topic Re: Updates on low back pain in Wellness

Updates on low back pain

smoochy — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:36:53 GMT

CT scan results weren't good. Lots of bad things going on from L1 on down. Also something that couldn't be identified but needs further evaluation, according to the radiologist. He recommended an MRI which is now scheduled. My doc has referred me to a spinal surgeon.

Still on the tramadol for pain.

Sure hoping I won't need surgery, as the risks would be high. Given my age and comorbidities. But one step at a time, we'll see what the MRI shows.

My social life-my retirement activities-now center around medical appointments. 🤪

Hey! Glad to be upright and taking nourishment as mom used to say, lol

Re: Updates on low back pain

willowbark — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:47:56 GMT

Good luck @smoochy and I am hoping for you that your exam goes well and that you don't need surgery. Keep us posted.

Re: Updates on low back pain

rockygems123 — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:51:42 GMT

@smoochy

From what I remember from your earlier posts you were very active in square dancing was it?

You'd think being active for so long would help us later in life geez getting old is tough

Re: Updates on low back pain

AuntG — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:52:50 GMT

Sorry to read this @smoochy. I know what you mean about appointments - our calendar is full of them, and we feel pretty good. Still, there are dental and preventative tests scheduled, plus we drive a neighbor to those appointments that require a driver.

Re: Updates on low back pain

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:54:03 GMT

@smoochy wrote:
CT scan results weren't good. Lots of bad things going on from L1 on down. Also something that couldn't be identified but needs further evaluation, according to the radiologist. He recommended an MRI which is now scheduled. My doc has referred me to a spinal surgeon.
Still on the tramadol for pain.
Sure hoping I won't need surgery, as the risks would be high. Given my age and comorbidities. But one step at a time, we'll see what the MRI shows.
My social life-my retirement activities-now center around medical appointments. 🤪
Hey! Glad to be upright and taking nourishment as mom used to say, lol

@smoochy

Yikes!

About 10 years ago, I had about 5 spinal epidurals over a 3-year time frame.

Some were better than others, but they had a cumulative effect.

They worked well enough not to require surgery.

Just fyi.

Re: Updates on low back pain

Goldengate8361 — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 02:04:13 GMT

@smoochy Goodness! I feel for you! Sure hope your docs can figure out a good solution for you. Yikes!

Re: Updates on low back pain

Fifi1 — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 03:26:53 GMT

Ouchie!

hope all goes well!

Re: Updates on low back pain

smoochy — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:25:01 GMT

@rockygems123 wrote:
@smoochy

From what I remember from your earlier posts you were very active in square dancing was it?

You'd think being active for so long would help us later in life geez getting old is tough

no I have never square danced in my life

Re: Updates on low back pain

smoochy — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:48:05 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@smoochy wrote:
CT scan results weren't good. Lots of bad things going on from L1 on down. Also something that couldn't be identified but needs further evaluation, according to the radiologist. He recommended an MRI which is now scheduled. My doc has referred me to a spinal surgeon.
Still on the tramadol for pain.
Sure hoping I won't need surgery, as the risks would be high. Given my age and comorbidities. But one step at a time, we'll see what the MRI shows.
My social life-my retirement activities-now center around medical appointments. 🤪
Hey! Glad to be upright and taking nourishment as mom used to say, lol

@smoochy

Yikes!

About 10 years ago, I had about 5 spinal epidurals over a 3-year time frame.

Some were better than others, but they had a cumulative effect.

They worked well enough not to require surgery.

Just fyi.

oh hey that could be a possibility. I may end up in the pain mgmt clinic. Good to know that worked for you. Im glad 😊 but how are you doing now? Do you still have back pain?

Re: Updates on low back pain

rockygems123 — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:32:36 GMT

@smoochy wrote:
@rockygems123 wrote:
@smoochy

From what I remember from your earlier posts you were very active in square dancing was it?

You'd think being active for so long would help us later in life geez getting old is tough
no I have never square danced in my life

@smoochy

Ok sorry my memory failed. Thought you had a past background in dance.

Re: Updates on low back pain

smoochy — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:44:03 GMT

@AuntG wrote:
Sorry to read this @smoochy. I know what you mean about appointments - our calendar is full of them, and we feel pretty good. Still, there are dental and preventative tests scheduled, plus we drive a neighbor to those appointments that require a driver.

thats so sweet and neighborly of you 😍

Honestly I just kind of laugh about how our life has become a medical merry go round. What can we do but find humor in even small things. I try. Its what keeps me fresh even though my body is getting ever closer to its expiration date 😆😅🤣

Re: Updates on low back pain

smoochy — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:51:35 GMT

@rockygems123 wrote:
@smoochy wrote:
@rockygems123 wrote:
@smoochy

From what I remember from your earlier posts you were very active in square dancing was it?

