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Same ol' same ol' and a question???
HighnLoLita posted:
Hello PM friends. It has been awhile since I posted on here so, I just wanted to pop in and give an update and would love some sudjestions. I have chronic pain and my daily routine is trying to minimize my pain from the time I wake and throughout each night. I use a tens unit, hot and cold packs, voltaren jell, Norco, celebrex, lyrica, a muscle relaxer at bedtime and pain shots. All these things help but, for a limited time. I am having my third shot in my neck next week. My neck has bulging disc, degeneration, artheritis, narrowing of the spine, and bone spurs etc... In my research it says that after 6 months of treatment, another option might be surgery, neurostimulator, or procedures to have medicine pumps for the spine. None of my dr's are giving me such options and I have been in treatment for over a year. What kind of Dr might I go to for such options? And what is your opinion of any of the options I am considering? I hope everyone is having a lovely day...
26 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Same ol' same ol' and a question???Hello PM friends. It has been awhile since I posted on here so, I just wanted to pop in and give an update and would love some sudjestions. I have chronic pain and my daily routine is trying to minimize my pain from the time I wake and throughout each night. I use a tens unit, hot and cold packs, voltaren jell, Norco, celebrex, lyrica, a muscle relaxer at bedtime and pain shots. All these things help but, for a limited time. I am having my third shot in my neck next week. My neck has bulging disc, degeneration, artheritis, narrowing of the spine, and bone spurs etc... In my research it says that after 6 months of treatment, another option might be surgery, neurostimulator, or procedures to have medicine pumps for the spine. None of my dr's are giving me such options and I have been in treatment for over a year. What kind of Dr might I go to for such options? And what is your opinion of any of the options I am considering? I hope everyone is having a lovely day...
annette030 responded:
What exactly is in the "shots" you get in your neck for your pain?
If the injections aren't working, I would have stopped getting them long ago. How long do you think they help you for? How much relief do you get, 50%, 80% etc.? How often do you get these injections?
I personally would not have any invasive procedures done, including surgery, or implanted pain control devices.
Take care, Annette
If the injections aren't working, I would have stopped getting them long ago. How long do you think they help you for? How much relief do you get, 50%, 80% etc.? How often do you get these injections?
I personally would not have any invasive procedures done, including surgery, or implanted pain control devices.
Take care, Annette
Report This| Share this:Same ol' same ol' and a question???What exactly is in the "shots" you get in your neck for your pain?<br /><br />If the injections aren't working, I would have stopped getting them long ago. How long do you think they help you for? How much relief do you get, 50%, 80% etc.? How often do you get these injections? <br /><br />I personally would not have any invasive procedures done, including surgery, or implanted pain control devices.<br /><br />Take care, Annette
Chronic1008 responded:
I see a neurosurgeon for my lumbar problems. He oversees what my pain dr does as well. This would be my suggestion to you. Take only the med's that are having a positive result. This may take a while to figure out but I'm a big believer that you shouldn't be putting anything in your body IF it is not having a good result. I would question using a muscle relaxer long term. It is my understanding that muscle relaxers lose their effectiveness when taken for a prolonged period. I would also start a journal to record basic information. Write date, time, what medicine you take or shot you get and measure your pain score immediately after, then in one hour, four hours or when your pain starts to escalate again. I have had pain for years and I periodically change my med's around. After 7 years of shots, surgeries and procedures become a blur. Keeping decent notes will show you and your pain dr what has worked, for how long and what doesnt work. When it comes to surgery this is a big decision. Make sure you fully understand what is being recomended
