I’ve been to a pain management specialist and all she wanted to do was throw hard drugs at me. I see my spine doctor this Thursday. I know he is going to look at my new X-rays and say everything is fine. Then he will just refer me to another specialist. I wish my accident would have killed me instead of leaving me to suffer like this.
What are "hard drugs?" What you've heard through the media? There are no HARD drugs unless they cause injury to the body (like antibiotics on reserve that no one can use as they are appointed as last drugs in case something is completely resistant. They can cause your hair and teeth to fall out but they will save your life). If you are referring to opioids they are one of the safest drugs to the body -- people worry about over dose but you can over dose on anything. The two worst drugs are nicotine and alcohol yet they are sold over the counter (and yes, you can OD on them).
Unless you are a known addict, I would try this path. If someone offers a solution, try it. Or do you just want to b**** every day?
I’ve been to a pain management specialist and all she wanted to do was throw hard drugs at me. I see my spine doctor this Thursday. I know he is going to look at my new X-rays and say everything is fine. Then he will just refer me to another specialist. I wish my accident would have killed me instead of leaving me to suffer like this.
Reading your description of the pain is very similar to the exact pain that I have. Its been 2 years since my accident and I've had this pain since I woke up in the hospital. It started with the belt tightening around the injury level, it progressed to more areas since then but its a squeezing muscle tightening pain throughout my rib cage and abdominal muscles.
I wish I could give you better news but I haven't found a reason or cure yet. Unfortunately I'm on a massive amount of opioid meds along with high doses of all the nerve, spasm and muscle relaxers that you can name. I have been using marijuana recently, it gives me some muscle relaxation and I have been able to take slightly less pain meds while using it.
The next thing I want to try is the trial injection of baclofen to see if it affects the area of the spasm. If it does then you can make the choice of having the baclofen pump surgically put in.
Feel free to ask any questions on my experiences or meds taken, I'll tell you what I can. Hoping you have some moments of relief.
I was reading just now about quinine,...the powered bark of the cinchona tree...taken against malaria. This part got my attention: “A recent use for quinine drugs has been for the treatment of muscle spasms and leg cramps... This use has fueled the natural product market and more people are looking for natural quinine bark as an alternative to the synthesized prescription drugs for this purpose.” www.rain-tree.com/quinine.htm#.WupvMspOmf0
I don’t have any quinine, though I see it is available for sale online. However, I’ve used quassia for over twenty years. It has similar properties to quinine. I keep it on my bedside table. In fact, I had just mixed up a dose and was about to take it when I ran across the above fascinating article. So, now, I’ll roll over to my bedside table and drink my dose of quassia, the bitterest herb known to man. Whatever it takes!
I saw my spine specialist yesterday. The first step toward eliminating my abdominal pain is a pill called Gabraten, (sp)? If this pill doesn’t help with results then I am scheduled to see another specialist at the end of May. Doctor seems to think there is good chances of getting pain under control one way or another. Hopefully this pill will work so I don’t have to keep chasing doctors around.
I have done the spinal cord stimulator trial with no success. I now have a baclfen pain pump installed as of three weeks ago. The pump is also loaded with a drug called Dilaudid for pain. The medication has to be ramped up over several weeks. So far I’m still in agonizing pain...staying in bed sometimes 12 hours a day or more. The pump has done amazing things for my leg spasms but nothing for debilitating pain. I’m so sad for missing a lot of my grandkids school functions. I am trying to move forward to eliminate pain but all avenues thus far have proven unsuccessful. Gabapenton seems to help zero with pain. My abdominal muscles still spasm bad and my rib cage pain is the killer. I’ve gotta go for now but I wanted to update everyone. Thank you for your time.
2510,...rib cage pain. Hmmm. Please give thought to possibly having bad bacteria in your upper digestive tract. I put drops of food grade oregano oil into an empty capsule and take the capsule with water. This stops my ‘rib cage pain’ within 20 minutes. Don’t suffer needlessly. Here’s links to the food grade oregano oil and empty capsules. Neither are very expensive.
Oregano oil can also be used to give fragrance to homemade soap. And empty capsules can also be filled with dry, powdered, herbs.
If I stay reclined and relax my abdominal pain goes away...almost. As soon as I bounce around in the upright position my stomach muscles draw extremely tight...pulling to one side thus creating my pain.
2510, I had the same situation when I was living in South America. I was on a trip, staying with a family in a costal city. I’d been in agony with stomach cramps (like what you describe), but woke up the next morning feeling fine. However, as soon as I moved around just a little, it started all over again. Agony. At that time, I didn’t know about oregano oil and Tape Parakil,...so I just suffered and suffered terribly. It ruined the whole trip. Why else would I still remember it decades later?
I was checking out the link on oregano that you posted. I’ve got an appointment tomorrow with pain pump doctor but it sounds as though the oregano could possibly help with muscle cramps? I’m certainly not fond of taking pills but am still new to my injury and hoping to move forward with my life. This pain thing has got to stop first and foremost.
Oregano oil kills E-coli bacteria. The OIL is what you need. And you can’t touch it to your lips. You have to put the drops of oil into a capsule, then swallow the capsule. Your stomach is made for the strong oil and will immediately thank you. But your appointment for the pain pump is tomorrow,...and that doctor will NOT be happy with the oregano oil idea, nor will he condone your taking it. So, the choice is yours.
[The antibacterial activity of oregano essential oil (Origanum heracleoticum L.) against clinical strains of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa]. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23484421
I do also use the oregano with lemon if the smell of my urine changes. Knocks out any chance of a uti. Recently doterra which a top leading essential oil company just released turmeric and Copaiba in a sortable capsule. I have been using Copaiba for the last year and have gotten very good results in pain reduction and leg spasms. Right now it is little hard to get from reps since we are only able to order 2 at a time. I do have a friend who can get me 2 more if someone is interested it in. Google the oil and read the reviews. It has been very remarkable for many people.I only take vicodin when I have pushed myself too hard at work or in the garden.
...back to doctor this morning. I will keep everyone posted, if interested. I’m simply wanting to move on with life. My pain just runs my life...and I don’t mean to be a whiner. I live in Indiana and we drive to Indianapolis which is about 1.5 hours away.
The pain doctor increased dosage in pain pump 2 days ago. I notice no difference yet...I’m bummed. Doctor says not to worry because we still have plenty of time to continue increasing dosage. I go back October 24.