Rainbow
Pearl Clutcher
Where salt is in the air and sand is at my feet...
Posts: 4,103 
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Post by Rainbow on Jun 30, 2014 14:18:27 GMT
The Dr sent me to have x-rays of my lower back and c-spine. What was found was osteoarthritis. Not caused by the car accidents I was in, thank goodness. Still it's very painful and debilitating. Has anyone here gone to pain management? This is very painful and tylenol, motrin, aleive, etc. are not working. I really want to be able to do stuff again. It will never go away, but less pain (and still functional) would make it easier. (ETA: I like this color so much better.)
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Post by annabella on Jun 30, 2014 14:20:35 GMT
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Post by shevy on Jun 30, 2014 14:24:46 GMT
I have done pain mgmt clinics for my TMJ over about 20 years. They will work with you to find various forms of relief that create a plan you can live with. The thing is that you have to agree to their policies. For instance, I had to go in monthly for medications and check in. They recommended a psych evaluation to determine if there were psychological barriers to relieving pain and I had to follow through. They recommended 3x/week physical therapy for 12 weeks and I had to agree to do it and be an active participant. Anytime I would say that I couldn't do something, they would remind me that refusing would mean I would not longer be a patient there. They did this because they had way too many people trying to just use narcotics and the goal is not to have you doped up, but to effectively manage pain with a well rounded plan.
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Post by lindywholoveskids on Jun 30, 2014 14:40:16 GMT
yes our health care plan has a pain management class that lasts 8 weeks. it involves a Physical Therapist, a PHd therapist, and a Dr who goes over pain relief and evaluates it. I took that class twice. I liked it, and it was also hard to see so many people on narcotic pain relief. they were way worse off then I was.
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scrapngranny
Pearl Clutcher
Only slightly senile
Posts: 4,763
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Post by scrapngranny on Jun 30, 2014 15:25:37 GMT
I may be headed down the same road, I see my doctor on Wednesday for back pain. Two years ago I had an xray done showing I had arthritis, degenerateing discs and scoliosis. I've just lived with it since then. I can no longer manage with the pain, it is limiting my day to day life. She did mention something about an epidural that might work. I did try a chiropractor,and didn't get any relief. I have not been given any type of pain meds in the past, and would rather have them now, but I do need some relief.
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loco coco
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,662
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Post by loco coco on Jun 30, 2014 15:30:05 GMT
I am 27 and have bad osteoarthritis, DDD, and DJD. Its a long road and can get depressing but if you find the right doctor I have found it helps a lot. Dont take too much Ibuprofen or you will hurt your stomach.
Celebrex helps with arthritis and is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine. It helps me at night so I would ask your Dr. about something like this for the actual problem.
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loco coco
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,662
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Post by loco coco on Jun 30, 2014 15:32:57 GMT
I may be headed down the same road, I see my doctor on Wednesday for back pain. Two years ago I had an xray done showing I had arthritis, degenerateing discs and scoliosis. I've just lived with it since then. I can no longer manage with the pain, it is limiting my day to day life. She did mention something about an epidural that might work. I did try a chiropractor,and didn't get any relief. I have not been given any type of pain meds in the past, and would rather have them now, but I do need some relief. good luck, I hope you find relief soon! The epidurals are amazing but they dont last long  Mine lasted 1 month (best month Ive had in the last 2 years) but the steroids threw off my period and I cramped for 3 months. Since you havent done one I would definitely say you should at least try it once and see how your body reacts. |
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Post by traceys on Jun 30, 2014 15:38:23 GMT
I have scoliosis and have dealt with lower back issues all my life. I had surgery for a herniated disc about seven or eight years ago, and currently have a couple of bulging discs. I have been on pain mgmt for probably ten years, and it has allowed me to live my life. I was able to finish raising my kids, retire from my job, be an active person. The biggest problem I have with it is that lawmakers keep making it more difficult for people like me, because of people who abuse drugs.
Even with medication, I have never been pain free, but it has helped me live normally.
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loco coco
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,662
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Post by loco coco on Jun 30, 2014 15:46:08 GMT
I have scoliosis and have dealt with lower back issues all my life. I had surgery for a herniated disc about seven or eight years ago, and currently have a couple of bulging discs. I have been on pain mgmt for probably ten years, and it has allowed me to live my life. I was able to finish raising my kids, retire from my job, be an active person. The biggest problem I have with it is that lawmakers keep making it more difficult for people like me, because of people who abuse drugs. Even with medication, I have never been pain free, but it has helped me live normally. I was drug tested last week for the first time ever in order to fill my hydrocodone/tylenol... she said they are being required now b/c of so many people abusing drugs.  |
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Post by sugarmama on Jun 30, 2014 15:46:43 GMT
Yoga has helped me. I also have osteoathritis and degenerative disc disease. I started going to yoga after a friend invited me to a class and many of the moves were similar to what I had done in physical therapy. There are some things I cannot/should not do, but with a good instructor and by listening to your body, you will figure that out pretty quick.
I have had the least amount of pain since I started yoga than ever in my life.
