Re: Back/Leg Pain
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From: Michele (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun Mar 9 01:01:26 2003
Hello, I stage 4 endo and was diagnosed by lap 9/2001. Shortly after my
diagnosis I developed severe daily mid-lower back pain without a history
of a bad back and I did not injure myself. I have been going through
tests per the endo specialist that I see for about 1 year to determine
if this back pain is something other than endo. To this date nothing
abnormal has been found. Last week I saw a spine specialist. He took
X-rays which were normal and I am going to have an MRI soon. If nothing
is found I am to have another lap to see if the back pain is from endo,
adhesions or both.
In addition I was referred to a pain management specialist. I am so
glad I went because before seeing him the quality of my life was very
poor. I do worry though about having to take narcotics just to live
some kind of a normal life. I felt at the time and still do that I
have/had no other choice.
I also have spent a great deal of time wondering if I am going nuts. I
constantly second guess myself, wondering if any of this back pain is in
my head. I know it is not.
I had to respond to this post to let you know that you are not the only
ones going through this and are not alone. I hoped this helped you in
some small way.
Please Take Care
At Fri, 7 Mar 2003, Pam wrote:
>
>Thur March 7,
>
>Amy, I have spent the last 3 years with back/hip pain. I was diagnosed with
>endometriosis in my twenties. I've had a D&C, three or four
>laparoscope's(I've lost count) and many years of infertility treatments,
>including, three articificial inseminations., GIFT and two Invitro
>Fertilizations. I am now 43years old. When my pain started it felt like
>bruises on my hips. I can't even sleep on my sides at night anymore. I
>have been sent to Physical therapists, who couldn't figure out why I had
>pain in hip/back area. Yet they still had me doing six months worth of
>therapy which left me in more pain than I started out with. Next I was seen
>by a round of Orthopedic surgeons, one of which was at Bethesda in Maryland.
>The President is seen there for goodness sake!! Not one of these doctors
>could find anything other than a little degenerative disc problem. Finally
>I went to my gyn and asked him if my back /hip pain could be associated with
>my Endo? He said it was a possibility, that perhaps the endo had attached
>itself to the some nerve endings in my back. He did another laparoscopy and
>removed what he could of my endo. We were hoping this surgery would help
>with the back /hip pain. I was hopeful after the surgery because I wasn't
>in pain anymore. Unfortunately the pain slowly came back after several
>weeks. After that he suggested I go to a Pain Clinic, which I did. The
>doctor there put me on narcotics my body cannot tolerate. Because my
>husband is in the Navy, I am seeing Navy doctors here at Balboa in San
>Diego. We moved here this past July,2002. Since then I have been sent to
>another orthopedic surgeon who, by some miracle was a woman.She is convinced
>the endo and back pain are related. She then sent me to see a Gyn who
>promptly did an endo biopsy and tried to put me on Lupron injections. By the
>time I left his office I was drained and felt as if he thought this
>medication would make it all go away. Unfortunately for me I've been down
>the Lupron road before (hotflashes, night sweats, mood swings). I refuse to
>put myself into medically induced menopause. Also, I know this will not
>help with my back/hip pain. As an aside to this I have been seeing a pain
>specialist who has done three Epidural back injections and they have done
>nothing to ease my agony. I have lived in pain far too long. I want my
>life back. I am at the point where I am willing to undergo a complete
>hysterectomy if it will relieve my suffering. I know this doesn't help your
>pain, but I wanted you to know that you are not alone. You are not crazy
>and there are other woman out there who will listen. To me that is a
>comfort. Today I have this letter with me in hopes my new doctor, a woman,
>who will understand what I've gone through and help me.
>
>--
>Pam Waters
>
>>>----- Original Message -----
>From: <anonymous@obgyn.net>
>To: "Multiple recipients of list ENDO" <anonymous@obgyn.net>
>Sent: Friday, March 07, 2003 5:39 AM
>Subject: Re: Back/Leg Pain
>
>> At Thu, 6 Mar 2003, Amy wrote:
>> >
>> >I have spent the past half hour reading through the archives about
>> >shooting pains in the legs and lower back pain. This is what I am
>> >experiencing 2 weeks after my Luna/Lap. I never had these type of pains
>> >before my last surgery.
>> >I had to pay someone to come to my house today and help me with my
>> >children and housework- because I am in to much pain to do hardly
>> >anything. And I cannot financially afford to be hiring people to fill
>> >in the blanks for me. The back pain is so intense and shoots clear down
>> >to my ankles. I am waiting for my doctor to call me back as I am
>> >seriously considering a trip to the ER tonight. I read that these pains
>> >are common with endo and also can be common after a Lap. My question
>> >is- does it ever go away? Is it just a temporary side effect of the
>> >surgery itself? Once you are plagued with the back and leg pains is
>> >there truly a remedy? I do not wish to stay on all these medicines that
>> >do very little for my pain. I am sure that my liver and kidneys could
>> >use a break. I have tried hot showers, icy hot, heating pad, everything
>> >that I can think of. My kitchen cabinet is a miniature pharmacy! Dozens
>> >of pill bottles- and I cannot say that a single one of them works. If
>> >any of you have found a way to remedy these pains- could you please let
>> >me know what worked for you? Did you have to have another surgery? Maybe
>> >you know of something herbal I could try? I am very frustrated. Thank
>> >you.
>>
>> Amy- I too dealt with the leg and back pain all day yesterday! OMG, I
>> thought I was going to die! It's a normal occurance for me and NOTHING
>> helps. I considered a trip to the ER but I think the only thing they
>> would do is give us some more narcotics that don't work in the first
>> place. I turn on my heating pad and let it get as hot as it can, lay
>> down and just die. I asked around and everyone said to give the doctor
>> a call! You might want to try that. Being that you just had surgery I'm
>> sure he/she will be understanding and maybe give you something a little
>> stronger! Good luck and I certainly hope today is better for you. :)
>>
>> -K
>>
--
Sick Near Seattle
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