Your opinion on pain management
 

What do you guys think of pain management? Has anyone tried this route?

I'm still recovering from my surgeries but I guess in the back of my mind there is always the fear that the pain will never fully go away. What options do we have after that? I do not want to take medications. I've taken them after the surgeries and the side effects were awful. Right now I take ibuprofen and that is keeping the pain at minimum if I don't use my hands too much. If I use them for too long, I get pain. I understand this is still normal since it's only been 2 months since my second surgery.

Lots of free time with lots of things to think about.

If you're looking to avoid drugs how about acupuncture, massage, dry needling? don't know if you've tried these but they can give some relief with residual issues while you continue to improve hopefully as much as possible!

I have tried all these prior to the surgeries with temporary relief. I did get decent results with chiro though, I'm not allowed for another 6 months.

I was under the care of pain management for 18 months, from the onset of nerve pain through the TOS diagnosis. Most of my TOS symptoms were pain related (ie no numbness and very little tingling). Pain mgmt was helpful in that they tried cortisone shots, nerve lesioning, medications (muscle relaxants, pain meds), offered suggestions for specialists and treatments, and were keeping track of my symptoms while I searched for a diagnosis. But they really only suggested the usual treatments (chiro, PT, massage, TP, deep tissue laser, etc). Once I came under Dr Donahue's care pre-op (now 6 weeks post-op) I'm not seeing them anymore. Based on my experience, I'm not sure what value you'd get.

I am also struggling to fill the hours and learn to manage the pain post-op. I'm still on Vicodin, muscle relaxant, and gabapentin but at least on reduced amounts compared to pre-op. But damn, I thought/hoped I'd recover faster. As soon as they clear me, I'll start PT at MGH to strengthen the neck and shoulder muscles. In the meantime I'm trying other exercises to work on legs and core, just to feel like I'm doing something!

I didn't have the surgery, but pain management did nothing for me.
Pills did not stop the pain and side effects were worse than the pain.
Gabapentin messed with my brain so much, I could barely function.
I went off all medications after 6 month or so. Feeling better without the pills.
Other things they did (injections, compounding creams, patches etc) had no effect.

Thanks for the input. I do not currently take any medications aside from the occasional ibuprofen. The pain is minimal with little activity, the problems arise when I tried to do more or sustained activity. Hopefully time will give me full relief and I can return to work again. I'm going crazy at home.

I really need something good for nerve pain as the nerves regenerate.

Is it muscle pain/tightness?

If so maybe a TENS or IF stim??
I sure like having my IF stim for when my neck, back or lumbar start hurting.. less than 100.00 on Amazon - a digital is best...
analog is too touchy on the dials , too easy to bump and get zapped too strongly..

I can have muscle pain and an hour or so it is gone..mine can use battery or plug in . I usually use it while at the computer so it is kept here on my desk.

I don't use prescription pain meds either. I live on my TENS, muscle relaxers and ibuprofen. I was able to get a RX for the TENS and the insurance pays for the supplies and unit. If you want to stay away from meds this is an option. I can usually knock back muscle or nerve pain with placement & level of zap.

I have found the TENS to be VERY useful and has saved many a day. I would have lost my mind long before now without my little friend. When I am smart I plug in before a hectic day (hectic defined quite differently then pre-injury) or will plug in after a stretching or pt session. There are other days when I plug in and hide in my room.

Oddly though, I have noticed that some days I can't tolerate it at all. Its not placement issues. I don't know if this is from overloading with activity (PT or Dr visits), or the nerves/muscles are just too upset or maybe there is a dog barking in Iowa...I don't know.

Good luck!

Decision?
 

So Nelly, have you made up your mind?

My ortho wants me to see a PM Dr until I can get into the specialist in March. Honestly I am not interested. I don't want meds, they all seem to make me stupid or I have a bad reaction. None of the shots have worked...except for the scalene block during a MUA. Nice!
After much debate with my hubby, GP and friends; I have decided that its worth a shot. I will go just to see if he has any modalities that I haven't thought of.

I was curious about your decision. Hope you are continuing to heal.