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Post by shevy on Jun 30, 2014 15:52:41 GMT
I have scoliosis and have dealt with lower back issues all my life. I had surgery for a herniated disc about seven or eight years ago, and currently have a couple of bulging discs. I have been on pain mgmt for probably ten years, and it has allowed me to live my life. I was able to finish raising my kids, retire from my job, be an active person. The biggest problem I have with it is that lawmakers keep making it more difficult for people like me, because of people who abuse drugs. Even with medication, I have never been pain free, but it has helped me live normally. I was drug tested last week for the first time ever in order to fill my hydrocodone/tylenol... she said they are being required now b/c of so many people abusing drugs. My general practioner has taken over my pain management from the last PMClinic that I was at. She's done this for almost 10 years. This year was the first year that I had to have a full work up and take a narcotic evaluation including a drug test to continue the pain meds. And I am on the lowest dose of narcotics - 1 take 2 Tylenol 3 each day, 1 at a time. I also had to agree that they could check the MN Prescription Monitoring Program site for my meds and pharmacy any anytime to verify that I am not doctor or pharmacy shopping. |
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Post by traceys on Jun 30, 2014 19:15:17 GMT
My situation is a lot like yours, Shevy. I'm on a minimal dose, and starting last year I had to be drug tested plus my dr has to run a KASPAR on me (which is KY's version of the monioring program). But the thing that really irritates me is that I have to make an office visit with my dr every other month to get a new RX. He can write me an RX with one refill then I have to see him personally again. So I'm paying for six visits a year instead of the two before. Thanks to the ky legislature.
I am very diligent about my meds and it burns me up that I have to jump through all these hoops brcause other people choose to get high.
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loco coco
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,662
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Post by loco coco on Jun 30, 2014 19:22:13 GMT
Tracey, that is very annoying, i guess i should be lucky my Dr gives me enough for 3 months at a time
its horrible b/c this is already a stressful problem and that just adds to it! ugh...
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Post by slkone on Jun 30, 2014 20:30:18 GMT
I have RA and ankylosing spondylitis, which is inflammatory arthritis. Meaning, the pain is not mechanically related and will keep getting worse over time. Pretty much every vertebrae is effected from my neck to my tailbone. NSAIDs don't touch the pain. I'm on oxycontin and I am still on the couch 70% of the time.
My pain doctor is a God send. He's wonderful! I had to kiss a few frogs before I got to him, though. My pain doc is the best doctor I've ever had. He truly listens to you and his knowledge of anatomy is wonderful.
Based on what you've said about your arthritis, my guess is that you might get facet injections at the clinic and then if they relieve the pain, you can get the nerves burned. It can really help.
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scrapngranny
Pearl Clutcher
Only slightly senile
Posts: 4,763
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Post by scrapngranny on Jun 30, 2014 21:55:59 GMT
Who required the test? I have gone to the same PCP for over 20 years and have never asked for a pain scrip before. I am planning to beg when I go in on Wednesday.
I'm also hoping she will send me to therapy. Right now I'm afraid to do anything for fear it will make it worse. Yoga is something I am also interested in doing.
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Post by slkone on Jun 30, 2014 22:13:57 GMT
Who required the test? I have gone to the same PCP for over 20 years and have never asked for a pain scrip before. I am planning to beg when I go in on Wednesday. I'm also hoping she will send me to therapy. Right now I'm afraid to do anything for fear it will make it worse. Yoga is something I am also interested in doing. My pain doc does random drug testing. Mostly, I think, to protect himself from being accused of being a drug pusher. Pain doctors have to be very careful as the Feds are cracking down since there are so many pill mills out there. Although I have heard from a doctor, who is a friend, that they actually test to make sure that you are taking the drug and not selling it. |
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scrapngranny
Pearl Clutcher
Only slightly senile
Posts: 4,763
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Post by scrapngranny on Jun 30, 2014 22:28:24 GMT
Interesting. I don't think she would send me to a pain management doctor right away. I'm hoping to get enough relief to be able to do therapy.
My dad was given a scrip for 100 Vicodin a month for back pain before he went into the nursing home. I made sure to monitor his pills so he didn't take take too many during the day. Sometimes he would forget whether or not he took them. When he went into the facility my DH move my dad's chair out of his house and the interior of the chair was full of pills he had dropped down inside. Poor dad couldn't figure out why is back was still hurting.
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Post by traceys on Jun 30, 2014 23:07:04 GMT
Who required the test? I have gone to the same PCP for over 20 years and have never asked for a pain scrip before. I am planning to beg when I go in on Wednesday. I'm also hoping she will send me to therapy. Right now I'm afraid to do anything for fear it will make it worse. Yoga is something I am also interested in doing. For me, the testing is a requirement of the state legislature. It was included in some big war on drugs bill that they got all excited about last year (actually I think it was maybe the year before). It has done virtually nothing to impact the drug problem on the street, but patients under a doctors care are getting a lot of attention.....  |
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Post by shevy on Jun 30, 2014 23:15:47 GMT
The practice I go to is requiring the eval and testing for anyone on long term narcotics. I think it's part of the surge in dr/pharmacy shopping.
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back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Jun 30, 2014 23:48:08 GMT
I had a herniated disc and back surgery several years ago. From time to time I have a flair up most likely caused by inflammation. One of the ways I have been able to keep the inflammation at bay is to eat a clean, Paleo diet. Going gluten free and elimination of sugar in my diet has made a tremendous difference in my overall health.
Hope you find relief soon.
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Mine lasted 1 month (best month Ive had in the last 2 years) but the steroids threw off my period and I cramped for 3 months. Since you havent done one I would definitely say you should at least try it once and see how your body reacts. 
