Back Pain Community

hi and welcome to the support group -

it's great you are taking the steps to help your hubby and I commend you on that -

first - your hubby said he has burning sensation - a lot of us with chronic spine problems do have this - and there could be several reasons for it - a bulging disc or a muscle tightness problem

second - even if he has muscle spasms there is usually an underlying problem associated with it

Now the MRI should show something - do you know which part of his back they are doing it on - either low, mid, neck or the entire back?? what did the spine specialist say? what kind of spine specialist was he/she?

what type of spine specialist did he see - there are 2 different ones - either an Orthopedic Spine Specialist or Neurosurgeon Spine Specialist - these are the only 2 that can read film results (MRI, CT Scans, X-rays etc) properly. Most of them don't even look at the written report and focus on the film results as they are the only ones trained to know the spine areas. they are also the only ones that can fully diagnose spine problems.

Most spine problems arise from bulging discs - here's a site that can help you understand that - the terminology bulging disc can also mean herniated, ruptured etc., there's lost to read and learn - this is a great site and I use it a lot when new members come on board and ask questions -

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/herniated-disc/whats-a-herniated-disc-pinched-nerve-bulging-disc

Once you get the results of the MRI please let us know what the written report states - we can help a lot with that -

Also, It would be in his best interest if he see either an Orthopedic Spine Specialist or Neurosurgeon Spine Specialist to examine him and read the film results - once they do this they can advise what the best treatment options are -

also, regarding the pain - a good pain management clinic is vital too in helping with pain management. I see a PHYSIATRIST Pain Management physician - here's site on what they do -

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/spine-specialists/what-a-physiatrist

they go deeper into pain management and go to the underlying problems - they are also great at referring you to a spine specialist as they work closely with really good accredited ones.

It's also best to get a couple of opinions - one from each spine specialist trade - this way he will know what all they have diagnosed him.

I know this is a lot to take in - but please let us know if u have other questions. and take a deep breathe - I'm sure it's nothing to worry about -

take care - Joy
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Hello and welcome.

Joy has already given you her usual excellent advice.

I thought I would just add a few things. I agree with Joy that if there are any problems in your husband's back such as herniated or bulging discs, an MRI or CT scan should show that. A x-ray can only show bone, where the other type of diagnostic tests mentioned will show soft tissue damage such as problems with discs, facet joints, or muscles.

If there are no skeletal problems, then you husband could be having some problems with muscles. It is also possible that he has Fibromyalgia. Arthritis of any type could be involved here as well.

I am not a doctor and just sharing possibilities based on 30 years of managing moderate to severe chronic pain from serious spinal issues. Joy has recommended the proper doctors to see for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.

Keep doing your research and keep seeking the truth for your husband. There is always hope and always help.

I pray you and your husband can find the answers and relief you need soon.

Thank you Joy and Dave. I really appreciate your feedback. Yes, he is seeking a ortho spine specialist. He has told my hubby that a lot of times they can't find the cause for the problem and you have to just live with it. I am not ready to buy that. After all this medical and scientific research and development they can't find an answer to a back pain?Sometimes hearing my hubby talk I feel he is so tired of his back pain that he is beginning to give up too. I can understand his frustration but giving up finding the problem is certainly not the right choice. But I won't rest till I get to the root cause of it. No one should live in pain for the rest of their lives. He had his MRI today and we will hear from the doctor this week or next week and he has an appointment to see him next Thursday. This waiting period is the worst thing ever.

If nothing comes out of the MRI I will have him see a neuro spine specialist, and if nothing come out of that have him explore it through the eye of an Oncologist. But I hope we don't go that far. The frustrating part is that diagnosing the problem is such a slow process and he continues to be in pain.

I will keep you posted on how things progress. Do you know how I can have a webmd doctor who specializes in this respond to this post? I have never used WebMD before to this extent.

Thanks once again. Will keep you posted.

Hello again, Sunday. I am glad we could help.

Unfortunately, the assigned health experts do not reply often due to their busy schedules. We have learned here to rely on each other for support and to share experiences, and good websites as those listed in my Tip for information about spinal conditions.

Please do keep us posted.

Hello,

Just wanted to update you that my husbands MRI is normal and no abnormalities which is good and a relief and yet not good because now we don't know where to go from here. He is still in chronic pain and that has lowered the quality of his lifestyle. His work out has stopped and beign diabetic that is not the most ideal thing as his blood sugars are being affected too. Any insights? Do let me know.

Thanks.

Hello again.

Yes, a neurologist would be a good specialist to see. Another specialist would be a rheumotologist. This latter type of doctor can do blood tests to see if there is any type of arthritis, fibromyalgia, or other condition causing your husband's pain.

Please keep us updated. I will continue to pray for answers and relief for both of you.

Hi Sunday -


I started thinking of one of my friends (she used to be regular here on WEBMD) but now I speak with her on Facebook - anyway she is a diabetic and has chronic back pains too - here lately she has been having a horrible time with her blood sugar levels and her back has been bothering her.


I did some research and found this site - it has some good info relating to diabetes and back pains -


http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/04/19/150986821/doctors-group-tells-patients-to-go-for-cheaper-high-value-treatments


here's another one:


http://blog.all-about-beating-diabetes.com/diabetes-complications/diabetes-back-pain-symptoms-relief/.html


this one above states the back pains are part of the complications of diabetes!!


So do some research - I just googled: diabetes and back pain


read the articles that pops up - hopefully this will help answer some questions you are having - hope it helps -


let us know what all you find out - take care - Joy

Thank you Dave and Diana. I will look into these resources. I have initiated a call with a friend who is a neurologist and an oncologist. They are going to bring him in for more tests and a second look. Basically, they said we need to play the game of elimination in order to narrow down on the possible causes. This is going to take weeks but it will be worth the effort. I will certainly keep you posted as things progress.

Thanks once again.