Pacemaker fitted 2 weeks ago for sudden heart failure

[Arrowe]

I’m a 71 yr old woman with severe osteoarthritis throughout my spine. Had surgery on my lower spine, but slipped discs in cervical spine inoperable. The pain has been unbearable, and I have tried most medication to no avail. It doesn’t help that I’m allergic to all anti inflammatories, and don’t get on with ‘nerve pain’ medication.

I found my solution, a toot of illicit marijuana killed my pain instantly and all was going well. I have been using this for 6 months. Until I collapsed with heart failure just after my toot.!

I now have a pacemaker which has saved my life....god bless the NHS, but am in daily agony with my arthritis. I can’t have CBD oil either as my other medications contraindicate it.

Does anyone have any ideas how to control my pain?

[Qualipop]

As a chronic pain sufferer with nerve damage, DDD, fibromyalgia and arthritis for 30 years now you have my sympathy but I couldn't even begin to suggest anything with your heart condition. There is nothing that treats such pain affectively. Even pain consultants haven't a clue and I had a wonderful one (Now retired). I've been on oxycodone for 20 years now after gabapentin and amitriptyline did absolutely nothing but have increased as much as is possible and now it's barely helping. My GP was in favour of pot but did say no because the effects on the heart are not known. The ONLY alternative treatment I have ever found that actually got me from being bedbound and back on my feet was a therapy called Bowen therapy but you do need to be sure you get a really well trained therapist with deeper knowledge of anatomy. It's a strange manual treatment but NO MANIPULATION which just involves light touch rolling movements over your skin. It's based on similar ideas to acupuncture without needles. You don't even undress for it. It did really help me. A good therapist should refuse to do more than 3 treatments if it isn't helping. Self hypnosis can also help. Both are safe for your heart. I suppose you've tried turmeric? I haven't but there are good reports.

[Arrowe in reply to Qualipop]

Thank you for your kind reply. I fell really badly when I collapsed with the heart failure, so I made the 2 slipped discs at the top of my neck so much worse. It’s really bad at night as I can’t find a comfortable position. I’m just not getting any sleep, and I’m getting weary and depressed. You would think there would be some medical solution, but my GP says sadly there is not. Yes...I do use turmeric and have done for some years. I’ll explore the Bowen therapy though. Thank you

[Qualipop in reply to Arrowe]

Oh I know those discs well. I have the same two herniated. They've been calm for a few years now but if I sleep wrongly or turn quickly the pain up my head is unbearable. At their worst I took to sleeping in a soft collar to prevent my head from moving. Not during the day just in bed. It helped a lot. I hope BOwen may help. All I can say is it helped me. I have numerous discs drying out, in particular the two cervical one and T12/L1 and another at bra strap level which is what my GP blamed for my breathlessness..... until I had the heart attack! I spent over 10 years with no treatment or painkillers being told it was all in my head or I was hysterical before a wonderful pain consultant listened and immediately diagnosed Maigne syndrome ( T12 syndrome) which I'd been saying for years. They really haven't a clue how to treat nerve pain if LYrica and amitryp don't work. Gabapentin simply made me suicidal and didn't touch the pain. Trouble is when you get chest pain or breathlessness GPs tend to blame it on musculoskeletal problems and don't even think about heart. Bowen is extremely gentle. No manipulation at all but in good hands it's very powerful. Try to find someone who teaches it as well as practising. A good practitioner will say if 3 treatments don't work, they won't do any more.