Pain

Loreena wrote:I sprained my back horrible a couple months ago. I couldn't get in the car and could hardly walk. Mom said to take an Aleve so I did and BAM!--the pain went away. So I second taking Aleve--take 1 every 12 hours. Hope this helps.

It's funny. Aleve doesn't help with my headaches, and the Tylenol (which does take care of regular headaches and muscle aches) had no effect on the bursitis. I hate taking medication, and now have 4 blood pressure meds, antacids, and allergy meds. So, I don't automatically try another pain killer. I often forget to take anything when I have a muscle ache or headache. But now I am much more aware of possible solutions.

I love alleve, for years I ate tylenol like they were candy to help with my back pain, mine was severely torn muscles that were improperly treated and healed wrong scaring and such badly.

Alleve wont handle it totally but it does way more then any other OTC ever did.
I take hydros now, but honestly they are more for my knees then back these days.

TENS helped but my unit died and current doc wont write me a script for a new one.

BTW using a office chair on wheels can help make chores like vacuming easier. Even if wont roll on the carpet move someplace use the swivel to vacum all around you then move over.

Our house we just moved into has 90% hardwood floors.. I'm saving for a roomba! lol

I would recommend soaking in an epson salt bath. very relaxing to tight muscles. Also do some nice yoga breathing. slow deap breaths in and out. stretching helps and also self massage. rub some oil on your hands and massage area to get good circulation to area. Think happy thoughts. distractions help.. music..meditation.. reading..take a walk if you can. good luck!

I got through work today. It was an easy day thank the Lord. I have an appointment with the Dr. Monday. I take Aleve all the time and have for years. It helps very little but I don't think I could have even gone to work at all without it. I am counting the hour till Monday. I also found out today that I also have severe osteoporosis in my hips. I have to take one pill a week for that. I haven't picked up the prescription yet.

Thinking of you and hope your weekend is less painful. Hope you get some options on Monday. Regards, Oak

I've had wonderful relief from accupuncture.

I just got back from my doctor visit and he didn't want to treat me. He said he did surgery on a man for this once and he was in the hospital for over a month. I appreciate his honesty, but it doesn't help the pain. Now I wait for another referral to another doctor for injections in my back. I came home with another Tens.

I don't know if you've ever had cortisone injections before but my neighbor just had her second one 6wks after her first and she's now able to walk with no more pain but just a mild discomfort. Her dx is spinal stenosis. I know many people who have found relief with these injections and hope you'll be one of them too!

Stormy, I know you were counting the days and hours and minutes until this appointment today. How disheartening to say the least, but I hope the injections hold some promise for you. Or a second opinion on that surgical consult...

Hang in there -- ((hug))

DoriC wrote:I don't know if you've ever had cortisone injections before but my neighbor just had her second one 6wks after her first and she's now able to walk with no more pain but just a mild discomfort. Her dx is spinal stenosis. I know many people who have found relief with these injections and hope you'll be one of them too!

I certainly would encourage anyone to try the injection at least once.
Some say it takes 2 or 3 injections before any relief is felt.

But, those injections do NOT help everyone.
Some, like me, get absolutely no relief by taking those injections - so I just don't bother.
My wife takes them in 1 knee & gets only "minimal" relief.

The doctors do agree that it does not help everyone - but, they don't know why that is.

If in doubt, take them at least once.
You may be in the group that benefits greatly by them

At this point I will try anything.

Sorry for your troubles and pain .
My wife went thru this years ago ,neck and low back after car wreck .
She only got help when she went to a neurologist and went to a pain clinic . The doctors there specialize in spinal injections , after the mri's they can pin point the problem area. They are painful but did wonders for her. First one lasted a couple of months , second a couple of years , the third lets her cope for 15 years .
Now she still gets the sciatica pain down her legs after some trigger but she has taught me to give her pressure point therapy on her sciatic notch on her buttocks. Her relief is quick and lasts for a long while . It works for her. She is a working potter with her own shop .
For her neck we had 4 vertebrae fused and a titanium brace installed , that fixed that. But we had very good reports for the spinal doctor first . Four of her girl friends had it done by him first . Put the word out in your area and get the consensus on the good doctors. We had to fire one in the beginning . Perhaps a forum in your area.
Good luck -- if you have sciatica pain I can tell you how I do hers.

Found this back pain forum , maybe it can help.
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/back-problems/

Stormy, I am so sorry for your pain! Some things I've tried which have cut down (but not cut out) my arthritis pain are turmeric, using the Egoscue techniques, and I sleep on an Earthing half sheet. I don't know if any of these things could help you but I know when I'm in a lot of pain I will try just about anything to get out of it. Best wishes!

Finally I have an appointment to get the Epidural Injections this week. I am apprehensive to say the least but at least I am going to get something done. I sure hope this helps.