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.

Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 7, 2018
In reply to @knowles "Hi All, heard some wonderful ideas. Most of them I’ve tried, a few I haven’t, and..." + (show)
@knowles

Hi All, heard some wonderful ideas. Most of them I’ve tried, a few I haven’t, and will put on my list to check them out. My problem is, nothing last. A few things have worked extremely well the first time I’ve used them, up to 9 hours of relief on one product, however, the second time: back to the 4 hour time window. I have to be sure I medicate/treat my pain at the first inkling or it gets out of hand really quick and I’m sure we’ve all been there. One thing I’ve notice is that no one has mentioned ESSENTIAL OILS (EO). I’ve had a lot of success using EO, all natural with no side effects. I suggest an App ‘Reference Guide for Essential Oils’ cost $6.99, if you are interested; to educate yourself b4 you start to buy. EO’s can get expensive, but don’t have to if you are educated on which ones work for pain. Even Lavender will work for muscular pain. Thank you for all the ideas. One thing; Acupuncture worked great for me in the beginning. My Acupuncturist took me as far as he could in about 18 months - 2 years and cleared up a host of physical problems and pain I was having. We just could not clear the pain in my lower left leg, ankle, and upper left buttock along the panty line. Not for more than the day I saw him anyway. Once the pain was relieved for 2 days! I was estactic! Worked great for depression. Unblocked all of that. Wish all of you the greatest of success in finding that one thing that cures your pain. Don’t forget to pray, it works!

Jump to this post

Here are some articles from Mayo Clinic experts regarding the evidence and use of essential oils for pain management, sleep problems and more.
- https://mayocl.in/2HfC46T
Excerpt: "As many people look for natural (and safe) remedies for trouble sleeping, chronic pain and more, essential oils such as lavender, jasmine, ginger and spearmint are surging in popularity. It's true that the research is limited. But some small studies do suggest that aromatherapy can be beneficial. And when it comes down to it, how you feel may be the most important thing: Many people report that essential oils help them feel better by easing nausea, soothing sore muscles or promoting relaxation after a stressful day."

Experts Say Essential Oils Can Pose Dangerous Health Risks: Here's how to stay safe. https://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/wellness/a54451/dangers-of-essential-oils/

What essentials oils have you tried, @knowles?

REPLY
lioness | @lioness | Apr 7, 2018
In reply to @knowles "Hi All, heard some wonderful ideas. Most of them I’ve tried, a few I haven’t, and..." + (show)
@knowles

Hi All, heard some wonderful ideas. Most of them I’ve tried, a few I haven’t, and will put on my list to check them out. My problem is, nothing last. A few things have worked extremely well the first time I’ve used them, up to 9 hours of relief on one product, however, the second time: back to the 4 hour time window. I have to be sure I medicate/treat my pain at the first inkling or it gets out of hand really quick and I’m sure we’ve all been there. One thing I’ve notice is that no one has mentioned ESSENTIAL OILS (EO). I’ve had a lot of success using EO, all natural with no side effects. I suggest an App ‘Reference Guide for Essential Oils’ cost $6.99, if you are interested; to educate yourself b4 you start to buy. EO’s can get expensive, but don’t have to if you are educated on which ones work for pain. Even Lavender will work for muscular pain. Thank you for all the ideas. One thing; Acupuncture worked great for me in the beginning. My Acupuncturist took me as far as he could in about 18 months - 2 years and cleared up a host of physical problems and pain I was having. We just could not clear the pain in my lower left leg, ankle, and upper left buttock along the panty line. Not for more than the day I saw him anyway. Once the pain was relieved for 2 days! I was estactic! Worked great for depression. Unblocked all of that. Wish all of you the greatest of success in finding that one thing that cures your pain. Don’t forget to pray, it works!

Jump to this post

Knowles I have used peppermint for pain and yes it does work The pain in your leg it sounds like sciatica which I've had and a chiropractor is the only one who helped

REPLY
Parus | @parus | Apr 7, 2018
In reply to @knowles "Hi All, heard some wonderful ideas. Most of them I’ve tried, a few I haven’t, and..." + (show)
@knowles

