Yet Another Medical Issue

[WyoDoug]

Apparently I got severe facet joint osteoarthritis in my lower back. I will know more about it next week but anyone else dealing with it? How do you handle that and do hunting? Now I know why I have been in pain and not feeling well every time I tried to do anything physical. That combined with my liver issues is sure making getting out in the sticks a lotta fun.

 

[buckbull]

Sorry to hear the bad news.

 

[Jayce37]

Apparently I got severe facet joint osteoarthritis in my lower back. I will know more about it next week but anyone else dealing with it? How do you handle that and do hunting? Now I know why I have been in pain and not feeling well every time I tried to do anything physical. That combined with my liver issues is sure making getting out in the sticks a lotta fun.

 

[Rob96]

See a pain management specialist. There are injections that will help greatly. Also discuss Gabapentin with the doc.

 

[F250]

Gabapentin has worked magic for me several times. Yes, definitely ask your Dr. about it.

 

[MLB44]

Physical Therapy is probably your best bet if you want to continue hunting long term. Gabapentin can help, but is typically used to help with nerve pain. Injections can also help with pain, but can potentially worsen arthritis over time. Good luck!

 

[blueridge]

Hate to hear that, Doug. Hope you find some relief.

 

[kansasdad]

See a pain management specialist. There are injections that will help greatly. Also discuss Gabapentin with the doc.

Gabapentin has worked magic for me several times. Yes, definitely ask your Dr. about it.

Physical Therapy is probably your best bet if you want to continue hunting long term. Gabapentin can help, but is typically used to help with nerve pain. Injections can also help with pain, but can potentially worsen arthritis over time. Good luck!

Gabapentin can have serious dry mouth consequences. And that can contribute to accelerated tooth decay rates. From where I sit, way too many hurting people are put on gabapentin (Nuerontin is the brand name) without any awareness of this issue.

 

[Hammsolo]

Apparently I got severe facet joint osteoarthritis in my lower back. I will know more about it next week but anyone else dealing with it? How do you handle that and do hunting? Now I know why I have been in pain and not feeling well every time I tried to do anything physical. That combined with my liver issues is sure making getting out in the sticks a lotta fun.

Prayers up.

 

[NDcoyote]

Also praying for you!

 

[Zellhouse]

Injured my left shoulder 20 years ago, had it O-scoped & went on with life. This past spring was diagnosed with arthritus in that joint. Very painful, limited range of motion. Physical therapy was a godsend. Adapted my gym routine to include excercises provided during therapy. Am back to a normal lifestyle 9 months later. There are a couple of things that I cannot do anymore, including throwing a baseball, & pulling my bow. Hiring a landscaper to complete an irrigation system & plant a couple of trees this spring.

Am not one to take alot of medication, tylenol for the discomfort. Have had too many adverse reactions to that crap. Don't need the drama...

Wasn't sure what to expect going into this, realize that tomorrow may bring a new normal, & more limitations. For now I am able to get around well enough to have had a good fall.

Hope this turns out well for you.

 

[David658]

Sorry to hear - getting up there in mileage against my warranty, more and more seems to be loose or outright failing.

I don't know much about that back issue, but one thing I have learned is to find a doc that has done a LOT of work with your particular problem. Find the expert, even if it costs a buck or two more.

Good luck!

David
NM

 

[OntarioHunter]

How's your weight? Gotta get it down if you have back issues. I've had arthritis in my back and neck for years and still relatively pain free. And very active. But no gut!

 

[jbogg]

I recently turned 60 and cut most carbs from my diet almost a year ago. I’ve had arthritis in my low back for years from a couple of old injuries. I’m not completely pain free, but have had a noticeable improvement to the point where I can physically do everything I could 20 years ago. Check out the video below. Ken Berry is an MD, and a big proponent of a low carb lifestyle.

 

[Schwartzcl]

Hate to hear this, jbogg is right about examining your diet to aid in recovery. There are plenty of natural occurring anti inflammatory foods out there to aid your joints (ex., tart cherry) not to mention facilitating weight loss can offload stress/strain on your spine. Gabapentin can definitely be your friend from medication standpoint, it will dampen the those heightened nerves. Don’t be afraid to ask for a steroid injection, just don’t look at the size of the needle.

 

[Paul in Idaho]

Sorry you're dealing with that. I hope your doctors can find a way to reduce the pain.

 

[Blacktailbc]

Ignore what your scans/xray say. Seriously. Focusing on how bad they look can get you into a pity party.

Lose some weight and stay active. Some pain management may help you to stay active. Avoid the surgeries.

 

[WyoDoug]

I am limited on what I can do until I see the othopedic and I am on physical restrictions at advice of my GP doc. I fully intend to lose weight and thankful I now know why I had such pain everytime I attempt anything remotely physical. Xrays show near zero cartilidge in the joints in my back. For long time I wrote that off as diabetic nerve pain or scatia. Going to be seeing a orthopedic soon and eventually physical theraphy. 2024 will be a year I hunt and fish come hell or high water.

Anyway, I am blessed with friends I met through this group. Got a nice care package delivered that was totally unexpected but appreciated. Going to enjoy some elk back strap, beef roasts, ground speedgoat and other treats thanks to special friend that gives me samples from his hunts and those eastern venison steaks cornfed and all, oh man are they good.

Anyways, I consider myself blessed and trying to focus on the good side of life and trying to get my physical condition up as much as I can. On top of it all, I wanna make this type II diabetes go away so once I know the right way to exercise without causing further damage to my back, I intend to begin an exercise regime that the orthopedic and therapist suggests and get things on the roll.

Plus those of you who know me also know I like to hunt for gold and other minerals especially quartz. That takes a bit of backpacking to get where you can find it. Was successful at it year before last and found a little over 3 grams of gold nuggets, pickers and flakes. Going back to the claim as soon as weather opens up again which will be late spring.

Anyways, hope yall had a merry Christmas and enjoy a very happy and productive New Years.

 

[WyoDoug]

The good news is two of my long time friends are going to make sure at least my antelope hunt happens and possibly an elk hunt if the guy that said I could hunt on his ranch confirms permissions. So far I will be hunting deer and antelope which seasons overlap, cow elk followed with doves, grouse, wabbits and whatever I see out there that is edible and I can legally shoot. Plus we will be doing a bunch of fishing runs. Turkey is a possibility but I need to find a spot that is more productive than what I have now. My spot they are there up until hunting season, then they move onto private where I can't shoot.


The bad news is now they want to do MRI of my back specifically on my discs and nerves to make sure it is safe for me to resume physical exercise to strengthen my back again and work on walks to increase stamina, engergy and reduce fatigue. Here's to 2024!

 

[WyoDoug]

Well now I can repeat the topic line. Yet another issue. I just got home from the hospital again after another bout of small bowel blockage which was extremely painful. The diet they wanted me on for my diabetes directly clases with the diet they want me on for my bowel issues which I think is way more dangerous to ignore. So follow up visit to my regular doc and then a dietician to get a compromise that addresses both conditions. I really want to get my medical issues addressed so I can actually begin to work out again without causing harm to things like my back and neck which is stopping me right now.