I've had just about every proceedure done possible. You name it. I don't like the morphine route so I disregard it. Some days I can barley get out of bed the pain's so bad. I just don't do anything anymore. I've literally been a shut-in for the last 4 years. I get more depressed each day. I don't wan't to do anything extreme. I'm really scared. My family member was left paralyzed from back surgery.
2007-03-04 11:15:13 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
I have had serious back problems for about 11 years with 2 lots of surgery. There are many options you can try to relieve back pain. I think after 4 years being shut-in, it is really time to start seriously thinking about the options open to you and not diregarding anything as an option, there are many people out there who live their lives in bed/on the couch and never living life to the maximum capacity because of the pain and fear of procedures. I would suggest speaking with your doctor and getting a referral to a specialist e.g neurosurgeon. They can discuss options available to you.
I have done physiotherapy which has helped, they can do accupunture for relief, but also give you exercised to help strengthen core muscles.
An epidural is a good choice to try and give relief, I have had these done with sucess.
I have also started prolotherapy, you can read about it at www.prolotherapy.com, this is proving to be a fantastic option for me.
Pain medication together with anti-inflammatories can work well too. You could also enter into a pain management program to help you with the pain you are experiencing.
The last resort would be surgery. I had my frist lot at 20 at L3/4, L4/5 and L5/S1 and a second lot at 30 at L4/5 to remove bone around calcified disc (I am now 31). I also know many others who have had successful surgery also.
It can be a scary option, but it is better than living life where you are depressed, lonely and housebound because of the pain. I can attest to the successes of surgery and the other treatments also in that I work long hours in a high pressure professional job, and I am back playing tennis, snow skiing and doing all the things I used to do prior to surgery.
Research all the options and talk to your doctor about what is available to you. Think of the life you will be able to lead once you get on top of the pain and managing it... life only gets better once you have it under control and you will feel less depressed and get out and start living again.
Good luck!!
2007-03-04 22:13:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use a chiropractor and massage therapist to get back to good - use info from the book (bottom)
Much pain is from muscles below is an example of what may help (based on headaches).
Begin with a couple swigs of molasses or a couple of bananas daily - magnesium (which regulates many things in the body) and potassium (a needed building block for muscles).
Drink at least 1/2 gallons of water per day. Running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil is the analogy the head of neurology at UCDavis told my husband about 10 years ago.
Now to the cause - muscles - your back, neck shoulders and head have tender spots. They are knots in the fibers of the muscles called trigger points. It makes the muscles tight which makes them press on nerves and other things causing the pain.
The cure - start with a professional massage, you will also want to go back over any place you can get to 6-12 times per session up to 6 times per day rubbing (or lightly scratching on your head) every where that is tender until the knots go away. The place where the skull connects to the spine press up under the edge of the skull (to get to those muscles).
For more information read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies. It teaches what to do and where the pain comes from.
2007-03-05 17:05:49 · answer #2 · answered by Keko 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here are a few things that I can suggest, get rid of the chair you sit in, get a new mattress, get one of those upside down machines that tip you upside down and uses your own body weight to straighten the spine and take the pressure of the nerves that may be causing your pain and when your able excercise, walking is good for a start.
2007-03-05 07:23:12 · answer #3 · answered by Bruce 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't say what's causing the pain but, I would recommend going to a pain clinic. There are many options out there and they will help you find the one that's best for you.
2007-03-04 11:26:38 · answer #4 · answered by rustybones 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried a tens unit
2007-03-04 12:14:44 · answer #5 · answered by jonnyraven 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