Hi there folks. As you will know from my previous posts (if you have read them) I am 10 weeks now post liver transplant and as far as my new liver is concerned all is going well. My problem is that I am being plagued by back pain and back ache at the moment that is making me almost immobile. My brother- in- law has dropped in a brand new infra red treatment lamp with full instructions for use for all sorts of ailments including muscular pain (which I'm not totally sure is my problem). Just wondered if anybody knew any reasons that I should not use it? I know that we should cover up in the sun but is this because of ultra violet light? Anyway I shall not use it until I know it's safe to do so. I thought I would ask on here first just in case anyone could give me an answer. Regards to all. Alfred.
Infra red lamp treatment.: Hi there... - British Liver Trust
Infra red lamp treatment.
Hey up Alfred
Guess what - I know nothing 🙏😁😁😁
Sorry
Miles
🇧🇧
Lol. Thanks anyway Twosmiles (daren't say your name. SLAP!). Alf
Infra red is actually what gives us the warmth from the sun. I don't think there's any danger in it.
G
I thought it was the ultra violet that did the damage but couldn't be sure about the infra red. Many thanks. Alfred
im thinking of getting an infra red sauna in the house. there is no steam from them and theyr' only a couple of hundred pound. infra red is great for pain relief.i dont know if its safe yet myself. its just like a little cabinet that you sit in.i was thinking of getting it for my blood pressure too. i also have liver problems, I think it would be safe but best to be sure. The british liver trust should know. it wont give you a tan thats for sure. iv been looking at some of the ones for home and i havent seen any contra indications as yet.
Hi grace111. I've scoured the internet and can't find anything at all saying that infra red could be harmful in any way. I'm expecting a phone call this afternoon that will clear the matter completely as to whether it is safe to use post transplant as I know we should protect our skin from the suns rays because the anti rejection drugs taken make the skin more vulnerable to cancer. I will post on here when I get a clear yes or no. Regards Alf.
thanks that would be helpful.. the link i put up does say that people with cirrhosis of the liver do use the infra red saunas obviously i would never buy anything like this without getting expert advice.it would be great if one could use this as it is good for pain.
goodhealthsaunas.com/health... im checking this out myself.
Hi Alfred, the main reason why us trasplantees need to avoid sun light it that we are more susceptible in contracting cancer, and with our bodies immune system turned right down to prevent rejection, we are at a much greater risk. I'm sorry about your back pain. But l wouldn't risk using it. Better to be safe than sorry, ask for some advice the next time your in clinic. Those hospital beds are enough to do anyone's back in. It was terrible at first, as you can't lay on you right side.
Hope you get yourself sorted soon mate.
Infra red won't harm your skin, unless you actually touch the lamp!
But if you still feel unsure, get a health professional to rubber stamp it's use.
Hi Alfred, I don't know anything about infra red but I certainly know about back and thigh pain unfortunately. The only thing that helps me is a hot water bottle...sad I know but I'm addicted😂 I once went to the gp (can't remember what about) and she lifted the back of my jumper and gasped. There's a big red area on your back says she horrified and I had to confess that it was due to the hot water bottle I'd just been using. I have been known to use 3 at a time, back, thighs and feet 😂😂😂
Hi there. Yes, me too. I have an upstairs and a downstairs bottle. I'm at most comfortable in bed which makes it very attractive proposition to just stay there but I know that this won't help my muscle wastage one bit. I'm due to receive a bone density scan appointment some time soon (arranged by transplant clinic). I suppose it's going to be a process of elimination to find the cause. I'm hoping it's maybe a way I've twisted whilst trying not to use my stomach muscles. I see my GP monday about BP (raised since post transplant) and I will discuss back with him too. Will let you know outcome re infra red lamp hope your pain gets sorted. If I can use the lamp then I'll let you know if it helps me at all. All the best. Alf.
I've just picked my grandsons aged 3 and 5 up from school. The 5 year old said why don't we have an upstairs ( we live in a bungalow) and I said we're too poor to have an upstairs to which he replied "well you're very old, so that's probably why" I'm 58! The three year old then said " you haven't got a beard" so thats a relief 😳 I feel like an ancient old crone now. Deb
Aren't kids just the best?!! It's only at their innocent age that they can come out with such gems! Bless their little cotton socks!! Can't stop chuckling at that. Take it easy old timer! lol x
I'm sure you're thinking thus, but I wonder what you're hoping the infrared lamp will achieve if you're not sure the pain is muscular.
You've just endured a huge operation and your skin will still be sensitive and healing, therefore subjecting your skin to any form of light therapy might induce soreness (I understand there are certain skin conditions which become aggravated by heat regardless of the type of light)
Many therapies and alternative treatments may seem innocuous but could interact with your current medication "cocktail". Perhaps you could consider checking with your doctors to identify the pain and recommended treatment which is known and proven not to negatively impact on your recovery and current medication.
Hi ShazzJE. I'm just going through channels to make sure it's safe before use. I am going through motions (early days though) of trying to identify the cause. As far as I can see it could be one of very many. Just thought if I could try some simple ways myself to sort it myself whilst waiting for scans and appointments then I could be lucky and save the medics a lot of time and trouble. Here's hoping! Thanks for reply. Alf.
My dad used to have an infra red light for back pain when playing football not sure if it did him any good though.
Hubby is coming up for 6 months post transplant & still has joint & back pain after transplant. His liver team have just referred him to rheumatology. He was put back on to steroids by his team & at the moment takes half a tablet a day
Hi Adelou. I'm still on steroids 3x5mg a day. I'm just thinking I'll try anything safe that might help. Than you for reply. Hang on in there! Alf.
