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Alternatives for pain management

Posted by grandmaR @grandmar, Mar 31, 2018

Hello!
I was wondering if anyone tried cryo therapy or medical marijuana for pain management. If you did, how did they/it work?
Thanks
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Mar 31, 2018

Hi, @grandmar -- sounds like you are in a lot of pain, and I'm sorry to hear that.

We definitely have some members who have tried some alternatives for pain management -- cryotherapy, medical marijuana or other remedies. I'd like to invite some of them to come talk about how they worked, like @jimhd @cdcc @paladin121 @rmeddings @leh09 @allisonsnow @lauren123 @marield65 @virtuous69 @ayankeeinnm @jenapower. @sandytoes14 may also have some thoughts for you.

@grandmar -- have you tried any alternative pain therapies? If so, how did they go for you?

REPLY
10 replies
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Mar 31, 2018

Right now, the pain that I'm dealing with is peripheral neuropathy pain in my feet. I tried without success every medication for neuropathy pain, as well as a number of other meds not specifically for neuropathy. I was happy if all they did was nothing. So many of them had side effects from minor to serious enough to be hospitalized. I had a spinal cord stimulator implant in June of last year and the pain was greatly reduced, but not eliminated. Over the past few months, I believe that the neuropathy is progressing, and along with that the pain. I take morphine sulfate contin, which is the only thing that has ever helped, along with Meloxicam and NSAIDS.

I've tried marijuana, which is legal here in Oregon, but it didn't help with the pain, and is too expensive. I have prescription lidocaine cream that I put on my feet to numb the pain. That gives me short term relief. Capzasin cream is said to help with nerve pain, but it didn't help me. My sister is sending me a spray that she has found very effective for pain control. I tend to be quite skeptical about anything that purports to be a miracle cure. But I'm willing to give things a try.

I'm looking forward to seeing what others have to say in this discussion.

Jim

REPLY
14 replies
lioness | @lioness | Mar 31, 2018
In reply to @jimhd "Right now, the pain that I'm dealing with is peripheral neuropathy pain in my feet. I..." + (show)
@jimhd

Right now, the pain that I'm dealing with is peripheral neuropathy pain in my feet. I tried without success every medication for neuropathy pain, as well as a number of other meds not specifically for neuropathy. I was happy if all they did was nothing. So many of them had side effects from minor to serious enough to be hospitalized. I had a spinal cord stimulator implant in June of last year and the pain was greatly reduced, but not eliminated. Over the past few months, I believe that the neuropathy is progressing, and along with that the pain. I take morphine sulfate contin, which is the only thing that has ever helped, along with Meloxicam and NSAIDS.

I've tried marijuana, which is legal here in Oregon, but it didn't help with the pain, and is too expensive. I have prescription lidocaine cream that I put on my feet to numb the pain. That gives me short term relief. Capzasin cream is said to help with nerve pain, but it didn't help me. My sister is sending me a spray that she has found very effective for pain control. I tend to be quite skeptical about anything that purports to be a miracle cure. But I'm willing to give things a try.

I'm looking forward to seeing what others have to say in this discussion.

Jim

Jump to this post

Hi Jim I use alot of Arnica Gel or cream I've tried all kinds of OTC rubs and found this the best.But still at times nothing helps.Besides this Hot shower gives some relief. Arnica ☕ but it works for me but I got scolded so just saying what helps me

REPLY
1 reply
Jen, Alumna Mentor | @sandytoes14 | Mar 31, 2018

@grandmar I haven't tried cryotherapy or medical marijuana. What I found worked for me was accupuncture and controlled breathing. When my pain gets unbearable or a wave/spasm of pain comes over me,I focus on an object and take deep slow breaths. You may want to check out a post in Just Want toTalk. What Distracts you from the pain.
Here is the link https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-distracts-you-from-the-pain/?utm_campaign=search

REPLY
7 replies
jenapower | @jenapower | Mar 31, 2018

Hi all,
I have definitely try a lot of non-medication treatments. I do think a hot soaking bath with epson salt’s helps, and ice packs help. Physical therapy/massage helps and some chiropractic helps (especially when either uses ultrasound). My TENs machine is one of my favorite things to use it at home. I also get it a lot of relief from the lidocaine patches. I have a prescription for them but, they are available over the counter there just much more expensive. I also have what they call Theracane. It’s a short plastic cane that has a hook on the end With round little balls. You can use it to get to your back muscles and use acupressure to release the spasms.

I don’t get a lot of help from medical marijuana ointment/pills, agree it’s very expensive. On the medical side of things, I would be miserable without Norco, Neurontin/Gabapentin, muscle relaxants, and every three months and epidural.

