Please help I am new here

Hi, Mary,
Welcome to the CP forum. I am in my upper 50's and have had chronic neck problems since my 30's. I've had some excellent physical therapy over the years, mostly in the 1990's, and to this day I still have to do the stretches, use a good cervical pillow, and watch my posture, etc. or it can get very bad quickly. (my lower back is the main reason for my serious pain, but that's another story).

What I have learned over the years is that chiropractics can be dangerous for your neck because there are so many nerves that pass through the small spaces; it's more helpful for your lower back. BUT a good physical therapist - one who specializes in dealing with the cervical spine - can be a godsend. I suspect your recent tennis playing has aggravated some thing. Muscles can entrap a lot of nerves, it doesn't always have to be at the spinal level to cause problems. The good news is that a lot of physical therapy, some massage, etc, and following the instructions of your PT and doctor can make for a lot of improvement over time. But it does take time. I'm not a doctor, but your symptoms probaby aren't coming from a tumor (I think your doctor would have spotted something). If I were you the first thing I'd do is ask for a referral to a good physical therapist. I'd call them and ask who specializes in dealing with cervical spine problems.

PaLady

Poppy,

I have worked for a vet for the last 6 1/2yrs and I have never heard of Rapigel, so I wouldn't assume that every vet carries it. I can also say that we wouldn't just give something like that out to just anyone looking for it. It would have to be prescribed to an animal that has a condition that warrants it use. Not to say that you don't get this stuff from your vet. I don't know the circumstance or your relationship with them, but I can say that I don't believe that getting a medication from a vet that you plan on using for yourself is really very plausible.

Other than that, I'd like to welcome you & Mary to HW. I'm sorry about all the pain you are in, but you certainly have come to a great place for support!

Skeye

Post Edited (skeye) : 12/20/2008 9:12:56 PM (GMT-7)

Whoops, you are right Pamela. Must not have read too carefully. I'll change that. Thanks

mary, other than codeine, i have never heard of those meds..... but let me give my opinion of chirpopracoters. i might get some heat for this, so this is my personal experience. when i first started having back pain it was about 10 years ago with migranes. after failed attempt after attempt from my dr he recommended having my spine checked. well, the first chiropractor said i had scoliosis. pulling, twisting, cracking, etc. i moved & about 5 years later my back began to start aching. i chucked it up to being a bartender. then the pain got so intense i went to my family dr & kept telling them something was wrong.... no its my job, i am too young for that kind of pain, blah blah blah. so i went to a local chiropractor. when i left that day i felt pretty good, her diagnosis was something about my hips being out of place. more yanking, pulling strectching.... then it got to where i could barely move. when i moved again my family dr referred me on to a pain specialist. finally an mri. somethings i can't pronounce along with 6 bulging discs, sciatica & there was a break on the inside of my vertebrae. from something or someone causing trauma to my spine..... i never had a severe injury as a child so my family says, nothing major growing up that i can remember- all i could think was the chiropractor..... there was once when the first chiro had me twisted and yanked it took the breathe out of me. i think thats where the severe injury came from. i think if its someone who has a normal occasional back ache, or is healthy then a chiro may be very beneficial..... but for people like us- i think we need to stick with the people who are specialized in this subject. i wish i had gone years ago to a specialist, maybe there would have been more than just medicine to help. you talked about the burning feeling, i have it in my legs & one arm. lyrica helps a lot, but there are days i don't sleep from it. right now i am in so much pain, if there was an 11 i'd be there. we never sleep, i know i can say i hardly eat, constant nausea, pills, expense, depression insomnia.... the list keeps going. you need someone who can refer you to the right people. you need a team of them too..... if you want to spen your money someplace i can't reccomend enough the powers of a good masseuse, especially one who will understand your problem. mine was nice enough to go back to school and ask her teacher how to deal with my problems, can you believe that? (my theory you tip big enough people will always treat you well.... ha ha) i have tried accupuncture before medicine, it was a waste of money. it was nice, felt like i was in a tanning bed, the heat from the needles. very relaxing. but no help. there are physical therapists. you need a shrink to talk about your life- or the lack of.... my PCP recommended it & it does help if you get someone who can deal with people in chronic pain. some of us even have neurologists... i feel like i am 80, not 31. but, i just feel like there are some areas where modern science trumps holistic health. this is my personal experience. if you feel like you want to investigate the options- by all means don't let me stop you. but my opinion is that you have something going on, you know you do- you need a professional & let them make the decision as to what you should do. i wish i had that advice 10 years ago. i would have never ever thought the best years of my life i would be at home, waiting on disability. and pain specialist are a lot more than just medication. they are a support system. i am very close to my dr, he is a few years older than me & suffers from chronic back pain. so he gets it. it took awhile to find one who would listen to me, and when the results came back i felt so validated there was something wrong. i had so many years of wrong diagnosis, yet no one had done an mri. i know this is a long post & i like to ramble.... but just be careful if you decide to go with a chirporactor. i would suggest a specialist. you have something going on. i know i thought it was in my head for years, yet i would cry myself to sleep some nights from the pain. and i will always have some amount of pain, nothing will take it away 100%. but there are a lot of options for you through them, more than just medication. and you couldn't ask for a better cheerleader. i know some people have had trouble with getting a good dr, i did too. but once i did, they have made a difference in my life. good luck on your journey, just be cautious & welcome to our small family. :)

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RX's: Oxycontin 80 MG 2x's daily; Dilaudid 8 MG 4xs daily; Zanaflex 4mg 3x's daily; Restoril 15mg 1x; Soma 3x's daily; Lyrica 100 MG 3x's daily (pain & fibro.); Phenergan 25 MG (as needed); Amitriptyline 25 MG 1x (chronic pain); Cymbalta 60mg 2x's daily (pain from fibro); Metoclopram (as needed) & Senokot (as needed).