Chronic pain management - patients' advice: Part VI

Patients share chronic pain management advice

I am a physician who has had chronic pain for about 10 years. I had 1 year of conservative management then I had a lumbar laminectomy/diskectomy/facetectomy because of severe pain in the right leg (radiculopathy). The surgery cured 80% of the leg pain and numbness and I returned to work/light-duty. However, the spinal stenosis/spinal arthritis/herniated disks and nerve entrapment in my neck/thoracic/back caused even more pain and triggered fibromyalgia. I was placed on disability from work a year and underwent weekly PT, aquatherapy, and massage. I was also started on Vicodin (decreased the pain), Vioxx, Elavil (which really helped my sleep) and was prescribed a TENS unit (this helped greatly).

Article continues below

I also tried ice/moist heat (both are life savers), glucosamine/chondroitin(some improvement) and Guafenissin/DMdexromethorphan in high doses (no improvement). I returned to work for 2 years then was out again. This time I was started on Avinza (slow-release morphine) and Bextra which worked well for pain control for 1 year but I stopped Avinza due to side effects (dizziness, severe constipation, and nausea). I went back to Vicodin and had radiofrequency nerve ablation and nerve blocks which have helped immensely - 50% reduction in pain. I haven't been to PT in a few years b/c I do all my stretching, aquatherapy and back exercises on my own at home. I still use my TENS, ice, moist heat, Motrin and I have lost 40 pounds. I also walk 3 times/wk and get massages whenever I can.

Alternative Medicine: I have not tried Noni juice but have tried Mangostein juice/Xango which is expensive and, like guaifenissin/DM, did not work for me. Massage and acupuncture work but needed weekly and not covered by insurance.

Chronic pain has definitely changed my life but just want to get back to work/part-time. No luck with my social security disability claim-any suggestions?

From: Blessed - USA

I've had three spinal fusions, pedicle plates and screws and years of chronic pain. They've tried everything. I finally agreed to try medications to help relieve pain. It was either that or go on disability and spend my days lying down on a heating pad.

They tried Avinza. I take it once a day and it has helped me a lot. I still have pain and some days are rough, but I get to work, enjoy my family again and am happy. I know that I'll never be completely pain free and I sure don't like taking opiates every day. Maybe someday, they will understand the causes of pain better. Let's hope so.

From: bob5958

I have had 3 back surgeries over the past 2 yrs. I am dealing with a lot of leg pain and nerve damage from the first surgery. I want bore you with all the details... I want to share that when I have tried almost everything, I went to see my chiropractor. We are trying an Herbal patch called a pain patch but actually helps to heal from inside. It has eliminated upper back pain & tingling. I am stll on Oxycontin 20mg 1 every 12 hrs, then Oxy IR every 4 hrs. I am also on Lyrica, for the nerve pain. Several others, but in the mean time, my surgeon feels I need to remain active. Hum, he is not the one living this. I can hardly get out of bed – I spend most of the day on a heating pad. I am so grateful to have found this site. You all give me inspiration. My prayers are with you. Try the patches. Warmest regards.

From: gpeach – Illinois, USA

Due to a rear end collision, I have 7 bad disks in my neck, back, and mid back. I take Avinza, Percocet and muscle spasm meds as well as Zanix. I have nerve damage on my left side and it has effected my central nervous system. Avinza shut down my digestive system. I was taking to the emergency room with constipation of 6 days. I was prescribed citrite. It is a small bottle that you can purchase over the counter. You will get relief in 4 to 6 hours. Follow with oil enema and then regular enema. I have eaten every fiber food and fruit to make Avinza work with no results. I take Avinza broken down into applesauce; then I wait to have a bowel movement. Do not take Avinza until you have a bowel movement. Do not take Avinza while drinking citrite. You will violently throw up.

Using a heating pad, taking hot shower and baths help also. I now see a chiropractor. This has giving me relief from stiffening up. You basically have to medicate yourself to deal with daily functions. Good luck, my friend. Standing up and walking around helps to ease the pain. Make sure a chair is near by when you can no longer stand. Baby steps before we run.

From: Kathy – Florida, USA

My pain stems from an early childhood injury. A large amount of boards fell on my head and back of neck. At the time I was knocked out and taken home. Did not know where I was for a couple of days and just stayed in bed. My parents are good folks, but didn't consider it a brain or neck injury. I had a normal childhood after that.

