Thread: Back injury, how did you handle it??

Ok, so I've had back issues going on for some years now, I just wrote them off to the fact that I've been doing this for 30 years, and I perform and teach a lot. Well, I finally broke down and got an MRI, I have a torn lumbar disk that is leaking fluid onto my nerve sheath and causing pain, and 3 bulging disks in my upper back!! The good news is no surgery is required!!! The treatment that makes me cringe is an epideral in my back to do cortisone in the torn disk,f::

Has anyone had this done, and is it painful?? The bulging disks we will treat with traction, but that epideral thing freaks me out! I know women in labor get it, but yikes!! I'm having a panic attack just thinking about it!

Any other suggestions that any of you have tried is also appreciated. I took the month of December off from dancing to let my body rest, that was a first, I'm doing ice packs and heat, anything else I should know?

The epidural is a giant needle and feels just like that. I'm assuming they'll numb the area for you first, but I'm not going to say it's painless. Beats giving birth tho! ;)

Sorry you have to go through this, but at least it doesn't require surgery!

Originally Posted by Aradia

Ok, so I've had back issues going on for some years now, I just wrote them off to the fact that I've been doing this for 30 years, and I perform and teach a lot. Well, I finally broke down and got an MRI, I have a torn lumbar disk that is leaking fluid onto my nerve sheath and causing pain, and 3 bulging disks in my upper back!! The good news is no surgery is required!!! The treatment that makes me cringe is an epideral in my back to do cortisone in the torn disk,f::

Has anyone had this done, and is it painful?? The bulging disks we will treat with traction, but that epideral thing freaks me out! I know women in labor get it, but yikes!! I'm having a panic attack just thinking about it!

Any other suggestions that any of you have tried is also appreciated. I took the month of December off from dancing to let my body rest, that was a first, I'm doing ice packs and heat, anything else I should know?

That is serious. You need to rest the back for at least a minimum of 3 months to let the cartilage heal up properly.

I've had a very minor lower back accident lifting a heavy printer. Didn't know until the morning after that I'd done damage. Lucky for me a couple of good strong massage sessions fixed it up after the doctors could not help me.

I would be including more cartilage in your diet to help the healing. Gelatin (jelly) is a good source. So is glucosamine.

The epidural isn't that bad at all. The epidural itself is more of a flexible tubing (kinda like a flexible syringe) that gets placed in the epidural area of your spine. The only part that "stings" is the lidocaine shot they give you to numb the epidural area. I have had several done (for labor and other things). Plan to take at least a week off after that though...it's a procedure that is similar to a spinal tap and may require bed rest for at least 24 hours and taking it easy for a couple of days after.

If you need anything (a ride to the docs, etc...), call me!

I had an epidural before and they numbed up the area before doing it. I didn't feel a thing. Maybe you can have a valium too... things are always worse when your tensed up.

Originally Posted by Amaryllis

The epidural isn't that bad at all. The epidural itself is more of a flexible tubing (kinda like a flexible syringe) that gets placed in the epidural area of your spine. The only part that "stings" is the lidocaine shot they give you to numb the epidural area. I have had several done (for labor and other things). Plan to take at least a week off after that though...it's a procedure that is similar to a spinal tap and may require bed rest for at least 24 hours and taking it easy for a couple of days after.

If you need anything (a ride to the docs, etc...), call me!

Thanks A,
that's good to know, I will try to schedule it between workshop and travel dates, I'm not sure if it's a one time thing, or if I need to do a series, I appreciate the offer for a ride!!
Amira gave me the number of an accupressure/accupuncture specialist that I may look into as well!

I'd be pretty scared at the notion of cortisone injection. It certainly provides temporary relief, but at the cost of killing part of the function in the tissue. You might want to get a second opinion to see whether there are alternatives to that aspect of the treatment.

I have bad back problems, but it's my lower back. My treatment was relearning how to walk, posture, and chiropractic treatment. Taking a whole month off is a good approach in helping you in your treatment. But don't relax too much. I know that sounds crazy, but when I went through my treatment, they told me to do low key exercises. Your muscles will get used to be sedentary, which is not good for you either.

