Sympathetic nervous system disorder of women that leads to pelvic pain and symptoms of interstitial cystitis may be the cause of severe backache and be very responsive to medical therapy rather than surgery despite the presence of herniated discs.

PURPOSE: To describe a unique pharmacologic treatment for backache that seemed to be related to herniated discs.

METHODS

Dextroamphetamine sulfate was prescribed to a woman who developed acute lower backache which was attributed to herniated lumbar discs.

RESULTS

Within hours the pain diminished and she was pain free within a week. The 100% relief has persisted for months.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute backache can be added to the long list of pain syndromes related to impairment of the sympathetic nervous system that is effectively treated with sympathomimetic amines.