I'd second that call to keep asking your doctor. If your pain is not controlled despite his best efforts (and I'm sure he has tried) explain you havent lost faith in his abilities, you'd like a specialists opinion. Refusal to allow someone access to services shouldn't be happening.
Pain control-suggestions
- Thread starter w00dsmoke
- Start date
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Pregabalin is an 'exotic' drug and I suspect most GPs would not prescribe it themselves except on the advice of a pain clinic consultant. Some GPs would feel the same way about gabapentin though I often prescribe it myself if I am fairly sure the pain is neuropathic. I've previously worked in both a pain clinic and a hospice though and many GPs won't have.
I'm sure the best thing is to talk this through with your GP. Contact me by PM if necessary.
I'm sure the best thing is to talk this through with your GP. Contact me by PM if necessary.
Hi there, does anyone out there know anything about chronic pain control? I've had a frame in my spine since Dec 95 and I'm lucky to walk (and canoe and hammock etc...), it's all catching up now and soon I may have to give up my work as the pain is that bad. I'm not looking for sympathy folks, just honest straight advice.
I've been on Dyhydrocodeine 50mg-for years but gave them up x 8 daily
Amytryptaline neuropathic blocker-doc took me off them as long term they are no good.
For the last 12 years co-codamol 30/500 x 8 daily but they are not near strong enough to deal with the pain
I tried tramadol but was violently ill with them.
I use daily a heat pad (microwavable)
TENS machine
Has anyone got any suggestions for non oppiate based pain control- apart from a trip to my local vets?
I've tried all the homeopathic stuff-pain too chronic for any of that!
Any sound advice appreciated folks.
WS
i have just been diognosed with hyper mobility, basiclly all my joints over extend and so rub together to much and cause constant pain, ive tried everthing and so far the only drug that helps in Naproxin, you have to get it from the doctor, but it is good, also make sure you have a daily dose of cod liver oil, you can buy capsules of it.
good luck, keep smiling
lindsay
w00dsmoke you already tried a lot. It is a pity that acupuncture didn't worked for you. I am of the opinion that this could have been a good alternative treatment. If I suffer from back pain I actually always take muscle relaxants. There is a good online shop for Cyclobenzaprine where I can order this medication. I don't know if this is a possibility for you.
I wish you all the best.
I wish you all the best.
xylaria
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
I have had hip disease since my teens. Generally between ages 16 and 30 what would happen was one of joints just not move for three days, then as i got over thirty the pain became more chronic daily clicking. I started to need to walk with stick, and I ended up on arthrotec (diclofanic with anti tummy rot stuff).
A year ago my cat delveloped renal failure. The only thing he would eat was raw poultry meat. This left me loads of bones which I stewed up. Ok oesteo-arthritis is a very varible condition, with good days and bad days, but within six weeks of eating proper chicken and turkey stock twice a week I stopped taking my tablets regulary and in last year I have needed a stick only about three times. Stock is really rich in chrondritin and glycosamine and other very easly absorbed nutreints. There was medical trails done on it as treatment for arthritis but they go back to the 1920's. It is far cheaper than the tablets from the healthfood shop. Even though I swear by it I understand it might not do any good to someone else but it won't do any harm either.
A year ago my cat delveloped renal failure. The only thing he would eat was raw poultry meat. This left me loads of bones which I stewed up. Ok oesteo-arthritis is a very varible condition, with good days and bad days, but within six weeks of eating proper chicken and turkey stock twice a week I stopped taking my tablets regulary and in last year I have needed a stick only about three times. Stock is really rich in chrondritin and glycosamine and other very easly absorbed nutreints. There was medical trails done on it as treatment for arthritis but they go back to the 1920's. It is far cheaper than the tablets from the healthfood shop. Even though I swear by it I understand it might not do any good to someone else but it won't do any harm either.
As for diclofenac-it gave me stomach ulcerations...
Ah Diclofenac - Yep gave me an ulcer too....
Change your doctor
I had stomach pains (equivalent to gallstones / and kidney stones put together... I sh*t you not) get this......morphine made it worse, ah those joyous ambulance rides of exquisite pain..
Dr arranged for my gall bladder to be removed.....still had the pain.....
8 years later....yep had the pain every couple of months for eight years......came across another specialist at a different hospital, told him my symptoms and within 30 seconds suggested what it was, he was right....
My point, Dr's and specialists are human, they follow patterns with regards to advice and treatments.
You need to find another medical specialist with a different pattern.
If was mentioned briefly on the thread but I would seriously consider hypnotherapy, my partner and I had it to stop smoking, we did, immediately, nearly a year ago.
If it is powerful enough to do that, perhaps it will contribute to the pain management....you never know.
I'm sorry I can't offer any advice - only my sincerest sympathy, and hope that you can get it sorted.
Jim
Jim
I used to take Diclofenac for my arthritis but the doctor took me off it due to being asthmatic (not my doctor, me) and now I have cocodamol and the gel stuff (Ibuprofen), must say my stomach has improved a helluva lot but the tablets I'm on now are not worth a carrot.
