Anyone have experience with pain?

[jeffweico]

OK, this is WAY off topic, but I thought I'd see if anyone here has an answer...

In the last 6 months or so, I have developed back pain. Sometimes it is really bad and other times it is hardly noticable. But it is constant.

My doctor has told me that this is fairly common (yes, he ran tests and took X-rays) and wanted to prescribe Vicodin. I refused.

Back in college I had an alcohol problem and kicked it. I have not had any type of liquor in over 20 years. I have never had much experience with other drugs. But starting on narcotics does not seem like a particularly good idea to me.

So, my question is this. Has anyone experienced pain and had anything that has worlked and is NOT a narcotic prescribed? I just find it hard to believe that the choices are Advil and narcotics with nothing in between.

[Imback2010]

Hey,

The only thing that MIGHT work besides narcotics is

1.) Accupunture,
2.) Chiropractor
3.) Tens Unit (They work very good and give you that deep tissue amassage experience)


Good Luck!


I've had back pain for like 11 years. When I was in my teenage years the only thing would help would be miss mary jane but

now i just deal with the pain with no narcotics and have been like that for 10 years I figure I dont want the hard shyt untill I'm in my 80's....lol



And I take 2 naproxens daily sometime 4 -5 everyday the doctor prescribed ones. (500mg a pill)


So before you consider that then try pain management or a Ct scan and or an MRI.


TENS unit does work but can leave you very sore the next day...WOWOW...lol

[Melissa1971]

I am so sorry, that's rough. What you describe is what happens to me and used to happen with my husband but he's loyal to his exercises to where I've gotten lazy.
Both my husband and I have back issues. To my Knowledge, there is only ONE way to relieve back pain completely and that is to strengthen all the muscles in your back. Can't just do where the pain is, then your back is lopsided. So the Chiropractor will have you keep all your back strengthened. You had X rays so nothing is out of line so you really only have that choice. The meds are not an option because they are not a cure, they only mask symptoms. You need to FIX it and luckily, it's pretty easy in your circumstance (and most) but we were both afraid of Chiropractors at first.

My Chiropractor is Gordon Ainsleigh. Google him, he is known for starting the Western States Run. We are the Endurance Capitol of the World now due to him. We used to work out together on the trails a few years ago.
You will do CERTAIN exercises with an exercise ball to strengthen your WHOLE back. Doesn't matter where the pain is. I know because my picture sheet with exercises is just like a a few friends', and they have pain in different areas and use different Chiropractors.

One day I noticed laying backwards on my counch felt good, took the strain away so wanted to mimick that to get rid of the back pain. what was "out" regarding my back suddenly pushed itself back in. Then I went to the Chiropractor understanding there had to be an easier way. Chiropractors are cheap too.

It WILL Get better. Otherwise, eventually, you will break down and take the Vicodin. I mean it's only a matter of time...backs always get worse.

My husband is in Construction, had back pain for years so his took longer than mine. it was really bad when he finally went. He also used to take some drugs when he was young so was concerned about taking vicodin. I think he's the kind that gets addicted and knows it. For years he would freak if I got vicodin for migraine headaches until finally he realized the it was used ONLY when needed. One bottle lasted for 3 months so it wasn't taken alot. Weird... it was like he thought one day I would get hooked. But everyone is different.

Hope it all works out...hang in there I will add you to my prayers

[Melissa1971]

Originally Posted by Imback2010

Hey,

The only thing that MIGHT work besides narcotics is

1.) Accupunture,
2.) Chiropractor
3.) Tens Unit (They work very good and give you that deep tissue amassage experience)


Good Luck!


I've had back pain for like 11 years. When I was in my teenage years the only thing would help would be miss mary jane but

now i just deal with the pain with no narcotics and have been like that for 10 years I figure I dont want the hard shyt untill I'm in my 80's....lol



And I take 2 naproxens daily sometime 4 -5 everyday the doctor prescribed ones. (500mg a pill)


So before you consider that then try pain management or a Ct scan and or an MRI.


TENS unit does work but can leave you very sore the next day...WOWOW...lol

Can you tell me what that is? I have back problems sometimes, especially when I don't do my exercises. I googled it but nothing came up.

[Imback2010]

Hey,


Its just a muscle stimulator for the muscles spasms and or back pain here is a amazon link

http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Relief-Carrying-Electrodes-Battery/dp/B001PTDUC0/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1301904544&sr=8-10
This unit above is a basic unit and will certainly get the job done..lol

and it has 49 Amazon reviews...you know how hard those are to get...haha

[GreenBean]

oops! Mary Jane is a street name for a certain foreign and illict substance (marijuana).
Never worked like a TENS machine for me.

Back to jeff!

