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Suggestions please—lower back pain interrupting sleep
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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@flyjim I’ve been using cannabis for a while and have found that CBN along with THC helps me for for sleep more than just CBD and THC. I try to use a higher CBN than THC to cut down on dry throat and mouth.
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3 ReactionsYes, I actually use CBN as a kind of appetizer before the gummy, tincture and capsule. As I said previously, this is not an exact science.
Everyone’s dosage and how they decide which way to take it is different. I myself took a very long time, over a year to tweak it to where I’m 100% satisfied.
Hi again. What is CBN?
It is a “sleepy” cannabinoid.
It’s a product of THC degradation. It is not psychoactive as THC.
It has potential pain relieving, anti inflammatory, and sleep enhancing properties.
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2 ReactionsHi msjv. Here are some ideas:
1) The pain from your hip may be altering your gait, adding pressure to your back. So the hip replacement should/could help the back.
2) I'd also add shoe inserts/arch supports as these can help the back, sometimes significantly.
3) 5% lidocaine patches are available through an Rx. Insurance doesn't always cover these but if declined, you can appeal to describe your circumstances. I don't know how they work on the back. I use them for my shoulder. 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
4) Strengthen your core muscles. I'd look this up. My lumbar spine has almost everything wrong with it. I've avoided surgery by keeping my core muscles strong. You could even hire a trainer at the local gym, or have your Dr prescribe PT for this, or both.
Hope this is helpful. All the best.
Joe
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2 ReactionsWhat sometimes works for me is sleeping on a memory foam lumbar support cushion. It felt strange at first, but it has helped my back spasms at times. I have multiple issues and so it doesn't always help, but might be worth a try. It's kind of thin, but is a little thicker in the middle (like with a hump in the middle of it) and you lay it under your back while sleeping. What it does is help cradle the sway in your low back. Turning over is an entirely different issue, but IF you can lay on your back at all, you might want to try one. It's made specifically for sleeping on, and when I bought mine years ago, it was just called a "Lumbar Pillow for Sleeping."
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1 Reaction@msvjv
Have you ever been prescribed Cymbalta/duloxetine or gabapentin/Lyrica/Tramadol for your pain?
Have you had recent MRIs of your lumbar spine to check for compressed nerve roots/nerves or spinal cord?
@msvjv
Have you worked with a pain management center and have you had spinal injections? Do they know the levels/locations of your arthritis and exact sources of your pain?
Yes on all of the meds. Had X-rays of the spine and an MRI for another reason both showing moderate degenerative disease of lower lumbar.
No access to pain management. No spinal injections. Only diagnosis is moderate degenerative changes caused by arthritis.