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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
        
(Message started by: nancyc on Dec 12^th, 2004, 12:00pm)

Title: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by nancyc on Dec 12^th, 2004, 12:00pm

I am at a loss about what to do...Most of you know I was in the hospital in traction last week...Well, I thought I was getting better so I returned to work...Today, I can hardly walk....but have to go into work. I have a pinched nerve in my hip and it is so damn painful, I could die. I have tried everything to get relief...butt nothing is helping me.....PLEASE give me some advise. The pain meds are not helping, the antiimflamitories are not helping.....muscle relaxers are not helping...Heat and ice are only temporary relief..and the other nite, I even resorted to alcohol to try to stop the pain (yep, that was the nite, I wrote the stupid post on the mb LOL). Nothing will take this pain away. Please say a prayer for me as I Have to work today and I can barely walk....My doctor is doing nothing for me but medicating me...I am going to my neuro for this....Do you think a chiropractor or orthopedic would help me more? I am scared as I dont know how to stop this nerve pain.. This is not good for a nurse...I need to be able to walk...Love you guys,. ...smiles,nancyc

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by nani on Dec 12^th, 2004, 12:06pm

That really stinks! I'm guessing a chiro and/or a massage therapist would do more good than more meds. There is a homeopathic treatment called hypericum that I have found very helpful in nerve/pinched nerve issues. It doesn't do a damn thing for trigrminal nerve issues though. Once you get the nerve issue resolved, you probably need to treat the muscles with massage or meds to relax them. If you can stand to do some gentle, easy stretching in the meantime, it might keep you a little more mobile. I hope you get some relief nancy... [smiley=hug.gif]

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by Svenn on Dec 12^th, 2004, 12:07pm

I'm guessing a chiro and/or a massage therapist would do more good than more meds

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by nancyc on Dec 12^th, 2004, 12:12pm

Nani, I had been trying to stretch exercise but it seems to be just getting more inflammed...does anyone know about Indocin? I have a script for it and may get it filled today...I had an epidural done last week to no avail....I am in so much damn pain, I could die...This is really scaring me ....I am at the point, I cant hardly stand up...but I have to go into work today..What am I going to do? I thought chs were painful...but with them, you atleast get a break from the pain...I am not getting any relief.....PLEASE pray for me, family...I dont know how long I can handle this pain..Dont mean to be a whiner but I HURT LIKE HELL...anyone that has ever had this can relate..thanks, smiles,nancyc

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by Jonny on Dec 12^th, 2004, 12:17pm

I feel for you Nancy, I should be working today also, but seeing that I work for myself im able to take one day off before I end up om my back for two weeks. got mad burn scars from the damn heating pad.

The worst of it is not being able to pace when the beast shows up.

I know what you are going through babe and it is not fun.

Vibes on the way (its all I got......sorry)

...................................jonny

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by nani on Dec 12^th, 2004, 12:18pm

It's sciatica, right? Indocin is an NSAID, like ibuprofen. I'm trying it now to rule out CPH. Eat with it. I don't know if it will help much...it's used for arthritis mostly. Try the hypericum. Get it at a health food store. You can take it along with any other meds you're taking. What's worst about sciatica is how quickly you realize that every single damned muscle in your lower body is somehow linked to that ONE nerve. If stretching hurts, don't do it for now. Maybe after a HOT shower or bath. If you have to, use an affice chair to roll around the floor in. (really) That'll keep the pressure off the leg thats also triggering the nerve pain. Good luck...
Oh and prayers going out to you and jonny... [smiley=hug.gif]

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by nancyc on Dec 12^th, 2004, 12:56pm

The doc says it is sciatica...I have no idea...all I know is that I cant take this pain...thank God that my chs are being quiet rite now...i could not deal with both of them at this point....I am going in to work but if i dont get some relief soon, the ER will see me tonite...Jonny, my heart goes out to you over this one..I dont know how anyone deals with this crap and chs together...You are in my prayers....Looks like I will be out of work again...this is too much stress....love ya, smiles,nancyc

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by Cerberus on Dec 12^th, 2004, 1:14pm

Quote:

Do you think a chiropractor or orthopedic would help me more?

