BACK PAIN, NO SLEEP HELP!

[SUNNYK]

im in desperate need of help for my dad. he has had 7 back surgeries, with no relief. he has learned to live with the pain, however his lack of sleep im afraid is going to put him over the edge. he usually goes to bed around 8 and gets up about 11:30, waking up 2-3 times in between. it has been this way for about 5 years, progressively getting worse. he currently is taking lunesta so you would think he would sleep longer, but cannot. he has tried everything, ambien, rozarem, tylenol pm and many others. there has to be something out there that can help him get some sleep. i know this is so bad for him to get such little sleep. he doesnt want to take pain pills, they have never done much for him in the past. i told him to go see his gp and find out other options. he is a very stubborn man and said he will just have to live this way. i hate to see him so tired all the time. anyone having ideas, suggestions?  thanks,  worried daughter...

[Suri123]

Hi sunny, how is your dad keeping now? Is his low back improved or still remains a concern? Did you speak to your dad regarding the option of going in for a pain relief surgery and consulting the orthopedic doctor. Have you tried to do local heat therapy or a massage therapy to his back? He needs to walk or move around a little bit daily as just lying down on bed at this age can cause him the low back due to spending more time in bed and most of times in same posture. This can also put undue pressure in back leading sometimes to bed sore. So give him a very high standard personal care. Keep posted about your thoughts and take care.

[Suri123]

Hi Sunny, Thanks for your reply. Can you say whether your father is able to do his daily routine himself or is dependent on anyone. He needs special care particularly at his age and with low back pain. Is he presently taking any pain medications? Calmpose at bedtime can be of much help. A few session of massage therapy can also help. It is better to ask for an MRI low back in his re-evaluation visit. Also take him to a sleep specialist fo an advise. Take care and keep updating on his health and progress. Take care.  

[SUNNYK]

thanks for you advice, i will talk to my dad tonight

[Suri123]

Hi Sunny, Thanks for your reply and details of your dad. It seems he is under stress might be due to the constant pain and limitations in his daily activities of life. I feel there could have been some late surgical complications due to repetitive surgeries in low back that might have caused or developing the constant pain and probable nerve impingement. He needs to be re-evaluated by an orthpedician for a detailed examination and necessary investigations. Please discuss the plan of care considering his age. Locally you can do a gentle massage, rub a pain balm and do hot fomentation. As i mentioned early, you can always ask for a pain reduction surgery. Keep updating about his progress. Take care.

[SUNNYK]

HELLO, HE IS 60 YRS OLD, HAS HAD 7 SURGERIES ON HIS LOWER BACK, DEGENERATIVE DISK, HAS HAD FUSHIONS, HARDWARE PUT IN, TAKEN OUT, THE WORKS. NOTHING HAS HELPED. THIS IS DUE TO HIS WORKING ON CEMENT FLOORS FOR 30 YRS AND IS WORKERS COMP,  HIS SURGEON IS ALWAYS "WILLING" TO GO BACK IN BUT HE IS WORSE NOW THAN BEFORE HIS FIRST SURGERY. HE HASNT WORKED FOR 5 YRS.  THANKS!
SUNNY

[Suri123]

Hi, how is your dad doing. Hope he gets better and lives a pain free life. How old is he and what was the diagnosis. Does all these 7 back surgeries done for same problem or different. Did he suffer from any major inuty or is there any aggravating factors. You need to provide some more information. Certainly a chronic back ache does cause troublesome pain and discomfort so he may not be able to sleep peacefully. Try to give hot pad to low back, gently apply volini gel and gentle massage which may be comforting. Pain medications can give some temporary relief and can cause more disturbing Gastritis if taken for long periods. You can take him to orthopedician for re-evaluation and some possible pain relieving surgeries. Keep posting your thoughts. Bye.