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Suggestions please—lower back pain interrupting sleep

Posted by msvjv @msvjv, Mar 16 9:38am

I’m hoping for suggestions from fellow sufferers who can’t sleep or keep waking up from lower back pain caused by arthritis. I can’t take nsaids, and Tylenol doesn’t help at all. Tried otc sleep aids that don’t work. Will be having hip replacement soon and doc says that may help with back pain but seems contrary to his diagnosis of arthritis in lower back. Stretching and chiropractic have not helped. I have an adjustable bed frame and use that to change position but that’s not helping any more. I use pillows under or between legs to relieve pressure but that lasts only a minute or two. Just bought some Salon Pas to try on lower back and hoping I’ll get some decent sleep. I wake up at least 6-7 times a night in pain and have a hard time getting back to sleep. Thanks in advance for any suggestions you might have.

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dannyandebbie | @dannyandebbie | 2 days ago
In reply to @msvjv "Hi Danny. Are you saying Debbie was dropped twice?! Once is inexcusable! I’m so sorry for..." + (show)
@msvjv

Hi Danny. Are you saying Debbie was dropped twice?! Once is inexcusable! I’m so sorry for her suffering.

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No! She was only dropped once at Rehab getting ready for a shower. The attending physician failed to write in her orders that she was never to be moved without her mobilizer on because of nerve damage caused during her surgery. Then they lied and said it was an assisted fall and that they called me at home once she was placed back into her bed. This too was a lie because I was there and am the one that lifted her by using just my back and neck because I did not know where I could touch her and not injure her. She placed her arm around my neck, I stood up lifting her high enough so the nurses could swing her into the wheel chair. The orthopedic surgeon wrote in his notes sever times that she had several falls when in reality she only fell once. Although, we did suspect that she was dropped during her initial surgery because she was black and blue from head to toe.

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cat321paco | @cat321paco | 1 day ago
In reply to @heyjoe415 "Hi msvjv, Wow I have many of your symptoms but not the same problems with sleeping...." + (show)
@heyjoe415

Hi msvjv,

Wow I have many of your symptoms but not the same problems with sleeping. It's very hard to think of something you haven't already tried, but here are three:

1. You mentioned you sleep with a pillow between your knees, so you must be a side sleeper. I suggest using two pillows (or one very long pillow) so that your knees and ankles are separated, creating a more neutral position for your spine.

2. Never use heat on your back or any joint. It does feel good but ultimately causes inflammation. Get used to ice, and use it frequently. A large, rectangular gel pad with straps would be good for the lower back.

3. See if you can get an Rx from your Dr for 5% lidocaine patches. These are a bit more powerful than Salonpas and you wear them 12 hours on, 12 hours off. Insurance won't usually cover these for back or joint pain.

That's all I can think of right now. You said you stretch, so make sure you're stretching your lower back, which often gets ignored. You can search for some good lower back stretches online.

All the best to you.

Joe

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Acupuncture?

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flyjim | @flyjim | 15 hours ago

Get your medical marijuana card. Use the Indica strain for sleeping. You most likely will have to experiment on dosage and how you injest it.
Smoking, capsules, gummies, tinctures. When you get it right you’ll sleep like a baby. No after effects in the morning.
All natural, 10 times better than pharmaceuticals.

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