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Tips for reducing inflamation anyone?

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Posted 12/15/2016 9:57 AM (GMT -6)
Had 28 years of long term chronic pain with herniation/degeneration. My back seems better in recent times in the mornings as long as I don't sleep late, but it hurts by afternoon. I suspect the muscles become inflamed first. Then compression from gravity and likely weak muscles cause pain in the thoracic between T9 and T4. It moves around from time to time within this area. I am having success with Kratom to ease pain, but would like to get at the root of the problem.

Wondering if anyone has reduced their back pain significantly by reducing inflammation. What do you do to reduce inflammation?
Posted 12/15/2016 10:26 AM (GMT -6)
Hi CA & welcome to the chronic pain forum. Not knowing what or if you are currently on any medications makes it a little difficult to give many suggestions. It could be you have a lot of arthritis & there are medications used to treat the inflammation either by script or different OTC products. I have a lot of arthritis in my entire spine. Once winter hits here I am a mess. NSAIDS help me but I crohns so they are out of question. I got stupid & took massive doses of Ibuprofen which resulted in an ulcer, but it sure helped me. Are you on a muscle relaxer? Sorry for so many questions just trying to get an idea of the meds if any.

Take care.
Posted 12/15/2016 11:10 AM (GMT -6)
I've had some success by utilizing an anti-inflammatory diet. Obviously not the be-all and end-all to eradicate inflammation, but it does help keep it down to a low roar.

You can look it up, but the quick version is this: avoid sugars, extra fats, white carbs, alcohol, and processed meats (like hot dogs).
Posted 12/15/2016 11:13 AM (GMT -6)

straydog said...
Hi CA & welcome to the chronic pain forum. Not knowing what or if you are currently on any medications makes it a little difficult to give many suggestions. It could be you have a lot of arthritis & there are medications used to treat the inflammation either by script or different OTC products. I have a lot of arthritis in my entire spine. Once winter hits here I am a mess. NSAIDS help me but I crohns so they are out of question. I got stupid & took massive doses of Ibuprofen which resulted in an ulcer, but it sure helped me. Are you on a muscle relaxer? Sorry for so many questions just trying to get an idea of the meds if any.

Take care.

Questions are fine. I am using Kratom for pain which has replaced Oxycontin. I am on alprazolam (Xanax) and have reduced down to .75 mg per day and have been holding steady at this dosage for a month. I also take 10mg of zolpidem (Ambien) at bed time if needed. Right now that is more often than not. I don't use muscle relaxers because these often increases spasms and muscle tension when they wear off.

I weaned off of Gabapentin earlier this year. I stopped taking any acetaminophen 5 months ago and avoid the NSAIDS all together now. I don't drink any alcohol nor use marijuana as they make things worse.

I would like to figure out what is causing the inflammation as opposed to masking the symptoms. It always seems to begin with muscle tension which leads to pain.

+Lynnwood . My diet is mostly Ketogenic with a small amount of fruit but I do consume chicken and beef (no hot dogs), eggs. I used to not eat fat but now do. I don't notice a difference. I avoid dairy except for yogurt. I have white rice but avoid breads, processed carbs, and processed sugar. I do have 1 mug of coffee in the morning but don't notice a physical difference when I don't consume it. I went vegetarian for 30 days to see if it would make a difference and it did not. confused

Post Edited (ChickenArise) : 12/15/2016 10:37:47 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/15/2016 12:11 PM (GMT -6)
How old is your mattress? The way they are made these days, the 'life expectancy' is 10 years.

Posture is another way to fight inflammation. Do you use a lumbar support when sitting? Do you slouch? Do you use a body pillow or other accessories to maintain proper body alignment?

Do you wear the same pair of shoes, day after day? Carry a heavy shoulder bag? Groceries? Children?

Do you get any exercise? Regularly?

How do you relax?

Warm baths with Epsom salts can help. Massaging shower heads can too. T.E.N.S. units may be beneficial.

Perhaps wearing a brace that helps support the spine?

There are so many things we can do besides look to the pharmacy.
Posted 12/15/2016 2:03 PM (GMT -6)
You have been given some good ideas but I would be willing to bet you have arthritis & there are many ways to help treat it. Its a matter of finding what will work for you. It really is a one size fits all type of thing.

Hopefully you will find a way to reduce this. Take care.
Posted 12/16/2016 6:43 AM (GMT -6)
I have received some good replies. I like the Epsom salts idea as the inflammation always seems to start in the muscles first. Thank you.
Posted 1/16/2017 4:37 PM (GMT -6)
Hi chickenarise, I deal with inflammation all the time. Some inexpensive things I keep in my arsenal is this lotion called two old goats. It come in a blue bottle at Ace Hardware. It made of stuff like Lavender, Eucalyptus, Chamomile, Birch Bark and goats milk. I use it all over. And I haven't ever overdosed on it. I really like because after time the Menthol pathes and Heat rubs irritate my skin. And I get so tired of popping another pill. Another thing to try is an herbal tea with lavender chamomile and poppy. You can get a box for about 2.50 at most grocery stores but wal-mart typically is always out. Avoid the ones with lemongrass added. It will usually be marketed for sleep but I find that even the aroma will help me relax which is key to helping my muscles relax and help deal with the pain. Hope this helps. god bless.
Posted 1/17/2017 9:20 PM (GMT -6)
Thanks for your input. i think i figured out that i have a P. Acnes infection in my back. i posted the link to the article here in the forum under cure for back pain with Modic 1 type MRI. I am ordering the antibiotics and will be on them for100 days. I am confident that this will cure me. I will post my results down the line.
Posted 1/18/2017 8:46 AM (GMT -6)
Hey ChickenArise, one more thing, I'm giving tummeric a try. So far, I'm having to take four to five time the amout recommended on the bottle, though under the care of a physician, and it seems to make an impact. For me any difference is a huge help! I'm also on anti-inflammatories such Salsalate I take biologics, ocassionally steroids along with other who knows what. But I've gotten to the point with my joints being flared all the time that I'm willing to give anything a shot. I'm only on day 2 of the tummeric. Took three in the morning, was still walking at noon, took two more in the afternoon, think I needed that third one, and took three more last night before bed, woke for the first time in a while feeling half-way decent. I'm still flaring with my AS, and I had diahrea this morning, I will let you know if the if it from the tummeric or my flare.
Good luck with the Anti-biotics. I hope you have no ill effects.God Bless.
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