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Offline Gina

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Back Pain
« on: August 22, 2011, 12:18:40 PM »
So, I have lower back pain that is flaring up again from sitting at my desk I guess.  I have lumbar scoliosis but it's not bad. 

When I had my epidural with Victoria they did it so fast to get her out of me that I instantly had lower backpain around my tailbone.  I was told it was because they bruised the "meat".  Well it still friggin hurts and sitting all  day in front of a computer is killing me.

Yesterday, my mom gave me a tramadol 50mgs.  [[[insert angel's singing]]] I had no pain and hadn't felt like that in years.  I made an appt for my GP next Tuesday to discuss it but wanted to know how to I approach something like asking for a med without seeming like a drug addict?  And I didn't take a prescribed med to me?

Her percocets worked well also but I am sure he won't give me those. :bawl:
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Offline Doc

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #1 on: August 22, 2011, 12:36:32 PM »
Quote from: Gina on August 22, 2011, 12:18:40 PM
So, I have lower back pain that is flaring up again from sitting at my desk I guess.  I have lumbar scoliosis but it's not bad.  

When I had my epidural with Victoria they did it so fast to get her out of me that I instantly had lower backpain around my tailbone.  I was told it was because they bruised the "meat".  Well it still friggin hurts and sitting all  day in front of a computer is killing me.

Yesterday, my mom gave me a tramadol 50mgs.  [[[insert angel's singing]]] I had no pain and hadn't felt like that in years.  I made an appt for my GP next Tuesday to discuss it but wanted to know how to I approach something like asking for a med without seeming like a drug addict?  And I didn't take a prescribed med to me?

Her percocets worked well also but I am sure he won't give me those. :bawl:

Bottom line is.....you don't.  For any reasonably competent MD, asking for a specific opiate painkiller is what they are trained to recognize as "drug seeking behavior".  A non-specific condition like "back pain" is a favorite used by drug abusers all the time.

I'd suggest that you go to your doctor......describe your symptoms, and let him/her make the decision.  There are probably a number of alternate methods to treat your condition besides opiates.

Because the DEA is closely watching doctor's prescriptions for these meds, they are more and more unlikely to prexriibe them, even for patients where they would be beneficial.......blame the "war on (some) drugs"

doc
« Last Edit: August 22, 2011, 12:39:33 PM by TVDOC »
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Offline Gina

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #2 on: August 22, 2011, 12:39:49 PM »
I figured that.  He has had me on flexeril and zanaflex.  Flexeril does nothing, and zanaflex I take at night because it knocks me out and I can sleep. I can't take it during the day.  So sick of hurting back there.  Guess if I stayed off my back it would quit hurting eh?   :panic:
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Offline Gina

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #3 on: August 22, 2011, 12:40:52 PM »
anyone ever go to a pain management dr?  I am googling and seeing that as an alterative but what are they really about?
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Offline Splashdown

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #4 on: August 22, 2011, 12:41:48 PM »
My wife suffers from back pain. She takes flexeril before bed. It seems to help a bit. She also has been going to PT over the summer. That's been helping a bit, too. She's a nurse, and flipping patients gets a bit painful, apparently.
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Offline TVDOC

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #5 on: August 22, 2011, 12:51:08 PM »
Quote from: Gina on August 22, 2011, 12:40:52 PM
anyone ever go to a pain management dr?  I am googling and seeing that as an alternative but what are they really about?

I have.....for a compressed lumbar disk that is quite painful.

I walked in with my MRI in my hand, and after two intra-spinal corticosteroid injections, walked out pain free, and it's lasted for five years.......the guy was a magician........

I probably need to go back as I occasionally get a twinge......

doc
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Offline Gina

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #6 on: August 22, 2011, 12:56:02 PM »
Quote from: TVDOC on August 22, 2011, 12:51:08 PM
I have.....for a compressed lumbar disk that is quite painful.

I walked in with my MRI in my hand, and after two intra-spinal corticosteroid injections, walked out pain free, and it's lasted for five years.......the guy was a magician........

I probably need to go back as I occasionally get a twinge......

doc

So if I go to my general practicioner next Tuesday, ask him for more like an mri?  or send me to a pain clinic? 

I just need relief.  I am nauseas right now from the aching in my back. :censored:
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Offline TVDOC

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #7 on: August 22, 2011, 01:08:57 PM »
Quote from: Gina on August 22, 2011, 12:56:02 PM
So if I go to my general practicioner next Tuesday, ask him for more like an mri?  or send me to a pain clinic? 

I just need relief.  I am nauseas right now from the aching in my back. :censored:

That was the procedure that I followed.....I went to my GP, and he referred me to a specific doctor in the pain management practice (he said there are some that are better than others), and wrote me orders for an MRI to get done before I made the appointment for the pain clinic.

