1. < Chronic Pain

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)

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

lioness | @lioness | Apr 1, 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

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Yes try it again

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grandmaR | @grandmar | Apr 1, 2018
In reply to @sandytoes14 "@grandmar I haven't tried cryotherapy or medical marijuana. What I found worked for me was accupuncture..." + (show)
@sandytoes14

@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

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Good Morning!
Thank you for your input. I've tried acupuncture and that did not work for me. I went weekly for a couple of months and waited for something to happen, but nothing ever did.
My pain doc actually sent me to a therapist to help me deal with my pain. We did diaphragmatic breathing, but I found that works only for the moment. When my pain is constant, I did not find it helpful.
I am so happy for you that those techniques work for you!
I will look into the site you suggested.
Thanks
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

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grandmaR | @grandmar | Apr 1, 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

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Hi Jim,
Regarding your spinal stimulator. Did you have success when you went through the trial? Do 'feel' the jolts?
About 4 years ago, I went through the process for the spinal stimulator. The trial was horrible and I was back at the doc everyday for an adjustment. Not only did it NOT help with the pain, I felt like I was being electrocuted no matter how the stimulator was adjusted. So now, not only was I dealing with my chronic pain, I was dealing with the stimulator discomfort.

Was this a normal feeling???
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

REPLY
grandmaR | @grandmar | Apr 1, 2018
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @grandmar -- sounds like you are in a lot of pain, and I'm sorry to..." + (show)
@lisalucier

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?

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Hello Lisa,
I have been dealing with either cervical or lumbar pain for over 10 years. Now, I am dealing with them both, together.
I've tried the following therapies:
Cervical.....facet injections, radio ablation, epidural, aquatic and land PT. I've been through these multiple times. The epidurals helped years ago, but not now. I just had C5/6 disk replacement and so far, I'd say I have about 80% relief.
Lumbar....facet injections, radio ablation, epidurals, aquatic and land PT (together and separately), acupuncture and cupping, spinal stimulator (trial only).
I've also gone for therapeutic massages and chiropractor, creams and rubs with lidocaine, opioids. None of these help, not even the drugs. Drugs just take the edge off a bit.
My pain doc does not want me to go to the chiropractor because my spine is so messed up he is afraid they might do more damage. I stopped going for the massage because of the pain, I couldn't stand to have anyone touch me.
When I go for my 6 week post - op checkup, I will discuss some other alternative with the neurosurgeon.
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

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lioness | @lioness | Apr 1, 2018
In reply to @sandytoes14 "@grandmar I haven't tried cryotherapy or medical marijuana. What I found worked for me was accupuncture..." + (show)
@sandytoes14

@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

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Thanks for your information I never tried accupunctur heard it below for some not so much I might try it I've gone to chiropractor. before but not anymore When I fractured my back I still went for years ,he used a device ,can't think of the word was fine then moved and new chiropractor during hands now I have a bulging disc In afraid to try again so just use my dreams @heating pad.

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shoregal45 | @shoregal45 | Apr 1, 2018
In reply to @sandytoes14 "@grandmar I haven't tried cryotherapy or medical marijuana. What I found worked for me was accupuncture..." + (show)
@sandytoes14

@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

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I, too, focus and take deep breaths when I'm feeling anxious.

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Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Apr 1, 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

@grandmar

The trial was wonderful! I was in a lot of pain from peripheral neuropathy, in my feet. The stimulator reduced the burning pain in my feet by around 80%. The relief was so nice. I didn't feel any electrical sensations during the trial, and I don't feel anything with the permanent implant. I have the Burst DR stimulator, which is a new technology that treats the pain without vibrations like other simulators do. The only discomfort I experienced was the healing from surgery, which was no big deal. Because I'm thin, I feel the battery pack which is at the left side of my back, when I lie on my left side. Of course, I had the normal restrictions about lifting, bending or twisting after the surgery, which was an outpatient procedure. I know that the pain I feel today would be much worse without the implant.

Jim

REPLY
lioness | @lioness | Apr 1, 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

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So happy you are getting relieve from pain

REPLY
grandmaR | @grandmar | Apr 2, 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

Good Morning Jim,
That is so wonderful. I'm happy the stimulator is helping. Maybe it is time I look into it again. I am sure the technology has improved in the last few years. I am not at all concerned with the surgery or the restrictions. As my pain doc told me, "this is your new way of life." I know I need to adjust and I have my hubby who is reminding me all the time to be more aware of how I move.
Thanks for sharing the info with me!
Have a great day!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

REPLY
Parus | @parus | Apr 2, 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

Typically if something sounds too good to be true...hmmmmm

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