Degenerative Disc Disease Support Group

I try not to take to much medication. I do use the lidoderm patch which helps me a great deal and I have no side effects from them. I also have ultram and flexeril to use daily if I want and then vicodin when the pain is really bad, like tonite. I find if I alternate heat and ice when I am at home that helps alot too. Hope this helps..Blessings..missourigal

Thanks Miss... I cant take two of the medications you listed. My high pain medications is percocet. Flexril gives me nightmares and vicodin made me sick. I have a really low tolerance. :( But an extremely high pain tolerance .... which gets me into trouble.

I have the same problems with the meds. Either they aren't strong enough to help the pain or they make me sick even with compazine. My heating pad is my best friend and I have a tens unit that helps me a lot. I don't know if it the tens unit itself helps take away the pain or if it is that I can turn it up so high that it hurts more than my back!

Medication and movies. Pink and I cuddle up and watch movies. Oh don't forget the popcorn.

Doug/Ouch

I know what you mean when it comes to over medicating. I use Lortab 10 & my heating pad is my best friend. I know it all can wear out its welcome on your body & I try & only take the least amount possible. Sometimes a good long soak in the bath can do wonders too. Hope you find some relief soon :)
Extra Prayers,
Melissa

I too have difficulty with meds, a low tolerance for anything too strong, but I found when I took percocet if I broke it in half, and took the other half an hour later it was easier on my system. first time I took a whole one I thought I was going to OD, scared me real bad, but i thought about how they use the morphine pump in hospitals, they use a little at a time to keep maintenance rather than overkill.
I also use T3's less the caffiene (Emtec) and flexeril, heat or hot showers, cant do cold it causes spasms from hell. and when I am going crazy with the pain.. Klonipin. it helps me relax.

acupuncture has helped me. at first i was the biggest skeptic on the planet, and worried (as a person with a strong (non-Eastern based) belief with which it might clash...however, i found someone who practices it who used to be a paramedic, and going to him is much like going to any regular doctor's office--asking a few quick questions on the phone would give you a good idea of what type of office you are dealing with--most are happy to share about their philosophy or try to educate you about their training so that you know if you are a good match. for a long time it was the ONLY thing that helped with the pain. i have DDD and had taken as much as 200 mg. of morphine a day in addition to 80 mg. of percocet--that wasn't touching my pain and it was causing me stomach problems and problems with not breathing regularly when i slept. (i have cut WAY back on my meds since then, but still do the acupuncture). it's at least worth a try.

i also use theragesic--it's a deep-heat type of topical rub you can get over-the-counter at wal-mart or any drug store. just the sensation on your skin can be a distractor and can work a bit like a cold/heat pack. a cloth bag of rice or beans heated in the microwave makes a nice massaging heating pad too....it's good to have it at least a little damp though--dry heat dehydrates your muscles and can add to or cause spasms.

if all else fails, i beg my 9 year old to walk on my back, but that's probably not recommended depending on your injuries or problems...but sometimes, i just can't help myself, and i'm desperate. that or i have my husband squeeze me from behind while i have my arms wrapped like i'm hugging myself. he wraps his arms around mine making sure my elbows are inside of his arms, i relax my head back against his chest adn let him give me a hug, sometimes it releases the tension and gives me a gentle crack...kind of a layman's chiropractic visit...obviously--i'm desperate at times. :)

hope something helps.
em

I would suggest medical marijuana, it helps to take the edge off and has bascially no side effects-all natural you know!Check out this site for more info. www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org, and in Colorado, Medical Marijuana is legal with a license from the state. Let me know if you want more information, I've done a lot of research- Take Care hope you feel better!

I agree with the acupuncture. I was getting scheduled for surgery since the pain was a constant 9-10. I started acupuncture a few weeks ago. It has taken a few appointments but my pain is decreased and I am holding off on surgery. I haven't had a 9 or 10 day in a couple of weeks. I am also trying some chinese herbs ...I figure if I am going non-traditional I may as well give it all a try.