Back Pain Community

Hi Bradcrowne - welcome to the support group -

Many of us here suffer from chronic spine issues. Believe me when I say that all of us have tried all treatment options to help reduce our pains.

As for me, I have gone thru all injections both before and after my surgery along with other treatment plans. Thus far, none have worked. Everyone is different and react differently to treatments.

You didn't post much so am wondering if you have a story you would like to share with us? We are a support group helping each other with our stories, what has helped us and what hasn't helped etc.

Let us hear from you~~

bradcrowne you do not say how or what treatments you have had that works. Could you tell us a little about yourself?

Joy you hit the nail on the head. I think a handful of us here together could actually make up a demographic so extreme that it could only be gleaned out of clinic study. Of course it makes since in an Asimov way. This is a back pain community, those that find relief go on with there lives. Those that define the very nature of chronic pain stay here looking for commonality and comfort from the few people that can understand the debilitating effects of extreme core body chronic pain. I've had knee surgeries, hernia surgery, wisdom teeth pulled crashed motorcycles and God knows what else. Spine pain is like no other. I met an ex police officer that had been shot and stabbed in the line of duty. Later he blew out his back and had multiple discs fused. He told me how horrific the back pain was and couldn't believe it made the gunshot wound pale in comparison. That's not to say that a class III sprained ankle or torn ACL is not painful, they are. The gate control theory dictates that the brain will only recognize the single pain that is posing the greatest threat to your life, additionally, pain is subjective and as you said, everyone is different. this holds true with sensation and pharmacology. Some are good at coping with very significant spine injuries and some take their lives over a comparatively minor back injury. The coping and sensation changes with each day, stress, environmental influence and of course the physical abuse we endure.. This is why I harp on the mental aspect. As I said earlier, pain is where the body (somatic) meets the mind (psychosomatic.) Those of us long term members have learned pure survival. The love of life as we grasp as a memory of that life we once enjoyed...now we try to share our knowledge with those that have found themselves in a bad dark place with a long torturous road ahead of them. Other than here I only know one person that truly understands spine pain.

Sorry for the long reply

Tim

Hello Tim,
Obviously your state of chronic pain has not negatively affected your mind for your articulation of this problem shared in this community could not be said with any more eloquence.

In addition to daily water aerobics, stretching & walking, all as tolerated, I have found behavioral therapy to be helpful in coping with my pain. I do not see a therapist but instead rely on discipline & training my mind towards more positive thoughts. Reading on this subject has very much helped as well.

This community is one of my best forms of therapy. I don't miss a day of checking in.

Your reply was not too long. Feel free to share your thoughts at any time.

Thank you,
georgia

The brain is the key. I did see a pain therapist and I've read tons books to educate myself. It's a hell of an education, but it doesn't pay the bills. I've trying to work for 12 years now and while the work was enjoyable as a mark of success, I just don't think I can continue. It's just too much, I can't keep up and there's nothing left of me when I get home. I stayed home today as I have Dr.s appt. I slept until 10:00 just exhausted. The pain and fatigue do take their toll. I'm happy for my ability to survive, but I am sad that I cannot provide like I used to for my wife and kids. Like any dad, my dream was to be their foundation. Turns it is they who saved my life. During a bad reaction to fentanyl I felt psychotic! I looked in their rooms knowing I had to get through a dark time to live for them. I went in to ER and they got me through it. That's why I'm against fentanyl. It may work for some, but not me. I later read about the high suicide rates and class action lawsuits.

Well I'm going to my pain doc and I'm going to ask got a couple weeks off to see if life is any better.

Tim

This title does bring up an interesting topic: what have you found that is effective? Do you know that much of the effect from the subdermal injections is simalar to acupuncture. Sometimes they'll throw in some analgesic and muscle relaxer, but double blind tests show that saline solution is often as effective. It is the stimulation of the tissues coupled with the placebo effect. Placebo doesn't mean it's fake, it's what sets our expectations and often preditermines the treatment result. Pharmaceuticals have spent millions studying what colors to make pills. This is why it is so important to believe in yourself, your doctor and your treatment. If you doubt your doctor it is less likely you will heal. Do you know that even animals have placebo effect...it's more than cognitive reasoning.

A quick scan on this board will net tesults discussing epidurals, trigger point injections, RF ablation, chiropractic, massage, heat, cold, TENS, deep breathing, meditation, PRP (plasma rich platelette injection) and myriads of fusion techniques even disc replacement. Personally I also feel that you can't treat chronic pain without some serious talk with a pain management trained psychologist or psychiatrist. All of the above (except disc replacement)modalities I have had performed on myself. I've also read about cough syrup and actually cutting through the spinal cord (CNS). This was done on patients already paralyzed and suffering phantom limb pain. It was hugely unsuccessful and caused more harm then good. Sorry to go on and I'm sure there are tons of typos as I'm doing this from the tiny screen of my phone, but this is one ( or many) of my favorite subjects.