1. < Spine Health

Chronic Back Pain for Years

Posted by jlfisher56 @jlfisher56, May 2, 2017

6 back surgeries (extensive cervical and lumbar fusions) with neurological complications. Left with chronic pain. Accident happened in Nursing career 1992 and worked with first fusions until 1999 (failed fusions). At my age, and as a former nurse educator, I never wanted to had to rely on medication/s for the severe pain. Having thoroughly exhausted exploring sites using non-pharmaceutical methods, using psychological methods, biofeedback, trying to accept my limitations, i.e., I still believe somewhere...out there...is hope. The strong medicine has caused gastroparesis, further complicating my health problems. They are too numerous to write and I will not focus on them. I am looking for "help" and guidance. If I can be of assistance to anyone throughout their trials, (perhaps similar to some of what I have gone through), I will.

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JK | @contentandwell | Jun 28, 2018
In reply to @grandmar "Hi all!! It's been a bit of time since I wrote. For those of you who..." + (show)
@grandmar

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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@grandmar Most of my doctors are in MA and I live in NH and there is no problem with them calling in prescriptions to my drugstore up here, so perhaps it's a state by state thing.
JK

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Jun 28, 2018
In reply to @parus "@gailb I see the pain specialist/neurologist in August. I will ask him about the Tramadol. Out..." + (show)
@parus

@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?

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@parus So pretty! I am a terrible gardener, I hate bugs and of course there are bugs out there, and worms. UGH. Most of my flowers are purchased in the grocery store. Here are some I purchased last week, for only $8!
JK
REPLY
lioness | @lioness | Jun 28, 2018
In reply to @parus "@gailb I see the pain specialist/neurologist in August. I will ask him about the Tramadol. Out..." + (show)
@parus

@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?

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@sandytoes14 I haven't seen him in awhile My niece when they got married was the last time she and her family live in Florida now I get pictures but I'm in California where my son and family are but lived in Pa.love the east coast.,all of it.

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jfsherley | @jfsherley | Jun 28, 2018
In reply to @parus "@gailb I see the pain specialist/neurologist in August. I will ask him about the Tramadol. Out..." + (show)
@parus

@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?

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Thanks I’ll get some

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GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Jun 28, 2018

@jakedduck1

Thanks for your question Leonard. I am giving you my personal opinion here, backed by other anecdotal information from others who use full marijuana with THC. I have tried smoked, vaped, topical, and edibles of marijuana. The topical cream when applied to my previously painful knees and legs really helped relieve most of my pain. However, continuous use would have cost me a ton of money since my pain was over a large part of my body. I decided to try edibles, and they made me so stoned (high) that I had a panic attack. I was told even the small amount I consumed in a one inch square of chocolate was too much for me. Then I tried smoking a couple of hits of marijuana cigarette, and not only did I choke, but again, I was stoned. I also tried vaping the tincture, and had the same result. I have decided that marijuana which naturally contains THC is too strong for me, and I don't like being high. As an older person (69) I need to be in control of my balance and my decision making, which I am not when I'm high.

When others, including my husband and myself use full marijuana, it is an excellent pain killer. That's why it helps people who are undergoing chemotherapy or have cancer pain. That's the important role of the THC in marijuana. It helps with pain, nausea, appetite, and anxiety for those who use it on a regular basis.

I much prefer CBD with mixture with .75 mg CBD and .25 mg THC. I use 2 servings of it sublingually. It reduces my anxiety and pain, without making me high. I know the FDC has approved a formation of CBD for use in 2 types of epilepsy. I'm sure approvals of more uses will be made in the near future. My grandson has Tourettes Syndrome and I have read that CBD research shows it is effective in reducing or eliminating the "tics" associated with Tourettes. No other medications over the years have proven effective for his tics. At 17, he could use the relief the CBD provides. He's been bullied since he was 6 years old due to the Tourettes. However, in spite of this he has grown to be a confident, kind, and courageous young man.

