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Pain levels are SO MUCH higher...tips?

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 3/4/2012 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Since having my son, my pain levels have been through the roof...to the point where I can't care for him on my own most times during the day. As you know, pain goes up and down throughout the day, so there are a few hours where I can change/feed him, etc. I am able to get lots of cuddles though!

I have a baby wrap that I'm going to try, but I am interested in knowing if I am doing everything I can to control my pain.

This is what I am doing:

--heat
--ice
--opiate pain medication
--NSAIDS (aspirin, ibuprofen)
--tens unit
--comfortable chairs
--resting
--stretching and short walks
--praying
--physical therapy

Any other tips? Am I missing anything? Is there anything else I could do to help with the muscle pain in my back? Upper back is terrible, lower back/legs are bad.

Thank you.
Posted 3/4/2012 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Flower..

I haven't said congratulations on the baby yet! What a wonderful blessing..

Sorry to hear that you are having so much pain. I guess that is going to be expected with trying to care for a newborn and not getting very much sleep as well...

I don't see an actual muscle relaxer on the list? Do you have a prescription for one? Something like Flexeril, Robaxin, Skelaxin, Soma...to name a few?

These are very helpful when added to the other things you are doing as you seem to have really bad muscle pain. Added with light stretching every few hours to make sure you don't get tight.

There is also massage....and even acupuncture which I find helpful as well.

Have you received any injections for trigger points? Or if there is a lot of inflammation....with cortisone in them?

As you know...it's never going to be that one magic thing (darnit!..lol)...but a combination of all of these things.

I'm sure others who have experience with newborns/kids will be able to suggest some more things for you...I would think a really comfy baby wrap that supports your spine would be good...

Sending some hugs to you today (( ))
Posted 3/4/2012 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
I have found that doing pilates has worked wonders on my upper back and neck.
Posted 3/4/2012 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Jobell and Snowbunny:)

Snowbunny,

I do get a type of massage at PT. I have tried muscle relaxers, nerve pain medications, trigger points, and acupuncture. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I totally forgot about those things!

I wish I could take muscle relaxers. They knock me out, and I have had some crazy side-effects from some.

Thank you both again. I wish I had a magic wand to make this pain go away, lol!

Hugs,

Flower
Posted 3/5/2012 5:34 AM (GMT 0)
Flower,

I started a post to you earlier but lost it somehow :(

Anyway, I'm sorry your pain is so high. I feel for you, my friend! I think you are doing all the steps that I would recommend you doing.....

I want a "magic wand" too, lol. If you find one, by chance, PLEASE send it my way too.

This may be more discouraging news than encouraging.... but it does take time to heal - especially after having a c-section. All those muscles have been stretched and moved around.... plus your ab muscles have been cut.... the muscles that give your back support. Is your back particularly hurting in the thoracic area - like at your bra strap level? That's where my back screams at me everyday.

That - and you are new to lifting/caring for a newborn baby - and it takes a lot out of you! I couldn't use it with the twins.... but I used a "maya wrap" with some of my babies..... basically, a baby sling - and it really helped my back; actually gave it "support".

Other than that - keep looking at your little blessing and telling yourself that it is all worth it, lol. I'm not trying to make light of it - believe me, I know the pain of having a newborn - and it's terrible. But stay tuned for the teenage years.... then you will have chronic pain AND your heart will hurt, too. (Side note - I have pretty good kids - but even "good kids" will test you to your absolute limits during those years - and I have 3, almost 4 teenagers - and I'm about to pull my hair out).

I'll pray for you Flower - and if I think of anything else - I'll post or e-mail you. Hang in there. Oh, and I know this is crazy to say w/ a newborn - but "try" to sleep as much as possible. When you are sleep deprived, it makes your chronic pain that much worse.....

Much love, Tina
Posted 3/7/2012 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Flower - I imagine caring for a newborn is very difficult with chronic pain in the mix - it's hard for all new parents.

Have you ever tried the muscle relaxant Baclofen? It works differently from the other muscle relaxants, so it might be an option. It is supposed to be less sedating too.

Do you have one of those foam rollers from your PT? Mine gave me this exercise that REALLY helps using the foam roller. I couldn't find exactly the exercises, but it's similar to the one in Figure 2 here: www.physioadvisor.com.au/11088750/foam-roller-exercises-foam-rollers-physioadvis.htm

These are just two small suggestions, because it sounds like you are doing everything possible to help your pain. Childbirth and having a newborn are both tremendous physical and emotional stresses, even if it's good stress. Enjoy your little boy as much as possible while you are patient with your body as it recovers from those stresses. Gentle hugs to you, and congratulations on your little boy!
Posted 3/7/2012 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, I just wanted to add that I was a nanny when I had very bad upper back pain, and the carriers can be very helpful if you get the right one. The "sling" type carriers threw me off balance and increased my pain, while the "Moby" type carriers that are symmetrical and also wrap around your waist worked much better. In non-fabric carriers, everyone says the Ergo is the best because of its waist belt, which allows the weight to be distributed more evenly.
Posted 3/8/2012 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
Heather,

Thank you for the congratulations:)I'll ask my PT about the roller, and my doctor about Baclofen. That is one I have not yet tried, and I've been trying to find something new to ask about medication-wise.

Tina,

Thank you so much for all of the encouragement, and for the prayers. It means the world to me. Yeah, it's my thoracic area that is the worst.
I still don't know how you do it! I'm so sensitive, so I'm sure I'll have a hard time dealing with the teenage years, lol! If I find that magic wand, I'll send it to you:)


Thank you both again so much. I do have a wrap. I tried it the other day, but his head was bopping around too much for my liking. I think that we (hubby helped) may have put him in the wrong way. I get so scared about hurting his neck. I really love the way the wrap feels (it's a Moby), but I just can't seem to get him in there.

Hugs,

Flower
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