Mom was out for dim sum with sis ther other day. An increasingly rare outing for my mother who has been struggling with back-related issue that have seen her laid up for much of the past few months, a quadefecta of severe arthritis, spinal stenosis, sciatica and three bulging discs. She’s been in quite a bit of pain and has had trouble getting around. She’s been given painkillers (likely not strong enough in my opinion) and exercises to do (which she likely doesn’t), and it’s been a very frustrating while. Yesterday, Akemi was looking up exercises for the bulding discs and showed me one that actually helped me make a quick recover from a rotator cuff injury, but I really can’t see 90-year-old mother hanging off a horizontal high bar for any extended period of time.
Any of you, or someone you know, dealt with any of the aforementioned conditions? What steps were taken to address the issues and did any of them yield positive results?
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I’m sorry to hear about your mom.
I have had back problems with severe pain. I’m almost 68.
I was injured on the job back in ’96 and refused back surgery.
Pain meds help, but when that just doesn’t cut it, I usually lay down on the floor(carpet not cushioned) with 1 pillow beneath my knees.
I find 20-30 minutes helps realign my spine and offers a little relief.
Joe, check your email in a few minutes re back issues.
Joseph,,,some lower back pain may be alleviated by abdominal exercises(not situps,,,too hard on the spine),,,leg raises, plus stretches,,,the spine is basically an upright suspension bridge,,,requires appropriate muscle tone both front and rear😳
I have similar issues with my back. It’s rough but I imagine it’s even worse for your mom because of her age. If she feels up to water exercise, or gentle yoga🤷🏻♀️. The hardest thing is to keep moving when you’re in that much pain. Pain meds only do so much when nerve pain is involved. Nerve pain is a whole different universe! Also, heating /colds packs but don’t do anything unless her Dr approves.
Sending good thoughts, and 🙏🏻
Thanks, Tam!
I’m sorry to hear about your Mum – I suffer debilitating sciatica and bursitis (from an injury) and tried many things, but the only guaranteed solution was daily walks (min half an hour) and then floor stretches (taking pain killers if needed). Unfortunately with this type of injury, the longer you are inactive, the longer the pain stays. Stretches: (on floor with yoga mat) Iron cross stretch, single knee to chest stretch, and then do the same action with knee out to both left and right side, standing stretches: quadricep stretch, standing calf stretch, and then hang forward and try to touch your toes. Hold each stretch for 20 seconds for starters, and work you way up to 40 seconds. It can be painful at the start. But these are the only exercises I’ve found to increase the inter-vertebrae spaces, elongate the muscles pinching the sciatica nerve to give relief. Can do every second day, but for better results (and habit making) a daily routine is best.
I did also visit a chiropractor to help with stretching and massage. Some gyms or yoga studios can offer stretch classes for people with limited mobility to help… you have to research. But ultimately you have to be consistent and active to get rid of the pain.
Thanks for this. Yes, exercising and stretching are the way to go but she is in so much pain that she has trouble just standing up and walking.
That’s so awful. I hope she finds some relief soon. When I first did the injury I remember how the constant pain was so debilitating. The only other things that helped a little was alternating hot and cold presses.
Does your Mum have access to a pool to help support her for an attempt at exercising?
I know pain relief was always something hindering my recovery. Mostly I just pushed through as best I could. Medication helped a little. My heart goes out to you both.
Thank you.
There is a medication used for nerve pain. I tried it but stopped because of some of the side effects. You might ask her Dr if it’s a possibility. It’s called Gabapentin.
My pug Jelly was on that!
My mom had chronic back pain in her later years. She had osteoporosis which caused scoliosis and bone fractures. Her doctor finally prescribed a strong narcotic pain medication. At her age (early 80’s) we were not worried about addition, like you would with a younger person. The doctor was just trying to make her relatively pain free or more comfortable in her final years. She used a walker and later a wheelchair. She lived to a couple months shy of 95.
You’d be surprised what older people can do with simple exercises. Does Canada have Home Physical Therapists that can come to her house once or twice a week to work with simple exercises that would help her back. Here in the US a doctor prescribes it to make it happen. Our Medicare system pays for it.
She does have a physical therapist. But even though she insists she is doing her exercises, my sister doubts it.
Oh and last comment on this “today”: Has the dr ruled out epidural shots? It’s a shot of steroids/anesthetics that they inject around the spine. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. If the shot works, then she’ll have near instant, short term relief. The last shot I had worked very well! The time before that….I couldn’t walk or move my legs for about twelve hours but the dr said that was a extremely rare reaction.
She did get a shot last week but saw little to no results unfortunately.
Hi Joe, would your Mum consider acupuncture? Might be worth a try instead of exercises and the western way of thinking about ailments.
Hey Jane, thanks for the suggestion. My mother was very dubious about acupuncture but was finally convinced to try it out to address her ongoing migraines. After returning home from the session, she brushed her hair – and three needles fell into the sink. Since then, she has patentlly refused to try again.
Ooooo I’m not surprised she won’t try it again then! I wonder if that particular acupuncturist is still working… hopefully not Joe.
Me again Joe! Just had a thought – is cannabis or variants of it legal in Canada, especially for medicinal purposes? If it is, would your Mum be up for it?
Yes. We’re going to look into that. Not sure where to start though. Maybe a conversation with her doctor?
I presume that’s the best way to start with her doctor, I can’t give you any advice though unfortunately as I’m in the UK, sorry xxx