What works for you for pain relief?
 

Hello everyone
I've been reading posts here for awhile. I want to first explain my situation.

I have over 10 things "wrong with me", though not all of them are as serious as other. Here is my list of what I have been diagnosed with: polyneuropathy (small and large fiber), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) degenerative disc disease, disc desiccation, arthritis, PCOS, allergies, migraines, and other medical problems and challenges, including only one good kidney.

I am obviously not asking for medical advice as I would from a doctor. I'm not wondering about medications.. but rather other homeopathic type treatments that you have found to work for your pain.

I am on the Fentanyl patch, which helps a bit with my neuropathy. However, my back pain is not being helped at all.

I used to get relief from a heating pad on my back--that is the only thing that I have ever found that helps.

Now, because I am on the patch, I am unable to use the heating pad.

I cannot stand to use ice on my back.

I also am bedridden and am unable to move around much.

So I'm wondering what other things have helped those of you with back pain. I do as much stretching/exercising as I can from bed.

Heat and ice are both out, and my TENS unit doesn't help me anymore.

Does anyone else have any ideas that may help reduce the pain?

Thanks! :)

Some possible alternative care ideas that you might want to look in to.

I don't know if you have explored any of these yet or not.. and I can't say positively if they will help any of your conditions or not.

Magnets/ near/far infrared/ low level laser
Hypnosis/meditation/EFT -types
acupuncture /acupressure
traction? for the spine?


What is the most bothersome- the back pain?

I hope you have a good quality mattress and plenty of pillows to help support and change positions when spending much time in bed.

Pete Egoscue {lib books & website} has some simple positions that might help - http://www.egoscue.com/ his site isn't loading right now but here's another with some inf-
http://www.shareguide.com/Egoscue.html

Can't use magnets when you get the SCS...

But using them now might really show improvement.
They can stop overfiring nerves, however.

Thank you both for your replies.

Can you tell me what type of magnets you are talking about--I have never heard of using magnets for pain relief. I can look it up, if you can just give me a hint on what to search for.. magnets and pain relief? I will try that I guess until/unless I hear from someone on that. I don't see how magnets can affect pain, but I suppose anything is possible... That's why I wrote this--so many people have all these neat tricks and things that help them!

Accupuncture isn't an option right now because I don't have money and my insurance doesn't cover it... but I have thought of it before. I may be able to try it in the future if I can get some income.

I do have a good mattress, so that is helpful. I imagine that my pain would be magnified a lot more if I was sleeping on the mattress in my mom's room--it hurts my back a lot... especially being in bed the majority of the day.

I am not sure what you mean, Jomar, by "hypnosis/meditation/EFT" and "traction? for the spine?"

I do know waht hypnosis and meditation are, but have no idea if it is something that someone can do without the help of another person. When I am feeling a bit better, I will do some research and see what I can find out.

I will also come back to this thread and look at the website with the positions on it. It does help to change positions, but my feet/legs don't tolerate much. The majority of the day I have to be flat on my back with a pillow under my feet/part of my legs. I can't lay on my side or my stomach and can't sit up in bed. I think that would help a lot, but my body just can't seem to handle it for very long. I do sit up when I eat meals usually, so I can tolerate a little bit--but not much.

Thanks again for your replies. I will do some more research later.. I appreciate your help! :)

Please read this thread carefully and consider.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread118248.html

These are very strong now, improved.

One or two (at most) for an hour a day...may just work for you.
For more severe pain, longer may be necessary at first. I find 20-30 minutes now good for most problems.

Red side toward the body..you can use surgical tape. Placement is important, so figure out where you need to put them. The link I give shows nerve distributions, to help you. You also have your medical reports detailing areas that are problematic so use those.

I find it odd that your fentanyl is not working for you. It should.

Back pain
 

Things that I have found very useful are remedial massage, magnesium oil, and Vitamin D.
My main treatment until recently was regular massages. For the last 3 1/2 months I haven't needed massages as the magnesium and Vit D have now removed the muscle tightness, pain, and headaches.
I take 5000 B units 3 times a week, after a test revealed I was a bit low, and 2 teaspoons of the oil daily, diluted in water.

Well worth a try.

mrsD,
That link was very helpful.. thanks. As soon as I get some money, I hope to try the magnets.

