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Spinal compression fracture: What helps with the pain?
Spine Health | Last Active: Apr 24, 2020 | Replies (44)Comment receiving replies
Hi
I discovered I had osteoporosis three years ago when I got my first spinal fracture. A lot of money spent to get better. After going through breast cancer last year and having to have radiation I now have two more fractures that appeared six weeks ago in my spine. I'm so angry. My spine health had come up really well doing the bis phosphonate for 3 years.
The pain I am in is excruciating. I am so limited to what I can do and I live alone. If I have three things in the afternoon I need to do that's if for the day. I cannot take the anti inflammatories they cause me to get severe papura. Although the celebrex was helping but it was horrible what it was doing to me with my skin. Can anybody tell me anything that helps with the pain. I am limited to doing tylenol arthritis and a low dose ibuprofen. I am in physio but stretching is all I can do for now. I was wondering about tumoric or genacol
Replies to "Hi I discovered I had osteoporosis three years ago when I got my first spinal fracture...."
@sue417
Sorry to hear of your pain.
What levels of your spine do you have the fractures?
What types of specialists are you working with now?
Are you working with a pain management clinic?
Have you had X-rays only or MRIs to check your nerves/soft tissues in your spine, too?
1. https://www.americanpain.org/how-to-treat-vertebral-fracture-pain-american-pain-institute/
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17498-spinal-fractures
3. https://spineconnection.org/back-pain-conditions/spinal-fractures/
4. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/fractures-of-the-thoracic-and-lumbar-spine/
5. https://www.spineinfo.com/conditions/spinal-fractures-types-causes-symptoms-diagnosis-and-treatments/
I took Forteo for 2 years and then Reclast for 2 years now I'm worse and in alot more pain. I don't recommend these meds at all. I'm going to quit taking them and try natural supplements with herbs and vitamins. I also have had fusions. I now have screws and rods from my S-1 up to my C-2 and I'm in a wheelchair and cannot walk I'm transfered by a lift and the PT won't help me to walk because I have severe osteoporosis 2.4 found on my dexa scan last November. Before I only had it in my spine now in my hips.
If you’re on Medicare, insurance will pay for a Dexa more often as long as you meet certain conditions. Check the Medicare handbook. Your physician just needs to write a letter describing your condition. For example, I had compression fractures L1 & L3 plus I’d been taking medication for osteoporosis and switched medications.
@sue417 You are dealing with a lot with your fractures. My elderly mom went through this because of osteoporosis. It’s best to ask your doctor about supplements. I am a spine surgery patient and was told not to take turmeric because it reduces inflammation and can interfere with bone healing. Inflammation is part of the healing process that starts laying down new bone.
I was diagnosed with osteoporosis this spring after several minor falls resulted in 2 pelvic fractures and 3 vertebral stress fractures. I had a kyphoplasty preformed on my T12 vertebrae last Tuesday. When I tell you this has remarkably changed my life, please believe me. I am no longer bent over like a question mark and the excruciating pain is gone in that part of my back.
I have an appointment next week with my pain management doctor to start the trial for the spinal cord stimulator for my lumbar spine and siatic nerve pain.
If you are having issues with stress fractures, I highly recommend asking your Dr if a kyphoplasty would help you
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So sorry to hear of your pain. My neighbor suffers from the same, and in his late eighties has had terrible pain that nothing could relieve. We (his wife and us) finally convinced him to take his oxycodone prescription, and deal separately with the constipation it causes- which is no small thing.
It helped him considerably.