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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Recurrent Chronic Back Issues Despite Taking Medications?

A few days ago I was walking and felt a lightning zap in my back. It felt like all my vertebrae collapsed down into my lower back like dominoes. I immediately fell and have not been able to walk with a cane or stand up. Even laying down is so painful. I have chronic back issues with degenerative discs, bulging, osteoarthritis and spondylosis. I don t have pain in my legs at all. I have never had this much pain in my back and way above a 10. I already take a strong narcotic and doubled up on dose but that is only masking it for a short period. Any ideas? Thank u:) I am 38 yrs old.
posted on Sun, 3 May 2015
Twitter Wed, 11 Jan 2023 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 24 Jan 2023 Last reviewed on
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Anesthesiologist,  's  Response
Hello,

It is unusual to have severe Osteoarthritis at an age 38 yrs. Mostly your symptoms make me think of lumbar vertebral compression fracture, lumbar disc degeneration, lumbar spondylitis and spondylolysthesis, severe osteoporosis and osteoarthritis of facet joints.

Few treatment options are complete bed rest till pain is relieved. NSAIDs like tab ibuprofen and Naproxen are to be taken twice daily for 2 weeks. if you have heart failure or bleeding problems, you need to avoid NSAIDs. Then you can take opioids like hydrocodone oxycodone and Tramadol.

To avoid gastric irritation, tab. Pantoprazole is to be taken before food once daily. Physical therapy with few back muscle strengthening exercises are helpful in reducing the pain. If your pain doesn't reduce with the above medication, vertebral joint injections like facet joint injections of steroid and local anesthetic are to be taken under supervision. Please do consult a spine surgeon for further evaluation.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist
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What Causes Recurrent Chronic Back Issues Despite Taking Medications?

Hello, It is unusual to have severe Osteoarthritis at an age 38 yrs. Mostly your symptoms make me think of lumbar vertebral compression fracture, lumbar disc degeneration, lumbar spondylitis and spondylolysthesis, severe osteoporosis and osteoarthritis of facet joints. Few treatment options are complete bed rest till pain is relieved. NSAIDs like tab ibuprofen and Naproxen are to be taken twice daily for 2 weeks. if you have heart failure or bleeding problems, you need to avoid NSAIDs. Then you can take opioids like hydrocodone oxycodone and Tramadol. To avoid gastric irritation, tab. Pantoprazole is to be taken before food once daily. Physical therapy with few back muscle strengthening exercises are helpful in reducing the pain. If your pain doesn t reduce with the above medication, vertebral joint injections like facet joint injections of steroid and local anesthetic are to be taken under supervision. Please do consult a spine surgeon for further evaluation. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist