Lower back/SI joints problems following car crash

Woodstoc45 · 21-07-2015 2:43pm #1

I will apologise now if the post seems to be quite long but I am now at my wits end with everything. Just over 2.5 years ago I was in a serious car crash which I am lucky to walk out of. Thankfully no broken bones however with badly bruised hips and shoulder I wasn't expecting this long after I'd still be feeling the effects of it. From day 1 I've always had a severe sharp pain in my right hip which to this day still have doctors at a miss as to what it is as nothing has showed on x-Rays/MRI's.

A year later due to overcompensation and limping my L5/S1 disc decides to pop on New Year's Day!!! So now I have a sciatic like pain on my left side to go along with my right.

My spine always felt like it was twisted- I have a very painful tension in my middle back (my doctor took no heed!) which was confirmed when I went to see a chiropractor-frequent visits relieve this pain due to manipulation however nothing seems to shift the hips! She believes they are stubborn? In the early days the physio I attended had also pointed this out and he too had problems with it.

So after countless pain Meds running from paracetamol, ibuprofen, co-codamol, diazepam, difene, tramadol, lidocaine, Lyrica and numerous tubes of muscle cream and patches I gave still no let up or relief to this day!?!

I have been to a orthopaedic consultant who has recommended epidural caudal injections of which I have had 3 already with little or no relief from them. In fact they have got less effective from the first to last (which I had last month-June). These past weeks have literally been hell on earth for me.

I have also noted that during these 2.5+ years I have never been so ill in my life and have had countless infections and illnesses, none of which I would of had previously. Has anyone else had this?

I suppose I would like for other people's experiences with this and if they have had similar? What course of action have they been taken down by their consultants? As I am a slight bend away from snapping it would be nice to know I'm not alone.

Many many thanks if you have taken the time to read my post, it means a lot already that you have.

C.

P.s. It would be helpful to note that prior to the accident I was fully active- twice a day, 5 days a week training.

brettmirl · 21-07-2015 8:29pm

You have my sympathy OP, and all I can do is offer some thoughts on my own experience.

While I don't have an accident related back problem, our issues seems quite similar.

Finding the right medical practitioner, be that a GP, physio, consultant, etc is more than half the battle.

Go get a second opinion, if you can afford it, esp when it comes to consultants/surgeons.

Personally, I went down the pain management route over surgery. Like you, I had epidurals in the past. Last year, I had facet joint therapy (RF treatment), where they 'burn' off some of the nerve endings to alleviate the pain. Personally, this worked for me after 2 sessions, and very much lessoned the pain.

Pain medications, they take such a toll on your body, moods, etc. I've found it's very much trial & error to get the right 'cocktail' that works for you.

I had awful trouble sleeping and found I had to mix up the medication I was on, under the supervision of my GP of course, as I found I got quite tolerant of certain medication quite quickly.

I steered clear of chiropractors, and went the physio route. For me, it's all about maintenance, and after a long time in physio, I am now doing pilates to help increase my flexibility and hopefully help build my core muscles.

I still take medication, as needed, a mix of anti-imflamatories, pain killers, muscle relaxants, sleeping aids. I use a TENS, heat/ice packs, and exercise as much as I can, but am still in pain - some days are worse than others, but thankfully for the most part things have improved...There was a stage where I couldnt walk.

Feel free to DM me if I can be of any more assistance.

kilp10 · 21-07-2015 10:15pm

Apart from the disc popping, your story is so similar to mine I'm almost relieved to hear it's not just me! After two car accidents in the past 2.5yrs, the one 12months ago being far worse, I've been left with SI joint pain and more into the right side of the back among other problems. I've had physical therapy (prefer it to physio), osteo, cortisone injections via consultant & also an epidural caudal injection (that cleared up left side pain but no long term effect on right). I was only in with the consultant a few weeks ago & no more injections as I'm only getting 4/5wks of relief from them. He also has me working with a personal trainer to improve strength & conditioning. Also been on lyrica, now on vimovo & codipar for the pain from various injuries. Tried diafene for a bit but couldn't stomach it for anymore than a few days.

I'm at my wits end with it as I'm doing everything I can think of and doing what I'm told but it's just not clearing. MRIs/ xray haven't shown anything of note. I used to be very active in sports but all of them are pretty much gone. I'm finding it very difficult to start accepting that this is possibly with me for good as I've been battling it for so long. I've gotten improvement to a certain point but am at stalemate now the past few months.

