Pain medication not working for back pain Posted: 06-14-08 10:13am
Hi
This is my first post so please bear with
me.
I have had a bad back for several years -
since I was about 11 years of age. On and
off I have seen my doc about this back
pain and he said that everyone gets a bad
back every once in a while.
Fast forward to 4 years ago - I had to see
my doc on a monthly basis for my back pain
- again he said it was normal. Had several
other health issues - one resulting in an
emergency hysterectomy at the age of 29.
Again I had to see doc about the pain,
couldn't see my usual doc so saw a locum -
he looked at my previous history and was
shocked I hadn't been sent for a
scan/x-ray of some kind.
Well he got me seen very quickly - I have
osteoporosis (brought on by menopause at
age 32)and I have prolapsed disc L5/S1. Am
now on morphine 100mg 3 times a day, plus
oramorph, then Ibuprofen, Paracetamol,
Gabapentin and was on Amytriptlyne but doc
stopped that when he put me on Gabapentin.
Even though this is a strong combination
of pain killers it still doesn't help with
the pain.
I have recently been signed off work for 2
months as I'm a care assistant in a
nursing home with 30 residents. I cannot
walk without a walking stick (think you
guys call it a cane over in the USA, I'm
in the UK), I cannot be in the car for
longer than 20mins at a time - I need to
get out and stretch my legs, as the pain
is so bad, can't feel my legs so I trip
over on nothing (people think its comical
or that I'm drunk - I'm t-total due to
meds, and plus lager/beer gives me a
migraine).
I used to be very active - loved walking
the dog, playing badminton 4 times a week,
swimming etc but I struggle to swim, well
I struggle to get on the costume to begin
with as I can't bend easily.
Sorry for the long post - doc has referred
me to the spinal surgical team - see them
on 24th June. Have spoken to the surgeon
on the phone, he said a fusion would be
the way to go - I'm ok with this but now
I'm wondering about recovery time and what
the recovery process is - ie when to walk,
drive etc.
Thank you for reading this
All the best
Danni
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Zak_han
Supporter
Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 56 Location: Bristol, UK
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Posted: 06-15-08 14:59pm
hi,sorry to know it, Do you know: Only 2%
back pain patients need surgery!!
First of all,It is important to stress
that the decision to undergo a fusion
procedure for low back pain is entirely
the patient’s decision and you needs to
carefully weigh the risks and possible
complications along with the potential
benefits of surgery.
Secondary,have you tried enough
alternative med for your back pain
relief?Have not found sufficient pain
relief from extensive?Very clear
diagnosis?
Thirdly,the surgery creates the conditions
for the spine to be able to fuse and the
fusion is a process that will set up over
a 3 to 6 month (and up to 18 month) period
of time following the spinal fusion
surgery ,normal walk will take long
time....
Anyway,Best wish to you
Zak from Bristol
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Zak_han
Supporter
Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 56 Location: Bristol, UK
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time you asked Posted: 06-15-08 15:33pm
well, If there are no complications, you
can get back to your daily activities in
several weeks. It is likely that you can
drive a car after 10 weeks. You may still
want to avoid severe physical activities.
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Rtflynn
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Jun 2008 Posts: 3
Evaluate surgery carefully Posted: 06-15-08 19:36pm
3 neck surgeries, 3 failures (screws
broke!) due to the fact that surgeons
dismissed another doctors dianosis of
Dystonia, a rare and weird movement
disorder, because my symptoms are
atypical. condition basically twisted
surgeries apart. We are talking serious
pain here! Surgeons tell you surgery cause
that is all they know. (1) Having been on
narcotics for 4 years, my advise is to get
off of them ASAP- they really mess up your
digestion/elimination among other things.
(2) Switch from gabapentin to its new form
Lyrica, major improvement in terms of pain
man. (3) See a Psychiatrist, it is amazing
what some of the anti-depressants can do
to help with pain (Cymbalta and remeron is
the combo I take). (4) A good Chiro who
uses heat & heavy electrical stim
followed by ultrasound offers relief. (5)
I also get trigger point injections
(phenol/botox blend NOT steroids) for the
Dystonia every 3 months.
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snapigator
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Posts: 5
Posted: 06-27-08 04:30am
Hi
Thanks for the replies, they have been
really helpful, nice to talk to people
that understand your pain.
I have seen several docs and am now
getting listened to finally - one doc told
me that it was normal not to be able to
feel my feet!
The pain relief isn't really giving me
much comfort, GP wont change the
Gabapentin, says here is no need to!
I feel lazy not being at work, but I have
to alternate my position every 15 mins or
so from standing, sitting or laying down -
not conducive to being a care assistant.
Had a meeting with spinal team yesterday,
they told me its worse than they first
thought so they want me to undergo more
tests, they noticed I also have a
prolapsed disc in my neck - hence neck and
shoulder pain and weakness. So another
scan and series of tests to see if I have
MS etc.
Then this morning had a call from the
doctors saying doc wanted to see me about
my diabetes - news to me but hey why not
add something else to this cauldron of
ailments - that and doc thinks I should
see a specailist about my bowels - hes
fainally worked out people go to the loo
more frequwntly than once every 6 weeks -
no wonder I look pregnant and it hurts!
Sorry this post is negative, too many bad
nights sleep starting to get to me. - Got to
smile, crying doesn't help
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Rtflynn
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Jun 2008 Posts: 3
Posted: 06-27-08 11:32am
Gee. I am so sorry you are having such a
hard time. What part of the country are
you in? it does sound like you have a
very sophisticated team of docs. You
mentioned bowel issues-- could this be
from the narcotics? It sounds like you are
just taking so many meds.
I wish I could offer you something
encouraging, but am not sure what to say.
I'll be thinking good thoughts for you.
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RichT
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 910
Thanks: 21
Thanked:0
Posted: 06-28-08 18:38pm
Hello Danni,
NO, I disagree with your doctor. Back
pain should not be ignorned because it is
"normal". It is your body's way of
letting you know something is not right.
It greatly disturbs me that your doctor is
using the excuse of "normal" to push you
aside. He/she is not listening to you and
trying to help you. PLEASE forget that
doctor and go forward with a doctor who
does listen to you and is concerned about
you. NOOOOOooo it is NOT normal for you
not to feel your feet. That is a critical
sign that you may have a pinched nerve.
That needs to be attended to or as my
spinal surgeon told me abuot my leg pain
and tingling sensation in my lower leg "if
the problem is not addressed you may end
up in a wheelchair". I am not saying that
is your situation, but it is NOT normal,
and it will require the attention of a
qualified spinal doctor.
I am not a doctor, however, you DO NEED to
have an MRI, and x-rays so that the doctor
can better understand what may be causing
the pain.
Danni, I shudder when pain meds are
mentioned, especially morphine. It and
others are very addictive. AND they only
cover up the pain, they do NOTHING to take
care of the cause of the pain. DO let
your doctor know that the pain killers are
not working.
I am very glad that you are now in the
care of doctors who DO CARE about you.
That is a VERY postive sign.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. May
you have a restful sleep tonight.
- Got to
smile, crying doesn't help