That’s about the end my bag of tricks. I hope it helps some.
Jennifer

REPLY
7 replies
jenapower | @jenapower | Mar 31, 2018

I would really like to hear more about the spinal cord stimulator. The pain I have is due to previously broken shoulder, multiple surgeries, and damage in my cervical and thoracic spine. I know the nerves are involved because my hands and part of my arms keep going to tingling/Pain/go to sleep. It gets better after an epidural and then after time comes back again. I have asked doctors about the stimulator, but I never really get a “sure we can do that” answer. I’m not sure if that’s because my issues come from more than one location, or if for some reason it wouldn’t be effective for me. Love to hear what anybody has to say about these. Thanks, Jennifer

REPLY
5 replies
lioness | @lioness | Mar 31, 2018
In reply to @jenapower "Hi all, I have definitely try a lot of non-medication treatments. I do think a hot..." + (show)
@jenapower

Hi all,
I have definitely try a lot of non-medication treatments. I do think a hot soaking bath with epson salt’s helps, and ice packs help. Physical therapy/massage helps and some chiropractic helps (especially when either uses ultrasound). My TENs machine is one of my favorite things to use it at home. I also get it a lot of relief from the lidocaine patches. I have a prescription for them but, they are available over the counter there just much more expensive. I also have what they call Theracane. It’s a short plastic cane that has a hook on the end With round little balls. You can use it to get to your back muscles and use acupressure to release the spasms.

I don’t get a lot of help from medical marijuana ointment/pills, agree it’s very expensive. On the medical side of things, I would be miserable without Norco, Neurontin/Gabapentin, muscle relaxants, and every three months and epidural.

That’s about the end my bag of tricks. I hope it helps some.
Jennifer

Jump to this post

I do the same things You do for pain After walking alot today just took a hot shower with Dr.Teals Epsom Salt body wash love it as I can't get out of tub ,don't want to shower ,as I told Parus I mix E.S.in sink of hot water ,washcloth soak then app!y to muscles leave till cloth cools ,this lets it soak in.Someone mentioned vinegar do same way I've used both.In my warm p.j,s wrapped up in cozy blanket.haha

REPLY
renarikiw | @renarikiw | Mar 31, 2018
In reply to @jimhd "Right now, the pain that I'm dealing with is peripheral neuropathy pain in my feet. I..." + (show)
@jimhd

Right now, the pain that I'm dealing with is peripheral neuropathy pain in my feet. I tried without success every medication for neuropathy pain, as well as a number of other meds not specifically for neuropathy. I was happy if all they did was nothing. So many of them had side effects from minor to serious enough to be hospitalized. I had a spinal cord stimulator implant in June of last year and the pain was greatly reduced, but not eliminated. Over the past few months, I believe that the neuropathy is progressing, and along with that the pain. I take morphine sulfate contin, which is the only thing that has ever helped, along with Meloxicam and NSAIDS.

I've tried marijuana, which is legal here in Oregon, but it didn't help with the pain, and is too expensive. I have prescription lidocaine cream that I put on my feet to numb the pain. That gives me short term relief. Capzasin cream is said to help with nerve pain, but it didn't help me. My sister is sending me a spray that she has found very effective for pain control. I tend to be quite skeptical about anything that purports to be a miracle cure. But I'm willing to give things a try.

I'm looking forward to seeing what others have to say in this discussion.

Jim

Jump to this post

Have you tried a tens unit?
REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Mar 31, 2018
In reply to @jimhd "Right now, the pain that I'm dealing with is peripheral neuropathy pain in my feet. I..." + (show)
@jimhd

Right now, the pain that I'm dealing with is peripheral neuropathy pain in my feet. I tried without success every medication for neuropathy pain, as well as a number of other meds not specifically for neuropathy. I was happy if all they did was nothing. So many of them had side effects from minor to serious enough to be hospitalized. I had a spinal cord stimulator implant in June of last year and the pain was greatly reduced, but not eliminated. Over the past few months, I believe that the neuropathy is progressing, and along with that the pain. I take morphine sulfate contin, which is the only thing that has ever helped, along with Meloxicam and NSAIDS.

I've tried marijuana, which is legal here in Oregon, but it didn't help with the pain, and is too expensive. I have prescription lidocaine cream that I put on my feet to numb the pain. That gives me short term relief. Capzasin cream is said to help with nerve pain, but it didn't help me. My sister is sending me a spray that she has found very effective for pain control. I tend to be quite skeptical about anything that purports to be a miracle cure. But I'm willing to give things a try.

I'm looking forward to seeing what others have to say in this discussion.

Jim

Jump to this post

I think I have some arnica cream that I tried once. I don't remember how it worked, but I'll see if I can find it and try it out.

Jim

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Mar 31, 2018
In reply to @jenapower "I would really like to hear more about the spinal cord stimulator. The pain I have..." + (show)
@jenapower

I would really like to hear more about the spinal cord stimulator. The pain I have is due to previously broken shoulder, multiple surgeries, and damage in my cervical and thoracic spine. I know the nerves are involved because my hands and part of my arms keep going to tingling/Pain/go to sleep. It gets better after an epidural and then after time comes back again. I have asked doctors about the stimulator, but I never really get a “sure we can do that” answer. I’m not sure if that’s because my issues come from more than one location, or if for some reason it wouldn’t be effective for me. Love to hear what anybody has to say about these. Thanks, Jennifer

Jump to this post

@jenapower

I haven't figured out how to include a link to a discussion, but there's one in the chronic pain group about spinal cord stimulators. I think it would be pretty easy to find it by scrolling through the discussions.

I had a spinal cord stimulator implant in June of last year and it reduced my pain significantly. Unfortunately, neuropathy is progressive and the pain progresses with it.

Jim

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