Burning back!

[jacquieb]

Does anyone know how to get rid of my ache/burning lower back pain and hot sweats? Put it this way, are there any new meds that might help as I have tried most?. I have had pelvic nerve pain for nearly 8 years but this is something else.

[PPSN_JudyB Pelvic Pain Support Netwo]

There is something that has been licensed recently for moderate to severe pain but I'm sure how easy it to get prescribed. It may depend on where you live and who you see.

There are a couple of things that have been available for a while. One is Celecoxib ( generic name ) but you may need more than the minimum dose and it may not work immediately.

[Hidden]

Hi

I don't know about medication, but there might be some things that will make it easier to cope at least. I wasn't very impressed with the two week pain management course I went on, but I went to see someone privately and was taught relaxation techniques/ self hypnosis which helped me to relax my muscles and reduce my pain somewhat. I'd recommend that if you can find someone to help. I also bought a banana chair (bananachair.co.uk) which I'm sitting in now. I couldn't live without it.

It's really important to get a good diagnosis. I spent eight years with severe back pain which was attributed initially to inflammed facet joints and then I was told it was all in my head, but ultimately it turned out that I had endometriosis and calcified blood around my uterosacral ligaments. So, despite their best efforts doctors can be very wrong. Do you understand why you have this pain? Do you think all the potential causes beeen explored?

My own personal experience is that back pain causes muscle spasm, which causes nerves to get trapped and creates stiffness in joints and this becomes a vicous circle. Even if you get some good medication it's probably worthwhile having a bit of physio and doing exercises so that the pain doesn't lead on to other things. Physio on the NHS isn't up to much, they don't even seem to want to touch you, sadly, in my experience, you have to pay if you want a 'hands on' approach which can be the best if you're stiff.

I also used to have massage which I found helped me to cope. If my finances improve I'll try that again. I've tried accupuncture before, but I've recently been told that for chronic pain it has to be 'deep needling' to be effective. I think there's science to back this up too. If you're near London I've been told that the Royal National Orthopeadic Hospital offers it on the NHS.

My phsyio recommended using hot/ cold treatment when the pain is bad. You use a cold pack of peas for 5 mins, wait 15 mins then apply a hot water bottle (in a wrap for both, not directly on the skin) etc. He believed that this could reduce pain levels over time. I haven't tried it so I don't know if it works.

Keep looking for answers and you will find something to help. Stay positive.

Good luck!

[jacquieb Volunteer]

Thank you for your comments.

First of all I love that chair.

I think what has thrown me with my back is that in eight years of having nerve/pelvic pain this is the first time that I have had burning sensations in the coccyx area and inside the vagina.

I was so disappointed because my threshold of pain was in a good manageable place and than went on holiday did a little too much dancing and bingo, have regretted it ever since.

I came to the conclusion that I either had an infection or something else was going on so I decided, would you believe, to go to the local GUM clinic and let them examine me. At least you get answers there and than.

Verdict, my skin is extremely thin inside the vagina and have some discharge within the outer walls However, no infections, all clear. So none the wiser other than try the oestrogen cream again! I went thru the menopause six years ago.

Have tried all the therapies that you mentioned, acupuncture, deep needling, forget it its agonisinging painful with little relief.

So when the Dr said to me why don't you try Amitryptyline I burst into tears and said "Goodbye"!

Sound familiar... next and final move - chinese doctors.

Thanks again.

j

x

[CBFranks in reply to jacquieb]

Hi Jacquieb: was wondering if you're still around and had any success managing your pain. I am a disabled military veteran suffering post trauma pain to my lumbar region that can be debilitating. One question I have for you is your reaction to the doctor's recommendation of Amitriptylene. After many years of coping with Tylenol, Ibuprofen, exercises, prostetics, mattress replacements and special chairs, I was offered Amitriptylene. I refused at first; did some research and found evidence that forms of Amitriptylene have been effective in chronic pain treatment. Together, my doctor and I, tried Amitriptylene, then Nortriptylene. I found the latter to have more positive results with less side effects and since then have been on low doses for pain management. Wishing you wellness.