jgray37000

Open Back Pain

I have been on disability with severe Lumbar stenosis with facet joint disease, cupping and disk dieease for 14 years

Treatments

Acupuncture Not Working

Never worked, but, sice these practitioners aren't regulated, you don't really know if that's because acupuncture doesn't work or if their the technique was bad. I DO know that "Sea Bends" completely cured my car-sickness, and that's acu-PRESSURE, so there's certainly something to the idea!

Aqua Therapy Working / Worked

This has been very helpful in reducing back spasms before they get a foothold.

Bedrest Not Working

Worst thing you can do for back pain, unless you're hospitalized and need IV meds, or something.

Carisoprodol Working / Worked

Very effective. On;y Baclofen was better, and it carried a boatload of side-effects.

Chiropractic Adjustment Not Working

This was never any more effective than a good massage. The difference was that my insurance paid for it and not for massage. with both, the pain returned in a few days.

Darvon Somewhat Helpful

Epidural Injection Not Working

Didn't work in my back (epidural) but DID work in my thumb arthritis and my knee...so who knows.

Flexeril Working / Worked

But not as effective as SOMA. Made me very sleepy when i first started it, but after several years, had no side effects.

Heat Working / Worked

Actually, I use those ThermaCare Heatwraps, because they stick on and you can walk around with them and they last 6 to 8 hours. They're wonderful for relieving spasms.

Hydrocodone Working / Worked

Now up to Lortab 10/500, asn sometimes need 1 1/2 for pain control. Lortabs actually reduce your pain tolerance, so they are a double-edged sword. The problem is that they are what doctors feel "safe" prescribing, so you get them for everything...dental, post-surgery, arthritis pain, etc.

Ibuprofen Working / Worked

OK...but hard on the stomach

Memory Foam Mattress Working / Worked

Got this on an adjustable bed and the combination means that i can always find a completely comfortable position. Yes it was expensive...but you spend a third of your life in bed and how you sleep affects the whole day! So I saved up...and its well worth it!

Physical Therapy Working / Worked

Works, but obviously cannot correct the underlying problem of increasing arthritis, etc. So, you have to go back over and over.

Pilates Working / Worked

This has been tha single most helpful thing for my severe back problems. My lack of core muscle strength probably CAUSED them to begin with and strengthening them has been miraculous in relieving pain soreness and stiffness. And its surprising how long that core strenght stays with you. I hurt my shoulder needing surgery and couldnt do pilates for over a year and my back only started to hurt again after about 14 months. Cant wait to start again!

Open Fibromyalgia

Treatments

Aqua Therapy Working / Worked

amazing for preventing the generalized musclejoint pain after an active day

Trazodone Working / Worked

Very helpful for getting restful sleep and minimizing headaches

Lexapro Working / Worked

Seems to help with Fibro fog

Fish Oil Working / Worked

6000mg Pharmax Fish oil 1T is amazing for mental clarity and general overall lack of pain