Well- 30 years roll on by and I started getting bad headaches and neck pain which has increased dramatically over the last 5 years - doctor thinks bad positioning at a pc terminal for long hours has aggravated my bad neck. The pain has sent me to the ER many, many times. Have also tried acupuncture, botox shots, trigger point injections, electrical stem units, massage, chiropractors and a lot of meds.

Overall the only real help out of all this is exercise and pain medications. I have started running (after a slow initial buildup of walking), and have built up to 3 miles. This does not hurt my neck any more than it is already hurting, but it makes the rest of me feel better. And that gives me a little more pain "freedom" and the ability to deal with the normal stress that comes along with its buddy "pain stress".

From: J – Oregon, USA

I have suffered with sciatica for some time and was feeling very low. A friend gave me a PainBan X4000 to try out and at first I was very skeptical but it has worked wonders. I am not sure exactly how it works but it is based on pulsed electromagnetic therapy. It can also be used on acupuncture points, although I have not tried this. I bought one myself as there is a 30 day money back guarantee so I thought I had nothing to lose – it is still helping a great deal with the pain so I have not sent it back!

From: JJ – London, England

I have osteopenia and at present am suffering from sciatica and bursitis. I have never experienced pain like it before, even in childbirth!! Up until 6 months ago, my right hip, groin and leg were numb with pain and I could only walk a few yards without having to bend double or sit down in order to gain some small relief. However, I have since been regularly to a Chiropractor who took X-rays and ultrasounds of my spine which showed phase 2 subluxation (compression of the spine due to age/accident/bad posture). This condition is incurable, but after various sessions of adjustment and visits to the Podiatrist who prescribed orthotics (shoe inserts to correct imbalance particularly of the pelvis) I can now walk normally and live an active life. I still get bad days, but with exercise I can reduce such days. I was a bad tempered and aggressive person when I was in pain and shut myself away. These days I am back to my old self and enjoy time out with friends and family. Good luck to all fellow sufferers!

From: Laraine – London, England

I too, once had a life. I injured C5/6 while working as a flight attendant in 2000. It has been a long road! My husband of 22 years divorced me. I had surgery which helped for a few months. However, things got real bad real fast. I made 8 trips to ER over 10 days with thoughts of suicide when they just sent me home. The pain was excruciating! Finally, on that last trip they offered me an x-ray in exchange for a drug-test! Bizarre, but the truth. I told everyone that I didn't know what was wrong, but something had changed. The x-ray showed a contusion (a bruise). My drug test showed nothing that couldn't be accounted for! The following day when the radiologist had read my x-ray I got a phone call that informed me to come back immediately, I had somehow fractured 2 of the 4 screws holding the titanium plate in my neck. I have since been on an array of pain medications because the surgeons all feel it is too risky to go back in. They're much more difficult to remove them than to put in! The only medications that help me are duragesic patches, 200 micrograms every 2 days, muscle relaxers, and antidepressants! Still, I am between uncomfortable and miserable all the time. I am getting ready to be evaluated for a pain-pump. I pray to God, who gives me strength to keep going for relief! I'll pray for all of you also knowing pain!

From: Patty

I had a back fusion L4-L5 3 years ago. I still suffer greatly from pain. Taking Avenzia for all day comfort, sometimes Percocet when needed. Really nothing seems to work but long slow walks then resting with maybe 1 pill. Very difficult to live with, as I am considered failed back surgery as the pain is still there. Long walks, reading, and medication- or you can get very depressed from pain and quality of living diminished. I would love to know of something better to help with pain. Just started a pain management doctor here in New York and hoping for some good changes.

From: Sallee – New York, USA

I have suffered for many years with both a severe back problem and a rare neuropathy. I also have difficulty sleeping but have some suggestions that might help. Natural inflammatories such as Zyflamend, MSM, fish oil might be effective in addition to calcium/magnesium for relaxation at night. Sleeping with your knees higher then your back will provide some relief and avoid sleeping on your stomach. You can prop up your knees with pillows etc. Also, quite effective is using an inversion table to take pressure off of the back in your home. Takes just a little bit to get used to and can relieve pain. You can find it at a back store or local exercise equipment supply. A reputable chiropractor can also be quite helpful. Acupuncture can also help but it is trial and error for each person, as with most remedies. What works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. I find that it is an overall consistent program of different things together that provide the most success. Taking action with any of these things helps us to take control of our body which is perhaps the biggest part of the battle. Good luck!

