Back Pain at Night

[surdug1]

After sleeping for 4 hours, I wake up with backache (muscle, I guess). The pain is not always in one spot. The location of the pain shifts in the back. It is not directly on the spine. The pain location changes while rubbing anywhere from the back of the neck to lower back. Rubbing/massage helps to move the pain to the next point.

Medication List

(Nov 30, 2021)

Medicine name Dose TreatmentTime

1. Sinemet Generic25 / 100 mg1+1/2Parkinson6a ,9a, 1p,5pm

2. Sinemet ER Generic25 / 100 mgParkinson10pm night

3. Entacapone200mgParkinson6a ,9a, 1p

4. Losartan with hctz100 /25 mgHypertensionMorning

5. Amlodipine5mgHypertensionMorning

6. Atorvastatin40mgCholesterolEve

7. Claritin10 mgAllergyEvening

8. Asprin81 mgblood thinnerEvening

9. Albuterol-Inhaler1 puffAsthmaAs needed

10. Alvesco – Inhaler I puffAsthma Night / as needed

11. Miralax1 mixin-paxConstipation6.30am

12. Senokot Regular strength1 tabConstipation6.30am

Implanted Heart Pacemaker

Any input is appreciated.

[Ep0522]

I have the same problem except my pain is in the same spot. It wakes me every night. My GP gave me a muscle relaxer I took last night. Didn’t seem to help. I guess I need to try it for a few days to see what happens if anything. Last week I slept for about three hours over three days. Now I’m waking anywhere from three to four hours and the pain continues until I’ve taken my Parkinson’s meds (Rytary).

[sharoncrayn]

PD as a condition that deteriorates your brain in multiple ways. Since your spinal cord is an extension of your brain, it deteriorates it as well by shrinking the column in diameter. The result is motor dysfunctions (shuffling, hunched over posture, dyskinesia, etc.) including back pain and ultimately serious stenosis which causes extreme pressure on your spinal cord and the nerves attached to the spinal cord...most commonly in the lower back but not always, resulting in PAIN.

In my 2 support groups I manage, back pain is very common in PWP > 65 and with people who have been inactive most of their life, or have arthritis. Another example of undiagnosed stenosis on this forum is MBAnderson who had a near death type experience taking a mild muscle relaxant for his back spasms which sent him to the VA hospital twice.

On another note: if you are on 2 constipation meds, it should tell you and doctor(?) you aren't getting enough exercise (walking, going up and down stairs, too much sitting, etc.) and aren't eating enough roughage every day. Again this forum is full of people with this issue. PD does NOT cause constipation. It is a lifestyle condition.

Tell your doctor(?) you want a referral for an MRI/TDI IN A MED CENTER THAT OFFERS IT for someone with a pacemaker. Not all MRI centers do. You need to come to grips with this problem before any surgery, PT, or chiropractic care can or should begin.

Good luck. I hope things work out for you.

sharon

[surdug1 in reply to sharoncrayn]

Which specialist should I consult? Right now, I consult a neurologist.

[sharoncrayn in reply to surdug1]

I would have your neuro immediately order a MRI/PET scan of your spine and have him/her refer you to a spine surgeon (preferably a orthopod) and a radiation oncologist to interpret it. You want to find out if your pain is due to deterioration of the spine or possibly cancer tumors. In terms of the latter issue, ASAP get a PSA blood test. If it is >100, immediately find the best urologist you can who specializes in treating prostate cancer.

In the meantime, get your doc to write a prescription for a back brace and have it fitted by a orthotist.

If you have a caregiver, involve that person. If not, try to find one. 2 heads are better than one.

Your situation is potentially serious. Most neurologists are borderline psychiatrists and therefore have limited expertise relevant to your situation. You need to create a team or find a med center that uses that approach.

sharon

[chartist]

Spinal stenosis and spinal degeneration are common in PwP. There are topicals that can help in pain management, specific exercises and stretches, TENS therapy may help in some cases and doing things like using one pillow to raise the lower legs while laying down to help relieve pressure on the lower back while you sleep. Icing can also be a useful tool to rapidly reduce inflammation of the spine and related musculature.

I have written about a few topical options here :

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

I have written about TENS therapy here :

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

I have written about another topical option for intractable pain here:

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

Icing is also a less invasive way to rapidly reduce inflammation, pain and swelling related to spinal and joint pain. This is why professional athlete's use it to speed recovery and reduce damage to injured joints with icings rapid effects. Think of how they ice the necks of professional boxers between rounds. This rapidly lowers inflammation caused by strikes to the head that put tremendous pressure on the upper spine. Some professional basketball and football players soak in ice water tubs after games to rapidly lower inflammation throughout the body through the rapid effectiveness of icing.

Heat is useful for relaxing muscles which can result in pain relief, but heat therapy can also increase inflammation, so you have to teach yourself whether to use heat or cold for the issue that you have:

spine-health.com/blog/shoul...

Acupuncture and chiropractic can help in some cases and in others offer no relief. Red Light therapy is purported to offer some benefit, but it is in early stages of development and can be a little pricey for some devices.

Some people find relief with medical marijuana in its many forms from topicals to edibles to vaping.

I have had good success using homeopathy on certain conditions for friends, when their doctors were unable to help them.

Omega 3s at higher dose are also a useful tool for reducing inflammation and I find them useful as a part of a total pain management plan to improve your quality of life.

You should never assume that highly potent prescription pain medications that can be highly addictive are your only option when it comes to pain management. They have their usefulness in some severe cases of pain, but they are not the only option.

YouTube is loaded with videos on stretching and exercises for specific areas of pain.

There are many options for trying to relieve pain and I have often found that using multiple options at the same time can go a long way toward improving your quality of life

It is helpful if you have a diagnosis of the cause of your pain as treating degenerative disc disease (DDD) or spinal stenosis is likely going to be different than treating one of the many forms of arthritis.

Good luck and if you have any questions about any of these options, just ask.

Art