Because we have only one back and its wellbeing is imperative to us coping with everything, I would get a 2nd opinion, (yesterday). I have had the misfortune of having 3 acute spinal injuries. Like you I was offered what I can only agree is a 'heavy' narcotic. With viocodin there is a fine line between full on help and total dependence. (Look at the history of the late & beautiful Elizabeth Taylor). I firmly adhere to a practice of minimal drug relief. I got a Dr to help me have a multi-faceted program. Drugs were there as a last defence. (damn good they were too :eek). Keeping yourself moving is going to actually help you recover. Please note dont do anything I suggest below unless you get a medical opinion. It's what I did under my dr's guidance. Your condition may differ.
Even in different parts of the spinal cord, the injury & your body reaction is different. If your pains include pains down the legs or arms, there's a different manner in which to treat the injury.
Ensure your bed is not that hard to make you uncomfortable or so soft you feel you have no support. Sleep with pillow under your knees. (This allows the nerves to not be taut during the night & can minimize 'cramps' or muscular spasms.
Take a warm (not super hot) shower on getting up. Ask for gentle stretching exercises. Your back muscles are in trauma and need to be kept strong to help you recover.
Take a warm(not super hot) shower on retiring. warm down your body like an athlete does. Be as 'relaxed' as you can.
Not being sissy, meditate, do gentle yoga. (Not absurd karma sutra positions) but movements that help you get comfortable.
Double check, swimming, or walking around in a pool should be beneficial. (Theorectically you are buoyant & that relieves back pressure).

You have choices other than drugs: get a dr who realizes this. Investigate having accupuncture, pyhsio. Get what YOU want for your own body.

Jeff, you'll soon realize there are quite a few of us with 'bad backs.'. Dont rely on the Dr. As I said, we have one back so get it back in shape soon as you can.
Dont take the Dr's word as final, EVER!
GB

[jeffweico]

Thanks to everyone who responded.

GB was especially helpful. I have seen a surgeon, at my doctor's suggestion. I have a disc that is deteriorating, probably - they tell me - from an injury I may have had for years. Because of the placement and my age (44), the surgeon does not want to operate at this time. There is about a 10% risk of paralysis and he feels it would be better for me to take medication until it either gets worse or surgical techniques improve. He told me that just 5 years ago, the risk of paralysis would be nearly 30%, so I guess they are innovating rapidly.

I'm already doing the exercises, and they do seem to help somewhat, but not much. Of course, if I were not doing them, maybe I'd feel even worse. I think that what I will probably end up doing is getting the vicodin and using it as sparingly as possible.

When I have mentioned this to people I know, I could not believe the responses I got - mostly telling me I was lucky to be able to get the drugs. But I've taken vicodin before (short term) and after a week or so on it, I could feel the withdrawal symptoms when I got off of it. I just hate the thought of being dependent on a drug. I just wish they would invent a pain drug that is not addictive that would actually work.

[rsot]

A lot of people have commented and I am checking a few things but definitely not my area of medical expertise =(

[Burning]

Only thing I can say, is to watch out for certain chiropractors, some are out there to make money, and they will keep on calling you in, until your insurance amount is fully used. They do help, but I recommend you to get it checked out by the doctor, and see what he suggests. These private businesses are here to eat your money..............

[GreenBean]

Since jeff supplied a bit more info, I thought I'd add some other stuff.

Taking your age into account (& I know you are a young buck ), strongly consider having a talk to the surgeon about osteoporosis. Males can suffer from this disease. In broad layman's terms, bones become brittle & prone to fractures. He may well recommend a course of vitamins, calcium as a therapy to help the health of the bones. Ask for a full blood scan of all your Vitamin levels and calcium. Yours may not be correct.

I am impressed that the surgeon is reluctant to operate. Whlist it means 'pain' for you, it means you are in fact getting better treatment in that such surgery can be delayed. Like I said with my little disasters, I got thro' with a minium amount of narcotics. (damn it, I jest!). yes, good to have them there but far better to know there are other choices.

[Melissa1971]

Greanbean you rock in this thread!! :D

[jeffweico]

GB,

Thanks. My vitamin levels are OK. I have been taking (at the doctors suggestion) Centrum once a day and also a calcium supplement. I am also trying to lose weight. I'm not huge or anything, but I could lose at least 30 lbs. When I was younger, it never bothered me, but now it does.

The weird thing is, I have no idea how I could have injured my back. Yes, I've had bumps and bruises like anyone else, but I never been in a serious accident. I guess it happens like that sometimes. Or maybe I shouldn't have tried to pick up my cat....

[slapped]

I would Carefully look at the Small things, Like Did you get a New pair of Shoes Recently, Do you Have a Calous on your Foot Somewhere, Did you Twist an ankle, Have you Been Gaining Weight Recently, Did you get a New Office Chair, Couch, New Bed, Boxspring, or Mattress has your activity Changed Recently,,,


Believe it or not as we get older ANY One of these things can cause your back Grief, ANY change No Matter How Insignificant it may seem, can Cause you Back Pain. Changes in the Way we walk, Sit, Lie Down, Sleep, how much we Carry, How Often we Carry, and More.

