Sooo, on top of the Fibro, I have been having excruciating low back pain that is getting progressively worse. Finally had an MRI 6/10 and asked that they send me a copy of the results. Got those in the mail yesterday, but my doctor hasn’t called me yet. From what I can tell I have 3 bulging discs with an annular tear and some sort of atypical hemangioma on L2 along with degenerative disc disease. Anyone else have anything like this? As if Fibro pain isn’t enough…
Yes, degenerative disc disease seems to be pretty common with many people on here. I also have some bulging discs, one of which needed emergency surgery (my foot went completely numb). I've found stretching and making sure to walk to be really beneficial. You might want to see a physical therapist as well to help build up your core muscles to take some strain off your back. Best of luck, back pain is the worst :/
I just recently had my second MRI of the lower spine, at L-4,L-5 there is disc degeneration and along s1 there are small tumors, my Dr is the work comp doctor and told me there wasn't anything else they could do for me, but to manage pain, and send me back to work,
I know from my own experience that DDD is a real pain and its ongoing. I have been fused from my L3 - S1, now have both SI joints fused, and the degeneration is in my neck. I would call your doctor to schedule a time to go in. You can also ask for a discogram to be done to see if it is actually the disc that is causing the pain. This procedure is one of the most painful things I have ever gone through but it gave the doctors the information they needed before my surgery. Wish you luck and strength.
Hi mrsg. I'm sorry to hear that you have this problem.
I had L5-S1 disc replaced and spinal fusion at that level due to degeneration and pain with numbness in right leg and foot. It was a huge surgery. I think that it was a turning point in my life that lead me on the road to fibro. I would imagine recovery would be quite difficult for a person that already has fibro.
Maybe try acupuncture and chiropractic. I get a great deal of relief from these. Sometimes surgery cannot be avoided though.
Gentle hugs,
LKitty
Once doctor opened me up he found it was worse than expected, my vertebrae wasn't even attached so my 8 hr surgery turned into 12. Recovery was long, a year. Now degenerating above but holding out as long as possible. My therapist does dry needling like acupuncture but only lasts short time. Just take it a day at a time. Hugs!
Hi Penwelle,
I'm on the fence right now with Osteopenia, to take Fosamax, Prolia, or mass doses of calcium citrate...I would not mass dose anything without a med prof approval, but both meds are showing too many thigh area breaks and shatters for my taste! There doesn't seem to be a good or right answer to me!
I understand where you are coming from
I have -3.5 reading for osteoporosis. The Dr wants me to get the shot that is good for a year. I can’t afford it. So I just sit and wait quietly. Anyone else with similar to this
Hi Mrs G- 3 years ago I learned I have 4 herniated discs in my lower back, causing severe pain in my right leg and foot and sometimes foot numbness, but it comes and goes. But recently an MRI of my upper back revealed 4 more herniated/degenerative discs, including 1-2 sitting on nerves causing much pain. Doctors still figuring out what to do, but back issues definitely a major connection with Fibro. My arms and back, hurt a lot, most likely from upper back discs. Legs, calves, and shins in major pain lately with spasms . Also legs feel weak, but muscles seem strong . Back is likely the problem with legs too, although I don’t know for sure. But it appears and seems like the back could be causing many of my problems , arms and legs.
Michael-Please keep me posted on how they are going to handle your back. Prayers 
Yes, I do, too. I have bulging disks at L4-5 and L3-4 as well as a pinched nerve in the sacroiliac joint. It can be excruciating sometimes. I completely understand!
I cannot find any pain meds that work for me that I can take (I take coumadin), so I don't take anything for pain, just the emotional distress created by these multiple symptoms. For me, going to bed is the most painful time. At the peak of my distress, I just hated bedtime because I knew how painful it was going to be. I rarely stay in bed longer than 1-2 hours. I finish the rest of the night in my recliner.
Fortunately, as I continue clearing the "stressors" out of my life and work at controlling my physical activities, I am finding my days less painful. However, one mistake of overdoing, and I'll spend two days making up for it.
I believe it is impossible to totally eliminate stressors because one seems to bring another. Just keep whittling away at them.
I hope you are feeling better knowing there are others out there sharing the same trauma. I know that knowledge was uplifting for me!
Blessings, Friend,
Wendy
Yuk, double and triple yuk! Lumbar puncture in Wednesday morning! I’m not looking forward to it at all! I’m scared out if my wits that something will go wrong