Make sure you look after your back people.

Wayne, by epidural do you mean facet block injections?

I have had those and can advise on them.

No idea - he just said epidural...

He said that for some they are miraculous, for others they do nothing at all, and some have to keep having them "topped up".

I think my friend in California's hubby has had the fusion thing done. Will email her tomorrow and ask. I know he has a lot of back problems and has some really rough times but not sure of all the details.

Hope they find something not too drastic that helps you out Wayne. I guess I am happy being short - Madmax has a 'long back' as they say (he has short Welsh legs) and suffers a bit but not as bad as yours has sounded lately.

I am not an expert or a professional, but what exactly is the problem with your back? My OH had a slipped disk and was told that surgery was the only cure but luckily our GP was young and suggested Chiropractice (sp?). OH had a long period of sessions (with a lovely young Danish lady - honest!) and didn't need surgery in the end. Occasionally it comes back in a very mild form but he now knows how to deal with it.

OH went as far as the scan where they inject your spinal fluid with dye so they can see where the problem is, but 'alternative' treatments helped him avoid surgery.

I realise you have probably been down the other routes, but I try to avoid surgery (and doctors and drugs and injections and dentists).

i had an epidural ....... when i had my son ...... was wonderful, couldn't feel a thing for hours ..... including my legs lol ....... so i'm now confused too ....... i also had a nerve block local anaesthetic into my back a few years ago ...... was wonderful for about 3 days till it wore off ..... but not quite sure how either will help long term problems

these might help explain ??

epidural for back pain - Google Search

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...G=Search&meta=

The most annoying thing is that yesterday I felt quite good - stood up straight, was able to sit comfortably and all sorts. I actually slept right through the night as well for the first time in weeks (painkillers usually run out about 4 in the morning), and I felt ok this morning.

Arrived at the office and was ok, but as the morning progressed I started to lean and stoop and the pain down my leg got worse.

Feel a bit better now (but then I am laid on the couch, and our couches are very very comfortable).

Let's see what tomorrow brings.

Got no info, but just to say I'm wishing you the best.

Do you have a chair that was specifically constructed for you with your problem in mind?

I find that the wrong chair stuffs me within hours, but the specialist one I have is fine for hours and hours......

Had to measure all sorts of leg and back lengths, plus give my wieght.
Got a nice chair with a strange back, it looks like a pair of lungs mounted on a capital "T". The lungs pivot in both planes and can also closer together or further apart.

HW I know you are a big un - I'm 6'3 and when I was 22 wrecked my back pulling Tug of War in the Young Farmers Club competitions. 2 slipped discs , could hardly stand straight and constant agony. Fusion surgery was suggested but at that time the chances were about 50- 50 as to wether I would walk again or not- not exactly a great outlook .
I was advised to get one of the big thick leather weightlifting belts- "What like this one I use for Tug o War Doc?" . Yes like that he said but no Tug of War again EVER and for the next 2 years don't take it off unless you are going to the bath or shower . A couple of sessions with a sports physio to get the discs back where they should have been and on with the belt for nearly 3 years and I'm as well as I'm going to be . Don't need surgery but I have to be careful regarding lifting heavy objects ect.
I'll never have as strong a back as I had but I hopefully won't need surgery.
Backs- you only get one of them - look after it.

I sympathise HeyWayne - I pulled one of my lower lumbar muscles about fifteen years ago, and didn't get it treated for about five years. By which time, I was very wonky and lopsided and had bad sciatica.

Eventually, after 'pinging' something one day and hopping about on one leg in agony, I went to an Osteopath, who explained what I had done and massaged the muscle. It cost me a fortune, and I stopped going as soon as I was mobile again.

This time last year I went to the Chiropractor that my Husband used when he twisted his back/neck and I haven't looked back. The manipulation has made such a difference to my mobility and I haven't had sciatica at all. I now go once every five or six weeks to get my neck pulled, my ribs cracked and my sacroilliac re-aligned. I have to say, I feel about a foot taller when I leave - she's magic.

I read a few weeks ago about what you've suffered with your back, and I'm surprised you're as jovial as you are but I don't remember if you've tried a Chiropractor or not.

Incidentally, I used to know a guy who had had several of his vertebrae fused, and he still said he was in pain. He couldn't twist/turn at all from the waist up. So when he was spoken to from the side or behind, say in the pub, he would have to get up and turn round each time to carry on the conversation!

It was always beyond me how he managed to carry on his extra-marital affair too!

Have you tried Biofreeze to reduce the inflamation and offer some relief? I wouldn't be without it, and I recommend it to everyone.

Chin up X

HeyWayne, I have had alot of bother with my back over the years, (I hate it when OH has to help me put my socks on.) The best thing I invested in was a sacro-iliac belt. Bit like a seat belt and you wear it just below your waist really tight! Sorts me out very quickly, shame about the muffin top but I wear a long jumper when I have it on!

The answer's in the question there HW, seems quite obvious (to me ) that it's sitting in your chair, at your desk which is causing the problem!! Have you tried changing your chair? Raising your desk on blocks? I bet it's designed for someone shorter than you You should go and have a chat with your bosses or HR dept if you have one about changing eqpt. And if they can arrange somewhere for you to break every hour for 10 mins, lying down, even better

Wayne,I can offer no advice but wanted to say,I hope you can get it sorted.I've been so lucky(despite the abuse I've put it through!!),I've only suffered badly during & after pregnancy,but from that know how depressing(& bloody painful!!)it is!!To have suffered as long as you I can only imagine.....can only echo what Peter & Sarah have said & try sorting out your chair/desk at work,& if it means spending a small fortune on a specially designed seat,then make sure your employer foots the bill.
Hope you can get some relief soon,((x))

Constant back pain here too... slipped disc down below, and paralysis/damaged nerves up the top.

Nothing I can offer you except sympathy (and don't get onto benefits unless as a very last resort ... you'll never get off them again)