in pain management, seeking advice for next step

[badback631]

I'm currently in pain management and am quite young (21 y/o) living with chronic pain. Two major car accidents, and one sports injury lead to 4 herniated/ruptured discs. I've had steriod and epidural injections (6 in last year), radio-frequency, and disectomy, and nameless other procedures. P/M put me in chiro after p/t ended. On skelaxin, and desiprimine for nerve damage and spasms. Should i go back on ultram? I feel like i'm at the end of the rope here because the doctor's keep telling me I'm "too young" for "opiates" and further surgery. etc. however im in chronic pain! ANY ADVICE PLEASE!!!! desiprimine is terrible!

[Hityty]

Oh you poor thing, that sounds so terrible, I'm sorry you're going through so much. Do you take anything for sleep? How are you sleeping? Does anything like massage help? What about alternative med's or therapy's, like seeing a natureopath?
This may be a good site to check out, "Remedy Find, Health Conditions" at: http://www.remedyfind.com/hc_default.aspx
Scroll down to "back pain," and there will be a list of problems & therapies/treatments that are rated by sufferers. I wish I could offer more help, PLEASE keep us posted, K!

[badback631]

Hi hityty, thank you for your concern and advice. I'm currently scrolling through your website. For sleep i just take an extra muscle relaxer, Skelaxin 800MG, which nearly puts me comatose. My sleep is disturbed and scattered.DR's could care less. Its currently 3AM though, but Im a college student and its finals week, and I also worked a double shift tonite (waiting tables). None of this of course helps my back!! What exactly is a natureopath? and what alternative meds do u suggest? I am up for anything. I see a massage therapist often, however priceeeeyyy $$$. I was just advised that the chiropractic I am in can be detrimental to my situation. I also just finished 6 months of p/t. Still in same amount of pain. :(. i also have a "tens" machine which is a muscle stim, cost me $1500, insurance just finally paid for it. To make a long story short, it's a long cycle leading me into MORE pain....have u been in the same experience?

[Hityty]

Here's Wikipedia's def of Naturopathy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturopath
I've been dealing w/FMS/CFS for 15 yrs & hvy metals tox' other weird things my entire life. So I understand the frustration, most of us here do. College AND working must be tough! I'm not at all one for chiro's, but my husband w/the chronic back pain is. I asked about sleep because I know 1st hand that it can make things so much worse. The Skelaxin sounds pretty potent, have you tried other sleeping aides: Meletonin; Tylenol PM; Ambien; Lunestra? Here's a good site to check drug interactions: http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Interaction/ChooseDrugs/1,4109,,00.html

I've been dealing with chronic pain for about 18 yrs, trying everything & anything, finally in August was prescribed a therapy called "The Marshall Protocol,"(MP) its long term, not easy, but it is HIGHLY successful in treating many cond's, esp autoimmune symp's. You may want to check it out. marshallprotocol.com & see: Essential Information about the MP. Is it possible you are dealing with something like FMS or CFS/CFIDS, Lyme, etc? these mimic each others symptoms, esp acute & chronic pain, weakness, fatigue, etc.

I have to ask, does your diet include anything that contains artificial sweeteners, like Aspartame or Succrolose? They're in a lot of diet foods & energy drinks, despite being toxic poisons. (Also in toothpastes, med's, vitamins, breath mints, etc.) Check ALL ingredients, they have been the cause of many illnesses or at least greatly hindered recovery.

I'll check back again, I hope this isn't too much info, I just can relate & feel for you.

[badback631]

i relate and feel for you as well! painful and frustrating lifestyle, but your attitude and perseverance are encouraging. Yes, by the way my diet contains many sucralose/splenda containg products, sugar free gums, breathmints etc. I wasn't aware of problems they could cause but i will look into it, thanks. As well as sleep, Ive tried melatonin- never worked. Trazadone seemed to help however very hungover next morning. I'm going to eat a little and try some advil pm tonite. Thanks again.

[icemachine]

hey man, i'm here for you.. i'm 22 yrs old and have broken 80 bones in the last 5 years. i've been ejeceted from one vehicle @ 100 miles an hour and landed 300 yards away head first. second time around i was ejected from a rolling chevy lumina and landed in a ditch. i've also broken 8 ribs and a punctured lung on a rock climbing accident, along with 3 major skull fractures and 7 concusions.. so i feel for you man.. i don't know what kind of clinic you are going to but i would try a pain management clinic if you have'nt yet. also, i suggest a tens unit. i take over ten different meds for pain, and i just started on oxycontin, and i have to say, i have'nt felt this good in years.. i don't mean good by high, i mean good by pain free.. i've tried everything from darvaset, lortab, percocet, ultram, ect.. and allthough i know the risks of oxyies, its the only thing that has acually helped. its also less addictive than lortab, pecocet, vicoden, ect.. i would also talk to your doctor about suboxone. its a drug for coming off of narcotics, but it can also be used as long term pain management.. i've fought tooth and nail with all my doctors about prescribing me something that will work, and honestly, you kind of have to be a dick about it.. yeah, you're too young for opiates, but its pretty hard to just stay alive when you're in soo much pain you can't even get out of bed.. another thing i would strongly suggest is to set up a good exersize and yoga program, and mabey work with a physical therapist to help you.. its like one of my sports rehab docts told me, you either use it or loose it.. so do what you can, and hang in there!! you'll get through it man.. i know how it feels to be this young and feel this old, but you just have to play the hand you're dealt..
take it easy- and good luck-

[icemachine]

sorry, brain injury mistake..

[badback631]

wow you've been through it all huh? thanks for the advice. i see the docs next week because ive been fighting for a month without any thing thinkin i could get through it. gym, and recent weight loss proved well, however breakthrough pain is a *****. i hate to be moaning about it but i think its time i really did speak up and be more aggressive. neuro wants to look into fusion, finally. take care, please! have a safe new year.