The last two weeks the top of my left arm feels as tho' it's broke, feels like arthur to me, I've an appointment temorra, if she recommends something good I'll let yer know.
The last two weeks the top of my left arm feels as tho' it's broke, feels like arthur to me, I've an appointment temorra, if she recommends something good I'll let yer know.
Woodsmoke, I don't have a frame in my back - so I have really no idea if any of the following would help you.
I have 4 lumbar verterbrae with depressed disks which caused me considerable pain in the past. But things are better now. Here are my rules for me - not for anyone else.
Only use painkillers if the pain is acute or you are immobilised. I realised that the back pain when it was not acute, was teaching me things - pain meant wrong, no/less pain meant right. At the beginning I was just taking painkillers to make me feel comfortable - but, of course, I didn't know when I was doing something bad.
Keep moving. Doctors on a programme I saw said that there is no "right" chair - the problem is people sitting still for long periods, one should get up and move periodically. Equally, walking is good.
The idea behind this is that the spine will find the right place when there is gentle movement, but being still means all the pressure is on the same place and until you start moving the spine can't readjust.
You have a frame, and I don't know what that means, but I am wondering whether that should be re-adjusted from time to time? Sorry if that remark is dumb - I am ignorant about this sort of thing.
What really helped me was related to movement - I have a high bar, from which I can hang and stretch myself. Surprisingly I found that press ups helped my back pain (immediately) - naturally this means good form press-ups (straight back etc.).
When I got the first bad attack, I was in hospital - I couldn't sit or stand or lie, but a doctor gave me quick acupuncture and the "knife in spine" just became an ache. Then I had physiotherapy and my first meeting with a hammock. A hammock was a real relief when I had an attack at home - a string hammock so that you don't slip and slide. You can then manoevre yourself with your legs up high and the weight on your upper back, relieving the lumbar - and you should gently wiggle your a hips a bit - to give the spine the movement it needs as mentioned above.
I now use a hammock a lot - I'm sitting in one now.
I also do weight training to strengthen my back - but always keeping to strictly good technique - if I don't, my back gives me a gentle "wrong" warning
I realise that having a frame in the back is not the same as slipped disks - but maybe there was something in what I do that you find useful.
One other thing - pain is soul destroying and tiring - I find meditation good - it calms the innerself and gives one an inner resilience. It won't take the pain away but will allow a certain detachment from it.
I have 4 lumbar verterbrae with depressed disks which caused me considerable pain in the past. But things are better now. Here are my rules for me - not for anyone else.
Only use painkillers if the pain is acute or you are immobilised. I realised that the back pain when it was not acute, was teaching me things - pain meant wrong, no/less pain meant right. At the beginning I was just taking painkillers to make me feel comfortable - but, of course, I didn't know when I was doing something bad.
Keep moving. Doctors on a programme I saw said that there is no "right" chair - the problem is people sitting still for long periods, one should get up and move periodically. Equally, walking is good.
The idea behind this is that the spine will find the right place when there is gentle movement, but being still means all the pressure is on the same place and until you start moving the spine can't readjust.
You have a frame, and I don't know what that means, but I am wondering whether that should be re-adjusted from time to time? Sorry if that remark is dumb - I am ignorant about this sort of thing.
What really helped me was related to movement - I have a high bar, from which I can hang and stretch myself. Surprisingly I found that press ups helped my back pain (immediately) - naturally this means good form press-ups (straight back etc.).
When I got the first bad attack, I was in hospital - I couldn't sit or stand or lie, but a doctor gave me quick acupuncture and the "knife in spine" just became an ache. Then I had physiotherapy and my first meeting with a hammock. A hammock was a real relief when I had an attack at home - a string hammock so that you don't slip and slide. You can then manoevre yourself with your legs up high and the weight on your upper back, relieving the lumbar - and you should gently wiggle your a hips a bit - to give the spine the movement it needs as mentioned above.
I now use a hammock a lot - I'm sitting in one now.
I also do weight training to strengthen my back - but always keeping to strictly good technique - if I don't, my back gives me a gentle "wrong" warning
I realise that having a frame in the back is not the same as slipped disks - but maybe there was something in what I do that you find useful.
One other thing - pain is soul destroying and tiring - I find meditation good - it calms the innerself and gives one an inner resilience. It won't take the pain away but will allow a certain detachment from it.
BY the sound of it you have tried everything I could suggest, If you lived near me I would suggest a visit to a certain person. Call her a psychic healer or a chi master or what ever you want but she would be able to get rid of it in a day, but it would still come back in time.
How about learning meditation? As is above suggested.
The mind is a powerfull tool when it comes to healing, by concentrating the mind on healing the pain you may in a few months be able to get around a lot more easily.
I wish you luck.
How about learning meditation? As is above suggested.
The mind is a powerfull tool when it comes to healing, by concentrating the mind on healing the pain you may in a few months be able to get around a lot more easily.
I wish you luck.