The fentanyl patch is working for my PN, it just doesn't do anything for my back pain... but it is reducing the PN pain and for that I am incredibly grateful. :)

I wasn't sure if traction for the DDD is OK or not.

If some of the back pain is from the disks crowding or collapsing on things then traction {it's a gentle pulling/stretching to open up the spaces} might help, but it would be something to ask dr about and read more about it.


["hypnosis/meditation/EFT"] might help with addressing the emotional/mental side of chronic pain

All of these have various videos on Google vids & you tube - some will be good and some will be not so good - so explore and find some good ones to try.

EFT is this - http://www.eftuniverse.com/
you can sign up for a free starter download - there are lots of videos on that site also.

Massage will help
 

I have had back problems all of my life; now entering my early 50's. Car accident in 2006 allowed me to get regular massage and hot/cold packs for about 6 weeks treatment from a trained specialist.

Here is the easy way: get anyone to use their fingertips and then the palm alternately all over your back, neck and buttocks. You will be amazed what the "Human Touch" can do to help your problem. No training required, just use a little common sense to let "the fingers do the walking".

Mike

Fedntanyl Patch
 

Sarah Mae,
Re the fentanyl patch, may I ask how much you are taking? I'm on the patch for my PN and take 125 mcg every 72 hours. It helps but I'd like to ask my neurologist to bump me up to 150 ev ery 72 hrs. I'm wondering how others tolerate arious dosages. I'm fine with the 125 (100 mcg. on day one then an extra 25 during day three, since the patch seems to lose strength by day three. Thanks.
Augie

Augie, it is just a minor technicality but I thought I would mention that the 125 mcg amount that you make reference to would be the amount (I presume) that is released into your system every hour (as opposed to every 72 hours as suggested in your post), when the medication is delivered at the maximum rate for which the particular patch dosage is intended. The patches for many people tend to release a lesser amount on the third day than that which is indicated on the packaging, and for that reason, some doctors will prescribe the patches to be replaced every other day (ie. every 48 hours) instead of every three days (72 hours).

I should have mentioned in my prior post that the more consistent release of medication for some people over a two day period took place with the original Duragesic patch design which held the medication as a liquid in a "pouch" section, while the delivery system has since been improved so as to hold the fentanyl within the membranes of a matrix-like film for better, more even release. This newer version might in fact release the contents more consistently over a three day period (though I am not certain if that is in fact the case).

bio freeze & a good pillow
 

I have cervical spine problems, and have tried everything imaginable to get pain relief.

There are two things that do help me a little...

1. Biofreeze. It's only sold at physiotherapist and chiropractic offices, and it's not cheap, but it does work. It's an analgesic pain gel (way stronger than icy hot and all the over the counter options)

2. Obus Form Cervical Pillow. I spent a little extra money, but well worth it. The cervical pillow (which has 4 positions and sides depending how you sleep) is great for the neck and back. I will never use another pillow again.

Although it doesn't take the pain away, it does help make you more comfortable and help you cope with pain. the Biofreeze will give you a chance to relax your muscles. Mediation also helps.

I use Biofreeze daily. I recently found it on the Amazon website. It was considerably cheaper than my chiropractor's office.

As for pain relief, Biofreeze is my first go-to.

Thanks, everyone, for responding. I have tried Biofreeze many times and unfortunately, I haven't gotten any relief from it. I looked at that Obus pillow.. it actually looks almost exactly like mine only with half the functionality. Mine only has one side/texture.. but it does have the varying heights depending on which way it is turned.. and it is... I think it is memory foam. It is a great pillow.. the best one I have ever found/used. I wrote the name down, because someday this one will eventually need to be replaced (probably not very soon, but I'm guessing if I live to be 80, it won't last 56 more years). :) I appreciate all the responses.

I was also on the patch. It worked for awhile then it quite working. Now I'm on Oxyicotin 80mg x 2 daily for my pain and I feel so much better. I'm never pain free but, this makes it alot better.
Sharon

That's good. :)

I was on the fentanyl patch (well, still am) and oxycodone.. but I stopped taking the oxycodone on Friday and switched to Tylenol #4. :)

I have found acupuncture to be very effective, although the effects are not long lasting.