From: Lon Grushko

I was hit by a drunk driver in 1999 on July 4th. I have had one back surgery and the scar tissue from the surgery is so bad they can never operate on me again. My pain is super intense and I battle the pain and depression daily. Two things besides medications work to ease the pain: Finn comfort shoes – they’re ugly but better then any orthotic I have ever used - and the MIGUN massage bed - if you have a free facility in your area, utilize it. The biggest reduction came with the Finn comfort shoes. I even have a friend who walked with a walker for six years. She bought the shoes and three days later, no walker. She's going on a year bow. Anyway, the pain nobody understands unless they have it. I'm two years in waiting on disability hearing. I found the best medicine for me is Kadian and doing castor oil cold compress packs every night. I also take a natural supplement that’s hard to find called serrapeptase and it reduces inflammation for me greatly. I hate taking pain meds. I wish I could go back to being a car mechanic and I love to work but it's virtually impossible to sit or stand for long periods of time. Support is better then anything I have found. I just wish I had more friends and more support. When your young doctors just think you want pain meds it really sucks. I don't drink or do drugs.

From: Bryan – North Carolina, USA

I had been suffering from chronic back and neck pain. I couldn’t remember the last time I didn’t have a headache. After many years and dollars in treatment and medications, I was introduced to a product called Mona Vie. I have been taking it for several months and I am virtually pain free, I do not take any pills, and I sleep like a log. It is just a fruit juice, no sugar, no water nothing added to it. It is filled with anti-inflammatories, and also has liquid glucosamine and celedrine. So not only does it help the pain go away but instead of masking it like the pain killers it actually lubricates the joints and rebuilds the cartilage. I have done a lot of research on this product. It has made such a huge difference in my life. I am so grateful to the person that introduced it to me and I started seeing results within a week of taking it.

From: Maryam – Texas, USA

I'm a 55 year old man with Osteoarthritis throughout my body, base of skull to toes. I've also contracted "Occupational Asthma" from work as a Machinist. My doctor can't give me stronger NSAID for pain relief because of the negative effect on the Asthma. I don't wish to take stronger narcotics, yet. My Asthma has never been under control over the six years I've had it. I walk like a 75 year old man, stiff, cracking and sore. "I guess I'll have to give up my part-time job as a Ninja". God must have a sense of humour to grace me with these two "conditions", I don't like the word disease. All my life I've worked hard, playing sports with only minor injuries over the years, until now.

My day starts with pain and ends with pain. The thing that keeps me going, "I found myself whining, to everyone over an extended period of time" we all hate whiners! So instead of depressing and irritating everyone I come in contact with, I'll do my best to put a smile on their faces. Learn to laugh at yourself again, you probably could before the PAIN came to dominate your life, as mine did. Enjoy today, for this level of pain may be on the low end of the scale! "There are others around us with far greater problems than ours". Question: for all of you, is it normal for Osteoarthritis to go throughout the body? OR did I just get lucky. Take care all.

From: Randy - Windsor, Canada

Tried everything acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy (all kinds including trigger point), traditional physical therapy for 1.5 years, Cymbalta, Lamictal, Lyrica, Naproxen, Codeine, Vicadin, cervical traction ( at home and in pt ) heat/ ice, rest, stretching, pilates, core training, excercise ball, roller, ibupofren. The thing that is finally working (although gradually) and has gotten my from only being able to walk .5 mile once a week and debilitating pain, even from unscrewing a toothpaste tube and only carrying a light wallet.. is Muscle Activation Technique. I go once per week (some pt's are certified) and do about 1.5 hours on my own a day and now can walk up to 6 miles a week, do moderate hikes, and am back on a bicycle, I carry a purse again, can even wear high heels now and then. My Latest EMG showed the nerve was healing. Don’t know if it can get my disc height back but without this technique I don’t know if I’d be here today the pain was so bad... I have eliminated inflammatory foods from my diet too. C5,6,7 affected degenerative discs from sports injuries, spurs, osteopenia, and bulging disc. Think I'd be healing faster if my HGH, WBC, IBS weren’t wacky from autoimmune disease. I recommended one of my doctors go for his issue and it's helped him lots. . . this is for real!

From: Jenns – Colorado, USA

I fell into a cellar four years ago and snapped off L3. 6 months later I had a wide excision of the fracture. Problems with pain continued, I could not "exercise" out of it.

I found a new neurosurgeon and GP willing to work with long term chronic pain.

