Herniated Disk Causing Pain4
6/15/23 OK this is my first time to post. If I'm doing it wrong, please let me know.
I was diagnosed with PsA yesterday. I have been searching for a diagnosis since 2005. After 3 back surgeries & 2 hip replacements. I also have seenc 2 rheumatologists;
1 Dr. diagnosed me with fibromyalgia &
1 Dr. degenerative disc disease (DDD) A dermatologist diagnosed me yesterday(6/15) me with PsA. My concern is I have a herniated disc L3 and its causing me unbearable pain, because of pressure on nerves.
It started about 6 weeks ago & is gradually getting worse. It's to the point that I can't move without extreme weakness & pain from my back to my feet. I've gone to ER only to be sent home with nothing to help me with my pain and weakness. I'm scheduled for a diskectomy 6/26. However my pain is so intense I'm unable to move. I've tried telling my primary Dr.,the back surgeon & the ER Dr. They ALL refuse to address my intense pain. So here I am, in bed in intolerable pain and no one will help me. I can't imagine lying in bed for another 11 days. Any thoughts on how to get relief?
Oh
, it makes me so sad to read about how much pain you're in, and how little help you're getting from the medical professionals around you. Is there somebody who could advocate for you when interacting with the doctors? Sometimes it seems that doctors take us more seriously when there's someone else there backing us up. It shouldn't be that way though. I wonder whether propping up different body parts with pillows might take some strain off of your back? I personally use ice packs when I'm in pain, although I appreciate that's not always practical and that it doesn't help everyone. I really hope others will chime in here with suggestions for taking the edge off the pain. Hang in there and please keep us updated on how you're doing when you can. We're here to support you on this journey. Wishing you the very best for the diskectomy and subsequent recovery. Hoping you can get the relief you deserve. Warmest wishes, -Catherine, Community Moderator 
I have 9 herniated discs, Psoriatic Spondylitis axial peripheral bilateral, degenerative disc disease, severe osteopoenia, dual hip labral tears, disc between L5 and S1 degenerated into nothing. Its just gone now with bone on bone listhesis. Reverse curve of cervical spine with osteophytes on all vertebra C3-T1, stenosis causing laryngeal disruption which affects my voice, bone on bone sclerosis of both S/I joints causing sacroiliitis, carpal tunnel both arms, both ankles a slowly crumbling mess, chostochondroitis from cartilage inflammation in rib cage. And that's just half of it. All this to lead to what I have done to stay mobile and out of the OR, thats right, NO spine or lower extremity surgeries and I've been dealing with this for well over 10 years. For extreme spine and hip pain i start with soaking in a tub with at least 3 cups Epsom salts for an hour. Get out, generously rub sore parts down with a non psychoactive topical 1:1 thc:cbd medical marijuana pain relief cream, then lay on the floor and do a 30 minute gentle stretching routine, if I am able I follow that up with a 30 minute gentle joint mobility routine. On good days I follow that with an hour of physical therapy exercises and, if I can walk at all I end the whole effort with a 1 mile walk using hiking poles for stability. Tylenol arthritis 2xday, tens unit, gentle massage. Skyrizi has been helping too. 100% pain free is unrealistic for people with so many issues, but pain level 4 is definitely attainable. It also makes a significant difference to have a strict anti inflammatory diet and avoid all toxic substances like smoking and alcohol which will exacerbate inflammation. You CAN get relief if you make it a full time lifestyle adjustment. If you rely solely on meds and surgeries you will become a bed bound vegetable. You absolutely must do your part.
wow you have been through a lot. It definitely sounds like you have made it a full time lifestyle adjustment. I congratulate you on your willingness to continue a program that is working for you. Vickie W., Team Member
Thanks so much for reaching out Vickie! Yes, we ALL have been and continue to go through a lot. I'm new to your community. Joining online chat forums is a new thing for me. I'm constantly researching and reading about this disease. I thought I'd look for other PsAers to spare my husband and best friend my constant chatter about what I've learned and what I'm doing about it.😄They're Saints, but they're human too and I need to give them a break. Your forum, as I am only now browsing through, seems much more informed and experienced than another one I recently joined. Of course, complaining/venting is important when people are suffering, but that one seems to be all they're about. I have already learned a lot about eye complications with PsA, more than I think I want to know actually 😅. But I guess I need to. I'm seeing a retina specialist tomorrow due to complications after cataract surgery 2 weeks ago. Ugh. The movable feast that keeps on feeding 😋. Thanks again for reaching out!😊
we have more things in common. I am 53 so close to your age. I live in Louisiana and these storms have been brutual on my body. We were without power for 4 days because of the last storm. It was rough. Does your eye specialist know about the psoriatic arthritis? I am so happy to hear that your retina is not detached. Sorry to hear about the outer layer though. The inflammation could possibly be inflammation brought on by the psoriatic arthritis. Here is an article about jaw pain that one of our contributors wrote: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/jaw-pain Wow! Thank you so much for that jaw dropping article! Pun intended😊. It really resonated deeply with me and I feel so relieved to know I'm normal.! Gosh, i guess it was about 8 +/- years ago that I started looking into why I was having issues with my spine. It began about 2 years prior to that, maybe 10 yrs ago) that I noticed loss of touch sensation in my fingers. I could smash or burn them and it would take awhile til I felt pain, maybe half a minute or more. But when my normal 1 mile 4 days a week swim had my arms go numb after 25 yards I figured I'd look for answers about that. It began with chiropractors and that was ok. But then my inner ear started screaming at me. I thought I had an ear infection and asked drs to look in there whenever I was with one and they always said it looked fine. Then it started feeling like TMJ pain whenever I ate a burger or a nut, over time I couldn't eat anything soft without excruciating jaw to ear pain. Then it hurt to talk. The "eyegraines" are the worst. Feels like a poker pushing through the socket, clamping down on my brow, and crushing my cheek bone. The entire right side of my face throbs and is inflamed. I went to physical therapy and learned how to change my natural shoulder and neck position as well as exercises to strengthen other parts of my neck and upper back to better support the strained joint connections. I learned in the meantime after consulting 2 neurosurgeons and one orthopedic spine surgeon that I have 9 herniated discs and all the lovely garbage associated with that. They all remarked how astounded they were that I was walking and moving as well as I am. I was athletic from the age of 10, a swimmer and martial arts practitioner, hiker, outdoors woman, gardener. I went into it all in shape and already spending 20 hours a week at least in some level of exercise. Now I still spend about that much time in physical and rehabilitative pursuits in order to keep on walking. It has become my whole focus, how to keep staying out of that chair, how to keep talking. I loved that article and I'm greatful you took a moment to share it with me. I read it aloud to my husband. I suspected that my face pain after the cataract surgery was due to a flare in response to being messed with. My Opthamologist agreed with me and understands why I'm postponing the other eye. He thinks I have Sjogren's too. Goody. Anyway, my fingers are rambling and it's time for them to rest. I appreciate you Vickie. Amore
Thank you so much for responding 🤗. Honestly I think the bottom line is they don't want to prescribe pain medication that actually is effective 💊. I've tried every Dr including the ER. They keep passing me on to the other Dr's. My surgery is scheduled for Monday. I'm hoping to get some relief. Thank you for taking your time to reply to me.
, we hear you. Unfortunately, we hear pretty often from people who are struggling to access pain medication. I'm relieved that your surgery date is almost here now. Hoping the weekend will be kind to you and that everything goes well on Monday. Please keep us updated on how you're doing if/when you can. We'll be thinking of you! Warmest wishes, -Catherine, Community Moderator
