Chronic Back Pain for Years

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)

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For those in the Chronic pain thread who have Fibromialgia, I have copied a message I received from the EpicGenetics group on how to participate in their study. They did send me the blood test kit and had a phlebotomist come to my home to draw my blood and FED Ex the kit back. It was super easy and cost nothing! Also, their website contains excellent information about the work they are doing and the study they are doing with UCLA, and other partners.

"Give our NEW, Easy Telephone Application your name, phone, and email address, and we’ll call you to complete your application over the phone—at your convenience*. Once completed, we will verify your insurance coverage and connect with your healthcare provider—we can even arrange for your blood sample to be taken. EpicGenetics is committed to real answers that will lead to real treatment options for those who have Fibromyalgia. Application Assist is just another way we’re making things better for the FM Community."

CONTACT:
https://fmtest.com or call: 310-277-4600, 9:30 to 5 pm PDT, M-F.

Jump to this post

For those in the Chronic pain thread who have Fibromialgia, I have copied a message I received from the EpicGenetics group on how to participate in their study. They did send me the blood test kit and had a phlebotomist come to my home to draw my blood and FED Ex the kit back. It was super easy and cost nothing! Also, their website contains excellent information about the work they are doing and the study they are doing with UCLA, and other partners.

"Give our NEW, Easy Telephone Application your name, phone, and email address, and we’ll call you to complete your application over the phone—at your convenience*. Once completed, we will verify your insurance coverage and connect with your healthcare provider—we can even arrange for your blood sample to be taken. EpicGenetics is committed to real answers that will lead to real treatment options for those who have Fibromyalgia. Application Assist is just another way we’re making things better for the FM Community."

CONTACT:
https://fmtest.com or call: 310-277-4600, 9:30 to 5 pm PDT, M-F.

Jump to this post

@gailb I see the pain specialist/neurologist in August. I will ask him about the Tramadol. Out of desperation I had botox injections from DDS because of TMJ. Not FDA approved for TMJ and set me back $1200. Trigger point injections in several areas as the clinching/grinding had my upper back (scoliosis) in a lot of pain. I have a splint and having it built back up has not helped. All docs around are fearful of prescribing anything stronger than OTC's. Hopefully this fear will pass. I don't have a history of substance abuse. The injections in my jaws has helped some. The whole body is connected!!! No relief from the other injections, but it can take 3 to 10 days to notice any change. Sure hope I did not throw that money a way.
Anyone else have experience with botox injections?

Jump to this post

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)

Jump to this post

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)

Jump to this post

@gailb I see the pain specialist/neurologist in August. I will ask him about the Tramadol. Out of desperation I had botox injections from DDS because of TMJ. Not FDA approved for TMJ and set me back $1200. Trigger point injections in several areas as the clinching/grinding had my upper back (scoliosis) in a lot of pain. I have a splint and having it built back up has not helped. All docs around are fearful of prescribing anything stronger than OTC's. Hopefully this fear will pass. I don't have a history of substance abuse. The injections in my jaws has helped some. The whole body is connected!!! No relief from the other injections, but it can take 3 to 10 days to notice any change. Sure hope I did not throw that money a way.
Anyone else have experience with botox injections?

Jump to this post

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)

Jump to this post

@gailb I see the pain specialist/neurologist in August. I will ask him about the Tramadol. Out of desperation I had botox injections from DDS because of TMJ. Not FDA approved for TMJ and set me back $1200. Trigger point injections in several areas as the clinching/grinding had my upper back (scoliosis) in a lot of pain. I have a splint and having it built back up has not helped. All docs around are fearful of prescribing anything stronger than OTC's. Hopefully this fear will pass. I don't have a history of substance abuse. The injections in my jaws has helped some. The whole body is connected!!! No relief from the other injections, but it can take 3 to 10 days to notice any change. Sure hope I did not throw that money a way.
Anyone else have experience with botox injections?

Jump to this post