Alternatives for pain management

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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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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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

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

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

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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@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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@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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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

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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