Report This| Share this:Same ol' same ol' and a question???I see a neurosurgeon for my lumbar problems. He oversees what my pain dr does as well. This would be my suggestion to you. Take only the med's that are having a positive result. This may take a while to figure out but I'm a big believer that you shouldn't be putting anything in your body IF it is not having a good result. I would question using a muscle relaxer long term. It is my understanding that muscle relaxers lose their effectiveness when taken for a prolonged period. I would also start a journal to record basic information. Write date, time, what medicine you take or shot you get and measure your pain score immediately after, then in one hour, four hours or when your pain starts to escalate again. I have had pain for years and I periodically change my med's around. After 7 years of shots, surgeries and procedures become a blur. Keeping decent notes will show you and your pain dr what has worked, for how long and what doesnt work. When it comes to surgery this is a big decision. Make sure you fully understand what is being recomended
Chronic1008 replied to Chronic1008's response:
Sorry I hit submit accidentally- (from previous paragraph) recommended. Bring someone with you to your appointments and I always prepare questions to ask prior to my appointment. Write them down because if you're like me, you can start to lose focus with all the medical terminology in regard to surgery. With that said, make sure your dr can explain to you in street language. I pretend that I need to explain the surgery to my young children after dr discusses it with me. This helps me prepare questions. I always bring my wife on appointments that explain a surgery or procedure. Make sure you research whatever surgery is being recommended. Ask your surgeon for their results of successful surgeries of the same type. Don't be afraid to ask your dr anything. A college professor once told me "the worst question is the one not asked". Good luck and I hoped I helped
Report This| Share this:Same ol' same ol' and a question???Sorry I hit submit accidentally- (from previous paragraph) recommended. Bring someone with you to your appointments and I always prepare questions to ask prior to my appointment. Write them down because if you're like me, you can start to lose focus with all the medical terminology in regard to surgery. With that said, make sure your dr can explain to you in street language. I pretend that I need to explain the surgery to my young children after dr discusses it with me. This helps me prepare questions. I always bring my wife on appointments that explain a surgery or procedure. Make sure you research whatever surgery is being recommended. Ask your surgeon for their results of successful surgeries of the same type. Don't be afraid to ask your dr anything. A college professor once told me "the worst question is the one not asked". Good luck and I hoped I helped
HighnLoLita replied to annette030's response:
Hey annette. Thanks for your input. The shots are cortizone and they actually do help for a month give or take. The different meds are for different things related to my case and do seem to give some relief. I have a pretty good Team now and I am doing way better than I was a year ago 
Thanks for your opinion on the procedure thing too...Can you give your reason for why you personally would not have any invasive procedures? My mom had surgery many years ago and it help her alot. But everyone is situation is different so I'm interested to know...
Nice to see you again and have a nice day...Lita
Thanks for your opinion on the procedure thing too...Can you give your reason for why you personally would not have any invasive procedures? My mom had surgery many years ago and it help her alot. But everyone is situation is different so I'm interested to know...
Nice to see you again and have a nice day...Lita
Report This| Share this:Same ol' same ol' and a question???Hey annette. Thanks for your input. The shots are cortizone and they actually do help for a month give or take. The different meds are for different things related to my case and do seem to give some relief. I have a pretty good Team now and I am doing way better than I was a year ago <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0"> <br /> <br />Thanks for your opinion on the procedure thing too...Can you give your reason for why you personally would not have any invasive procedures? My mom had surgery many years ago and it help her alot. But everyone is situation is different so I'm interested to know...<br /> <br />Nice to see you again and have a nice day...Lita
HighnLoLita replied to Chronic1008's response:
Hiya Chronic, thanks for your opinion. My dr just reffered me to a neurosurgeon yesterday that is why I am asking for opinions. Regarding my medication, Each medication I take is because it does help, it took me a year to get here with the right combo of medications. The oxycontin took all my pain away for like 8 hours but, they will not give that to me. I actually was one of the ones who took other ppls medications before I got any treatment but, now I only take what I am prescribed, that was over a year ago. As far as the muscle relaxers, thanks for your input, I will ask my pm about that.