You'd think being active for so long would help us later in life geez getting old is tough
no I have never square danced in my life
@smoochy

Ok sorry my memory failed. Thought you had a past background in dance.

Nope. I sang in barbershop choruses and quartets for 30 years. choreography was a big part of performing

Re: Updates on low back pain

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:42:39 GMT

@smoochy wrote:
@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@smoochy wrote:
CT scan results weren't good. Lots of bad things going on from L1 on down. Also something that couldn't be identified but needs further evaluation, according to the radiologist. He recommended an MRI which is now scheduled. My doc has referred me to a spinal surgeon.
Still on the tramadol for pain.
Sure hoping I won't need surgery, as the risks would be high. Given my age and comorbidities. But one step at a time, we'll see what the MRI shows.
My social life-my retirement activities-now center around medical appointments. 🤪
Hey! Glad to be upright and taking nourishment as mom used to say, lol

@smoochy

Yikes!

About 10 years ago, I had about 5 spinal epidurals over a 3-year time frame.

Some were better than others, but they had a cumulative effect.

They worked well enough not to require surgery.

Just fyi.
oh hey that could be a possibility. I may end up in the pain mgmt clinic. Good to know that worked for you. Im glad 😊 but how are you doing now? Do you still have back pain?

@smoochy

Actually, no, but I have both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis, so I still have plenty of aches and joint pain ... but none of it is back pain.

I just wanted to let you know what I did .... that wasn't back surgery.

Re: Updates on low back pain

kze — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:03:52 GMT

@smoochy

My lumbar spine is a mess. Lol. I've seen two neurosurgeons. The last one said surgery wouldn't work on me. I was glad to hear that and appreciated his honesty.

Over my many years of treatment nerve blocks and radio frequency ablation have worked. They have to be repeated over time but they haven't been painful for me.

There's a new procedure you might ask your doctor about. It's called Intracept and if it works it lasts about 5 years. It has about a 65 % success rate. It didn't work on me but my friend had it and it did work for her.

Re: Updates on low back pain

LizzieInSRQ — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:54:32 GMT

@smoochy fingers crossed for ya with good news from your MRI. I have compression fracture T12 & L1 that spinal orthapedic surgeon said he didnt recommend surgery.. i can only take tylenol ( cant have Aleve because of affects to kidney). Tylenol does nothing for me.

I may look into the epidural that @Tinkrbl44 suggested here.i cannot take this much longer. I cant stand for longer than a minute.

I hope you get some relief. Thanks for sharing your story.

Re: Updates on low back pain

Shelbelle — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:54:46 GMT

Keep in mind that if you were referred to a surgeon, a surgeon loves to cut, so be sure to ask what can be done in lieu of surgery first, surgery should be a last resort if possible, many do get injections in the spine. You can also try seeing a pain mgmt specialist.

Re: Updates on low back pain

Zhills — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:00:17 GMT

@smoochy So sorry you are having these problems. At least I know you live in a good Medical Community!

Lakeland has some of the best! Hope you have one!

Wish I could share with you. I do not have aches and pains!

Re: Updates on low back pain

CarolinaGirl88 — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 21:12:45 GMT

I'm hoping your pain will ease and that you will have the best possible outcome with all of this.

Re: Updates on low back pain

haddon9 — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 21:17:02 GMT

@smoochy I'm so sorry to hear of your back troubles! I hope things turn out well for you and you get to be pain free. Do you have pain constantly or does it come & go?

Just curious since I'm OK most of the time but once in a while if I'm standing for too long my lower back can hurt a lot!

Re: Updates on low back pain

smoochy — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 23:49:48 GMT

@haddon9 wrote:
@smoochy I'm so sorry to hear of your back troubles! I hope things turn out well for you and you get to be pain free. Do you have pain constantly or does it come & go?

Just curious since I'm OK most of the time but once in a while if I'm standing for too long my lower back can hurt a lot!

it is constant -worse when trying to get up or move around after sitting or lying down. The tramadol helps a lot. Yeah I can imagine that standing for a long period would be bad

Thanks for asking 🙂