Help! Alternative pain remedies

K

kristina

Cathlete
Sorry in advance, this is going to be long.
I just got back from a consult with an orthapedic surgeon and it turns out my little old herniated disc my regular doc found on an x-ray was just the beginning. I have had really bad, nagging, every-day lower back pain for about 8 months. I sit all day (yuck) and try to take 10 minutes every 2-3 hours to do yoga for the back. Anyway, been on pain meds too--Ultracet--which works, but I want off them.
So, the MRI shows 2 dessicated (deflated) discs AND they are both herniated (L4- L5) with some tearing. (No bone encroachment or nerve impinging, thank GOD) The doctor says there is nothing to be done but pain management. Both my docs said because I work out so much, therapy won't help me, I'm already doing it. I got a boat load of Ultracet and Vioxx, and advice to do whatever works--Ice, Yoga, heat, etc. etc. etc. (all stuff I do already). Surgery won't help either, so the surgeon said he wouldn't even give me that option. I can work out, but was warned high-impact is going to increase my pain but won't make my condition worse (good thing, considering!) My weight-lifting was seriously curtailed (bummer).
So after I spent a day on my 'pity pot', I decided to "flush" and get on with my life. I'm only 33 and way worse things could have happened, I know...
Here is where I am at present:
*I consulted a trainer I trust who is going to redo all my weight training exercises in light of my condition (I am forbotten to do Body Pump or anthing similiar ever again. Or lunges, squats, military presses, or bent-over anything. Period. *SIGH*)
*I am seeing an Acupuncturist next week. I verified he is licensed in my state as a Doctor of Oriental Medicine. I can't afford more than 1 treatment a month, but if it works for a little while, it's worth it.
*The chiropractor felt good--i mean the adjustment felt good while he did it-- but didn't help with the pain.
*I have some advice to try this supplement, Natural Calm powder magnesium. It's expensive. I'm wondering if anyone else has tried it.

OK- Any suggestions on things I haven't thought of for pain management are VERY VERY welcomed, I don't care how "unconventional" they may be. I do have my Ultracet to fall back on--and Vioxx daily for inflamation. But I really, really want to keep the drugs for a last resort.

Please feel free to e-mail privately at [email protected] if you wish, too.
Thank you for any thoughts you may share. :)
 
Dear Kristina:
You have all my sympathy. I posted a couple weeks ago about having just been through back surgery. Only a couple people joined the thread, so I fear serious back patients may not overlap with serious Cathe fans all that much. I am determined to be both, however. My offending disc was crushing my sciatic nerve, and during the five weeks waiting for my surgery, my foot and leg were gradually dying. I couldn't contract my left calf muscles at all. I still don't have all my feeling back in the left foot. It was terrifying and excruciating.

I, too, have been forbidden from loading my back to weight train. My surgeon suggested Nautilus, but Bowflex was more in my price range, so I'll soon be trying to do Cathe tapes on my Bowflex. LOL.

Impact equals pain, unfortunately. Cycling, swimming, speed-walking, and low-impact stepping were all encouraged by my surgeon. Rowing was discouraged. (Today, I'm excited bacause it's three months out of surgery and I get to try a little impact.)

Before I got really bad, massage therapy and structural integration helped a lot. If your insurance will cover physical therapy, try to find one that has a licensed massage therapist working on site. With referral for physical therapy you should be able to get massage. Ultra-sound may help, too.

I sit a lot, too. Make sure your posture is good and all joints are at right angles (hips, knees, elbows). Your feet should rest easily on the floor with no dangling. Prop them up otherwise.

Vioxx and Celebrex are good. I don't know Ultracet, but I was put on Ativan for spasms (which were constant) and Vicodin for pain. That dynamic duo almost killed me because I wasn't given proper tapering off instructions and quit them too suddenly after my surgery. The withdrawl was hideous. Be very careful and make sure you get lots of information about what your drugs do.

I was told yoga was good except for forward bends. I've been advised to hinge from the hip only, and to do no forward flexion through the spine, standing or seated.

There is a book called "Treat Your Own Back" that you might want to check out. The orthopedic surgeon I had a consult with was pretty positive about it, but by the time I got it, I was past the point of it being of help. If you get relief from lying on your stomach, you might benefit from its techniques. It's by a Dr. MacKenzie (sp?) and is readily available (about $10.00). If lying on your stomach makes you worse, don't bother.

Acupuncture is great. It could help manage your pain a lot. Sometimes acupuncturists charge a high fee for the first consult but then subsequent visits are far less because they know what they're going to do already.

You should give yourself a lot of credit for being off your pity pot already. I haven't quite managed that feat yet, as you can probably tell.

Do as much of your sedentary stuff lying down (reading, talking on the phone, watching TV)as you can. Sitting is the worst. Walking is very underrated as an aerobic activity. A sixty minute walk at a brisk pace will probably burn as many calories and be far less detrimental to joints (not to mention your back) as a jog of the same length. Make sure the mechanics of any heavy lifting you do are perfect. Avoid cantilevered lifting of any significant weight. Use those legs.

Sorry this was so long. I hope it helped. Good luck.