Oh an yes, I do have a pain journal that I write in almost every day and it has really helpful for me and my drs. And I actually write a letter to the PM dr. because, I don't want to forget anything. The dr doesn't seem to mind and it helps me for many reasons. Now let me go read the other part to this hehe...Lita
Oh an yes, I do have a pain journal that I write in almost every day and it has really helpful for me and my drs. And I actually write a letter to the PM dr. because, I don't want to forget anything. The dr doesn't seem to mind and it helps me for many reasons. Now let me go read the other part to this hehe...Lita
Report This| Share this:Same ol' same ol' and a question???Hiya Chronic, thanks for your opinion. My dr just reffered me to a neurosurgeon yesterday that is why I am asking for opinions. Regarding my medication, Each medication I take is because it does help, it took me a year to get here with the right combo of medications. The oxycontin took all my pain away for like 8 hours but, they will not give that to me. I actually was one of the ones who took other ppls medications before I got any treatment but, now I only take what I am prescribed, that was over a year ago. As far as the muscle relaxers, thanks for your input, I will ask my pm about that.<br /> <br />Oh an yes, I do have a pain journal that I write in almost every day and it has really helpful for me and my drs. And I actually write a letter to the PM dr. because, I don't want to forget anything. The dr doesn't seem to mind and it helps me for many reasons. Now let me go read the other part to this hehe...Lita
HighnLoLita replied to Chronic1008's response:
Most of the time I bring my other half but, sometimes I get transportation because he can't take me. It is always better to bring him if I can. And yes it is hard to stay focused with all the different things going on if I didn't write him a letter, I forget every thing and I am bipolar so my voice tends to get louder and louder in a dr office type atmosphere and when I get anxious. Cute idea to make sure you understand by pretending to explain it to the children, I can pretend with my grand children.
Great quote and yes I am very thourogh with my questions and I am diligent in researching so no procedure until I totally understand every thing..Thank you so much for you thoughts and opinions.Have a lovely day....Lita
Great quote and yes I am very thourogh with my questions and I am diligent in researching so no procedure until I totally understand every thing..Thank you so much for you thoughts and opinions.Have a lovely day....Lita
Report This| Share this:Same ol' same ol' and a question???Most of the time I bring my other half but, sometimes I get transportation because he can't take me. It is always better to bring him if I can. And yes it is hard to stay focused with all the different things going on if I didn't write him a letter, I forget every thing and I am bipolar so my voice tends to get louder and louder in a dr office type atmosphere and when I get anxious. Cute idea to make sure you understand by pretending to explain it to the children, I can pretend with my grand children. <br /> <br />Great quote and yes I am very thourogh with my questions and I am diligent in researching so no procedure until I totally understand every thing..Thank you so much for you thoughts and opinions.Have a lovely day....Lita
77grace responded:
Hi,
Welcome back!!~It sure sounds like you have alot of different things you utilize for your pain!Is most of your pain in your neck???
What kind of Dr.s do you see now??If you have all these things wrong in your neck maybe you should see an Spine specialist!!Sounds like you know alot about procedures<Have you heard about the one that is like stretghing your spine ,its takes pressure off your disks etc.I will look it up if you want!It is so ypou don't have to have surgery,can't think now whats its called!Do you go to Pain Management?
Let me know ,Blessings,77grace
Welcome back!!~It sure sounds like you have alot of different things you utilize for your pain!Is most of your pain in your neck???
What kind of Dr.s do you see now??If you have all these things wrong in your neck maybe you should see an Spine specialist!!Sounds like you know alot about procedures<Have you heard about the one that is like stretghing your spine ,its takes pressure off your disks etc.I will look it up if you want!It is so ypou don't have to have surgery,can't think now whats its called!Do you go to Pain Management?
Let me know ,Blessings,77grace
Report This| Share this:Same ol' same ol' and a question???Hi,<br />Welcome back!!~It sure sounds like you have alot of different things you utilize for your pain!Is most of your pain in your neck???<br />What kind of Dr.s do you see now??If you have all these things wrong in your neck maybe you should see an Spine specialist!!Sounds like you know alot about procedures<Have you heard about the one that is like stretghing your spine ,its takes pressure off your disks etc.I will look it up if you want!It is so ypou don't have to have surgery,can't think now whats its called!Do you go to Pain Management?<br /> Let me know ,Blessings,77grace
annette030 replied to Chronic1008's response:
Well put.
