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chronic pain
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Conditions & Treatments
chronic pain
<p>Thinking of going holistic? Want to know about the latest conventional treatments? Get advice from others about alternative medicine as well as their experiences with current western medical approaches for cancer, dementia, high blood pressure and heart disease.</p>
i have neuropath, rh and degenatrive disk all in my lower back nothing can be done for it but to give me pain pills the rest of my life. i am allerigc to steriods and any kind of therapy could cause a
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Cat:91a4afbf-9555-4e02-b9d3-9eef604476f6Forum:832f790a-fa59-47cd-9c1e-410537201269
Cat:91a4afbf-9555-4e02-b9d3-9eef604476f6Forum:832f790a-fa59-47cd-9c1e-410537201269Discussion:9e8720a8-3e56-498b-a995-f8f2679deea1

Forums » Health » Conditions & Treatments » chronic pain

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Forums  »  Health  »  Conditions & Treatments  »  chronic pain

Re: chronic pain

posted at February 3, 2012 5:24 PM EST
Posts: 1
First: February 3, 2012
Last: February 3, 2012

try interviewing doctors. you must find one with courage or else not so much to lose. try independent doctors, as opposed to clinics. maybe an older doctor ready to retire. ask when you get them face to face to treat your pain with real opiates, such as codeine or moriphine, instead of any of the new pharma horrors that can kill as soon as mitigate pain, that have so so many side effects. avoid antideppressives too. try to get your medicine with as little tyneol, or asprin cutter as possible. nasids such as tyenol, ibuprophen, or asprin can have horrific side effects like liver damage or death, especially if taken every day. don't be fooled that they are safe because they are over the counter. if you ever need to add them for extra pain relief that's ok though. if the doctors won't help try internet pharmacies, but not us or canadian - they have their panties in a wad too. failing that there is always the street with all the dangers and risks that entails. god save and keep us; all the best luck in your search, and i hope you find relief. for that matter i hope i do too.

Re: chronic pain

posted at February 4, 2012 10:46 AM EST
Posts: 4
First: August 1, 2011
Last: August 19, 2012
Hi, I can truly empathize with what you're going through.  Although I don't have the lower back problems, I had wicked all-day, every day headaches.  I even went to the Diamond Headache Center in Chicago (I live in upstate NY).  I suffered injuries from my ex hitting a telephone pole almost 30 years ago.  My  neck was a mess and I tried everything.  Finally, I went to an orthopedist and had a fusion done in April from C3-T2, then I went to PT, etc.  I still had the headaches.  I went to a great pain management center and they didn't push other meds on me 'cause I've had them all.  He told me about a device called a neuro-transmitter that gets implanted like a pacemaker.  It's designed to stop the pain receptors to my brain...but you start with a trial first to see if you're a candidate.  I had a CT scan done because he doesn't know how much room I have in there w/all the hardware.  To hold me over, the doctor put me on Fentanly 25 mg. and that is helping.  I am to return to the doctor on Tuesday.  If I can find the website for the device, I can e-mail it to you.  The pain doc gave me a pamphlet that explained more of the transmitter in a DVD.  I'm pretty hopeful. I'm on disability as well, I also have trouble sleeping and suffer from depression and anxiety.  Try to see a psychiatrist or therapist to talk to others...I know it's hard.  You just want some answers and to get out of pain.  Ask your hospital (or go their website) and see what orthopedic surgeons operate there.

If you want my e-mail address, it's LBrown55@nycap.rr.com (or send me yours).  I don't know where you live and what pain docs are around your area....just try to be proactive for yourself.