Anticonvulsants controlled nerve pain quite effectively, as well as Panadol extend and Capadex. When things get severe, valium and Naprosyn for a couple of days help.

I now experience a better control of the pain. I thought I would go insane - I almost did. Now, for the first time I think I may get to have a life. Best advice - find someone who listens.

PAIN RELIEF

Tegretol 200mgms am
Panadol Extend 2tabs am

Tegretol 100mgms lunch
1 Panadol

Tegretol 100mgms evening
Capadex Two

Then every 3rd week Naprosyn for a couple of days and usually valium 5mgms for two nights.

NB: Hot water bottle every night and bed by 8:30pm twice per week.

Took me a long time to get comfortable - hope this helps.

From: Jean – Adelaide, Australia

L-5 damage in a High School football game. After that, forty-two years of off and on pain/extreme pain/numbness/back of right leg sensitivity to touch. Learned to bend over in a peculiar sideways "U" move to avoid touching it off. Learned to move wallet to front pocket and not sit on it in a back pocket. In 1997, hurt the other side lifting winter tires into crawl space. Extreme and constant pain. Barely walk with cane, in great pain. Notice all other crippled people. Docs wanted to inject papaya juice (is that it?) and then operate. With wife's agreement and great assistance, went to bed for six weeks 24/7 with once-a-day one hour stretch using a "Lossing Pelvic Tilt Belt." Surfed internet and found that U.S. docs do six times more back surgeries than European counterparts. Not only did the new back injury disappear, but in the ten years since that long, self-imposed bed rest, the old football injury on the other side is gone. In the shower each morning, I bend over as far as I can and am repeatedly amazed, ten years down the pike after the bed rest strategy, that I can straighten up without that old "sideways "U"-shaped move. I am back-pain free. Learned on the net also that if six weeks doesn't do it (bed rest) it probably won't work to do more. Not everybody has a wife, or a wife who will put up with such a long bed rest. Not everybody can afford six weeks.

From: Anonymous

During the last tri-mester of my third pregnancy, I began to have pain in both of my hips. They would become stiff and it hurt so much to lay on them, but you certainly can't sleep face- up or face down! The pain in my hips just got worse over the next few years and finally morphed into low-back pain also. One day, it began a dull ache which progressed into a crippling pain. I was in the bed for five days...it felt as if my back wouldn't support my own body weight. I eventually was unable to walk AT ALL! Even if I could've pushed through the pain, my back was not responding...it simply wouldn’t work. The ER doctor gave me a shot of morphine which didn’t take the pain!!! They suspected a slipped or bulging disk. They sent me home hurting and scared. I went to prayer meeting - I literally landed on the front steps of my church. My pastor and friends gathered around and began to pray. I cried out to God, waiting for the pain to subside but it wouldn't go. I got angry, hopeless, you name it! I decided to act on faith (believing in what you can't see) and tried to stand. Slowly...painfully...I began to walk, baby-steps, then more normal ones. The more I walked, the more I felt myself trusting God to help me where the doctors had not. I got my miracle that night! Thank God for Acts 2:38 and power!

From: Michelle Divine – Louisiana, USA

I have been having bad back for 8 years now. I started select yoga asanas about 3 years ago. Now, I am able to walk any distance.

From: Ram - California, USA

Have had three back surgeries. Now they say I have spinal stenosis {cervical and lumbar). I have had 5 discs totally removed in my lower back. I have a titanim cage and bars and screws and 4 cylinders inserted in two of the discs. I felt wonderful until I woke with a stiff neck, unable to hardly turn my neck. I also have acquired AIDS from my husband who got it while in service. My CD4's are down to 238 (which is your immune system). This is why I am afraid of another surgery.

I am currently on Methadone, which helps sometimes. I alternate heat and ice and take Aleve. If I make myself stop and rest every couple of hours, that seems to help also. I also have osteoporosis in spine. I am in a lot of pain all the time, and makes me quite cranky sometimes. I would love to know what I could do to avoid another surgery. My husband rubs my back and gets a lot of the knots out for me. That helps tremendously. My prayers go out to you all. Stay as active as you can, but remember to rest in between and never give up on God. Also stress is bad on you also. Hope this helps someone. God Bless and Keep.

From: Cheryl - Georgia, USA

Helping others and being thankful for the life I have left helps me deal with my pain. There is always someone out there in a whole lot of suffering more than mine. Somehow that makes me move on and keep trying. Hope is all we have.

