PrivateRealm
Threadhead
Reged: 03/18/03
Posts: 879
Loc: usa
|
|
My back has been really bad for years since a wreck when I was 20 and flipped a Miata down a hll without a seat belt on. It is simply getting worse as time goes by. I know that I have pinched nerves, and something else is wrong, just not sure what exactly as my PCP is not the best, and I missed my last Dr. appt.
I have been having increasing trouble sitting for any period of time. My back feels like it is on fire in spots, in other spots the pain is different but just as bad, and the pain travels up my neck and litterally gives me migraines, and even cluster headaches at times.
I had to sit for over 2 hours at court today, and the pain is almost unbearable. Standing, though it does hurt my back, does not bother me as bad, so I suppose it is good that my job requires me to be on my feet all night long.
My pain meds are just not helping my back anymore (hydro 10/500, 4-5 per day), nor my tension headaches. I know that this is partially due to tolerance, but I do take breaks, but also my pain is getting lots worse. Any suggestions? Am I going to have to live like this forever??
--------------------
KeriAnne~~~
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take - but by the moments that take our breath away."
|
Horace
Journeyman
Reged: 11/22/03
Posts: 81
Loc: Earth
|
|
How about physical therapy? Have you tried it? It's been working wonders for me -- and I am considering pilates. Also, if you are overweight, try to lose it.
I also think you should see your MD again, tell him that your meds aren't working.
Just some humble suggestions.
|
night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
|
|
I had a major car accident back in 1992 and received pretty bad injuries to my upper and mid back. Even after 11 years, I still can't sit in a chair very long, do repeated lifting (even if it is lightweight) or get decent sleep because of the back pain. I have pinched nerves and muscles that have been in spasm the WHOLE time since the accident. There is a spot between 2 of the vertebra (between the shoulderblade area) that "feels like fire" and radiates into my head causing headaches. I also have trouble with the right trapezius muscle, right side shoulder dislocates without provocation and the muscle on top of the collarboane that goes into the back of the neck is perpetually in spasm and is quite painful. The 2 worst spots for pain are the pressure point right at the top, but under the scapula and the hellish spot between the vertebra.
Xanax helped with both the muscle spasm pain and the sleep disturbances, but I didn't want to take it for very long due to the dependency potential. I took it for about 6 months and was able to abruptly discontinue without withdrawal ramifications.
I tried Flexeril, Norflex and Soma without relief. I have been to umpteen hundreds of PT sessions (also no relief) and went to a chiropractor three times a week for FIVE years (just made it worse, IMO)...
Pain medications just don't help. I even had injections of Lidocaine into the trapezius muscle. (Helped for a few days, but was very strange feeling.) I've taken Prednisone for the inflammation. Almost no relief.
One of the best treatments (when I could afford it) was deep tissue massage therapy. Although this didn't solve or reduce the problem overall, it definitely FELT like something was being ACCOMPLISHED---at least for a little while.
Xrays taken at the time of the accident did not show any disc or bone fractures. Because of this, the doctors and insurance company didn't really feel it was a noteworthy injury. I did get a permanent partial disability rating of over 10% for the injury after unsuccessful treatment for 3 years. Big deal, maybe I can hang that certification in the garage for all the good it does me!
I suffer EVERY day with this horrible problem. Even on 100mgs daily dose of methadone this back pain was terrible. Therefore I just don't think the pain meds are effective for this type of pain--at least not in doses that are small or medium.
I've tried everything but acupuncture---and I'm open to that. If anyone has any ideas, I need them too!
--------------------
Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
|
2muchpain
Enthusiast
Reged: 10/07/03
Posts: 274
Loc: USA
|
|
I have a similar injury. You are so right about the deep tissue massage. It helps more than anything I have tried. It's pretty expensive and health insurance usually doesn't cover it (although there are ways around that  )
CPer's, if the drugs just aren't doing the trick, treat yourself to a deep tissue massage. You'll feel like a new human being! 
