My father suffers from chronic pain daily. He has neuropothy, degenterive disc disease and arthitis. He is unable to take any NSAIDs due to his severe stomach problems and actually bled out on Celebrex. Are there any new innovative treatments or recommendations that you know about?
2007-05-17 10:05:57 · 9 answers · asked by ? 5 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
i have a pain pump, and it is wonderful. i had no life due to severe low back pain - could not walk on many days - and inow i have choices of activites on a given day. it's not a total solution - i ake "breakthru meds" 1-2 times a day - but it is so much better than the previous four years. no, we folks with pain pumps are not "high" on medication. there is no effect like that at all. even the as-needed meds - which are no stronger than truly needed - do not have such effect. IMHO, anyone whose life is limited by constant pain should consider being evaluated to see if this is a good solution. it is not appropriate for all types/locations of pain. however, it is a far better solution - more effective and safer - than NSAIDS as the risks of gi bleeding and renal failure are no longer present.
2007-05-18 16:11:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry your father is going through this. I am in the same shape although I do take the NSAID's and take a Nexium also. The next step the doctor offers me is to have a pain pump installed, he said most of his patients are able to go back to a normal life when they get one installed but I think it is because they are 'high' all the time.
I get relief with a hot bath or moist heating pad. Regular heating pads only go superficial. Moist heat goes deeper. I have used the Capsain ointment and it helps but I don't like the smell.
Has he used a TENS unit? I can use one for awhile but not for long because I am sensitive to the tape.
I wish him the best.
2007-05-17 10:24:22 · answer #2 · answered by VetSupporter 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he's able to get into a bathtub, have him take a hot bath every day with 2c. of dissolved Epsom salts to help with the pain. if not apply a heating pad to the painful areas twenty minutes at a time.
Calcium and magnesium supplement 500mg, twice daily is helpful for the pain. Chamomile Tea Is very relaxing and can help a person deal with the pain. have him drink purified water mixed with mineral water 50/50. This will hydrate the body with the minerals it loses daily. Have him drink this throughout the day and evening.
I also recommend massage therapy. Nothing is as helpful for Pain as massage. If you can do this on a regular basis it a would help him tremendously.
there are many herbal treatments for arthritis and I'm enclosing a link where you can read about them.
2007-05-17 10:12:57 · answer #3 · answered by Cherokee Billie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
These are 3 separate problems which require separate approaches to pain management. The first line of treatment for neuropathic pain is tri-cyclic anti-depressant medications such as Amitriptyline. Degenerative disc disease can be managed in similar fashion +/- steroid treatment (oral Prednisone/ hydrocortisone injections) - and as a final resort can be successfully treated surgically. Arthritis is usually treated with Brufen initially - which can be used with far less risk of GI bleeding. You do not say whether this is OSTEO-arthritis (OA), or RHEUMATOID arthritis (RA); they are very different. For RA, there is a newish range of treatments called DMARDS (Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drugs), and suitability for these is assessed by a specialist rheumatologist. RA requires multi-disciplinary management (medics, specialist nurses, physios, occupational therapists etc), and your father should, if he suffers from this, be reviewed regularly by the hospital team.
2007-05-18 05:28:54 · answer #4 · answered by Mrs Creamcheese 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have his docs tried anti-convulsants for the neuropathy? Neurontin works quite well. Topamax and Depakote are also used for this purpose.
I've seen (I'm a nurse) Elavil work, also. Hope something works; besides the pain, chronic pain has so many other effects. Good luck.
2007-05-17 11:00:44 · answer #5 · answered by Nurse Annie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Dad has exactly the same problems. I also have a client with the same situation. His wife told me that his physician's have recommended that he drink ACAI (spelling?). It is a fruit derivative that supposedly will help with pain over time but we have not yet tried it. Good luck.
2007-05-17 10:41:29 · answer #6 · answered by lubellgarb 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no medicine for RA. Pain killers for whole life? You decide pl. They damage stomach, liver and kidneys.
You have no option than alternate systems to treat it. Acupuncture is the first option if you can get one.
Our recent research has enabled us to treat RA with 90% success; you can think visiting us.
Source(s):
SHREE SWASTHYAYOG TREATMENT, TRAINING & RESEARCH INSTITUTE
R.H. – 19, Jhulelal Society, Sector – 2/E, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, INDIA.
2007-05-18 04:44:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
1. i suggest you ask your father to take glucosamine 500mg capsule regularly for at least 6 months.
2. take tramadol 50 mg as pain re leave. it has no gastric irritation.
3. do exercises every morning. suggest tai chi, practice by the Chinese.
2007-05-17 16:21:15 · answer #8 · answered by hamzah b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lyrica is another drug used for treating nueropathy. Has he tried epidural steroid injections? The only other suggestion I have is physical therapy
2007-05-17 12:18:00 · answer #9 · answered by Jenv 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