Chronic Back Pain for Years

I knew you would find help HERE!!!

Thanks for everyone's concerns about my back. I'm doing OK with my back and saw my ART practitioner yesterday. I'm feeling better this evening and I see my ART guy again on Monday. I've been in bed all day today. I'll let you know how I'm doing on Monday.

@contentandwell, yes we did move to a new home. It's only a couple of miles from our previous house. It's beautiful and has a very nice swimming pool and jacuzzi, which I hope to be able to use tomorrow or Monday. I hope this is the last time we have to move, until it's to my final resting place. ;-D

Gailb
Volunteer Mentor

@lifetime when you said he was furious, my immediate assumption was because your PCP was not being helpfu. I hope your visit with him will not be as bad as you are anticipating. I wish I could offer advice on what to do but I too am perplexed by this lack of attention to your problems.
JK

@gailb Hi Gail;.....I am so glad you found out about ART also. and found a great one. Over 10 years ago I found a chiropractor also that knows ART. At first she was 10 miles away, then decided to only have ono office close to her home and that turned out to be a 70 mile round trip for me. Then I moved and even though she is nowt about 160 miles round trip I did initially make that trip. But I was fortunate to find one very close to my new home and that is only about 3 miles away. And even though he does things a little different, he does help me. But because of my recent accident with my scooter, I have not been able to get to him. IN addition the scooter took a big chunk out of me leg, and one of the things he does differently is that while he manipulates my back someone else moves my leg. He explained that that moving is the "Active" in the Active Release name of the system. But where they hold me leg is exactly where the scooter took the bite out of my leg, and can't tolerate anything touching that part of my leg. The first Dr. didn't need to move my leg at all! But she was incredible AND he does help me also for which I am grateful. And he does personally know my regular physical therapist! If you don't mind, can you tell me if your ART Dr. moves your leg? Just curious! @ gailfaith

@gailfaith

I'm so happy to hear that ART has been helpful for you as well. Yes, my ART practitioner does move my leg, or arm or other part of my body on which he is working. The only place they haven't asked me to move while working is on my hand and thumb are,which he just worked on last Friday for the first time. If you Google ART, and read about it, you'll find that the movement of your limbs is an important part of the treatment. My chiropractor also uses Laser treatments to warm my muscles before he works on me.

One thing I'm thinking is that you might want to check with your chiropractor to see if he can help you under your circumstances. He may be able to modify his techniques to accommodate your injuries. I'm so sorry that you've had this accident and such a large injury. Please stay in touch and let me know how you're doing.

Gailb
Volunteer Mentor

In response to your earlier reply, I am not taking Lyrica. I take Duloxetine (Cymbalta) for fibromyalgia and pain-not depression. It has somewhat, but there are days (right now at 3:00 am) that the pain is very severe. Due to my kidney transplant, the only thing I can take for pain is Tylenol. Not very effective.

Hi all!!
It's been a bit of time since I wrote.
For those of you who are new to the group, I also have chronic pain.
After years of shots, procedures, etc. I had surgery on my C5/6 spine.
I was getting horrible headaches every day that woke me up.
It seemed the surgery worked (done in late Feb.).
After surgery, I had only 2 mild headaches, then soon none.
At about week 10, I fell twice. Thank you lumbar! (another story)
Within days, my headaches came back, not daily, however.
At week 12, when I went back for my last cervical check-up,
My surgeon could not help but see there was something going on since I was now walking with a cane (advice from my physical therapist).
Now, the headaches are back fast and furious on a daily basis.
I now awake each and every morning (anywhere from 1am - 5am) to a violent headache that only stops when I get up into a sitting position.
It is usually gone within a 1/2 hour of getting up, sometimes sooner.
I am so upset with this!!!!
I see the surgeon a week from tomorrow.
That appointment was suppose to be about the surgery for my L3/4.
Headache or the ability to walk?????????
I was once told that headaches are not an approved reason for cervical spine surgery.
I never pursued it since the headaches were pretty much gone after surgery.
I don't know what is going to happen now?????????????????

Stay tuned for the next episode...……..
To walk, or not to walk, that is the question???????
To have headaches (and sleep) or not to have headaches, that is the 2nd question???????

Wishing you a pain free day,
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

@grandmar

First, I'm so sorry that you are experiencing this pain and suffering after your previous surgery for your cervical spine. Falling is a dangerous thing for all of us as we age, and even more so since your recent successful surgery. At the risk of repeating myself, I would like to suggest that you try ART (Active Release Technique) before you opt for another surgery. I know ART has prevented for over a year my needing major back surgery for my L4. My practitioner has worked on various other debilitating pains in my left shoulder, my TMJ, and my cervical radiculopathy over the past few months. Every time it has worked to relieve the pain. I see him this morning for the second treatment on my lumbar area since I awoke with acute pain and inability to walk last Thursday. I am much better after the first treatment and have been able to walk for limited amounts of time since the Friday treatment.

This is why I would like to see you check out ART treatments before the invasive surgery. Please let me know how you feel about this option. You are facing difficult times right now. I'm glad you have this forum to connect with others who are having chronic pain as well. Your contributions and expressions of support for others here are so important for so many. I hope you find relief for your pain.

Gailb
Volunteer Mentor

@grandmar I'm so sorry you are having all those horrible headaches prayers for you . Do you have a book called Jesus calling by Sarah Young it is a very comforting book daily words .I get daily emails if you want to look at one let me know

Grandmar, I totally understand the headache. In addition, I also fell TWICE. I have used a cane now for about year. I dont tend to use it in the house. BUT, before my last fall I passed out and then fell. (in the kitchen). I hit my head and cut my skin on the left over my left eye. The fall also affected my left eye. I had 20/20 vision prior to the fall. I could not understand why medicare would not pay for Left eye care. Anyway, finally after two months waiting, I was to go to the pain dr. I have cancelled tomorrows appt. My spine dr, does not want me to get the shots at this time. NOT ONLY THAT, the pain dr, wants to give me shots in my hip area. I have no pain in my hip area. Maybe he does it in such a way ....at the medicine goes to my spine. I know my spine dr wants to do something with blocking the pain. I refused back surgery for years. After my fall, I had crushed my 11th Vertibra. I had no choice but to allow them to use ( I believe it is concrete) to fill in area where Vertibra crushed. I would have a hard time walking IF I could if I did not get it done. It worked GREAT>
There is so much to do that we have to go through to get help for our pain. I did get one hint. My spine dr told me to take ONE Tylanol, and TWO Advil and one pain pill. Evidently, it increases the coverage of the pain pill. We are not getting strong enough pain pills. The university drs are held to Tramadol. I have to admit, I feel so much better not taking a heavy duty pill. Taking the Tramadol took a while to get used to. It is a lightweight narcodic.