--Ann
 
RE: Thanks

Ann, thanks so much for taking the time. You have given me lots of great input that I will incorporate in my long term plan for health. You had a rougher ride than I, and I am so sorry you are going through this. I wish you a speedy recovery and hope your transition after surgery is as smooth as it possibly can be.

:)
 
RE: Thanks

Hi, Kristina, many years ago the journalist Bill Moyers did a series called Healing and the Mind. In it he featured a man named Jon Kabat-Zinn who works with people to used meditation to deal with chronic pain. It was amazing. I have a copy of Bill's book I would love to send you if you e-mail me your address. Also check out these links. http://www.vsa.cape.com/~luther/jkzinn/author.html http://www.med.stanford.edu/school/Psychiatry/PSTreatLab/moyer.html I ordered some tapes by Jon Kabat-Zinn. His program is remarkable. Good luck!
Bobbi http://www.plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Chick's Rule!
 
Hi Kristina and Ann,

My empathy goes out to the both of you. Having a very bad back myself, I can relate to your pain and frustration. I don't have the severity of your conditions or your limitation of movement, however please know you are not alone in your quest for pain relief and want of a healthy, active lifestyle.


Here's my tale of woe! I have scoliosis (moderate) and have always suffered with back pain and have developed a high tolerance for it. But, in the last five years or so (after 3 children), the pain has become almost overwhelming. I see a chiropractor weekly, just for "maintenance". Every vertebrae in my spine, from neck to tailbone, needs adjustment. My back muscles are so tight, twitchy and "spasmy" that they can't hold the spine in place after a chiropractic treatment.

I see an orthapedic surgeon who can't figure out what's wrong; although he did order a bone density test which revealed osteo-penia (I am only 37). He has NO explanation for my condition. My chiropractor, who is wonderful and truly believes in finding a cause for the problem and to treat IT, rather than the symptoms, is stumped. Most physiotherapists I have seen have never helped; some have even said "We just don't know what to do with you".

Sorry for the long story, and that I don't have many suggestions to offer. You both sound like you have positive attitudes and outlooks, which I always try to keep as well. Good for you for focusing on the workouts you can do, rather than those you can't.

As far as pain relief goes, I find massage to be a fabulous short-term pain reliever. Chiropractic also gives me immense relief, although only for a few hours as it goes "out" so quickly again. I don't want to rely on pain killers and spend alot of quality time with my hot water bottle on my back as I work at the computer. I have recently rented a TNS machine and have been using this throughout the day, and it seems to provide short-term relief as well.

I am always looking for new ideas for pain relief and would be happy to hear any and all as well. Best of luck!

Sandi
 
Hi Kristina,
I feel so bad for you! I don't know what I would do if I had curtail my exercise! I was just wondering if you have ever tried Pilates? I used to have nagging lower back pain (don't think it was a disc though--never went to a doc for a diagnosis because it was not so severe that I could not function). I started doing Pilates and I can say that my back pain is nearly non-existent now. I am not doing the Pilates involving the machines, but rather mat work. I have a video by Living Arts called Pilates--Beginning Mat Work with Ana Caban. It is a fun video and really works on strengthening your core muscles (torso) which is essential to proper posture and alignment. I got my video at Target but you could probably also find it through Collage video (collagevideo.com). You might want to double check with your doctor but he/she may not even know what Pilates entails--most people don't! Hope this helps and good luck with your situation!
 
RE: Hi Beets

You are so right about core strength. As it happens, I have been doing ashtanga-style power Yoga and Kundalini Yoga for about 3 years now as a morning addition to my evening cardio/weight training. Recently I have specifically added Yoga routines designed to relieve back pain that I do during lunch hour at work. (with my door shut and my skirt around my waist :) )
The doc says the reason I am likely so mobile and able to work out normally is exactly because I have great core strength from all the stuff I do. Good thing.
Thanks for the suggestion-- I will look into Pilates and see if it is substantially different from the yoga I have been doing.
 
RE: Hi Beets

Kristina,

If the chiropractor helped you at all, you might try sticking with it for a couple of months of adjustments. You might see better results in your pain management if you have a GOOD chiropractor and you can give it a fair shot.
 
Hi Kristina,
Just wanted to share my thoughts with you.
Due to a car accident 10 years ago, I have back and disc problems as well. I have managed well with a chiropractor during this time. Unfortunately, I am in a job where I do alot of driving and bending over which is making my lower back and my chronic pain worse. I have just started seeing a certified massage therapist and I am blown away at the knowledge he has. I believe he is really going to help me reach new heights of wellness with him. For example, he was going through my ab muscles (and fat too) and massaging my lower back!! I never knew this was even possible, anyways you might want to try massage therapy, make sure they know their stuff.
Also, please post about how the acupuncture is doing for you I am very curious about how it works.

My prayers are with you
HappyTrish
 
RE: Update

I wanted to let you all know I did some research and found this therapy called VAX-D (Vertebral Axial Decompression). It turns out my insurance covers it (unlike chiros and acupuncture) and I am very very excited about it. My first treatment is friday and I will let you know how it goes. If you want to read up on it, check out www.vaxd.com.
Just a note, when I called to see if it is was covered, my insurance company at first said they had never heard of it. But they had me call the doctor, who gave me the CPT codes (99212, 97530), and I called back, and it was covered!
It sounds perfect. If any of you have tried it, pls. let me know.
 
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