3 ms·

I went through something similar the past couple of years, and was letting my back determine job prospects (i.e. I didn't want to take a train downtown and walk

I went through something similar the past couple of years, and was letting my back determine job prospects (i.e. I didn't want to take a train downtown and walk five blocks to work, hell I didn't want to walk to the parking garage next to my building). For me (and possibly only me, I don't know your situation), what worked better than anything was to start eating a keto (low carb, and incidentally no wheat) diet, which some attribute to having anti-inflammatory effects: http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2012/01/low-back-pain-chiropractors-nsaids-narcotics-and-wheat/ http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2012/01/low-back-pain-chiropra.... The pain went away very quickly (for me within a week of starting the diet) and I can walk normally again. I'm not saying it will work for you, I don't know, but I've been on the diet for four months now, and the pain hasn't returned since. You might want to consider it. It significantly improved my life. I also lost 40lbs as well in that time period, with not a whole lot of exercise, which I'm hoping will help insure the pain doesn't come back in the future. It's awful and it dictates your life when you have it, I know. I hope you figure out what's wrong and find something that works for you. Also, if nothing else, I noticed that I could stay in the pool pretty much as long as I wanted when I had back pain, due to its buoyancy effect, so when I did have back pain, I got my exercise in by going to the pool regularly, and found relief from my pain while I was in there. You might want to consider that for weight loss as well. If you are interested in keto, check out http://www.reddit.com/r/keto http://www.reddit.com/r/keto. It's a great source of information, motivation, and similar stories such as mine by real people, not paid endorsements.

vrtx0 10y ago
Thanks for the suggestion. I've tried various diets, including Keto, LCHF, etc. I try to stick with LCHF just to slow down my weight gain, but it doesn't impact my pain or neurological symptoms. For anybody else reading this I'm a similar situation, please do follow cableshaft's advice and try new diets. I also recommend physical therapy. The cause(s) of MS and many similar diseases are not well understood. At all. FWIW, I lived a pretty healthy lifestyle before my symptoms started.
- cableshaft 10y ago
  That's unfortunate that it didn't work for you. I'm glad to know you had given it a shot, though, so you at least know there's probably not a more natural fix for the problem. I really hope they find something and can give you something to ease your pain. Good luck.
- daheza 10y ago
  When I went to physical therapy it consisted of them just teaching me stretches, all of which I could just find online. Is this the normal experience?
  - vrtx0 10y ago
    Good question. I can only share my personal experience; I've seen 5, but only 2 seemed to understand my pain and gave me exercises tailored to my needs (using elastic bands, aqua exercises, stretching, etc.). The standard for back pain seems to be core strengthening. I found aquatic exercises most helpful (and least painful) for that. The best ones I've seen were both athletes who succumbed to back injuries. But there must be good PTs who learned by the book too... I hope.
    - madengr 10y ago
      I also went to a PT that specialized in low back pain & sciatica. Mine has finally gone away and the PT helped, but it has taken 1 year. There was a study in the UK where 90% of back pain goes away in 1 year, so they advised against any surgery. Of course this was in the UK so they couldn't get surgery within a year.
mmargerum 10y ago
Have you tried cbd oil or vaping?
- leesalminen 10y ago
  CBD oil has a lot of promise. It doesn't get you "high", but acts much like an NSAID.

vrtx0 10y ago

Thanks for the suggestion. I've tried various diets, including Keto, LCHF, etc. I try to stick with LCHF just to slow down my weight gain, but it doesn't impact my pain or neurological symptoms. For anybody else reading this I'm a similar situation, please do follow cableshaft's advice and try new diets. I also recommend physical therapy. The cause(s) of MS and many similar diseases are not well understood. At all. FWIW, I lived a pretty healthy lifestyle before my symptoms started.

cableshaft 10y ago
That's unfortunate that it didn't work for you. I'm glad to know you had given it a shot, though, so you at least know there's probably not a more natural fix for the problem. I really hope they find something and can give you something to ease your pain. Good luck.
daheza 10y ago
When I went to physical therapy it consisted of them just teaching me stretches, all of which I could just find online. Is this the normal experience?
- vrtx0 10y ago
  Good question. I can only share my personal experience; I've seen 5, but only 2 seemed to understand my pain and gave me exercises tailored to my needs (using elastic bands, aqua exercises, stretching, etc.). The standard for back pain seems to be core strengthening. I found aquatic exercises most helpful (and least painful) for that. The best ones I've seen were both athletes who succumbed to back injuries. But there must be good PTs who learned by the book too... I hope.
  - madengr 10y ago
    I also went to a PT that specialized in low back pain & sciatica. Mine has finally gone away and the PT helped, but it has taken 1 year. There was a study in the UK where 90% of back pain goes away in 1 year, so they advised against any surgery. Of course this was in the UK so they couldn't get surgery within a year.

mmargerum 10y ago

Have you tried cbd oil or vaping?

leesalminen 10y ago
CBD oil has a lot of promise. It doesn't get you "high", but acts much like an NSAID.