He also wrote me a script for some meds (non opiates, which didn't do much) as he advised that for the really good pain docs, you might have to wait for a while to get an appointment.

doc
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Offline Thor

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #8 on: August 22, 2011, 01:12:10 PM »
20,000 IUs of liquid vitamin D3 has alleviated my sciatica. The VA is using Vitamin D  to treat chronic pain. (that's where I discovered this treatment) It seems to be working pretty well for me. (I've had TWO lower back surgeries, one a fusion.) I've actually tapered off now and I still feel pretty good. It takes a couple or three days before it starts really working.

Statistics  have demonstrated that most people are deficient in Vitamin D to one extent or another.
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Offline Eupher

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #9 on: August 22, 2011, 01:13:14 PM »
Gina, will sitting on a doughnut help? (I don't mean Krispy Kremes, dammit!)
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Offline Gina

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #10 on: August 22, 2011, 01:17:46 PM »
 :lol:  nah, it's a constant pain either sitting or standing.  If I am walkiing it seems to alleviate it.

Thor......20k units?  I thought 5k units was toxic?
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Offline seahorse513

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #11 on: August 22, 2011, 01:51:36 PM »
Dear Gina, I am sorry for your troubles. After 15 years of sitting doing some sort of data entry(banking or 3rd party insurance). One day I couldn't walk!! My dad took me to the er and they said it was muscle spasms...wtf?? I went to one dr and i got an Mri done(I was in MD at this time) and had a cortisone shot.(Eight years later)  I am much more active at my job, i have twinges now and again. I don't know if vitamin d has anything to do with it, I forge on.
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Offline Gina

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #12 on: August 22, 2011, 01:54:18 PM »
lady at work mentioned that I want to look into a nerve block.....don't even know that what entails
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Offline seahorse513

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #13 on: August 22, 2011, 02:08:39 PM »
Gina I ggogled WebMD for you. here's a little information to get you started.
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/nerve-block-for-pain-relief
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Offline mamacags

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #14 on: August 22, 2011, 03:38:20 PM »
I know many of them are quacks but have you seen a chiropractor at all for this?
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Offline THA HOUSTON PIMP IS IN DA HOUZ!

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #15 on: August 22, 2011, 04:59:17 PM »
I feel your pain, sista.

I have spondololysis/spondolothesis; SLIPPED VERTEBRAE.   Just came out of nowhere and didn't gradually appear.

This causes sciatic pain in the nerves in spinal column and makes my butt and back hamstrings ache when sitting.   My case is not severe enough for epidural shot for pain or surgery.   It is structural problem that some ordinary chiropracter can't fix.   I've had this crap for over a year and have been to physical therapy and have done stretches every day but without much luck.

This thing is weird because it mostly happens with teenage female gymnist and NFL lineman which I'm neither.

Many people have slipped vertebraes all their lives but never experience the painful symptoms.    I am not so lucky. :mad:
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Offline cmypay

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #16 on: August 22, 2011, 05:09:52 PM »
I'm so sorry you are going through this.

In April I just underwent my 2nd surgery to try to repair a disc that ruptured (L5-S1). Sooo much fun! I took the exact route that DOC is advising. There are some really great meds out there, but they mask the pain. There is still the underlying issue of whatever is causing the pain. I hope that your GP will move quickly to investigate the cause and they can easily fix it...unlike my GP who decided I was exhibiting "drug seeking behavior" until my MRI came back with the spinal cord actually moved out of place.

Best of luck! Also, might want to try either heat or cold packs (whichever works best for you) to alleviate some of the pain.
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Offline Gina

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #17 on: August 22, 2011, 05:24:20 PM »
Quote from: mamacags on August 22, 2011, 03:38:20 PM
I know many of them are quacks but have you seen a chiropractor at all for this?

No, because I have always heard from EVERYONE that even if they do relieve the pain you have to go and your kinda get addicted to going.  I don't know.  I might try it if my gp says to
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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #18 on: August 22, 2011, 05:32:52 PM »
May I suggest PT with a therapist that knows what they are doing and really care about you. I say that cause I have a friend that is a PT and he has helped me more than all the surgons and pain Drs combined. I suffered 2 heriated discs, severe arthretic changes and a compression fracture, 2 surgerys and a body cast later I feel great as long as I am aware of my core in everything I do. After all that pain its not had to remember. You need to learn to be aware!
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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #19 on: August 22, 2011, 06:59:49 PM »
Quote from: TVDOC on August 22, 2011, 12:36:32 PM
Bottom line is.....you don't.  For any reasonably competent MD, asking for a specific opiate painkiller is what they are trained to recognize as "drug seeking behavior".  A non-specific condition like "back pain" is a favorite used by drug abusers all the time.