Let me know if this is the kind of information you are looking for. I also recommend watching (streaming, Roku, etc.) CNN's specials titled WEED with Dr. Sanjay Gupta. There are 4 specials so you can watch them by Googling it, or just watch the most recent one, WEED 4 with Dr. Sanjay Gupta. They are excellent and go over the research and results so far. Here is the link to how you can view this video:

cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2018/04/18/a-cnn-special-report-dr-sanjay-gupta-weed-pot-vs-pills/

See if you can also find, Dr. Gupta on " I'm doubling down on marijuana." It's very informative. I hope this information is helpful to you. Let me know.

Gailb
Volunteer Mentor

REPLY
Jen, Alumna Mentor | @sandytoes14 | Jun 28, 2018
In reply to @parus "@gailb I see the pain specialist/neurologist in August. I will ask him about the Tramadol. Out..." + (show)
@parus

@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

@contentandwell I just love the pretty flowers available at many grocery stores. You got a bargain on your bouquet of happiness!

REPLY
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Jun 29, 2018

Thank you Gail and Ronnie, I haven’t watched the info yet but will. I do think it needs to be fully researched but since it’s against federal law I’m against it being leagalized in various states, and can’t fault the ones who use it for leg I understand why people use it. However doctors are far to li

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Jun 29, 2018

Thank you Gail and Ronnie, I haven’t watched the info yet but I will. I do think it needs to be throughly researched but it is anainst federal law which I support and believe it should be against the law in all states. I understand why people use it. However I feel doctors are being far to irresponsible in giving out the card or prescriptions.
There are to many people using it only to get the high and many openly admit it. Marijuana is nothing like it was in the 60’s, the THC is much more potent. Research shows 30 percent of Marijuana users have some degree of addiction. Kids under 18 are 4-7 times more likely to abuse it than are adults. I will never forget the young couple who were going to bath their young son but were smoking Marijuana and their son drowned. Sadly there are to many “accidents” similar to this. Last I heard there were 483 different chemicals identified in marijuana. How safe are they? How much is actually known about them? I heard that marijuana available in Colorado had no THC that was given to children with Epilepsy. My friends say I’m against it, not true at all. I just want to be assured it and all it’s components are safe for human consumption.

REPLY
8 replies
grandmaR | @grandmar | Jun 29, 2018
In reply to @jakedduck1 "Thank you Gail and Ronnie, I haven’t watched the info yet but I will. I do..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

Thank you Gail and Ronnie, I haven’t watched the info yet but I will. I do think it needs to be throughly researched but it is anainst federal law which I support and believe it should be against the law in all states. I understand why people use it. However I feel doctors are being far to irresponsible in giving out the card or prescriptions.
There are to many people using it only to get the high and many openly admit it. Marijuana is nothing like it was in the 60’s, the THC is much more potent. Research shows 30 percent of Marijuana users have some degree of addiction. Kids under 18 are 4-7 times more likely to abuse it than are adults. I will never forget the young couple who were going to bath their young son but were smoking Marijuana and their son drowned. Sadly there are to many “accidents” similar to this. Last I heard there were 483 different chemicals identified in marijuana. How safe are they? How much is actually known about them? I heard that marijuana available in Colorado had no THC that was given to children with Epilepsy. My friends say I’m against it, not true at all. I just want to be assured it and all it’s components are safe for human consumption.

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@jakedduck1
Leonard,
I am a child of the 60s and 70s so I understand your concerns.
I just know that docs are not prescribing pain meds as they once did and people are suffering beyond belief.
I do not take pain meds very often because I fear the addictive side effect.
I was curious as to the impact medical marijuana on pain.
I only know one person who used it and said she did not get any relief.
I do not know what kind she used or how it was taken.
For sure, my biggest concern would be smoking the marijuana.
For some reason I haven't heard about getting lung cancer from it, but I can't believe taking that in wouldn't hurt the lungs.
I seem to be blabbering. Sorry.

Have a pain free day!

Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

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