I have recently been referred by my doctor to pain management for sciatica, spinal stenosis from herniated disc as I am in constant excruciating pain. I have already had two microdiscectomies, 3 yrs physical therapy, four steroid injections back in 2007 & 2008, chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, prescription nerve blocker, muscle relaxer and ibuprofen and am currently scheduled for another steroid injection. The next step I want to avoid is disc fusion because it limits mobility. I questioned the doctor about burning the nerve like my husband is about to have done for varicose veins. He said it would render my leg useless. I asked about whether they replace the missing cartilage or disc, he said they couldn’t. I couldn’t sleep tonight because of pain, so I began researching on internet and found five different sources and articles on gel and cartridge disc replacement for spine as being successful during trials. I don’t know why the doctor would lie to me. I asked about CBD or medicinal marijuana also and he said he couldn’t officially give me a referral but that he heard that it could work and thought it’d be worth trying. After discussing with CBD store people and expressed that I only want to kill pain (not be high or non functional) I have gotten Kratum which gives me a couple hours of pain relief and does more than any prescription without the high. My problem is that I got turned down for reopening an L&I case from 2006 job injury even after appeal (though I was told I could reopen at any time as I was deemed as having a partial permanent injury disability. I am currently in appeal process for social security disability. So in meantime I am on charity program of this medical group while I wait. Also waiting on medicaid application.
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I don't know why you posted this here, since it has nothing to do with the Great Awakening.
That said, my wife had her disks fused and it was life-changing for the better. She went from being unable to work or do anything at all, to being 100% normal. Back to work, out having fun, doing everything again. That was 7 or 8 years ago.
Not medical advice, just one data point. I have no idea if it is relevant to your case.
80% of posts lately have nothing to do with the Great Awakening, to be fair.
I was told by doctor that it would severely limit my movement. This is good to know.
Well, it probably depends on which disks would be fused. Your doctor probably knows what he or she is talking about.
Doctors hate doing spine surgery because so many patients are just in it to get out of work and fake that they still have back problems after surgery which ends up being a black mark on the surgeon's record.
This is just pain management doctor. No surgeon currently and not in same state as I was. We moved to Missouri from Washington
Cause facecommie is worthless and needed to vent and seek advice
I guess cause of Covid lie it made me ask questions
Thanks. I actually just sent him the info via patient portal
Get you an inversion table and use it every day for at least 20 minutes. It decompresses the spine. Takes a little getting use to but it worked for me and my lower back. I bought the Teeter Hangup. Easy to use.!
I love my portable teeter... wrote to OP before I saw your response...been a lifesaver for me. Unfortunately dont have room for the big one like you have...maybe some day...
Blessings fren..
I have one and it helps but can’t tolerate when pain is this bad
The portable one allows you to apply gentle pressure instead of full body weight until you get past the crippling pain your in. I was hospitalized several times due to sciatica...in a wheelchair even. I'm so sorry your suffering...
Blessings that you find relief...
That’s the one I have
I will pray you find relief juls...
Blessings
Thank you
A coworker got some cartiledge replaced. He had to go to Germany to have it done though cause the replacements arent FDA approved. He may not be lying, he may just be ignorant.
Didn’t Trump pass a ‘Right to Try’ act?
I don't think you want a doctor to operate on you with a procedure they don't use or understand just because "the procedure works." The person administering meds to be competent and preferably very experienced also.
I like the idea of pursuing other opinions from doctors already using the treatment you're seeking.
That’s what I want and the pain doctor isn’t a surgeon, so he wouldn’t be the one doing it anyway. Not sure why he didn’t refer me though unless he isn’t aware but I sent him links to all that I found so he knows I know now.
I think its only for life threatening conditions.
Yeah, just found that. That sucks!
And insurance didn't cover it. But the other cool thing about his surgery is the doctors set up his phone to record the whole process. So he showed me video of the doctor with a hammer and chisel pounding the replacement into his spine. Their liability laws are much different so they aren't worried about people suing them. Hope the description doesn't deter you. I think its great tech.
How about trying one more thing that is non invasive...I was born with spina bifida, broke my back in 7 places, suffered from sciatica nearly 50 years and have osteogenesis imperfecta on top of it all...I tried the "teeter portable spine decompression stretcher" several years ago. Within a week I was good as new. Now use it several times a week for maintenance. Best $40.00 I ever spent. Not a doctor, but have referred several friends to try it and they also have had success against sciatica...Here ya go..
Blessings!
https://www.qvc.com/qvc.product.F236234.html?colorId=000&sizeId=000&ref=GBA&cm_mmc=GOOGLESHOPPINGFEED-_
The whole mainstream pain recovery science is as false as vaccines for COVID. You may enjoy my book: https://mattcookmovement.com/ReleasingPainByMattCook.pdf
I’ll check it out. Thanks
Career Preservation > Patient's wellbeing. My father went through the same ... Issues with nerves (around his neck, shoulders then abdomen). Doc wanted to cut him open for neck surgery (fair percentage he wouldn't walk again). Night before the surgery my father has a come to Jesus moment and starts researching. Without going into too much more detail the issue was solved with magnesium supplements and NOT surgery. Doc was baffled Dad swerved at the last second and was cured.
Magnesium does work. Also fish oil, Turmeric and vitamin D 5,000 iu
My dad was a health food and vitamin nut, always shoving them ate and down my throat since I was little. I should’ve listened to his lectures, but it’s difficult to tale much stock in what a massive alcoholic says cause health food l, vitamins/alcoholism don’t go together.
Pain and inflammation are also worsened by diet. Processed foods and carbs are killers.
Try keto and give it a legit shot. Your first week you will want to choke people out as you withdraw from a substance more addictive than cocaine....sugar, specifically high fructose corn syrup. It is actually metabolized differently than regular sugar which leads to some of the proinflammatory products.