Probably ;)

Ramon

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by Sylvan on Dec 12^th, 2004, 1:31pm

Hi Nancy:

Sciatica is something i feel qualified to offer advice on. Before the CH started - it definately qualified as the worst pain i've ever dealt with. I could describe it as if someone was pouring boiling water down inside my leg.

I have been dealing successfully with sciatica for over 10 years.

First and foremost - you need to see an orthopedist. Probably get an MRI if you haven't had one already to determine exactly which discs are affected. In my case it was L5 & S1. herniated.

With sciatica - you actually want to apply ice to the small of your back - just above your butt. I know that's not where the pain is - but that's where the inflamed nerve starts. Oddly enough - when the pain is only in your back or maybe your butt cheek - that is a sign that the inflamation is lessening. It's the worst when it goes all the way to your instep.

I needed physical therapy for several months and had to learn the appropriate stretching excercises to lessen the pressure on that nerve. There are several that you can literally do anywhere that help. I still do them frequently. I have not had a debilitating flare up in over 8 years.

One is to stand with your legs shoulder width apart, place your palms on the back of your hips and lean your upper body only backwards. Then hold for a minute or so. Release and do it again, several times. This is a form of extension stretching and is much more effective for lower back and sciatica pain than flexion (bending or stretching forwards)

Another easy one is to lay flat on your stomach and elevate your shoulders and upper body so that your hips remain on the flat surface. (A soft bed is not good for this one) You can shift your hips towards the effected side for a little additional relief. Applying either a hot or cold compress to the lower back while doing this helps a lot too. I prefer the cold - works better for me than the heat.

As far as meds - Aleve has been the best OTC med i've found to combat nerve pain. The other n-saids (including RX) did not do much for me. The effects of Aleve are pretty much negated by alcohol though - so if you take it - don't drink.

Hope this has been helpful - and if you need any additional stretching exercise clarification - PM me.

PF thoughts coming your way.

Sylvan

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by Bandette74 on Dec 12^th, 2004, 1:36pm

run to the chiro. they're normally intimately familiar with this problem and have treated it over and over. if they can help, they can tell you after an x-ray and an exam. they can also give myriad tips on coping.

i sprained my back recently (not even close to what you're going through except for a few hours one day when it was badly inflamed), and i took a week off work to make sure that i don't irritate it, and now it's healing. i'm still fighting the beast, so the week off was a good idea all around. can you take time off?

anyway, enough about me, try the chiro and check out acupuncture and if there's a well-respected homeopathic doctor around who knows acupuncture and alternative meds, even better. there's one in my area who has worked wonders for friends. i haven't needed him yet, but word of mouth is that he's helped many.

best of luck to you! so sorry you're hurting

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by marlin on Dec 12^th, 2004, 5:26pm

Before you see a chiro do yourself a big favor and get an MRI. If there's any disc damage or other soft tissue damage stay as far away from the chiro as you can. I made the mistake of letting one adjust my neck. I never hurt worse in my life and have never been the same since. A few weeks later, after an MRI, I discovered I have 5 crushed discs in my neck. A little exercise and knowing my limits is what keeps me out of a neck brace.

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by BobG on Dec 12^th, 2004, 6:00pm

I have suffered bouts of Sciatica for many years. There is a muscle that is squeezing the nerve and the muscle needs to be stretched and relaxed to release the nerve.

Here’s what I do

Each morning sit on the floor, a soft floor.
Pull your knees up to your chest and wrap your arms around them.
Tighten the pull on your knees toward your chest as much as you can and hold it for about 10 seconds and relax about 10 seconds. Do it again and relax about 10 seconds. Do it one more time and relax about ten seconds,
Pull your knees to your chest and rock over backwards. Still holding your knees, rock and roll back and forth about 10 times on the small of your back/upper butt.

OK, you’re done.

Repeat again in the evening.

You probably will have to do this everyday for 3 or 4 days.

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by Bandette74 on Dec 12^th, 2004, 6:32pm

on 12/12/04 at 17:26:42, marlin wrote:

yes! my chiro will not adjust anyone without at least an x-ray or an mri if he's not satisfied with the x-ray. be careful. many chiros have made things worse for people by not being responsible.