I'd suggest that you go to your doctor......describe your symptoms, and let him/her make the decision.  There are probably a number of alternate methods to treat your condition besides opiates.

Because the DEA is closely watching doctor's prescriptions for these meds, they are more and more unlikely to prexriibe them, even for patients where they would be beneficial.......blame the "war on (some) drugs"

doc

Tramadol is a non-opioid. Asking for it is a non-issue. The PA's and doctors I've worked with in the past routinely authorize medics to prescribe it.
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Offline zeitgeist

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #20 on: August 22, 2011, 07:19:02 PM »
Quote from: Gina on August 22, 2011, 05:24:20 PM
No, because I have always heard from EVERYONE that even if they do relieve the pain you have to go and your kinda get addicted to going.  I don't know.  I might try it if my gp says to

Just recommended my Psychiatrist to friend who's pain had been worsened by his Chiropractor.  I have had two problems, one lower, one upper.  The lower was treated with PT, stretching and cortisone, the upper with trigger point injections, Osteopathic manipulation, and PT.  For the upper problem I was also given a script for Skelaxin which seems to help when it is really bad and an IPB isn't enough.  X-Ray and MRIs are pretty much a given.

Ask your GP for a referal.  The office I go to has MD's DO's, PA's and an association with a local rehab facility.  I have great insurance with a managable Co-pay of  $15 for PT and $30 for Office stuff.
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Offline BEG

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #21 on: August 22, 2011, 07:55:19 PM »
Quote from: THA HOUSTON PIMP IS IN DA HOUZ! on August 22, 2011, 04:59:17 PM
I feel your pain, sista.

I have spondololysis/spondolothesis; SLIPPED VERTEBRAE.   Just came out of nowhere and didn't gradually appear.

This causes sciatic pain in the nerves in spinal column and makes my butt and back hamstrings ache when sitting.   My case is not severe enough for epidural shot for pain or surgery.   It is structural problem that some ordinary chiropracter can't fix.   I've had this crap for over a year and have been to physical therapy and have done stretches every day but without much luck.

This thing is weird because it mostly happens with teenage female gymnist and NFL lineman which I'm neither.

Many people have slipped vertebraes all their lives but never experience the painful symptoms.    I am not so lucky. :mad:

Weird you mention this, yesterday I started having sciatic pain in my right butt/leg. It hurts like crazy. My husband took my car with him to Austin so he could get my plates so I'm driving his F-150 (Raptor) and I can barely get in and out of it with this dang sciatic pain.  I also feel very small when I'm driving it.

Gina, no advice but there is nothing worse than back pain. :(
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Offline NHSparky

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #22 on: August 22, 2011, 08:06:15 PM »
I've had lower back pain on and off for decades.  (Gotta love those Navy racks.)  Last serious issue was one I had over the last couple of months starting Memorial Day weekend when I tried (and failed) to dig up several very large rocks out of yard.  Low back pain to the point I couldn't roll over when I slept.  I took all my Flexeril in about a week.  They laughed at it.

I was eating Advil and Aleve like M&M's for over a month.  Even the chiro would only help me for 2-3 days, and then I was at the point I was dreading driving to work, knowing it would take me 5 minutes to get out of the car. 

Finally, the chiro had me do ultrasonic treatment.  Oh. My. GOD.  It was incredible.  Two treatments.  No more pain.  I'm just about back to normal.
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Offline Gina

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #23 on: August 22, 2011, 08:16:11 PM »
Tell me more about the ultrasonic treatment
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Offline NHSparky

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Re: Back Pain
« Reply #24 on: August 22, 2011, 08:29:05 PM »
Quote from: Gina on August 22, 2011, 08:16:11 PM
Tell me more about the ultrasonic treatment

This is a better description than I could give:

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/backpain/detail_backpain.htm

Ultrasound is a noninvasive therapy used to warm the body’s internal tissues, which causes muscles to relax. Sound waves pass through the skin and into the injured muscles and other soft tissues.

The deal is, even though I was using heat and ice alternately, it wasn't helping because it wasn't going deep enough.  This ultrasound did go in deep enough, and I guess it's pretty apparent if there's a lot of inflammation still present.  They put some gel on (just like a regular ultrasound) and then crank up the juice.  It feels kind of like mild needle pricking, and it's not supposed to feel uncomfortable or painful (they told me to tell them if it did.)  I got a couple of 15-20 minute treatments.  The first one kept the pain at bay for a couple of weeks until the next treatment, and since then I've been to the chiropractor once in early August.

Some people think it doesn't help.  I would disagree with them.

Little more information:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/general/ultrasound.html
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