Back pain

[queries]

For the last few weeks I've been getting some odd pains in the left side of my back - they're very sudden, very sharp pains - almost like a quick electric shock! Anyone have any experience like this?

[Sqad]

No I haven´t

High up in the back (below the ribs) or low down?

[bobjugs12]

Along the spine, or just at the back of your torso?

[LoftyLottie]

Yes. Since I had an epidural that went wrong 27 years ago.

[queries]

Its just on the left side of the back of my ribs

[Sqad]

Monitor the situation for a few more weeks........could be muscular i.e no big deal, but there is an off chance that it could be renal (kidney stone)...again, no big deal, but bigger deal than muscular........if you see what I mean.

[237SJ]

Yes, occassionally. Almost like something has `snapped`. I just put it down to a muscle.

[Charlie911]

It sounds like you have a condition known as Sciatica. I've had it for years. Go to your doctor and ask for some medication. However, if he offers you Diazepam ask for something different. Diazepam relaxes the 'muscle spasm' which is what you are getting, but it makes me (a) VERY VERY tired, dozy, causes forgetfulness and all sorts. Why the hell druggies use them I just don't understand!!
I have suffered back pain since I was 28, I'm now 53 and they STILL don't have a name for my condiotn...(Perhaps I will be come famous?? lol) My spine is breaking up and they just don't know why. I was always short, 5.6, now I'm 5'4 and still shrinking!!

[Sqad]

Charlie.....he said it was high up in the rib area........SCIATICA ????.

[pips1]

I had a back massage yesterday for the first time and the girl said my back muscles were very good. Funny though as my bones are suffering from premature degenerative wear and tear which makes me suffer a lot. I walk a lot to help relieve pain so I guess the muscles are the ones to look after (if this makes sense!!)

[237SJ]

Isn`t sciatica lower down at the base of the spine with a pain radiating down the buttock?

[Charlie911]

Yes, my sincere apologies. I totally mis-read it :-( <gone very red>

Well, you gotta laugh!!

[LoftyLottie]

Not sure about sciatica although the pains I get are like electric shocks, very short sharp pains and I have assumed they are caused by nerve damage. I do have a dodgy spine too through arthritis and a fractured vertebrae, and I do suffer from sciatica, but the short sharp pains aren't like sciatica (which is constant), they take me by surprise and then are gone with no after affects.

I too have shrunk by a couple of inches!!

[Sqad]

Charlie.....never mind LOL

[ummmm]

Yes...it also shoots down your legs.

[LoftyLottie]

I've never actually mentioned these short sharp shock pains to the doctor. They don't happen often and since they have been going on for such long time I reckon I can live with them.

[pips1]

Isn't sciatica horrible Lofty and Charlie, I have had it for 9 years and it is like constant toothache all down my right leg!

[ummmm]

I had it when I was pregnant. Not pleasant.

[LoftyLottie]

Yes, its miserable Pip. It is always lingering, but mine isn't too bad at the moment after having some treatment by a physio and ultra sound. You are right, it is like toothache.

[Charlie911]

pips1/ I've had it now for so long I can't remember what it's like not to have it! However 8 years ago it got so bad that when I was in King's college hospital that I actually begged, yes begged them to cut my legs off. It was only when they saw how serious I was and in so much pain that I was ever really taken seriously. The pain now, though bad, on a scale of 1 - 10, only about 7. I can live up with that.

There was many a time I thought about suicide. But you have to be really positive to go through that route. I did try once, but, well, it's all in my autobiography.

[LoftyLottie]

Oh Charlie, that's terrible. I have had bouts of it since my teens and when it is really bad I get severely depressed. At the moment I just get twinges and a general ache that I can cope with.

Take care of yourself.