So My suggestion is to take a Look at the Smaller seemingly insignificant, who Knows what you may Discover.

The Last thing that you want to do is Have Disc Surgery, so Investigate this Fully, see if you can Figure out if there might be something that you did recently that aggravated your back a Bit more than Normal.

You can also Kinda of do the Opposite as well, maybe a New Mattress or shoes will Do your back a Great Benefit.

At any rate Good Luck with this

Slapped

[jbluntz]

I would say the 30lbs. over weight could put some stress on the back ecspecially if you're not excercising it. I'd look into some yoga back stretches maybe an inversion bed and for weight loss HIIT with your favorite excercise is the best way to go ...

[Shimer]

Originally Posted by jeffweico

OK, this is WAY off topic, but I thought I'd see if anyone here has an answer...

In the last 6 months or so, I have developed back pain. Sometimes it is really bad and other times it is hardly noticable. But it is constant.

My doctor has told me that this is fairly common (yes, he ran tests and took X-rays) and wanted to prescribe Vicodin. I refused.

Back in college I had an alcohol problem and kicked it. I have not had any type of liquor in over 20 years. I have never had much experience with other drugs. But starting on narcotics does not seem like a particularly good idea to me.

So, my question is this. Has anyone experienced pain and had anything that has worlked and is NOT a narcotic prescribed? I just find it hard to believe that the choices are Advil and narcotics with nothing in between.

i have BAD news for you!

Back Pain is impossible to cure. Especially if you have a permanent back injury

my Aunt has been suffering with it for years. She has had multiple surgeries to deal with it and still has pain.

Have you been to see a specialist? If not go see one.

And 1 more thing you can either take the pain killers or put up with the pain.

There isnt much else that will help.

[rsot]

For the thread's relevance:

/quote Back Pain is impossible to cure. Especially if you have a permanent back injury

That is simply untrue. All depends on the CAUSE. For jeffweico's case, given the lack of history of significant accident/injury, I would say chances are better than most.

What did the x-rays show?

[oompaloompa]

I also have a back injury, but it is not the same as yours, tens did not work, good sleep really helps, so work on that, even if it means knocking yourself out a bit, and whats wrong with a glass two of wine before bed, I have tried many natural methods and the only thing that helps is walking. pain relief helps for me but not completely. Pain reliefs effects can work but also can wear off, and there are always side effects but sometimes you are in immense pain you need them to take the edge off, so dont dismiss them altogether. Have you tried other types of painkiller, if you need it you need it, thats what its there for, nobody wants to tak it, but if its between that and pain, I will take the meds, have you tried ones that work on nerves or on the brain instead, also sometimes things that are primarily for another condition eg epilepsy or anxiety can have a secondary pain relief effect, explore all avenues, have you been to a pain clinic?

One more thing and it works for me, think of people less fortunate than yourself, its not hard to do with the TV feeding you all these stories, but kids dying and really disabled people coping, makes me feel fortunate, and that it could be much much worse.

[Imback2010]

Originally Posted by oompaloompa

One more thing and it works for me, think of people less fortunate than yourself, its not hard to do with the TV feeding you all these stories, but kids dying and really disabled people coping, makes me feel fortunate, and that it could be much much worse.

That works for me also, I watch Deadly Women.... and the 48 hours and all the murderer Bio's.. The stuff that people go through in life is indescribable makes me feel lucky as ever

[beaches]

DMSO!! Liquid Use it regularly for back shoulder and knees!! Google it Been using it for years..gave me a new life!!!

[oompaloompa]

DMSO, I did a bit of research, seems interesting, if a little worrying on the toxicity issues.
How do you use it? directly, no side effects? really good as a carrier for medication or vits like b12 to pass blood brain barrier too. I think it is worth a try in small doses...

[alwaystrying]

Just swipe it on it is not toxic that is big pharm pushing that False CR@p! I use it all the time . no pain..

[jeffweico]

I never heard of DMSO. I looked at it, and it seems promising. In fact, I found a website that claims it could deliver chemo rugs to cancer cells. They outline the theory (which sounds reasonable to me, but I am not a doctor or a scientist) and claim the government suppresses a cancer cure to ensure profits for the medical and drug industry.

I have never been one for conspiracy theories and although I don't trust politicians, I have always tried to stay positive and believe that the "other side" really does have everyone's best interests at heart, even though we may disagree on exactly what that is. But if any of this is true....

In any event, thanks for the advice. I will research this some more and run it by my doctor (not as a cancer cure, but for pain). They say the one side effect is B.O. but I think I could deal with that