine to do.

Scoliosis is no fun & doesn't go away, but there are ways to make it tolerable. I wish you much luck and improvement of symptoms.

twodogsbarking

(9,759 posts)
21. I wish you well. Sometimes things get better with age.
Sun Aug 6, 2023, 04:46 PM
Aug 2023

Do your best to get better. Watch out for mental crap that can drag you down more.

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