Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

I'm a 75 year old male with many years of chronic back pain with no relief. I recently had a medial facet block but it yielded no positive results. I'm now waiting for a repeat procedure.

Hi Justin, Yes, this is the therapy I was talking about. This article about Scrambler is the most comprehensive I have seen. It is a good one! Lori

I have a neurological disorder that prevents adequate blood flow. I haven’t been diagnosed with osteoporosis yet but probably will at some point. My hands look different in xrays. I still hurt but vitamin D helps a lot.

I have used D for several months. It only took a few doses before I noticed a difference.

Hello @peterh. You mentioned chronic back pain and a facet block. Here are a few discussions in the Spine Health (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/spine-health/) group:

Spine Health > Chronic Back Pain > https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronic-pain-for-years/
Spine Health > Radiofrequency ablation for upper/mid back pain > https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/radiofrequency-ablation-for-uppermid-back-pain/
Spine Health > Facet ablation > https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/facet-ablation/

Hello:
I am Vradi. Nice to meet you all.

I have a Poly-Radiculo-Neuropathy. A condition that give me crisis of acute pain since my coxis to my lumbar, dorsal, cervical spine connecting with my head, face teeth, shoulders, chest, ribs, arms, and hands. I have pain all the time. Doctors prescribed first Gabapentine and then Carbamazepine. I cannot be setting for much time, or resting in bed, or stay on foot. I cannot sustain a heavy book in my hands because of the pain. To sleep is very painful.

To write using hands is almost imposible. Tendons around wrist get hard the muscles next to elbow contracts. The fingers get hard too and I have troubles to close the hands. And if when pain started getting stronger I keep writting longer then the pain tooks my shoulders, cervical and omoplates, making my hole arms not usables. I am searching another treatment for this neurological pain. It cannot contain Opium derivates, cause I am allergic.

A new study shows I also have a bifida spine and it seams I have a reumatological condition. I have thyroid cysts and suprarrnal (kidney glands) disorder named Low cortisol syndrome-no Addison.

I was an Early Music student. I was learning to play Early Harps.
I will thank your advices

@vradifegari I would encourage you to see a functional medicine specialist.

Has your thyroid condition been evaluated? The thyroid is so important because it regulates everything in the body. If your thyroid doesn't make enough hormones, other systems don't work well either and regaining health will be difficult and that includes making cortisol to help your body deal with stress. If your thyroid isn't doing it's job, you will not feel well. I see a doctor like this who prescribes desiccated pig thyroid because my thyroid function is low. There are synthetic thyroid medicines too, but some patients cannot convert the components in them to what they need. It's complicated. If you started with this part of basic metabolism, you might be able to improve in other areas.

For pain, I would look at our discussion on myofascial release since you are describing very tight muscles. Soaking in baths with epsom salts may help because you will absorb magnesium through your skin which helps in detoxing, and magnesium helps muscles relax. Most of us are magnesium deficient. vitamin D3 is important. It's not really a vitamin, it's a steroid that is used by the body to make other hormones. It has to be optimized and balanced against Vitamin K2 to prevent accumulating calcium deposits in your arteries. These are all things that my functional medicine specialist evaluates. The body stores waste products in tissues, and this may be contributing to your muscle pain. Figure out what you are allergic too. It can be foods or medicines. Food allergies can cause pain. I had that experience and I have to avoid gluten and lots of foods. The goal is to reduce inflammation and eat healthy foods to reduce inflammation and avoid the unhealthy foods that increase it.

One of the problems that can come with a diagnosis, is you stop looking for ways to improve and accept that it won't get any better. If you start on a journey of prevention and then figure out each piece of the puzzle, you might be able to improve your health and recover and lessen or eliminate using pain medicines. Patients do have a lot of power over their own health in the choices they make, and I would encourage you to look for ways to improve. Take this challenge as a starting point of your journey instead of a limitation on your life. Music helps healing and if you can't play now because of pain, listen to music that you love. You can find hope and healing.

You can look for a functional medicine specialist at this link. https://aaemonline.org/find.php
Myofascial Release https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thyroid-nodules/symptoms-causes/syc-20355262

@vradifegari

Hi Vradi!
Welcome to our group!
I wish I could give you some advice that can help you, but I am sorry I can't.
I suffered from chronic pain for over a decade.
The pain came from my cervical and lumbar spines.
After years of suffering, I had 2 spinal surgeries over the last 1-1/2 yrs.
I am so thankful that I found a wonderful neurosurgeon who was able to help me!

I pray that you find the help I was able to find.
Wishing you nothing but the best!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

In reply to Jennifer Hunter @jenniferhunter:
Hello. I am Vradi´s mother:
Please, would you detail what are the specific medical tests my daughter had to do for thyroid and suprarrenal glands? How can be detected a subclinical hypothyroidism? We have been told only T3 test can deternate it.

She forgott to mention she also has a cysts in her Pineal gland.
Your message is hopefuly. As her mother I have no more than gratitude to you.
Thank you too Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

Could you please, Jennifer Hunter, sugest me a list of foods causing pain?
My best wishes for all of you friends.