And I agree with Shira, get a second opinion on the cortisone injection. That's a big risk, especially if there may be other options for you.

Best wishes to you!

Bellydance Fanatic is correct that you need to keep doing at least minimal exercises after a period of rest. After a few weeks of constant chiropractic care when my back went out I was ready to start some mild exercises to help the back. I actually did the "Say Goodbye to Back Pain" routine and that helped my recovery immensely.

Unfortunately, I slacked off quite a bit as my back got better and right now I'm starting basically from ground zero with getting the muscles back up to par before I can even think of starting back on a belly dance schedule.

I'm sure your doctor will be able to provide you with acceptable exercises to help you out after surgery or they might even do the whole rehab deal.

luckily I won't have to have surgery, I will check in to alternatives to the shots. I am back dancing after taking the month off, but I'm trying to pace myself and not dance as hard as I usually do, and teach fewer classes, etc

What are the steroids supposed to do, exactly? It it just to temporarily reduce inflamation/pain? They must want to pump a lot of cortisone if they're using an epidural...how long will it be in? Do they expect you do to this on a regular basis?

I don't know about you all, but I was poked twice before the anaesthesiologist (sp?) got the epidural in the right place...sent all the heart/baby monitors into a tizzy and made me loopy! Maybe that's why I was so sore there for a few weeks afterward...

I'm going to meet with the specialist next week, so these are all great questions you are raising. I think the cortisone is supposed to help the rip in my disk heal. I'm interested to know if it's a one time treatment, or if I will need a series.

Ohh Aradia !!!
I'm so sorry to hear this.
You have to be extra care of your self and its not an easy thing to do.
7 years ago I had a car accident and broke 3 disks at my spine!!!
I had to stay at bed for 1 year (where I gained 15 kilos that still trying to loose grrr) and to wear a corset with metal in it for all this time plus some hours per day for the next year.
Doctors said that if i hadent done bellydance with such strong abdoms at that area the damage would be much worst.
I returned slowly back teaching just 6 hours per week for the next 1 year, and now (after 7 years) i'm teaching 7 hours per day (5 days) Saturday/Sunday workshops.
When you start dancing/teaching you got to take care off:
Backbends !!!! Big Egyptian/Lebanese circles, you have to change the way you bend knees, omni's hurt, and deep sitting down suddently.
These are the movements that was difficult/hurting at the begining, but in time you will come back to your old self.
But... you have to be very carefully its not easy, and dont take unessesery risks, cause you feel ok and strong, in your back of your mind you will have to have your spine ok??

Kisses and wishes for a full and fast recovery
Maria Aya

Aradia,
I highly recommend physical therapy. Ask the PT to teach you how to strengthen your multifidous muscles as well as your transverse abdominals. There are also likely postural changes you can make to not aggravate it further. I wish you a speedy recovery,
Samira

Aradia, I'm curious about this treatment (my Mom has a slipped and a fractured disc) and thought these might be of interest to you:

Lumbar Epidural Injection
Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections for Low Back Pain and Sciatica - Spine-health.com

Did the MRI reveal stuff that an X-ray did not? Or did you skip the X-ray and just do the MRI?

Originally Posted by nasila

Aradia, I'm curious about this treatment (my Mom has a slipped and a fractured disc) and thought these might be of interest to you:

Lumbar Epidural Injection
Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections for Low Back Pain and Sciatica - Spine-health.com

Did the MRI reveal stuff that an X-ray did not? Or did you skip the X-ray and just do the MRI?