Good luck. My experience with most folks is once the surgeons start cutting and fusing things never stay better and you chase one thing after another.
Oh, General Practioner. Sorry I can be slow sometimes. Just clicked
Yeah, realized that a few minutes later
GP? What is that? As my husband is on Social Security Disability and I am currently in appeal for disability and on charity program through this medical group due to income, I am severpy limited in options.
DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide) would really help with your nerve pain. I use the 99% DMSO mixed with cannabis oil topically and internally. They are both a miracle alone, but even better when combined.
my mom has had 2 disc fusions over the past 25 years and many injections over the past 10 years. She is borderline crippled. She refuses to give up and found a job a 10 minute drive from home (all she can handle). She works a max of 30 hours a week due to the pain. She has tried the CBD route and every med her last 4 back doctors would give her. Nothing has really worked for her. She goes in at the end of the month for another injection. Her doctor wouldn't do the injection until she was fully vaxxed. Her doctor also will not let her try alternative treatments due to "THE RISK". We bought her a TENS machine and he about lost it when she told him.
My spouse works at a nerve and disc place (also chiropractic care) and they use spinal decompression machines to help with disc issues. They claim it has a 80%+ success rate. It is strictly out of pocket cost and runs upwards of $6-8k for the full 48 treatments.
One other option would be contacting someone who specializes in Bonnie Prudden Myotherapy & Exercise Therapy. This has really worked for my back issues but mine are not as bad as yours. Its worked amazing for sciatica and lower back pain. They guy I use is in Michigan. He knows his stuff.
The Kratum (separate plant) from CBD Pot shop is helping without the high and I really want to try the gel or artificial disc replacement
I wish you luck. Hopefully your outcome is better than what my mom has dealt with. Her first disc fusion was in 1995. They told her she would be in a wheel chair in 10 years.
Simple: money.
They sell you what they make money on. I will say a friend of mine had a TMJ surgery where they put a silicone disc in the joint and she had infection problems for years and had it removed after 5 years. I felt like it was her body rejecting it but I also am not a doctor.
That happened with tubes in my ears when I was 21 after years of ear infections and fluid in my inner ears causing hearing loss. I had TMJ but couldn’t get needed help and it finally corrected itself. I’m on lots of different vitamins. Maybe that’s why
I don't know a whole lot about it but I had a vague recollection that Kratom might be worth avoiding and a very quick search makes me think my suspicions are justified. Anyway, it may be fine and I hope you have success dealing with these horrid health dramas.
Please fill me in on what you found
So.. I feel for you. I do. I have back issues due to military injuries. A few suggestions- as I wrote below, try magnesium (dosage per bottle) fish oil, vitamin D and Tumeric. Also, sitting is a big part of the problem when it comes to back pain. Stand or lay down, avoid sitting as much as possible. Increase core strength. I know it’s a vicious cycle when you exercise because it can cause more pain but gentle core strengthening exercises on a big ball might help as well as walking, swimming. Medical marijuana may help. In Florida, it’s legal but I have no idea where you live. Many vet friends use it and have had relief from pain. I’ve known people who’ve had back surgeries and have no less pain and even numbness afterwards and it’s really a last resort.
A few other things- hydration increases the cushioning around the disks. Stay well hydrated. Avoid smoking or quit if you do smoke. Diet can help- avoid sugar, even some weight loss is beneficial. I’m not sure about Keto, never tried it but increase calcium with lots of green, leafy vegs. Fresh spinach, for example, has a ton of calcium and it’s absorbed better than with actual dairy products.
Maybe consider buying a personal massager. Some have long handles and you can use it on yourself or a partner can do it for you. Use it whenever you have pain and stiffness. A heating pad can help as well. All that relieves muscle spasms which cause a lot of the pain. Also they bring blood flow to the area which increases healing.
I get chiropractic care several times a week still and the traction table helps tremendously. I’m not sure if that’s available to you though. I’m at the point where I’m trying to get cortisone injections approved but it’s a waiting game and I’m not even sure they’ll be helpful. The point is- try to do everything you can on your own to help reduce the pain. The human body has incredible healing power and there’s always hope it will improve but try the least invasive treatments possible.
I’m not sure your Dr was lying or simply uninformed or doing what gives him the most financial benefit. I have minimal faith in doctors anymore but a good holistic based chiropractor might help you a lot. Hang in there.
I am doing the majority of what you suggest. Plan to do turmeric again I really want off synthetic meds and have begun trying to talk my husband into taking me to prophetic healing pastor (he has doubt, but they are far away and we are broke).
I found some Tumeric tea on sale at a local store. Big box for a few dollars. I’m always looking for deals. Try Goodwill or a thrift store for a massager and/heating pad if you don’t have them. At the very least, rice in a sock heating pad works well.
https://www.instructables.com/Homemade-Heating-Pad/
The problem I’ve learned with OTC meds like Motrin etc is that they don’t work that well over time and you can get rebound headaches or pain if you take them a lot and then stop. Plus they’re bad for your kidneys. I recently went cold turkey and stopped them altogether except one baby aspirin for good health and I’ve noticed no difference in the pain and I was on a lot. It may possibly be improved somewhat. I refuse to take narcotics. I’ve known too many people who went to the dark side on them. The VA pushes them like candy, too. I always have to forcefully say NO THANKS!!!! and they write an RX anyway. Have trouble sleeping? Here’s some Ambien to take with your pain meds.. I shit you not they do that all the time.
Anyway, you do have pain and I know you’re struggling so I’m never going to judge anyone for how they cope. Just don’t give up hope and maybe experiment a little with stretching, exercise, holistic stuff.
Same and same