L5S1 Degeneration

6 days ago
3 min read

August 15, 2026

I had imaging done that showed I had L5S1 Degeneration. Last year when the imaging was done, I was told it was mild. This year I had a flair-up in February while cutting firewood. I had imaging done again; it was now moderate/severe degeneration. I was referred to the TOH-RAC by my GP. They sent me to a local doctor that works for them and I was told that the degeneration was 'not a big deal' and was referred to a chiropractor.

I went to that chiro 4 times, each time the pain was getting worse...then the 4th session was horrific. That was a Thursday. Friday, I tried to deal with it, thinking that I'd feel better soon enough. Saturday morning the ambulance was called, and I went to the ER. Now, not much got done there, some meds, then sent home...I wasn't in a critical state, so as long as they could 'sort of' ease the pain, I was good to go. This was May.

Now, I wait to hear from the pain clinic I was referred to. I have to get more imaging done as well, once I get that appointment. I have to use a walker for any length of walking, so grocery shopping is brutal. I wasn't able to get the hay off the fields this year, and I don't know if I will be able to cut my firewood for this winter. As it is right now, I can hardly stand long enough to brush my teeth without my right leg trembling. The pain is excruciating when I stand for more than 10 minutes (so no cooking or doing dishes, and I have to sit in the shower), the fire rolls up into a ball in my lower back then begins to run down my right hip, cheek and even down the back of my thigh a ways. My legs are both tight feeling from the knees down to my toes. My feet absolutely ache and even my 2nd and 3rd toes on my right foot feel like they are burning.

Because of my other illnesses, especially the Central Sensitization and CPTSD, my muscles are in a 'guarding state', so the rest of my body aches even more. So, what would be a 'not so severe' pain for an average person, mine is amplified so badly that I can hardly even function. I am beyond exhausted. Not because I have done anything, my house is a mess, my farm work is not getting done, but because I am suffering so deeply in this painful flair-up (asides from my usual daily pain that is already tiresome) that I can't get the recharge I need. No, a chronically ill person never gets a full battery, not even the 3rd back up battery ever really gets a charge, but now, I am sitting at 10% of that last battery every day...and I am just dragging.

I have been going for physio but it's moving slowly. I even tried the local pool, but it is outdoors and dependant on weather. I also need heated water so as to not make any of my situation worse, and the closest one is still a 45-minute drive on the freeway...which I am not up for...it's my right side that is the worst, the one that runs the pedals...so I think I am out of luck with this idea.

I truly hope that the pain clinic can help me. I can't keep going like this. I don't like not being able to work around the farm, but I really don't like this sitting in park thing even more. It's all so very frustrating especially since I am only 51. This situation totally sucks.