Hi there ATG,
I know infrared works on folks who have had back pain. I have seen it work on my friend but she did not have a new liver to contend with too... she just had back pain.
From what I have read on Mr Google... and as I said one of my friends had it for lower back pain. They said for sure it did help.
What I don't know and suspect, is what you really need to know is "it is ok to use right now post-transplant". Sorry, don't know that answer just know it worked on my friend. Maybe a phone call to the doctor would clear it up?
The other thing that I know works for pain relief is a TENS machine take a look online at this a hopeful solution. If you think it may be ok to use post-transplant, I will send my little one to you. I had one for my ankle, after a break that took forever to heal.
You could try it and if it helps, you can buy one maybe. Again, as you know my friend I am new to this site and do not really have the knowledge that you guys all have but will be only too happy to help by sending my TENS for you to try.
Hi there. I'm awaiting a call back to let me know if the infra red is ok to use post transplant. If it is I'll give it a go. Instructions say that if there is no improvement after 8 sessions then give up and see your doc. Well I've got clinic team on the case and will also speak to my GP on monday. So will see how things go in the next week or so and if back is still bad I'll give tens machine some serious thought. Thank you for your offer of the loan of your machine, I might be taking you up on that. Just wish I knew if I were dealing with muscle strain or trapped nerve or adhesions or dodgy disc. Expect I will find out in the fullness of time. Meanwhile it's so frustrating. I just want to get back mobile and get some strength back! Also feel guilty moaning as there are so many people far worse of than me and I'm on here whingeing about back pain!! Hope you are less stressed now than you were a week or so ago. Let me know how your 2nd tace results go. 2nd time did it for me. If I remember correctly they did biggest tumour 1st time and then 2nd time they did the smaller tumour and the bigger one again. The beads that they put in to block the blood vessels from continuing to feed the tumour are also full of chemo and they continue to release that for several weeks after the procedure so sometimes it can take a couple of scans to before the total shrinkage is seen. Keep that chin up. Alf.
Just let me know if you need the TENS machine. I will pop in the post for you.
I have all my fingers and toes crossed you will be feeling better soon. I liked the warm blanket suggestion as well or the heat pad.
I will find out the results tomorrow !!
Keep you posted xx
Jaycee
Wishing you the very best of outcomes tomorrow. Will be thinking of you xx
If this is still going on, go to hospital - they may have to put you on a drip, maybe antibiotics. Go for the operation ASAP - don’t wait for years like I stupidly did, suffering numerous attacks. I had my gall bladder taken out by a liver surgeon at Kings eventually - best thing.
Oh sorry, right reply to wrong topic - oops
lol. Wendy 29. They whipped my gall bladder out when they removed my liver so no problems there. all the best. Alf.
Hello Alfred, I have used infra red heater and TENS machine in the past in the past for back injuries (trapped nerve & pulled muscles etc) and both worked. I now use an electric heating pad with 3 heat settings and a 90 minute auto switch off, which works really well and only cost £24. Hope this helps,
David
Thanks, I will look into heat pad, any kind of heat sounds good. Alf.
This Friday I'm seeing the dermatologist at my transplant centre. While I'm there I'll ask what s/he thinks about this.
Jim
Infa red lamps/treatment is a form of radiation and in small doses doesn't cause major problems but it can cause the skin to become thinner and take longer to heal which in the long run can cause skin cancer and because of the drugs your on I would say it's a no-no .... I know because I have needed infared treatment previous as I suffer with psoriasis but not a chance now .... You do need to be cautious
I think in time these aches and pains will lessen once you build your strength up that is not going to happen in such a short time.... one thing I have learned people early post transplant have no patience but its exactly the thing you need to have, this transplant is not the end of things to come it is just a short term solution but all solution's need very careful handling ...
Take your time life will improve but only if you look after yourself and your new liver
If it is bothering you that much see your GP
Trouble is that pain is keeping me in bed too much so hampering me being up and about and walking to help get my strength up. On rising it's a sharp pain that knocks the wind out of me. Have just a few minutes ago spoken to one of the medical team and they are going to sort some imaging sooner rather than later.Thank you for your reply.Alf.
Wheat bags are a good way of of soothing some pain, heated in the microwave and easier to control the temperature ie not boiling hot. I often have stone cold feet and this stops falling asleep. I sometimes use one along my back as I lay on my side. Its comforting without burning . Some pain however responds much better to a cold not freezing compress. I started on Otezla 2 weeks this Saturday, for severe psoriasis and Psor. Arthritis. My appetite is very poor and since reaching the full dose 30mg twice a day my whole abdomen has become very swollen and painful.I have been using a metal tin to relieve the pain, . It works better than heat but can see people cringing at the thought lol. It works and its safe. I have had no Otezla today and if it subsides I will know its this. I was only saying last week how my tummy was not swollen by my liver, just middle aged spread. It is a side effect of the meds, but pain is a 9/10!!! Any ladies who suffer from severe period pains will also find the cold compress beneficial. Hope you get sorted soon Alf. Hazel
Thanks Hazel. I'm willing to give anything a try. I've not tried cold yet (didn't enter my head!) if something works for you like your tin tray then it doesn't matter how odd it seems to others. Thinking about it I will also try hot and then cold, it certainly won't do any great harm anyway. Thanks for that info. Alfred.
Please help ! Some insight we're is your liver pain. 
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