Living with Back Pain

I was working in construction installing plant cable very large 3′ in diameter cable and colapsed 3 lumbar discs. In the next few months I under went 3 surgeries to correct the spinal cord issues as well as an attempt to relieve unbearable pain. This was in 2003 and with a foot surgery to correct issues from the nerve damage from the lower back to help improve my walking I came to the realization that no matter what I did I was in constant pain. I have tried everything from injections to all sorts of narcotics to help some of which did because all I could do was sleep. I am a father of two wonderful children who don’t understand that daddy can’t play like he used to and do the things that they enjoy. Until about 2 months ago I saw a pain specialist as I wanted off the narcotics as it was starting to effect my memory as well as my body. The releif I got I never thought was possible. Now this involves a lot of different combonations of drugs and shots at the same time. Keep in mind this is also a DUKE Medical hospital which have some of the best dr in the world, but its something you can take to your dr or pain clinic.

First major improvement was from a recently new method called trigger point injections of TPI’s, this involves a few different idea’s. First the use of needles as a form of acupuncture but then in the muscles around the injury she would inject a combonation of lidocane and steriods to alivate the pain. I was amazed in 5 years I haven’t had a full nights sleep but that first evening I came home and was passed out by 8:30 that evening and sleep for 11 hours. I didn’t even think to realize that I was so tired and couldn’t sleep well due to the pain. Second we started a progressive course of vitamins and other medication all non-narcotic and I will list these now. Limbrel is a vitamin based medicine yes an RX is needed but you take one a day and this is for the treatment of Osteoarthritis or similar conditions. You can check out the treatment paln for this drug at www.limbrel.com. Well worht it. The second is called Ultram ER. This is used as a pain medication it has the same effects as a narcotic pain reliever without the dependencies and you only take one per day as a steady release you don’t have to pop something every 3-4 hours. There are a few draw backs to this medication from my experence, first its a ER (extended release) so if the tablet is crushed or chewed it can release all the medicine into your system at once and cause major complications possibly life threating. The god news is they also make a normal version which you would need to take every 8 hours without that risk but very very effective for pain. Now to the localized patches. Flector Patch a 4×6 path that is basically a montrin patch, great pain releif and can be worn for up to 12 hours at a time. Downfalls if you have any bleeding disprders or heart conditions, bowel issues then this one may NOT be for you. One of the major side effect is major sometimes life threating intestinal bleeding. This is usually in elderly patient with other health issues but just want it out there. Works wonderful for me but consult your dr first if this is someting you want to look into. Finally the last localized patch is caled lidoderm, A lidocane patch that goes on the surface of where the pain is and transfers licocane numbng agent into the surrounding areas to alive pain. There are no side effects from this patch and can be worn 12 hours with a break for a shower then can be reapplied. This works wonders for me especially after a day of keeping up with my kids.

All told I am currently 5 months out and have had two series of the TPI (Trigger Point Injections) yes they can be painful but if your are in constant pain the little bee sting was well worth it.

In my case the damamge to my back is so severe that I still have nerves being crushed by discs and vertibrate. All of these in combonation has knocked my pain level from a 9-10 to a 3-4 even on days when I’m out playing with my children doing what they want.

As wit anything it will be different for everyone the TPI’s can be administered many different was from just using the needle as a tool such as actupuncture, or injected with a lidocane to numb the areas and nerves, and finally what I get is the lidocane mixed with a steriod. This was the most effective for me and the best part was if I knew I had something comming up, travel, extended physical activity I can go get the injections as a preventitive and has worked very well. Just got back from Florida and was able to have a wonderful time walking up and down the beach with my wife for the first time in years.

I would highly reccommend looking into these as I thought I was hopeless and just had to deal with it. The straw that broke the camels back for me was when my son said that he was sad that daddy couldn’t be a normal daddy. That was all it took, and I have never looked back and we spend every moment together being a father and son without daddy having to cut it short ot not even be able to attend some of his sporting event because I was unable to stand nor sit in the steel bleachers for more than a few minutes before I was sweating bullets and poppin pills which I didn’t want my son to see.

Again everyone is different and I am in one of the best places for treatment, the good news for you is that these medicatins are available everywhere. Now that you have heard my story I hope this will give a little hope and possibly relieve your pain as well.

Thanks

Dan Raleigh NC