As far as acupuncture goes, I am very eager to try it. I found an acupunturist/MD right down the road from me. I called to make an appointment but they don't take insurance. I called my insurance co. (BC/BS) and they don't cover the visit because it is considered "alternative" medicine. I argued that I would be seeing an MD, not just a layperson, but it didn't work. They told me they are working on adding an alternative medical benefit Yeah when heck freezes over....
I'm gonna try to save my pennies for the acupuncture. I'll post my findings after I try it.
A pain and anxiety free day to all. 
|
catmom
Board Addict
Reged: 06/20/03
Posts: 328
Loc: Midwest
|
|
Just a suggestion for those of you who benefit from massage but find it too expensive: I have gotten some very good massages from senior students at a massage school near where I live. Sometimes a gifted student can be better than the licensed "professional." The cost was a lot less per hour at the school than it would have normally cost with a fully licensed practitioner, too. 
--------------------
God, please help me to be the person my DOG already thinks I am.
|
Miss_EttiKit
Journeyman
Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 68
Loc: Texas
|
|
Quote:
I have pinched nerves and muscles that have been in spasm the WHOLE time since the accident. There is a spot between 2 of the vertebra (between the shoulderblade area) that "feels like fire" and radiates into my head causing headaches. I also have trouble with the right trapezius muscle, right side shoulder dislocates without provocation and the muscle on top of the collarboane that goes into the back of the neck is perpetually in spasm and is quite painful.
I just read something about this in the newspaper. I'm not sure if it would pertain to your particular situation, but who knows?
"Diluted Botox can be selectively injected into muscles in spasm and free them from the lockhold they have on the involved part of the body. You must consult a neurologist." (Quoted from Dr. Paul Donohue's column, Tuesday, December 9, 2003, San Antonio Express-News.)
I am not a doctor but I wanted to pass along the information, just in case. I know how awful persistent back and neck pain can be, and I hate to see people suffering.
Hope you find some relief - and soon.
--------------------
"Ignorance in action is terrifying to behold!"
|
Dasani
Enthusiast
Reged: 10/29/03
Posts: 286
Loc: FL
|
|
Keri Anne,
I have similar issues with my back and even though every one responds differently to different treatment options, I have found that a TEMS unit or TENS unit is very, very effective for me. It's like having a massage therapist available to you anytime you want. I tried all of the aforementioned treatments to no avail and then one day, my insurance approved the TENS unit and it has been a god send. If you haven't tried one yet, or want to try it out before spending the money, I have an extra one with all the gadgets that I could let ya borrow (for a small fee of course, just kidding) But seriously, if you want it, just PM me and we'll make arrangements. It's worth a try.
D
|
bunnymom1
Stranger
Reged: 12/04/03
Posts: 6
Loc: New Jersey
|
|
Thought I'd add my two cents about my experience with acupuncture. I saw a licensed MD about two years ago for chronic migraines. Unfortunately for me, I got no relief from it. However, I spoke to a couple of patients who had benefitted... so it all depends on the individual. My migraines have never responded to anything but narcotics. I've tried chiropractics, deep tissue masage, reflexology, heavy-duty allergy/sinus meds, and all the migraine drugs like imitrex and the like. As sympathetic as my doctors have been, no one wants to give me more than one refill of 20 vicodin. That's how I ended up here.
Hope you have more luck with the acupuncture.
--------------------
The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it. -George Bernard Shaw
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Quote:
How about physical therapy? Have you tried it? It's been working wonders for me -- and I am considering pilates. Also, if you are overweight, try to lose it.
I also think you should see your MD again, tell him that your meds aren't working.
Just some humble suggestions.
Very good suggestions! I have two similar issues in my back as well and I do Pilates and PT. They work wonders. It depends on your specific condition but Pilates helps to stretch places in your body that you didn't even know you had and you will feel so much better when your body is not so "tight". Hope this helps...
--Train 
|
PrivateRealm
Threadhead
Reged: 03/18/03
Posts: 879
Loc: usa
|
|
Massage is about the only thing that will get some of the pain and the "fire feeling" to let up. I think that I need a better doctor actually who is willing to try new things, or just to take me more seriously..
--------------------
KeriAnne~~~
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take - but by the moments that take our breath away."
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit 
Reply 
Quote 