Hi All, heard some wonderful ideas. Most of them I’ve tried, a few I haven’t, and will put on my list to check them out. My problem is, nothing last. A few things have worked extremely well the first time I’ve used them, up to 9 hours of relief on one product, however, the second time: back to the 4 hour time window. I have to be sure I medicate/treat my pain at the first inkling or it gets out of hand really quick and I’m sure we’ve all been there. One thing I’ve notice is that no one has mentioned ESSENTIAL OILS (EO). I’ve had a lot of success using EO, all natural with no side effects. I suggest an App ‘Reference Guide for Essential Oils’ cost $6.99, if you are interested; to educate yourself b4 you start to buy. EO’s can get expensive, but don’t have to if you are educated on which ones work for pain. Even Lavender will work for muscular pain. Thank you for all the ideas. One thing; Acupuncture worked great for me in the beginning. My Acupuncturist took me as far as he could in about 18 months - 2 years and cleared up a host of physical problems and pain I was having. We just could not clear the pain in my lower left leg, ankle, and upper left buttock along the panty line. Not for more than the day I saw him anyway. Once the pain was relieved for 2 days! I was estactic! Worked great for depression. Unblocked all of that. Wish all of you the greatest of success in finding that one thing that cures your pain. Don’t forget to pray, it works!

Jump to this post

@knowles As to EO's I do use them and have been for a long time. I likely have mentioned them here at Connect. There are some other members that do use them. My favorite is a blend of lavender and hops. I gave up on meds due to rare/severe side effects or allergic reactions.
What is causing your pain?

REPLY
grandmaR | @grandmar | Apr 9, 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

Yes, I have but it did not help. I'm thinking that I have so many areas that need help that I can't get the coverage I need.

REPLY
grandmaR | @grandmar | Apr 9, 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

Hi!
Epsom Salts have been around for ever. I guess there is a reason, it works. I'm going to have to try it! I assume the instructions for use is on the package. Or, does anyone have other suggestions?
Thanks
Ronnie

REPLY
lioness | @lioness | Apr 9, 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 put 1/2 cup in sink ,for tub 2cups maybe depending on how much water you want in.

REPLY
lioness | @lioness | Apr 9, 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

Yes tried about all except accupunctur going for epidural May 1st can't wait

REPLY
knowles | @knowles | Apr 10, 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

Hi. I tried the epidural too , 4 x. I was so excited to finally have some relief. Well, it didn’t work. Then, they told me that sometimes it would take 2 and to come back. So I did, 3x more, and still no relief, so I decided to give that up. They are very expensive where I lived, over 5K each. I have insurance, but still had a copay. Hope it goes well with You!!

REPLY
grandmaR | @grandmar | Apr 10, 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

Good Morning,
So sorry the epidurals did not work for you!
I've had 5 pain docs over the years. 3 of the docs were not able to help me for more than a few days to a couple of weeks. When I say 'help', I mean reduced pain, NOT pain gone.
When I lived in NJ, I went for the spine stimulator trial. Right after the trial, we moved to FL. I asked the rep from the stimulator company if she would tell me of a doctor who uses the stimulator in my new home town. I went to the doctor who said he felt I was not ready for one, yet. So, he tried to do the epidurals (no success).
In my frustration, I looked for pain doc 3. I researched and researched until I found my latest and greatest how I have been using for about 3 years.
In my consult, the pain doc ordered x-rays and MRIs of my cervical and lumbar spines. At that point, I wasn't having any cervical issues but he want to see the entire picture. With that, he was able to pinpoint what looked like the worst area.
Having that information in hand, the pain doc had a starting point. He uses a flourescope when giving the injections. He takes shots to know where he has been. During the follow up 3 weeks later, we discuss my relief (or not) so that he knows where to go the next time.
Over the last 3 years, he has been successful in giving me 6 to 10 weeks of relief in my lumbar.
Sadly, we have not had the same success with the cervical injections. With the lact of success, I decided to have surgery in my cervical spine.
As for my lumbar, except for the last 2 injections, I was in great shape. I thought the failure of my shot from the last time because of my poor choices of activities. Had my last shot last week. My left side feel quite a bit better but not the right side. I am beginning to think that there is more than one issue.
Today I see my 6 week post op check up. We will discuss, among other things, possibly surgery on my lumbar.

So you see, sometimes it is just finding the right pain doc. Each doc I saw approached the way the shots were given, differently.

Best of luck for a pain free day!!!
Ronnie

REPLY
Sam65 | @sam65 | Apr 18, 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?

Jump to this post

Hello Chris. It's nice to hear you are having success with medical marijuana for your small fiber neuropathy. I have this condition in both feet in the areas of numerous past surgeries and now complicated by effects of diabetes. I have tried many different medications and treatments for the constant burning pain, but the only thing that works for me are opiods. Naturally, I am looking for an alternative and fortunately medical marijuana is now legal in PA; although, the supply is limited at this point. Tinctures, vap pens, and pills are all legal, but the "whole leaf" product is not.
I am hoping you could share some specifics of what type products you have found success with and whether they are mainly THC, or CBD, or a hybrid of both. What side effects have you found? How long do you get relief for after you use the product?
Thanks for any information you can share,
Steve

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.