Severe Back Pain?
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Hi Jen, i suffer from scoliosis which is curvuture of the spine so i KNOW back pain. I had to have my lumber fused ( which is the lower back) but i also have pain in my upper back too. I am in pain management and i was having the upper pain really bad so i let my doc give me 3 trigger point shots which did NOT help, in fact, it made it worse. BUT everybody is different, my sister got them and they helped her ALOT!! So maybe u should go ahead a get them. In the meantime, u need to get on stronger meds, i take Lortab for pain and Soma for muscle spasms and then i take Xanex at bedtime, also Ambeim 12.5, the new one. That may seem like alot of meds but i know people that r on WAY more than that and don't really even need them. I don't even stress on it anymore....good luck and if u need any more advice u can email me! Take care....oh! Have u even had an MRI???? U need to find out the root of the problem!!!!!! One more thing, i try to get as much exercise as possible and i also take vits and supps which help alot bc i take the narcotics.also HOT bath in Epsom salt which rids the body of toxins....and feels soooooooooo good...i have a special bath beads which are Lavender (helps with sleep) and epsom salt.
ask for muscle relaxers and a stronger pain med
I have had severe back pain for about 2 years now. Been to all kinds of doctors. Even had a very minor surgery. Nothing has helped. The shots for trigger points lasts for a couple of weeks and then no more. I gave up and just live with it. It seems like everyone keeps looking at my bones even though I tell them it feels more muscular than in the bone. And no one can figure out what is going on with me and I can't afford all the co-pays anymore. I'm just careful with what I do. And I switch back and fourth between Tylenol and Ibuprophen.
this same problem drove me to a shrink and almost to suicide. I take neuronton(gabapentin) and mobic. Also, it is of the utmost importance to exercise, especially walking. Do as much as you can stand.
Unfortunately,getting rid of upper back pain is a lifelong struggle and for a long time I felt like no one on Earth knew what I was going thru. Just remember that you are not alone. It'a a long hard road,but it can get better.
try yoga
Trigger points are merely a symptom and not a diagnosis. Treating them as such, you are setting yourself up for a vicious cycle of continual treatment.
First, you need to see if you can get some real answers. There a several mechanisms that can cause recurrent neck and back pain. First are mechanical problems. This usually involves an altered position of the vertebral disc. Next are tight muscles that hurt only when reaching end range movements. Then there is posture...pain only occurs during bad postures. Next there are mechanical syndromes that are a little more vague...stenosis, whiplash associated disorders etc. Finally, we have to consider medical or non-mechanical causes including stress, diet, smoking, etc...these things are usually considered when the others have been ruled out.
I'd recommend getting into seeing a physical therapist with experience in the MDT method (mechanical diagnosis and therapy)...at the very least, they should be able to identify if your pain is mechanical or non-mechanical in presentation. If non-mechanical, then you can be referred to a more appropriate provider.
Until then, trigger point injections are only going to cover up the problem. Good luck.
Rest.
If you are overweight, your pain may be caused by the extra weight you're carrying. Exercises will help you w/ your back pain and knee strain. It sounds backwards, but exercises and reaching your target weight will help you all around. I have pain in my hips from my old job, and I find that a pillow behind my knees and between my legs when I roll helps. Or, it could be your bed. If your sleeping on an old mattress, esp. w/ coil springs, you may have alot of pressure points digging @ you. I purchased a temper pedic a few years back and sleep much more comfortably now. My last suggestion would be your job and repetitive motion. If your job involves alot of arm work or lifting, it may be that. Even good posture @ a desk job is important. Research ergonomic solutions for your repetition. If none of this works, seek all natural herbal remedies for pain rather than becoming dependent on pharmaceuticals. Hope you get well.
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