That's it nasila, thanks for the links. I did the MRI and skipped the x-ray, because of my symptoms they new it was disk related. I'm hoping that the disk will repair itself, so I should look into some herbs that will help heal the tear, the injection is supposed to speed up the healing by reducing the inflammation

Hi Aradia and everyone,

I am from Montreal, province of Quebec. ,r:; In mid-December 2006, I have been suddenly hit by terrible pain in the left side of my head, neck and shoulder (I suffer from arthritis since my twenty’s). The pain became “chronic pain” since it is been going on 24/7. Sometimes, I feel as if I have a knife through the left side of my head! ..cr.:

Since last September, the pain is less afflicted and more endurable. Thanks to the work of a great chiropractor and acupuncture sessions, stretching exercises, meditation, wonderful support from my man, family and friends and… dance, even if I became limited because of the pain, therapists and doctors told me not to stop moving or dancing as long as I just follow my capacity.

But, even if the pain is more bearable, it is still there after a year, and I was finally able to get an appointment with a specialist recommended by my generalist. He prescribes cortisone shots in the three first vertebrae of my spine.

Well, I went for the shots today, they call it in French “infiltrations”. It is done under X-rays so the Doc can see where the needle hits. The first two shots were not that bad, but the third one… Oh boy! That was super dooper one! Ouch! :Aohmy:

I am writing this, with a bag of ice around my neck, because it will hurts for a while, they told me to be patient and rest my neck (no problem, I won’t start to paint the ceiling or do the “Zaar dance”).

I can’t say I was confident about the ideal of having cortisone in my body, but I have took this decision, I am not proud of it, but I have tried everything else. I hope this time it will work. Believe me, this past year was not a piece of cake. ..cr.:

I will keep you post with the results, could take between 3 days to 3 weeks since erevy case is different. Whish me luck and I wish you good luck and gook health Aradia.

Please keep in touch, I what to have news about your treatment.

Bonne chance !

Qamar

Thanks Qamar,
I am looking forward to hearing how it worked for you, I go in for my consult on Wed, it seems like the pain is getting worse now that I know what is wrong with me, psychosamatic!! I'll keep you posted on my treatment as well.

Ok, so I taught a workshop in San Jose this weekend, and spent 2 days in bed unable to move, not good!! I took my MRI to 3 different doctors and they all said the same thing, that I need the epidurals to help my disks heal, so I start a series of 6 on Tues, they will be spaced 2 weeks apart, and the good news is I will be put under, So I shouldn't remember anything, I'm a total chicken when it comes to needles! I'll let you know how the treatments go, and I'm interested to hear your progress Qamar.

I wish you a speedy recovery, Aradia! I've been through my share of being laid up so I know how discouraging and frustrating it can be. It sounds like you've done your research well, so hopefully the next thing we'll hear is that the procedure went wonderfully and your back is doing better and better! (And you too, Qamar!)

xox Lilla

Oh, Aradia. I had no idea you were going through this. You were so pleasant and wonderful in the workshops this past weekend that I would never have guessed you were in so much pain.

I cannot thank you enough for blessing us with your talent and knowledge. I wish you a speedy recovery.

Please take good care of yourself. You are precious.
Hugs,
Vahana

Originally Posted by Vahana

Oh, Aradia. I had no idea you were going through this. You were so pleasant and wonderful in the workshops this past weekend that I would never have guessed you were in so much pain.

I cannot thank you enough for blessing us with your talent and knowledge. I wish you a speedy recovery.

Please take good care of yourself. You are precious.
Hugs,
Vahana

Hi Vahana,
I so enjoyed having you girls in my workshop, your excited energy kept me going, I love having students who are so eager to learn!! You girls rocked! I will keep you posted on my recovery!!

thanks Lilla, I've made up my mind that I'm not giving up 30 years of dance over some back problems!! My will to get better is very strong, I know if I put my mind to it I can heal a lot of my own pain, so I'm just going for it, and there is no question that I will get better!! Thanks for the words of encouragement!!

Originally Posted by Aradia

Thanks A,
Amira gave me the number of an accupressure/accupuncture specialist that I may look into as well!