Take care,Wink
Leslie




In Response to chronic pain:
i have neuropath, rh and degenatrive disk all in my lower back nothing can be done for it but to give me pain pills the rest of my life. i am allerigc to steriods and any kind of therapy could cause a disk to rupture. so i am having a very hard time finding a pain mangement doctor because i am not a money maker because they only make money on steriods and therapy.  also i have congestive heart failure which scares them off.  the DEA is coming down so hard on family doctors for giving out pain pills that i am in a real fix.  some day i will end up in a wheelchair because of my disk and the pain can get unbearable but does the DEA care NO NO NO.  they are so worried about drugs that they don't go after real drug users.  i am on disability 100% because of my back but does that make a difference. nope.  what to do?  i don't know it keeps me so stressed.  anyone out there got any ideas pleaselet me know.
Posted by 22bigred

Re: chronic pain

posted at February 4, 2012 6:38 PM EST
Posts: 1
First: February 4, 2012
Last: February 4, 2012
I too have chronic pain problems due to arthritis, degenerative disk disease and now neuropathy pain. I have used a pain managment doctor in the past with success. I would suggest going to one that is connected to a Medical School. Generally they offer a wider variety of treatments and may have research programs that are progressive (trying new things) and/or can help you with the cost.

Do some research locally. Ask doctors. Call a medical school based doctor referral line for advice on who to see. If you don't like what you hear, or the doctor, move on to someone else. You have to have a trust relationship with any of your doctors but I think it is even more critical with a paiin managment doctor. When he recommends treatments that don't work or do not fit you or your budget, it strains the trust relationship very quickly. Be quick to provide feedback and work WITH the doctor and be willing to have frank and honest discussions with him about your physical and mental well being. Chronic pain takes a toll on the mind as well as the body. He should be intersted in both aspects of your well being.

As always, we are in charge of our treatments and procedures. Make informed decisions, ask questions, do research. Be a team palyer with your doctor, but do not let him dictate to you. You know your body better than anyone else. You know what works and what does not. Participate in whatever form of treatment you decide on.

There are a lot of options available from a good pain management practice. Go shopping. 

Re: Fibromyalgia Pain, Arthritis rhuematoid

posted at February 4, 2012 11:36 PM EST
Posts: 1
First: February 4, 2012
Last: February 4, 2012
What is the best treatment for the lower back?

Re: chronic pain

posted at February 4, 2012 11:37 PM EST
Posts: 1
First: February 4, 2012
Last: February 4, 2012
Hi Bigred,been there done that even with surgery,was passed around dr to dr to pain clinic. . I now have Humana instead of the regular medicare. I talked to them and they helped me with every thing,From my experience NOTHING will take all the pain away and the depression when it sets it makes it hurt worse. I have tried just about all the big time pain meds and now I have been on Methadone 5 years and taken with the right dose my pain is cut to tolerable most times but I dont have the pill head drugged up felling and function fairly well.people dont even know I take meds. BUT they HAVE to be taken as described and no others with it.   Worth checking into.  all the luck in the world to ya, there is help out there. call you ins people.

Re: chronic pain

posted at February 25, 2012 6:03 PM EST
Posts: 4
First: November 30, 2011
Last: February 25, 2012
You don't need pain meds with the CHF. It could slow your heart down too much and you would be in trouble. Have you talked to your doctor about surgery?  I had a brother-in-law who had degenerative disk problems for years because he didn't want surgery but once he got to the point of either pain or surgery, he chose surgery. A small steel rod was put in his back and the disks either removed or repaired. After a long recovery period, he was finally able to go back to work driving a truck of all things. Riding in the cab of a truck wasn't helping him either until he had the surgery. He now has to use a pillow to sit on but seems to be able to do it.  You didn't say where you had the neuropathy but I'm guessing in the feet since that's the most common place. Gabapentin is good for neuropathy if you can take it. Amitripaline? not sure of the spelling but it's used for several complaints. anti-seizure, anti-depressant, relaxes the nerves in the body/feet, fibromyalgia, etc. It may help to relieve the pain in nerves in the back area.   A pain management clinic is also a good choice if you have one located where you are at.  If if were me, I would be at the surgeon's door beating it down until they did something for me. We have too many new procedures out there for you not to be able to take advantage of one of them. Good luck to you and I hope you find some help out there.
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