From: Rickytwotreesandabuck – Alberta, Canada

This is about the only place to tell my story where many will actually 'understand'. My back pain came on light and built to huge levels. I have 3 ruptured, bulging disks (black on the MRI), and another 1 or 2 that are getting that way. The bottom three are the worst, and L-5 S-1 has had a diskectomy in '98.

Somedays I wake up on fire from nipples to waist, front to back and side to side. Both feet are numb (or burn) 2 to 3 years now. Severe pain in the half-twist pattern (back2front) in legs. One hip gets a deep constant pain. Occasionally, I get a sharp pain, lasting for 5 to 14 days, which seems to short-circuit my body, this pain sends me through-the-roof. Then there are the muscle spasms, about a 16 hour-a-day-thing...

I have tried everything but acupuncture: epidural therapy; physical therapy; NSAIDS; electrical-stimulation therapy; massage; hydro-therapy; etc. I've also tried about all manner of medication for pain, as well as for nerve-pain. I've been taking a regimen of narcotics for approximately 6 years. I am on a rotation of sorts, taking one major form of extended-release med, and supplementing with oxycodone 5mg instant-release w/out tylenol. The main meds I rotate are: Oxycontin; MSContin; and Durgessic patches, all in quantities to kill a horse. If you are on pain meds such as these extended-release types, especially if you've been on them for years, see if your Dr. wont let you try a rotation like above. It has helped me greatly.

From: Gunlove - Washington, USA

I ruptured a disc at L5/1 from a lifting injury 10 years ago I've had 4 back surgeries: an anterior fusion, a posterior fusion, a hardware removal, and recently a laminectomy to relieve a compressed nerve. Of the multitude of things I have tried for ongoing pain, I have found the most help from:

1. The right combination of meds. (Avinza for pain with oxycodone for breakthrough; Cymbalta for the depression the comes with chronic pain & Soma night for spasm relief). I went through many different meds and combinations before my doctor and I found the right mix. They have allowed me to live a relatively normal and productive life.

2. The Feldenkrais Method. It has been absolutely a godsend by helping me address harmful movement habits and compensations, and by providing great ways to maintain mobility and reduce pain & spasm.

3. Regular non-impact aerobic exercise. Bodyblading & bicycling help improve my attitude and the endorphins created helps with pain. I also believe that regularly working up a sweat reduces some of the harmful impact the drugs have on my kidneys & liver.

4. A good support system. I have been lucky to find good doctors and I have incredibly supportive, family, friends and an incredible husband. I have had to learn to use their help and not to give into the temptation to just isolate myself when my pain is at its worst.

These four things allow me to function, to work, to play and to rest in spite of pain.

From: B. B. – Washington, USA

I am a victim of failed back surgery syndrome and have had chronic sciatica pain for 4 yrs (was pain-free for 10 yrs after surgery). Sitting is very uncomfortable - I keep my sanity with heating pads, massages, Percocet and recently Skelaxin, a muscle relaxer which seems to make the muscles around the nerve relax - therefore causing it not to hurt so much. I cope with the support of my family and friends, but it is very tough. I have good days and bad days. Considering an antidepressant such as Elavil as I have heard great things about it for pain and mood - but have a heart issue :(. Hang in there! We are not alone!

From: Tobecontent – Virginia, USA

How do you live with chronic back pain ? I had a lumbar fusion at 4/5 one year and a half ago. Prior to that I had 3 other surgeries starting at the year 2000. I have found a great pain doctor who really listens. I refuse to give up, and I am more determined to live with pain and just accept what I have been given. I only wish that other people could understand the mood swings, depression, and just to accept me as i am, and give positive instead of negative. I still work as a hairdresser - it is hard work, but it keeps my mind off of ME. To all I wish you luck, and don’t give up !!!

From: Terry – Pennsylvania, USA

I broke my spine from a three story fall when I was just sixteen years old. I sustained an 80% compression fracture of L4 and L5, L3 levels fractured at the facet joints. In short, I was treated conservatively. I lost 35 lbs. of muscle in 4 days in my legs and buttocks. I started out on two canes and a back brace. It took three years before I could climb stairs without my knees wobbling. Then the pain started and got progressively worse.

Emotionally: Lower your expectations and your serenity will go up. Dealing with pain: Morphine, Soma, Xanex for sleep. Swim, and never sleep with your spine out of alignment.

