Chronic Pain Management - Patients' Advice: Part IV

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Patients share chronic pain management advice
For even more pain relief, read about natural chronic pain management techniques.

Prolotherapy seemed to work for 5 months, then the pain came back as bad as before. Back pump made my lower back sore but no real relief of pain. Glucosomine and Chondrotin might work we'll see... Chiropractor seems to work best so far. I have talked to friend who have tried the DRX9000 RACK from Hell and are worst than ever...

From: David – California, USA

I use many methods to deal with chronic pain. I rest if my body demands it. Use a heating throw which only has low warm and medium warm but put on top of a flannel sheet as I am diabetic. Insomnia has been a problem, but since using doxepin 75mg at bedtime I am sleeping 100% better even some 8 hr nights a miracle. If I also have severe muscle cramps in my ankles or feet, trigger toes crossing over each other in spasm then I try heat first if not enough use 350mg soma. Salsalate calms stiffening legs which average walking ability & worsen balance but prone to ulcers and use them rareley. When do use two tablets 500MG EACH at bedtime. I also go to sleep to nature, surf or muic with rushing streams and songbirds. Wake up to morning songbirds on CD alarm clock. Amazon.cm have variety of great nature sounds of every variety. Some with music some only nature sounds. I grew up on a farm & that calms me and brings pleasant memories of our 250 acre farm. Also if daily pain is not fast in responding to meds I will put on meditative classical music. quiet pieces, esp harp or flute. If I have day with energy I will create original trinket boxes of plastic canvas.

From: musiclover – Michigan, USA

After suffering a severe back injury, disk decompressions of all the L levels I have had 2 back surgerys with in a 6 month period. No success so the Oxy-Contin started, 40 mg a day with little relief, 40mg twice a day , worked for a while but wore off fast, so 80 mg tablet a day then 80 mg in the morning with a 40 mg at night. Well could,nt take it anymore so Oxy gone and they started me on Hydromorph Contin. 5 years of Oxys now the next one. Am getting a little relief with 2 12 mg tablets but my best advise is relax when the spine is out of joint and learn to think of something else when your having a bad day. The medical field is always coming out with new stuff lets hope they come out with a tablet that takes care of all. Good Luck to all

From: Scott – Ontario, Canada

I have had cervical neck pain & lumbar pain for about 8 yrs now. I have been to countless doctors who apparently thought since I was so young 22(start) now 30 that I was only after narcotic pain meds. I finally was referred to a great pain mgmt. dr who did a mri & discovered that I have 3 cervical disc & 2 lumbar disc that are herniated or bulging. I can't tolerate a lot of anti-inflammatory meds, but have found voltaren, which is great + norco & zanaflex. It is amazing to me how dr's are so quick to judge you. I am not pain free by any means but I do not feel near the pain. I have had to endure some procedures that were painful that were supposed to help with the pain but no relief. It has been worth it to work with my doctor to have the relief that I have now. My kids can tell I am not hurting as much & they are glad now. My advice is keep going to the dr. you will find one that will listen & that is key to getting relief. Now I am scheduled for surgery which they hope will relief more of the pain. Dr's should listen to their patients more, after all no one knows their pain better than the person in pain. I don't think any pain meds (narcotic or otherwise) will completely rid me of constant, chronic pain. It is hard some days to not be completely pain free.

From: Someone In Pain TOO – Texas, USA

I have temporary paraplegia atfer a fall. I focus on my kids to keep going but it has taken 6 mnths for a diagnosis. I thought I was going mad. I have a supapubic catheter being inserted next week and physio doesn`t seem to be working. I get false hopes about walking again but I had an epidural inserted wrong 13 yrs ago and have suffered since with chronic pain. I have acupuncture to help which I have found helps the best.

From: Lizzy Drippin - England, UK

To the gentleman who wanted to receive social security. Find a good attorney. It took a friend of mine 3 x. The third time was w/ a lawyer (she has MS). As a personal trainer, and after suffering from a car accident when I was 18, my traps, neck and lower back are always "present". Aside from the negative of listening to mind over body, (working out too much), my experience has made me a more sensitive trainer . If you are doing a particular exercise and you feel an "ooh", pay attention for when it becomes an "AAHH" it's time to stop. Keep moving and pay attention to form. Legs slightly bent, belly zipped in and up as well as the back yard (gluts), shoulders away from the ears and relaxed. Anyway, I have to take a cocktail of soma, percogesic (tylenol), and klonapin to sleep. And sometimes before or after a class. I have tried wild cherry bark, glucosamine, chondroitin,msm. Flexeral doesn't touch the pain. Any suggestions or comments welcome.

From: Diana Bessette

I just had back surgery after a year of chiro, steroid injections, massage, P/T, and all the herbs and oils my mother could throw at me , didn't work. I fell twenty-two feet at work and my back has been giving me pain since. The pain is worse after surgery. All I can tell you is to keep doing some sort of exercise. Even if it is working with 2 lb. weights. It also helps for going loony.

From: Uncle Uno – Washington, USA

I too have suffered from chronic pain for the past 4+yrs now due to work injury. I’ve had docs that have prescribed lots of pain meds and some that don’t want to dispense any. In my opinion-- unless you have some precluding factors- life is too short! Yes, we're in pain constantly, daily, but I just cant see worrying about addiction. Live your life for the quality of it NOW! Whether that means narcotics, a particular surgery, whatever! I’m a chemo RN and got hurt while transferring a pt at work. Working with terminal illness taught me to live for now, as best you can. :)

From: Stacey

I just had a laminectomy decompression 5 weeks ago for my three herniated discs in the lumbar area. I found out at 44 years old, I have spinal stenosis, the same as all my siblings. I have one sister who has had 8 back surgeries and another sister who has had two. My brother is doing all that he can to avoid surgery. I am the oldest and my brother, the baby, is getting ready to turn 37. I am depressed that I still have pain. I am an RN and I must return back to work next week. I am trying to learn different ways to deal with my pain. I walk for now. I take ibuprofen three times a day with some naproxyn as well. I have narco and lyrica for pain, but my doctor is trying to discourage me from depending on them. I have the worst time sleeping at night and I am dealing with a major depression. I am getting ready to see my primary care doc for some help. What kills me is that I have young kids, 8 and 4, and I cannot do what I want with them. I am glad I found this page for inspiration. Oh, and I have to share that this all started in January when I was putting my underwear on! Go figure! I know it could be worse...but chronic pain is definitely no fun! Blessings to all!

From: Maria - Missouri, USA

Communicate with others who may be in chronic pain.

* Note: This page expresses the experiences and opinions of patients, not doctors. The Back-to-Back forum is provided because we think people often have very practical advice and insights to share that can benefit other patients who have similar back problems. This section has not been peer reviewed by our Medical Advisory Board, and is provided for your informational purposes only.

If you have questions about your specific condition or treatment approach, please go through this site to read peer-reviewed health information about spinal conditions, diagnosis and treatment options. The quickest way to locate information on the site is to use the “keyword search” located in the upper left hand corner of each page. Also, if you want to talk online with others who may be in a similar situation, please go to the Message Board.