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Hi, I'm ghosthunter! Has anyone else had osteophytes (bone spur) on vertebrae?

ghosthunter

Hi everyone, newbie here.
I've had spinal problems for years now. In 2014 I had a stenosis that almost paralysed me. I had a right side laminectomy. That didn't work, so later on in the same year, I had a full discectomy and screws and rod at L4-L5. I also had a partial discectomy at L3-L4. The problem in progressing slowly up and down my spine. I have nerve damage L5-S1, and cervical disc compression. The surgeons wont do any more.
That's the history. My problem now is osteophytes on all vertebrae. They are so painful when any pressure is applied directly to the bones, and even when I lean back in a chair or lay in bed.
Is this the osteophytes or something else?
Osteoarthritis is hereditary in my family. My hips and knees also suffer.
Any help and advice is welcome.
The only relief I get is from 200mg of ketoproxin, but it is short lived.
Unfortunately, living in Romania now, painkillers such as morphine (I've tried everything else, even oxycontin) are reserved for cancer patients etc.

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Comments

Cher_Alumni

Hello @ghosthunter I like your name!

I'm sorry to hear you're having difficulty with your spine, that sounds extremely painful and must be challenging to manage. Unfortunately, our community isn't the best place to offer advice in relation to specific medications, as we wouldn't want to give you information that could be dangerous to your wellbeing. Are you under a care team in Romania? Are there any alternate treatments available for instance physiotherapy?

This NHS website offers the following advice in relation to different options that might help:

Treating osteophytes
If you're overweight, losing weight will help by relieving some of the strain on your joints.
A physiotherapist may also be able to help you by recommending exercises that can strengthen the muscles surrounding the problem area, and by helping to improve your range of movement.
Surgery can sometimes be used to help manage any underlying arthritis in the joint. It can be helpful for osteoarthritis that affects your hips, knees or joints, particularly those at the base of your thumb.
Find out more about treating osteoarthritis
There's usually no need to remove an osteophyte, unless it's irritating a nerve in the spine or restricting a joint's range of movement.
If you do need surgery to remove an osteophyte, your surgeon will explain the procedure's risks and benefits.

I hope you are doing okay and please let us know how you get on.

To add: I've moved this post to our Physical impairments and mobility issues discussion group and tweaked the title to help people experiencing similar to spot your post

ghosthunter

@Cher_Scope, many thanks for your response. I'm not asking about meds, I know no-one can help with that. It's more about managing the constant pain. As I mentioned, the doctors have given up. I saw 13 different doctors before I found someone that would do something. All doctors were private because waiting times for state doctors was/is horrendous.
I've tried various therapies and other specialists, but to no avail. None of them want the responsibility. I'm just being left to suffer till the end.
I'm on here in case anyone else has similar issues and can offer advice on non-medical pain management.
By the way, there is a story behind the name ?

Missy15

Hi ghost Hunter,
I have had 4 lumber spine ops and 1 cervical. I now suffer with osteophytes.
I had a fusion in 2012, unfortunately, 2014 had to have all metal work removed due to bone spur then extension of fusion to curvature. (9hr op).
I have been having pain ( cervical) and choking episodes ( 2 manoeuvres performed) so another MRI showed osteophytes protruding into the oesophageal pipe this was so scary and very painful.
I also have severe nerve damage to both legs( lower) that I wear bilateral braces to keep me up right .
I do have gabapentin 12! 300mg daily for the nerve damage
I manage my osteophytes with anti inflammatory tabs .
no more can be done for my back so I just have to manage, smile, and get on with it.
I hope that you can find something that will help you to manage your pain.. I can usually tell when mine are going to flare up so it does give me a little warning.

Good luck ?
BTW... they have now spread to both hands.. but I think I’m very lucky to most.

ghosthunter

Hi @Missy15, thanks for your story. Sounds awful. I thought I had problems. It just feels worse when the refuse to do any more.
Its It's unbearable most of the time. I can't sit or stand for more than a few minutes. Walking almost kills me. But like you say, let's just smile and get on with it.
Btw, anti-inflammatory pills last a couple of hours at best. But a couple of hours relief is better than nothing I suppose.
Thanks again for the insight.
Fight on, as we must.?

Cher_Alumni

ghosthunter said:

By the way, there is a story behind the name ?

You have me intrigued.. were you a ghost hunter?

ghosthunter

I was, yes. And want to start again. I had a very respected and successful team.
However, as an engineer, I look at the scientific evidence before I come to any conclusions. I did public events and private investigations in people's homes.

Cher_Alumni

@ghosthunter Ooooh, this fascinates me! I'd love to hear more about your experiences. Have you ever actually seen a ghost? Feel free to start another thread about this if you wish

ghosthunter

@Cher_Scope, better to use the term 'paranormal investigator'.

ghosthunter

Would it be appropriate on here?

Sandy_123

@ghosthunter I feel your pain, i have spinal problems and it's hard to get pain relief that works well, hopefully a Dr somewhere can sort you out.
By the way I don't have to go ghost hunting there already here around me. Start the new thred

ghosthunter

Paranormal experiences - the new discussion for those who are interested.

TannersMum33

Hello , I have osteoporosis and part of that is osteophites/ bone spurs all made worse by radiation treatment for cancer for the last five years.
You have my sympathy because it’s like developing an interior extra skeleton.

ghosthunter

@TannersMum33, oh my, you really are going through it ?. My problems are nothing in comparison.
However, did you find anything other than meds gave you any relief?
I can't sit, recline, lay down or stand for any amount of time.
You feel a fraud because no-one can see your pain.
I wish you the very best of luck with your cancer therapy ??

Queenofdisabilities

Hi & welcome Ghosthunter.
Sounds you're a paranormal investigator wirh your name?
Im so sorry your having to cope with so much to do with your health.
You're in the right place.
Wish I could help more.
Im in severe pain all the time.
Wish I could help more.
Take care of your self.

Queenofdisabilities

Hi & welcome Ghosthunter.
Im so sorry to read your story & all you're going through.
I can't relate to your illnesses.
I have A whole long list of illnesses.
Fibromyalgia & Osteoarthritis are very very bad.
I have a very weak damaged back due to an industrial accident when I was 16.
I have sciatica aswell & my back constantly gives way its the worst ever pain.
I don't scream but I do want to.
I don't want my dog getting scared.
I have a lot of other illnesses im going to try finding the correct sites.
Despite everything we keep going.
Take care Ghosthunter.