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by Charlie on Dec 12^th, 2004, 6:56pm

Nancy,

Sorry to learn of this. First, a chriopracter cannot help sciatica......nor much of anything else. They take a lot of x-rays and have you come back and back and back. A GP or other specialist makes more sense.

My late nurse friend said that the most effective immediate relief for his type of sciatica was traction of some kind. Sometimes you do a form of it yourself.

On the other hand.....about 2 years ago, I had a pain in my back that nearly killed me. It was a muscle thing on top of my constant lumbar pain. I could find no position that I was comfortable in. At the ER, I was given some Skelaxin, a muscle relaxant that worked in about 24 hours. Wonderful stuff.

Good luck kid. We're widja.

Charlie

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by Sean_C on Dec 12^th, 2004, 6:58pm

Vibes comin' Nancy. take a couple of days off and rest.

Keep smilin

Sean........................

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by stevegeebe on Dec 12^th, 2004, 9:32pm

This may sound crazy but ask you doc about neurontin. I only say this because my Dad had back surgery a while ago and he was prescribed neurontin.

He was surprized that I took them for CH.

Maybe it's dumb but it would not hurt to ask.

Vibes Nancy.

Steve G

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by Karla on Dec 12^th, 2004, 10:08pm

I would try a chiropractor. I think you would find the most relief following that route.

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by nancyc on Dec 13^th, 2004, 12:26am

Oh, God bless you guys for all the wonderful advise...I have learned so much lately about this stuff....I just never thought I would have to deal with it.....I also, learned, dont drink LOL...it only made me feel worse the next day. I have had an MRI...I have bulging disc, DJD, athritis, nerve impingement in the cervical...the lumbar has one bulging disc..but the MRI says the lumbar is mild....So, I am calling my GP in the morning and going to see an Orthopedic if my Neuro will release me...he is in control of my whole life at this point, it seems....Thanks so much for the great exercises too..i am going to do them tonite...Work wanted me to come home tonite but I put on a tight girdle with a heat pack in it so it was hitting the bottom of my back...It really helped alot..also, got the Indocin filled and started it...
Again, God bless you all for caring...this pain is quite unreal for this ole nurse....smiles,nancyc

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by BarbaraD on Dec 13^th, 2004, 6:37am

Hope you're doing better this morning. Glad you got the girdle - it always helped me.

Phenobarb is about the only pain med that ever helped me and it's addicting. I just take one every once in a while.

Massage therapy might help. It probably won't hurt and will give you a little releif for a while.

Get your butt to the ortho or neuro as soon as possible.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by nancyc on Dec 13^th, 2004, 12:37pm

GOD, this is unreal....I can hardly walk...I cant live on pain pills and heat pads...I wore a heating pad in my girdle the entire nite of working....Then this morning I couldnot walk when I got up....My neuro is also my pain management doctor...He put me on the 25mcg duragesic patch two years ago, and my chs have improved about 75%.....I only have breakthrus that I can live with now. BUT, he is doing nothing for this but medicating me and it is not helping! He will not release me to go to an Orthopedic and I am about to die from this pain. I dont want drugs to stop the pain...I WANT THE PAIN TO STOP!!!!! I have a call in to my GP who I am going to have call my Neuro to get something done..this is ridiculous! I hate doctors!!!! Keep praying cause I am in bad shape today....thanks for your love, smiles,nancyc PS Barb, i love the girdle! Oh, one other thing....when i put the heat on the end of my spine, the pain eases up....doesnt that indicate the nerve is pinched cause of the bulging disc in the lumbar?

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by nancyc on Dec 13^th, 2004, 6:19pm

GOOD NEWS! My GP called...she is getting me in to see an Orthopedic surgeon hopefully this week...I am so relieved.....keep praying please...thanks, smiles,nancyc :)

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by Bandette74 on Dec 13^th, 2004, 6:22pm

on 12/13/04 at 18:19:28, nancyc wrote:

GOOD NEWS! My GP called...she is getting me in to see an Orthopedic surgeon hopefully this week...I am so relieved.....keep praying please...thanks, smiles,nancyc :)

wonderful news!! prayers are with you!!!

Title: Re: I REALLY NEED SOME ADVISE HERE
Post by BlueMeanie on Dec 13^th, 2004, 7:05pm

Vibes to you Nancy.