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What can I take for chronic lower back pain?
I’m 78 years old. I’ve had pain in L4 & L5 for years. Epidurals worked for 4-5 years & then didn’t. I had the Boston Scientific SCS for over a year & it didn’t help at all, so it was removed in 2024. I’ve now got A-Fib, had the Watchman implant in 2024, so I’m off blood thinners. I’ve been told to take Aleve only occasionally b/c of a-fib. Tylenol gives me diarrhea (sorry) & don’t know what to take. I’m going to PT (have mild CP), have a personal trainer at the gym & use a NuStep at home. Does anyone have suggestions on OTC meds that would help? I really don’t want to take strong pain meds. Thanks!
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@sueinmn
Sciatica pain started from lower left back strain. My recurring pain is behind my left thigh, in center toward left side. I going to try lidocaine patch. Any suggestion re where to place it? Thx
@abob Not a doctor, but here is my method - I use my thumb to find the most tender spot (it can differ from day to day) and place it over that. Remember the patches are meant to be removed after 12-16 hours and not reapplied until the next l day (24 hours) from the previous application.
When I am miserable, I often apply Voltaren topical gel after removing the Lidocaine patch.
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1 Reaction@jchet The essence is removing excess curvature of the spine which causes nerve pinching pains.
LDN is being studied as off label options for treatment of some pain issues. It might be worth discussing with your doctor. Not all of them are open to it, but my rheumatologist suggested it when I had to taper off prednisone for PMR and start kevzara.
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1 ReactionWhen I was diagnosed with L4-L5 severe stenosis, my neurologist prescribed Gabapentin and after a couple adjustments it seems to help manage my pain so far. 🤞
PT, and injections didn’t work for me.
@abob If you do use a lidocaine patch, do not put a heating pad over it!
I've been where you are for 25 plus years and am now 81. Grade 1 Subluxation at L4-5 and L5-S1. I have managed chronic pain both on my own and through a pain doctor when I took Tramadol in the past. For lumbar pain, I take the Rapid 500 mg Tylenol that I get either at Costco or Target. Six a day is the maximum I take. I understand you have issues with them. Perhaps its the time of day you take it? Or the food that you are eating. Maybe take more fiber or fiber gummies regularly. I can't take any NSAIDs anymore because of four years of Celebrex. Aleve would be the same issue for me as any aspirin. Tylenol is not and my tests of liver and kidney are perfect. Sooooo. maybe the eating suggestion above?
Good Luck and
I hope this helps.
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2 ReactionsThanks so much for your info! I’ll be trying Tylenol again.
I tried Voltaren in pill form. Soon after I had major gastro episodes and had to run to the bathroom. I'm planning on reducing the dosage to eliminate the diarrhea side effects. Has any one else had these gastro side effects and what did you do?
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1 Reaction@bhill53752 Years ago I tried Voltaren by mouth with the same results. Over the years, we have tried nearly every NSAID and I had to stop them all for one reason or another. Eventually I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and now use Arava. I supplement with Voltaren gel, Tylenol and a CBD/THC cream as needed.
What kind of pain are you trying to overcome?
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