E
ESLRaven
Guest
Hi- I know you asked about non-opiate based pain relief but I just had one thought not mentioned already (I liked the gabapentin/pregabalin suggestion) about opiates.
You clearly suffered from side effects from the opiates previously prescribed but I wondered if you'd ever had any patches? These still release opiates to effective concentrations in the blood but circumvent a number of side effects - often the adverse effects profile is improved vs oral preparations.
I'm thinking specifically of buprenorphine (Transtec) and fentanyl (Durogesic DTrans) which are both commonly prescribed for chronic pain.
Also I realise you have been prescribed NSAIDs before with problematic side effects but there may be options open still by using either a PPI such as lansoprazole concurrently to protect the stomach or a combination product like Arthrotec (diclofenac plus misoprotostol) which also reduces gastro-intestinal problems.
Hope that helps.
You clearly suffered from side effects from the opiates previously prescribed but I wondered if you'd ever had any patches? These still release opiates to effective concentrations in the blood but circumvent a number of side effects - often the adverse effects profile is improved vs oral preparations.
I'm thinking specifically of buprenorphine (Transtec) and fentanyl (Durogesic DTrans) which are both commonly prescribed for chronic pain.
Also I realise you have been prescribed NSAIDs before with problematic side effects but there may be options open still by using either a PPI such as lansoprazole concurrently to protect the stomach or a combination product like Arthrotec (diclofenac plus misoprotostol) which also reduces gastro-intestinal problems.
Hope that helps.
Wow! I've just read the thread from start to finish and I am really in awe and taken aback by all the responses and advice and general wisdom from everyone out there in bushcraft land. For that I say thank you. It's remarkable really. :You_Rock_
Well it's about time I put an update The pain increased until finmally it was so bad I lost my job in the spring, thankfully I was offered voluntary redundancy rather that lose my job through incapability. The crunch came when several specialist occupational health specialists suggested that I was a liability at work with a possibility of severe spianl damage if I continued. (in addition to what I already have) So I made it my ultimate motivation to get well while I had all this free time. I've lost a couple of stone which helped a little. Eventually I begged my doctor to refer me to a pain clinic, he refused and referred me to a gatekeepr orthopaedic physio who may refer me but still on the waiting list. I asked for stronger painkillers and was given codydramol 10/500 x 8 but they were rubbish, so now on the 30/500 with the gabapentin and the pain is slightly less uncomfortable than it was , enougth o make me sleep more than 1 and half hours at a time which is a considerable relief at night.
The increased pain control has enabled me to walk in less pain than before so some days I can walk 6 miles and some not even half a mile, although one day I did 16 and it set me back for a few weeks where I couldn't even leave the house The bottom line is that I can walk and as long as I'm able to on most days I'm happy, but pain is a considerable limitation on anyones quality of life and I guess nobody ever gets used to it. Learning to live with it is difficult especially trying not to let that grind wear you into the ground.
There's lots of suggestions here and I will explore some of these further, so thanks very much, it's a pleasure to read about your experiences and your suggestions, thankyou.:You_Rock_
WS
Well it's about time I put an update The pain increased until finmally it was so bad I lost my job in the spring, thankfully I was offered voluntary redundancy rather that lose my job through incapability. The crunch came when several specialist occupational health specialists suggested that I was a liability at work with a possibility of severe spianl damage if I continued. (in addition to what I already have) So I made it my ultimate motivation to get well while I had all this free time. I've lost a couple of stone which helped a little. Eventually I begged my doctor to refer me to a pain clinic, he refused and referred me to a gatekeepr orthopaedic physio who may refer me but still on the waiting list. I asked for stronger painkillers and was given codydramol 10/500 x 8 but they were
rubbish, so now on the 30/500 with the gabapentin and the pain is slightly less uncomfortable than it was , enougth o make me sleep more than 1 and half hours at a time which is a considerable relief at night.The increased pain control has enabled me to walk in less pain than before so some days I can walk 6 miles and some not even half a mile, although one day I did 16 and it set me back for a few weeks where I couldn't even leave the house
The bottom line is that I can walk and as long as I'm able to on most days I'm happy, but pain is a considerable limitation on anyones quality of life and I guess nobody ever gets used to it. Learning to live with it is difficult especially trying not to let that grind wear you into the ground. There's lots of suggestions here and I will explore some of these further, so thanks very much, it's a pleasure to read about your experiences and your suggestions, thankyou.:You_Rock_
WS
Personally I am sorry to hear your not fairing all that much better, and the fact that I can offer little real help, my only experience is through a friend of mine who says medicine (inflatable) balls, tai chi, and meditation have helped him. He's just started punch bag work too to help with his upper back...Helping but a little but some none the less.
I am not medically qualified in anyway, but looking at his exrays I can imagine the pain is quite similar.
Anyway, I hope your going to get some peace of mind sooner rather than later.
I am not medically qualified in anyway, but looking at his exrays I can imagine the pain is quite similar.
Anyway, I hope your going to get some peace of mind sooner rather than later.