Take care, Annette
Take care, Annette
annette030 replied to HighnLoLita's response:
I have had one cervical disc surgery, back in 1992, that was for decreased function in my hands. My neurosurgeon said he would do surgery for function, but not for pain at that time. Too dangerous, he said.
I would avoid any more invasive procedures, because now what I have is pain. The oral drugs work fairly well, and the outcomes for surgical procedures for pain including implants of various kinds are not good yet. They can't seem to figure out which patients they might help and which ones to just leave alone.
It has been nearly 20 years since my surgery, and they still can't figure out which patients need which procedures with any kind of certainty.
What is the cost of an injection into your neck? Is it worth one month of "help" with your pain? Only you can decide that one.
Take care, Annette
I would avoid any more invasive procedures, because now what I have is pain. The oral drugs work fairly well, and the outcomes for surgical procedures for pain including implants of various kinds are not good yet. They can't seem to figure out which patients they might help and which ones to just leave alone.
It has been nearly 20 years since my surgery, and they still can't figure out which patients need which procedures with any kind of certainty.
What is the cost of an injection into your neck? Is it worth one month of "help" with your pain? Only you can decide that one.
Take care, Annette
Report This| Share this:Same ol' same ol' and a question???I have had one cervical disc surgery, back in 1992, that was for decreased function in my hands. My neurosurgeon said he would do surgery for function, but not for pain at that time. Too dangerous, he said.<br /><br />I would avoid any more invasive procedures, because now what I have is pain. The oral drugs work fairly well, and the outcomes for surgical procedures for pain including implants of various kinds are not good yet. They can't seem to figure out which patients they might help and which ones to just leave alone.<br /><br />It has been nearly 20 years since my surgery, and they still can't figure out which patients need which procedures with any kind of certainty.<br /><br />What is the cost of an injection into your neck? Is it worth one month of "help" with your pain? Only you can decide that one.<br /><br />Take care, Annette
HighnLoLita replied to annette030's response:
Thanks for clarifying your answer for me. I do have loss of function, numbness, tingling and pain in my hands due to my cervicle problems.My neck's range of motion is very bad as well. My left leg and left foot have those problems as well in fact, I have to walk with a walker and I can't even drive anymore.
I am going to see a nuerosurgon and get his opinion and I will keep what you said in mind. The problem with what you are saying is that I can't see myself like this all my life or worse.
As for the shots, after my insurance I had to pay like 120 per shot but, I have found a PM dr who accepts both of my insurance so I don't pay anything. The problem with this PM dr is that he does not accept new medication patience so my MD still wants me to find a dr who will give me my prescriptions. She has been very good with prescribing the meds until I can figure something out...
Again thank you so much for your opinion and I hope you have a lovely day..Lita
I am going to see a nuerosurgon and get his opinion and I will keep what you said in mind. The problem with what you are saying is that I can't see myself like this all my life or worse.
As for the shots, after my insurance I had to pay like 120 per shot but, I have found a PM dr who accepts both of my insurance so I don't pay anything. The problem with this PM dr is that he does not accept new medication patience so my MD still wants me to find a dr who will give me my prescriptions. She has been very good with prescribing the meds until I can figure something out...
