Hi Tim,
Referred pain was in the butt, hip and down the left leg. Sometimes it was a shooting pain. Sometimes it was a nervy pain. L5 ruptured about 5 yrs into the problem. This is when I began to have episodes of being utterly bedridden and incapcitated. There was no mechanical misalignment (I'd seen an osteopath...)
I'd had several MRI's, CAT scans and xrays.....MRI's with dye....you name it.

I suspect all the 'pain management' caused me to do things that actually damaged the disc, but that's my feeling on it. I took a lot of pain killers during the first 5 yrs - and anti-inflammatories. But it wasn't without affecting my liver and kidneys too.....

I only said if she could manage without the inflammatories, it would be better. They cause a lot of strain on the kidneys and liver. Long term use is definitely not good. If it were to recur with me now, I wouldn't use them at all.

Applying wet-heat was the best thing for me personally. Not an easy task when you can't move, but if you have someone that can get a wet-heated-pad to place on your back - it helps ease the pain tremendously. (Or lie on the pad if you can't tolerate being on your tummy)

I began treatment with my homeopath just over 2 years ago. I had a twinge in my back during the first 6mos of treatment - amongst other symptoms that were resufacing in my case. I thought "Oh dear, this is it -- my back is going again" and literally went to my bed fully expecting to be there for another 'spell'.

I rang my homeopath and reported what was happening. But, having just had a second dose of the remedy (Puls) she had given me for my overall case -- she said to wait if it I could bear it - if the pain was managable. The pain wasn't at its 'normal' zenith, so I went to my bed and rested - fully expecting it to worsen with each minute (as it normally did). I was supposed to ring if it got really bad like it had all the other times in the previous 10 years.

It never worsened. I rested and it improved inside of two days. (I remember thinking - NO WAY -- it's going to come back! But it didn't.)

I've never had another episode since. So, this is the longest I've gone without having had pain in my lower back, ever since my back was injured. I've slowly ventured into doing old things that before would set it off. Slowly. Now, I can do almost everything I did before -- save what age has limited :razz: .

Then last year I had a T3/4 problem - not a ruptured disc thank heavens, but it was part of the old back problem (I'd been injured years before and it affected my lower back initially and upper back later), and I had always thought it was an offshoot of compensating for my lower back. I remember thinking, "Oh dear -- now my lower back will be next --- this hasn't resolved like I thought and hoped ."

It was very intense -- much worse than I'd ever experienced in my upper spine before -- extending to my neck and shoulders (right side). Rang the homeopath -- was prescribed Rhus-tox 30 - and told to get it checked by the osteopath when the pain subsided enough to get there and be physically handled. I had the check up. There was nothing mechanical out of place. He couldn't figure out why I was in so much pain and offered acupuncture (I said no thanks).

Rang the homeopath back -- and was told to ring as soon as the sx's worsened again. Anyway, it got so bad in my upper back extending to neck and shoulders, that I couldn't move my head at all.....nor open my mouth but about 2/3 cms! Any slight movement would send me into spasms of unbearable pain. I cried like a baby with this one. I thought I was dying. In fact, I was praying for some relief or death it was so bad. Some might laugh at this, but it wasn't the least bit funny at the time. It was pure agony.

I was given rhus tox (200c) for that episode, after my homeopath was satisfied nothing mechanical was out of place. Within 3 days I steadily improved to 80%. Within another 2 or 3 days I was fully recovered. Nary a twinge since - and it's been 15 mos since that happened.

Also, I noticed in the months leading up to this upper back episode I was especially sensitive to drafts -- especially if I'd been sweating. Now, ever since the dose of R-tox, if I'm in a draft and sweaty - it doesn't affect me anymore at all. Not in the slightest.

Oh, and that sweating and turning white as a ghost is a very familiar memory. Such is the intensity of the pain!! I don't wish this on anyone.
I hope this answers your questions, Tim.

One last thing. I'd say do what feels okay for you back. If you feel like lying down - lie down. If you feel you need support - then support it. If you feel like taking a hot bath, hot shower, cold bath, cold shower, then do it. But be careful of the things that are painful. Remember, pain is there to protect us from damaging things which aren't doing so well. Good luck Kesa!!
Austin

[ 10. February 2003, 19:47: Message edited by: Austin Powers ]