Only advice I can give you is to try the strength & conditioning training but go to a really good person who understands pain & injury & can work within the boundaries that won't kick things off for you. I also take magnesium (good for nerve pain apparently) but haven't noticed a big difference. Am also foam rolling the hell out of the muscles!

I really do feel for you as I'm going through very similar.

livemusic4life · 27-07-2015 2:13am

Sorry to hear you are suffering so much. Following a fall 4.5 years ago i have been having severe problems with my lower back, SI joints and sciatica. I have had the physio, massage, acupuncture, acupressure, epidurals, nerve blocks, RF. By now i am only getting about 6 weeks relief with 6 months between appointments. 3 weeks ago i was having a particularly bad week and i had a rant on fb, where one of my friends sent me a link. http://www.tryactipatch.co.uk

Of course I was very skeptical, but i ordered the trial version. Thursday morning I screamed the house down trying to get out of bed but when i got down stairs, the actipatch trial was waiting for me. I put it on immediately, and within 3 hours my pain had subsided nearly completely. It is now early Monday morning and the relief has been pretty much constant. I was so close to the end of my rope that i never thought anything on sale over the counter at boots would help this much.

j2dab · 28-07-2015 10:01pm

I have just got rid of my sciatica. Only had it for 6 months on my left side but couldn't sleep, drive or sit for long periods. All I could do was walk. Not sure if it was a coincidence or not but went to see an Amatsu therapist and it helped massively. It's basically realigning the body and it helped massively. Can finally drive again and sit for long periods of time without pain.
I also got a zero gravity chair which was a great help. Link to one for sale on Donedeal: https://www.donedeal.ie/gardenfurniture-for-sale/zero-gravity-reclining-chair/9671559

Best of luck, don't think I've ever had worse pain.

Woodstoc45 · 20-11-2015 1:46pm

3 years & 12k+ later and still no where near an end zone!!! In the meantime I have been referred to a pain specialist- paid to see him in the Galway Clinic but have been asked to be referred to him in UHG as I have no health insurance and the Nerve blocks apparently cost a lot to do???

Has anyone on here ever have a nerve block done there and the cost of each? If I could afford I really would just go ahead and pay privately as right now this pain is defining my day to day life. In the meantime I'm on Morphine patches and increasing dosages of Neurontin- starting at 100mg up to 600mg.....that's only 6 weeks of meds and 5 weeks of patches- my Dr. seems very optimistic I'll be seen sooner rather than later- I hear there is a 2 year wait list for UHG!!

Any ideas for cost of these Nerve blocks and of course your personal opinions if you had them done- did they work? made things worse? What's the procedure like?

Thanks,

C

livemusic4life · 20-11-2015 1:54pm

Woodstoc45 wrote: »

3 years & 12k+ later and still no where near an end zone!!! In the meantime I have been referred to a pain specialist- paid to see him in the Galway Clinic but have been asked to be referred to him in UHG as I have no health insurance and the Nerve blocks apparently cost a lot to do???

Has anyone on here ever have a nerve block done there and the cost of each? If I could afford I really would just go ahead and pay privately as right now this pain is defining my day to day life. In the meantime I'm on Morphine patches and increasing dosages of Neurontin- starting at 100mg up to 600mg.....that's only 6 weeks of meds and 5 weeks of patches- my Dr. seems very optimistic I'll be seen sooner rather than later- I hear there is a 2 year wait list for UHG!!

Any ideas for cost of these Nerve blocks and of course your personal opinions if you had them done- did they work? made things worse? What's the procedure like?

Thanks,

C

I was desperate from pain when i hurt my back. i was told the injections were 1000 each, and a half a day charge for the bed. That was 4 years ago so i don't know how much the exact price is now. that was for the Cork Uhiversity Hospital.

Woodstoc45 · 14-12-2015 2:24pm

Thanks Livemusic4life! Really helpful information, I'm sure if it was done in a public hospital the prices seem to be the same- epidurals were Ã¢Â‚Â¬900 then Ã¢Â‚Â¬75 bed charge so its around the same. I have my shoulder injection next week so fingers crossed- let's hope driving in pain will be a thing of the past!!

Lower back/SI joints problems following car crash

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