I am on a long waiting list for MRI. My VA medical Doc prescribed Gabapentin for nerve pain, I am not feeling any relief taking this med. Plus it does cause me to sleep some, which causes the pain to go past a level 10 upon awaking, due to my back being locked up. Its better to move around than sleep. By the way the pain is lower back, shoots down both legs.
I am also on a long waiting list for water therapy.
2006-10-27 23:55:22 · 10 answers · asked by AD 3 in Health ➔ Other - Health
No offense to the VA medical doc, but you need to see a professional who specializes in back problems. Stay away from chiropractors though, I don't think it will help at this stage. Sounds like you might need to have surgery, but once you get the MRI, you'll know better. My ex used to take a combination of Vicodin and Soma, one for pain, the other is a muscle relaxer. He said it helped quite a bit, but you need to be careful as they are both highly addictive. His pain was in L4 & L5, and he was operated on 2 or 3 times for the same problem. The doctors warned him that he would have to have repetitive surgery, every few years in order to be able to function, so that's what he opted to do. I don't know how many years would have gone by between his next surgery, he passed away from something unrelated, but the time span from the first to the second was 3 years, I think.
Anyway, good luck with your back, I hope you find some relief soon!
2006-10-28 00:07:06 · answer #1 · answered by Laurie K 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
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2016-12-23 23:55:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can feel for you!!! I too have bad back, and I know what it's like to have that burning pain going down the ole leg. Sometimes it goes all the way to my big toe. Nothing seems to help, does it? I have been on meds for years for this problem, and I just deal with it. I have been on the strongest meds I could take, and nothing!! I have had the shots in the spine, and the whole nine yards. If they can get the shot in the right place, it will help a lot, but that is a big if. I was in the hospital for about a month getting shots every 3-4 hours for pain. I was getting no where, and all they wanted to talk about was doing surgery on me. I checked myself out of the hospital against doctors wishes, and told them I could hurt at home just as well as in the hospital. I went to the drug store and bought a bottle of Anacin. I took a couple of them and guess what? It helped!!! They are hell on the stomach, but I can testify these pills will help. Don't get any other brand except the Anacin, because I tried all the others and they didn't work.
One thing to know is this; They can take parts out of your back, but they can't put them back in if it doesn't help. They have wanted to do surgery on me for over 20 years, and I'm holding out for something new to come along that actually works, and then I might have it done.
I go from one place to the other until I find a place that I can sleep. This includes the floor or whatever, but you can find a place to sleep if you try. Your shoes are real important too. Find some that the heal is the right height for you, and it will help a lot. Don't stand to much in one place, or ride in a car much, as both of these will cause you to hurt. The three most important things are; your bed, your shoes, and your computer. Don't sit in front of the computer too much, as this will cause you to hurt. If your disc's are worn out like mine, the sitting in front of the computer will make you hurt.
I have done pretty good since I have been on pain managment now for about the last 5-6 years. You must get a doctor that is sympathetic to your problems, or you will go from one to the other and hurt to no end. If you are in that kind of pain, you need to be on pain management of some kind. This Gabapentin you mentioned. You may want to second guess that stuff, and do some research on the net about it. I'm not sure but I think I have heard some bad things about that stuff. Seems like there are some side effects that have sparked some lawsuites, or it might be something else I'm thinking of. Anyway, I hope I have been of some help. Good Luck!!!
2006-10-28 00:26:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've felt level 10 with a pancreatitis attack.. you wouldn't be able to type... but I usually just keep my mind on something like I am now, till I fall asleep.. if it gets too bad I take night time cold medicine.. I'm going to move to another state in a few days, doctors out here won't even talk about pain management.
2006-10-28 00:04:48 · answer #4 · answered by david n 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have arthritis in my lower back and my neck and I take medicine for it but for the last three years I go to the YMCA pool five days a week and I think it has helped me a lot. One thing if you build up your upper body muscles it helps to protect your neck and back. Working out in the deep water the muscles do the work and therefore it protects the joints. I wish you good luck on this.
2006-10-28 00:09:51 · answer #5 · answered by Diane H 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
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2017-02-24 02:43:02 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only thing that helped me with chronic neck and back pain was physiotherapy. I wish you a speedy recovery because it is such a terrible thing to go through.
2006-10-27 23:58:18 · answer #7 · answered by Hanky 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You will have to go for operation or Acupuncture.
Operation should be the last option. I have treated some operation failures with Acupuncture. Now you decide and choose the best option.
2006-10-28 00:10:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Try using a belt meant for back pain.
2006-10-27 23:58:36 · answer #9 · answered by daydreamer 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Have you tried electrical stimulation?
2006-10-28 00:03:26 · answer #10 · answered by Ariana Shaw 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