From: Lee Thomas - Texas, USA

I had a cervical fusion at C6/C7 in 2003, have several discs degenerating as I type and also have PHN from shingles. I am 36 year old female that does not appear to be in pain to those who don't know me, and this has been the bane of my existence. I can't honestly say that I have my pain under control, but I'm working on it with my neurosurgeon, pain treatment doctor and clinical pharmacologist. My pain doctors have recently weaned me off Avinza and titrated me up on Effexor XR for nerve pain along with Zanaflex for muscle spasm and Ambien CR for sleep.

The most important part of pain management is the team of doctors you see on a regular basis. Having people treat you like a person in pain, as opposed to an emotional stress case is key. I have been through the wringer, and am very wary of switching docs. If you find someone good - stick with them!

Also, a home traction unit can be a dream. As can a zero- gravity recliner. Spend some time trying out a variety of self- manipulation and massage tools. I am a big fan of the still- point inducer and the Dr. Riter products. Hope this helps. I am still a work in progress!

From: Rachael P. - Illinois, USA

After an L4-L5 fusion, now 2 1/2 years ago, pain management became a real issue 6 months after surgery for this now, very active, male, 52 year old. after another MRI, X-Rays, more vicodin and analgesics, the next treatment for the pain was facet joint injections. More steroids, with little pain relief after increasing numbers of injections.

Pain relief was reduced to reliance upon the the pharmacist and the little bottles of medications to treat pain, and the depression that accompanied a real lousy quality of life. I became so pharmacologically dependent for any semblance of quality of life, that my gym membership was a waste of money; my home life and work life were dismal; what a mess I was! All my post operative hard work to regain my former physical abilities went away as I returned to the sedentary lifestyle.

I became desperate, but determined, to change my situation. I tried acupuncture. I had nothing to lose. I am happy to report, all pain is gone. As a result, I'm back in the gym feeling stronger and more fit by the day; Home life is enjoyable again; and work life is now tolerable again. It is good to be free of the pain medications and their side effects. Most importantly, the pain is gone.

I'm convinced that staying out of chairs and maintaining an active lifestyle only helps my situation. My recliner is, and will always be, my good friend. Acupuncture may not be the answer for everyone, but I'm sure glad I tried it!

From: TJ – Idaho, USA

After three years of searching for relief of spinal stenosis I had the x-stop procedure done by a neurological surgeon in New York. I cannot priase the results enough. The procedure took 45 minutes under mild anesthesia and the next day I walked out of the hospital with no leg numbness or pain. Prior to the operation I couldn't walk more than ten minutes without stopping, numbness was almost constant and my attitude suffered. Since the operation (now three months) I've no longer have any pain or numbness. There was a three week period where I had to take muscle relaxers but once on them I felt great.

It's great to not think about walking any more!

From: JC – New York, USA

I have lived with chronic low back pain for 11 years. I experienced it initially at the very young age of 26. I herniated the disc at L5-S1 while moving a copier at my work. I had a L5-S1 microdiscectomy after 3 months of supportive therapies. The initial results of the surgery were phenomenal. I was virtually pain free for 2 months. Then came the scar tissue. I have been thru everything from epidural steroid injections, to lysis-of-adhesion injections. I’ve been on many, many different pain meds over the years (Oxycodone, Methadone, Hydrocodone, Fentanyl patches, Hydromorphone, Morphine Sulfate, NSAIDS, muscle-relaxers, etc.). All I can say at this point is “It takes a village to relieve pain”. No single medication or treatment can fix a problem as complex as chronic back pain. A strong relationship with your primary care and pain management doctors is essential. Exercise is also very important if you want to realize the best possible outcome. I have found that Avinza (Morphine Sulfate Sustained-Release) capsules taken once a day to be the best medication option for me. My sleep patterns have improved substantially on Avinza as well. Keep trying all the available treatments until you find your sweet spot. I’m convinced that there’s a sweet spot for most people with chronic pain, and many times it has nothing to do with additional surgeries.