Again thank you so much for your opinion and I hope you have a lovely day..Lita
You always smile but in your eyes your
sorrow shows....William Peter Horn
sorrow shows....William Peter Horn
Report This| Share this:Same ol' same ol' and a question???Thanks for clarifying your answer for me. I do have loss of function, numbness, tingling and pain in my hands due to my cervicle problems.My neck's range of motion is very bad as well. My left leg and left foot have those problems as well in fact, I have to walk with a walker and I can't even drive anymore. <br /> <br />I am going to see a nuerosurgon and get his opinion and I will keep what you said in mind. The problem with what you are saying is that I can't see myself like this all my life or worse.<br /> <br />As for the shots, after my insurance I had to pay like 120 per shot but, I have found a PM dr who accepts both of my insurance so I don't pay anything. The problem with this PM dr is that he does not accept new medication patience so my MD still wants me to find a dr who will give me my prescriptions. She has been very good with prescribing the meds until I can figure something out...<br /> <br />Again thank you so much for your opinion and I hope you have a lovely day..Lita
HighnLoLita replied to 77grace's response:
Yes my neck is the worst but, I do have allot of low back pain. I also walk with a limp because of the pain and weakness from siatica (sp?). In addition to my spine problems I have arthritis, dual carpal tunnel and gout. I thought I was seeing a spine specialist, I think my PM dr is a pain specialist but, I could be wrong. In addition, I have an orthopedic dr and a arthritis dr. I am in the process of making an appt with a neurosurgeon that my family practice dr refered me to...
I don't know anything about procedures that is why I am asking about them hehehe.Yea I think I know what your talkin about..they used to use that in physical therapy and I did benifit from it.
Well thanks for the warm welcome back, and Blessing to you as well ....Lita
I don't know anything about procedures that is why I am asking about them hehehe.Yea I think I know what your talkin about..they used to use that in physical therapy and I did benifit from it.
Well thanks for the warm welcome back, and Blessing to you as well
....LitaYou always smile but in your eyes your
sorrow shows....William Peter Horn
sorrow shows....William Peter Horn
Report This| Share this:Same ol' same ol' and a question???Yes my neck is the worst but, I do have allot of low back pain. I also walk with a limp because of the pain and weakness from siatica (sp?). In addition to my spine problems I have arthritis, dual carpal tunnel and gout. I thought I was seeing a spine specialist, I think my PM dr is a pain specialist but, I could be wrong. In addition, I have an orthopedic dr and a arthritis dr. I am in the process of making an appt with a neurosurgeon that my family practice dr refered me to...<br /> <br />I don't know anything about procedures that is why I am asking about them hehehe.Yea I think I know what your talkin about..they used to use that in physical therapy and I did benifit from it. <br /> <br />Well thanks for the warm welcome back, and Blessing to you as well <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0"> ....Lita
77grace replied to HighnLoLita's response:
I think your talking about Tracktion at Physical therapy,its not that but,I wil look it up for you!Only special Dr.s and Places can do it!
Hang in there dear,Blessings,77grace
Hang in there dear,Blessings,77grace
Report This| Share this:Same ol' same ol' and a question???I think your talking about Tracktion at Physical therapy,its not that but,I wil look it up for you!Only special Dr.s and Places can do it!<br /> Hang in there dear,Blessings,77grace
annette030 replied to HighnLoLita's response:
But, how much is the total for the shots? Everyone thinks they only pay for their co-pays, but the reality is that everyone pays for everything. The insurance companies charge premiums, etc. that are paid either by employers or private citizens, or the taxpayers pay for Medicaid/Medicare. I really think we have to change our outlook on things to understand what the total cost is, whether we actually pay it ourselves or not.
All you mentioned was your pain before, so I didn't understand the big picture.
Take care, Annette
All you mentioned was your pain before, so I didn't understand the big picture.
Take care, Annette
Report This| Share this:Same ol' same ol' and a question???But, how much is the total for the shots? Everyone thinks they only pay for their co-pays, but the reality is that everyone pays for everything. The insurance companies charge premiums, etc. that are paid either by employers or private citizens, or the taxpayers pay for Medicaid/Medicare. I really think we have to change our outlook on things to understand what the total cost is, whether we actually pay it ourselves or not.<br /><br />All you mentioned was your pain before, so I didn't understand the big picture.<br /><br />Take care, Annette
HighnLoLita replied to 77grace's response:
Yea a cervicle traction will help,,I will definately look into that. Thanks....Lita
You always smile but in your eyes your
sorrow shows....William Peter Horn
sorrow shows....William Peter Horn
Report This| Share this:Same ol' same ol' and a question???Yea a cervicle traction will help,,I will definately look into that. Thanks....Lita
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