Dealing with Chronic Pain: Tips and Tricks

They keep throwing muscle relaxers at me and it isn’t helping my pain personally and NASAIDs are only doing so much for me.. I’ve been using peppermint oil and CBD lotion and cream to get me by, it’s not a permanent fix but it helps me better than what my doctors are giving me.

I have spondylolisthesis and had a bilevel fusion in 2013. I’m now getting a spinal cord stimulator implanted on the 21st to help me with the residual nerve pain, which is significant. This is after physical therapy, medications, injections, etc. haven’t worked. I’m feeling hopeful for the first time in a long while.

👍hmm. Interesting ideas. Like I said. I’m getting an electric wheelchair to use to keep pain down. Since pain makes your body bloom cortisol and that in turn puts weight on as well as effect my blood sugar and blood pressure so I’m doing what can to not be in pain.

I also would highly recommend prp injections. Platelet Rich Plasma. It worked wonders for me. Dr Susanne Lagosky. Insurance won’t play for it though. First time I had it it lasted eight years before I needed another. I also use an infrared light when I have flare ups. It’s great too.

I also was born with this condition, though I’ve only recently been diagnosed. I did pt for several weeks last year to help get my core stronger. But the pain is not easy to live with. My doctors recommend surgery but im very hesitant. Is the surgery worth it? It’s affecting my quality of life. I’m the only one in my family to have this condition. So it’s frustrating when people don’t understand. Just walking around the grocery store hurts so much.

Thank you Alienlover! Your the only one other person who was born with Spondy like me. I start pt and Ot next week and just found an aquatic therapist to work with as well I’m hoping it will also help. I’m here if you ever want to talk.

I also have spondylolithesis…it’s genetic with me. My mother had it and had surgery like you did. She is now 83 and has had 8 back and neck surgeries. I’m sorry to say but back surgery seldom works for long. Be careful of going down that road at the advice of doctors saying you need another surgery. Surgeons want to operate it how they make their money. I do PT everyday and keep my core strong and I don’t need pain meds. I know you have had one surgery but I would be afraid for you to have another.

I was born with spondylolithesis and finally got my back fused 6 years ago. The fusion surgery left me with neuropathy in my legs and feet. I also have osteoarthritis in most joints as well as my spine and also Fibromyalgia. I worked extremely hard in my younger years and ignored pain as much as I could. Seems I’m getting payback now.

It depends on what the problem is…are you dealing with post surgical pain, herniated disk, etc..

When I first injured my back in college or used to bother me a lot, it was all I could think about. Now it's just there. It's worse in the morning and at night. I used to do basic back stretches recommended by a pt, which seemed to help.