From: D. Norris – Georgia, USA

I developed spinal stenosis nerve root impingement at L3-L4,L4-L5,and L5-S1 about 4 years ago due to constantly bending and twisting at work. Started as stabbing pain in left buttock and gradually radiated down leg to foot. Doctors couldn't find what was causing pain and probably thought I was crazy because it didn't show on MRI. It took 2yrs and 5 docs to find problem with mylegram Ct. Due to length of time in finding it surgery did not work and pain is permanent. Luckily, my gastro doc sent me to pain clinic for a unrelated problem since surgeon refused to treat chronic pain. Pain docs tried non invasive injections but due to nerve damage they were unsuccessful. After trial and error, found Oxycontin 40mg every six hrs. works best for me. Phenegren or gastro related nausea 25mg 1-2 per day. and radio frequency injection to ablate non-motor nerve endings. Life is not what it used to be - I cannot do most things without an increase in pain levels. I spend a lot of time in bed. If my wife did not love me I do not know if it would be worth getting up most days. Best advice - find a doctor you trust and don't give him a reason not to trust you.

From: djnc211 – North Carolina, USA

I trusted my Anesthesiologist for pain management and, boy, was I wrong. At the ripe age of 32 I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis from too many steroid injections. I was not aware until I fell in my own living room, moving from one spot to the other. DO NOT BELIEVE in a doctor who wants to load you up on steroids!! Stick to your gut and listen to a doctor you trust.

From: D Ana – Nevada, USA

Lifted something stupidly heavy at work in 2000 and kept working with pain for another 3 years. Things that haven't worked: rhizotomy, cortizone, brace. Things that have worked: Myofacial injections, which dropped my pain levels by nearly 70%. Things you should try but not for long: Muscle relaxants and/or pain relief drugs, the drugs end up a crutch and only make things worse. I'm only finding this out now by the way. But most of all, try and remain positive. If not you will end up depressed (like I did) and it only make the pain and treatment harder.

From: Robbie Kissell - Australia

I am 28 yrs. old and have had a back problem since I was 15. I played a lot of sports when I was younger and fell off my bike a lot when I was little. Not sure what happened to my back at that point and why I had degenerated discs already. Years later, I injured my back diving for a softball and was out of work for 3 months. I then found out I have 3 herniated discs. I was on loritabs and went to physical therapy. I also got an epidural injection which seem to help a lot. I then started slowly walking on the treadmill and bringing back some exercise into my life helped me mentally and physically feel better.

From: Kate S – New York, USA

Having a very serious back injury I have tried just about everything before recently having surgery. Here is a short list of things that helped for a while:

1. Find a good exercise program. Work with a physical therapist that can help you maximize your effort and prevent injury. This can help far more than you think and buy a lot of time before needing surgery.

2. Acupuncture and massage can help relieve pain within certain limits.

3 Some disc injections can be quite helpful if done early and your disc still treatable.

4. If you really need surgery, do your homework and find a very good specialist that deals with the type of surgery you need. Second and third opinions are a very good choice.

5. Chiropractics can be helpful for rehabbing injuries.

Things that didn't work well at all:

1. Pain medicine. Often the side effects outweigh the value. My experience was a horror story.

2. Braces, supports, etc.

3. Trainers at gyms are rarely train well enough to find an exercise program what will work for you and not injure you or make things worse.

4. Don't expect a GP to be able to address and treat a serious back problem. Muscle relaxants and pain killers are not a solution and are just a band-aid to get you to the next episode.

From: Dennis Ernst – Oregon, USA

In 1999 on a Spring Break skiing trip in Colorado I had a very bad accident (hit a tree) and injured many parts of my body. I didn't break any bones, or lose feeling in any part, but I dislocated my entire right hand and wrist, and also pushed several of my cervical and thoracic vertebrae out of alignment. Most Chiropractors that I have consulted with do not X-ray before treating patients; this is something I can't agree to with my problems, and those who do x-ray won't adjust me, they would rather put me on electrolysis which causes major muscle spasms and I can't stand it, plus it doesn't help anything. My neck and upper back still hurt all the time. I now live in Metro Denver, CO and found a place called America's Back and that is the only thing I can do and feel no pain for days afterward. I have done it for three years now and never really have issues at all with pain or movement. It's exercise, but isolated with particular isolation machinery and it's really simple. Much more so than surgery, which is what my Dr. suggested when the accident first occurred. I also find that soaking in hot water with Epsom salt helps a whole lot, especially after exercising of any type.

From: Verna – Texas, USA

I have been suffering from an "inflamed tendon" connecting by quad to my hip joint for almost a year. I have tried 3 orthopedists, 2 injections and pt - nothing seemed to help. I finally was referred to a PT that specialized in IMT (Integrated Manual Therapy). After one month with her I found my pain was related to my L4/L5 and sacroiliac. I have become 75% better with her treatments and recommend the therapy to everyone.

From: Renee

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.