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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kpickowitz | @kpickowitz | Nov 18, 2021
In reply to @mommacat2 "Hi Stephen ..I’m new to this support group. I was Rx’d Gabapentin about a year ago..." + (show)
@mommacat2

Hi Stephen ..I’m new to this support group. I was Rx’d Gabapentin about a year ago for nerve damage caused by surgery I had in Dec 2019 (insertion of a titanium rod in my badly broken tibia) . It may help a little (300 mg 3x day) but don’t think my leg has recovered much. Also tried the Lyrica for a short time, but didn’t think it was very effective (I don’t want to be on high doses of anything!). The Gabapentin does nothing for the tailbone area pain (as I have a few Tarlov cysts at S2 ... the only thing that helps take the edge off (though not always) is Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen... and ice packs. Life is forever altered by all of this ...geez, isn’t Covid enough?? 😫

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Similar here. Hydrocodone is the only thing I e found after exhausting other options s that has taken the edge off the pain of failed back surgery. I'm tired of having to fight for the only thing that really worked

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basslakebabe19 | @basslakebabe19 | Nov 19, 2021

I was supposed to have back surgery decades ago, but I decided to use alternative methods such as acupuncture, massage therapy, occasional chiropractic care, but most important was doing daily stretches to the piriformis muscles every morning . No back surgery needed!

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migizii | @migizii | Nov 20, 2021
In reply to @basslakebabe19 "I was supposed to have back surgery decades ago, but I decided to use alternative methods..." + (show)
@basslakebabe19

I was supposed to have back surgery decades ago, but I decided to use alternative methods such as acupuncture, massage therapy, occasional chiropractic care, but most important was doing daily stretches to the piriformis muscles every morning . No back surgery needed!

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In reply to @basslakebabe19….I have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease of the spine, along with arthritis in many areas. I have been doing physical therapy, pool therapy, acupuncture, myofascial massage, and daily exercise/stretching. Thus far, it is holding off medical interventions. We are doing a lot of work, but seeing benefits😊 for now

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1 reply
basslakebabe19 | @basslakebabe19 | Nov 21, 2021
In reply to @migizii "In reply to @basslakebabe19….I have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease of the spine, along with..." + (show)
@migizii

In reply to @basslakebabe19….I have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease of the spine, along with arthritis in many areas. I have been doing physical therapy, pool therapy, acupuncture, myofascial massage, and daily exercise/stretching. Thus far, it is holding off medical interventions. We are doing a lot of work, but seeing benefits😊 for now

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Good for you! I wish more people wouldn’t rush into surgery so quickly for back surgery.

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