Back pain

[Lisabackpain]

Hi fellow users,

I am 34 years old and have suffered with back pain since giving birth 7 years ago, which got worse after a car crash 2 years ago, and has got progressively worse. I am under a pain specialist and due to have an mri next month. They have suggested neuropathic pain, and Sacroiliac inflammation which is aggravating my sciatic nerve. I am taking 2600 gapapentin, 10mg zomorph twice a day and Oramorph 2.5 twice a day when needed. It’s not touching the pain which is making me feel really low. I’ve been paying privately for a Chiropractic and have been having acupuncture but it is not improving. Anyone else taking medication for lower back pain they feel helps or have any advice please. Thank you in advance.

[wxyz101112]

Ask to go on a pain control course, if you haven't already been . Also have you tried a tens machine ? I really do hope you get some help quick. Good luck

[Lisabackpain in reply to wxyz101112]

Thank you for your reply. What is involved in a pain control course ? And didn’t think about a tens machine. Thank you.

[wxyz101112 in reply to Lisabackpain]

Your pain consultant should be able to put you on a pain control course.They are not miracles but teach you about pacing yourself exercise lots of other things ,also you will be with people similar to yourself ,as I well know you feel you are really on your own .I really do feel for you and hope you will get some help quick.You do have to fight for things.x

[Lisabackpain in reply to wxyz101112]

Thank you x

[Simbistaffy]

Ur on too much opiate pain meds ask for oxy 15mg

Been where u r they make us junkies listen to ur pain consultant who will help you find the right one for you

[Lisabackpain in reply to Simbistaffy]

I have only been on the morphine meds for two weeks. I was on 30/500 cocodomols and Gabapentin before that but didn’t like the feeling the codine was giving me. Lucky enough I’m not having any side affects on the current meds but not getting any relief either. I just feel that there must be something out there that will give me some relief.

[deejames in reply to Simbistaffy]

Perhaps its not such a good idea to advise others on their pain medication dose. Its up to the medical professionals not us as lay persons, however much experience we have.

[Simbistaffy]

I understand that you are unable to get right treatment for pain I've known some people end up in the hospital 🏥 as they feel they may get in back door. I was not treated properly dealt with in 2002 wen I changed my gp surgery they put me in the NHS for promptly assessment now been told something about my treatment and resulted in me reporting to the gp practice longfleet House surgery to cqc it was up held they reduced rating 8%

[deejames]

Hi Lisa. A Tens machine can really help lower back pain. Pilates and /or Tai Chi are very good for core strength which is essential for protecting the back.

Is your chiropractor giving you stretching exercises to do ? If not then perhaps your GP would refer you to physio.

Unfortunately pain medication will not keeping working but moving to a different kind can help short term.

Dee

[Lisabackpain in reply to deejames]

Thank you. My back is so stiff right now I can hardly move around but when it’s better I am going to start thinking of a yoga type exercise to keep me mobile and build my core.

[Simbistaffy]

That's why I said let ur pain consultant say which meds best for u I was on a asda bag of meds not now. I'm on a level I can work better with. Orramorph is 50% alcohol 25% sugar 25 morphine that's y we end up using so much but zomph is good but suggest u ask about oxyicontin 15mg slow release with gabapenten 200 I can go out above I can't good luck but driving whis u need to check with ur. Insurance comp and dvla we r all different

[Lisabackpain in reply to Simbistaffy]

Thank you

[Lisabackpain]

Can you get oxy in the Uk. I wonder if it’s more potent or addictive and maybe that is why they haven’t offered it to me. Gabapentin is suposed to be non adictive but I have heard lots of people saying that they are addicted which is worying.

I have ordered a battery heating back support so hoping that will ease the pain. I’m still managing to work but if this keeps getting worse I worry I won’t be able to for long.

I don’t take the Oramorph in the day so that I can drive.

[Hughes-Comrade]

Just be careful with the gapapentin as it can make you a little crazy on high doses and you may not know it. Turned me into a zombie. Lyrica was the same for me, both allergic to them. Massage can help a lot, deep tissue work if you can handle it.

[Lisabackpain in reply to Hughes-Comrade]

Thank you

[morphalot]

After attending an intense pain management clinic I was educated about medication. They told me that there is no point taking medication if it doesn't work. You might ask if you can have steroid injections into your sacroiliac joints. The other option might be to attend a pain management course. I came off morphine and gabapentin and tried Pregabelin, which was better than the gabapentin although it did not eliminate the pain. Good luck with it all

[Lisabackpain in reply to morphalot]

Why was the pregabalin different to the Gabapentin for you please.

[morphalot in reply to Lisabackpain]

It's just a more refined medication I think. The gabapentin gave me loads of hallucinations, where the Pregabelin didn't.

[Lisabackpain in reply to morphalot]

Thank you

[johnsmith]

You are having chiropractic treatment and you find it not helping. What sort of chiropractic? What does the chiropractor do? Different chiropractors do different things.

Inflammation with swelling of tissues cannot be cured by chiropractic. The MRI scan will be helpful in narrowing the possible problems down.

It is worth seeing an Alexander Teacher. They may or may not be helpful.

For inflamation issues a course of the antibiotic erythromycin could be useful. It is one of the best anti-inflamatories around.

Google "erythromycin anti-inflamatory"

read hindawi.com/journals/mi/201...

[Lisabackpain in reply to johnsmith]

Thank you

[Bridgenov]

I just don't understand why you can't spend some money on an MRI scan there are cheaper ones from £230-£450 all your problems will solved in that moment I did that and it turned out I had a massive herniated disc which successfully has just been operated on and I am pain-free after four years of taking morphine Are painting and all the other associated horrible painkillers I wish I had done this earlier so come on find some money and get it done. Stupid doctors for giving me pain relief sending me to pain clinic telling me to get bloody tens machine honestly do not suffer any longer pay for your MRI scan.

[Lisabackpain in reply to Bridgenov]

I’ve had a few MRIs now after 2 long stays in hospital due to the pain and numbness in my leg. I have stenosis and two large bulging discs L4 and L5. But the spinal surgeon said they would not operate unless the disks come out completely, they are cancerous or I completely loose the use of my legs. I’m devastated.