I was just about to highly suggest acupuncture.
during my 20 years of dancing, this is what saved me (and physical therapy)

But it's for pain relief, reduction of inflammation and general well-being... I had a back injury about 12 years ago (partner forgot to catch me, oops) pain pills weren't helping or making me too woozy to perform and after a session of needles I was good to go. And it's not that it just blocked pain, it actually reduced the inflammation and helped with the healing.

And now i do acupuncture for my knees (and physical therapy if it gets too bad)

Hello Aradia and everyone,

Well it is being a week last Monday since I had the cortisone shots and… so far… nothing! Merde! :Asad:

Not worse but not much better. My neck still hurts when I move it to the left and the pain on the left side of my head is also there, although it feels more like a normal headache instead of an ice pick driving through my scull. (Maybe it is a good sign, I want to stay optimistic! :Ahappy: )

I am a bit discouraged, but then, my Doc (he’s a physiatrist) told me that it could take from 3 days to 3 weeks to see (and feel) a result. But honestly, he also said that most of the time it works, but sometimes it does not. So I will wait and I will see him again in about 3 weeks.

I also think that there is a psychosomatic part in my problem, a very stressing 9 to 5 job! But, I am working on that too. Have to talk to my bosses before the end of this month, to see if they would agree to let my go (I don’t want to resign since I won’t be covert by any public Employment Insurance). Decisions, decisions, life is not easy.

Thank you everyone for sending “good vibes”

Keep well, hug!

Qamar

Qamar,are they doing a series of injections? My doctors all said the first one doesn't give much relief the second one is better,and by the third you should feel a huge improvement. I'm doing my series every two weeks.

I think the doc wants to see how the first treatment works. Maybe he'll prescribe some more, I don't know yet.

Hug

Qamar

So I thought I would give an update on the epidural treatments, I've had 3 so far on my lumbar disk that's ripped and leaking. I start the series of 3 next week on my disks in miy neck,

epidural 1: went fine, but no relief
epidural 2: problems with the anestesiologist, they pushed the meds too fast and I stopped breathing, so they had to give me some medicine to get me breathing again, great!
epidural 3: they were afraid to give me too much knock out drugs, but they under shot, and I woke up 4 times during the proceedure yelling "I'm awake get the needles out of my spine"!!!! I think I tried to get off the table too!! I told them I metabolize medication really fast, my poor dentist has to stop and redo the dental block several time just to drill a tooth.

The good news is the shooting pains down my legs is gone and I do have less pain in my siatic area. The down side is that it's a steroid and I've gained about 12 pounds, my costumes don't fit!! They said it's water weight, so I'm trying to find ways to get rid of it.

Qamar I'm interested in your results. I agree that the 3 were necessary and not just one.

So the neck is next, I hope the drug lady can get it together and not kill me, but keep me from waking up!!!,m::

Aradia, I am so sorry to hear you're going through all of this! Holy crap!!! The anaphalaxis sounds terrifying!

I work with chronic back and neck pain (a combination of massage, physical therapy, targeted exercise etc. and an allergy to anti-inflam.) but I've been fortunate that so far there's been no disc involvement. It's very scary when things go wrong in your back, and your experience sounds positively harrowing! I hope they are able to get your treatment situation evened out before the next time around.

I'm sorry about the steroid side effects too. I know they suck a lot. I was on some steroids last year (orally administered, thankfully...) and I put on a big chunk of weight (more than 15lbs!) It didn't all come off quite as quickly/easily as I'd hoped it would when the drugs stopped--I had to actually pay attention to get rid of it, and while I was on the drugs, there wasn't much I could do. :-( I actually still have about 3 lbs or so to go, but, 1. every body is different and 2. I try to avoid fast weight fluctuations--up or down--because of diabetes concerns, so I'm going it slow. Your results may be much better.

I'm thinking good thoughts for you, my dear. I really hope the neck round goes much better, and that you recover well from your injury. For as much as this sucks, hopefully this will just be a temporary setback and soon you'll be feeling much better and feeling more yourself.

Big hugs!

Sorry this has been so rough. I am glad that you have found some relief. You will be in my thoughts as this progresses!

{{{HUGS}}}