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Migraines, chronic neck/head/shoulder pain, ongoing lower back/sciatica pain

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 11/30/2014 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, I'm usually over in anxiety & depression forums but now I'm over here due to my chronic ongoing pain of a few years. Does anyone else have these chronic pain issues that I've nentioned in the subject? What have you done other than pain meds? I've been taking pain meds for years as well as nerve pain meds, muscle relaxants, anti inflammatory meds, etc.. I need some other opinions on what other people have done for these pains. It interferes with my everyday life and with my anxiety as well. I have 3 kids and my youngest is just two weeks old .. I need some input from others on what they've done that has worked. I hate being in pain and I am everyday ) :
Posted 11/30/2014 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lacey,

I have nearly all you listed: migraines, chronic neck/shoulder/upper back pain and sciatica.

The sciatica, for me, is due to piriformis syndrome and so I've been pretty good at managing that with stretching and seating position.

I've had migraines in the past, and find that drinking a lot of water (say 1 liter right away then another every few hours) can stop them as I feel one about to hit.

As for shoulder/neck: posture (incl. a clavical brace), stretches (slow and careful head rolls), TENS, lidoderm patches... but of course, the underlying cause will be relevant to what works and what doesn't.
Posted 11/30/2014 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lacey,

I used to get migraines alot, at least one a month but more likely 3 a month. I also have high blood pressure and my doctor put me on verapamil for it. After taking it for about a month I noticed I hadn't had a migraine or even a simple headache. Being that verapamil was the only drug change I had, I looked it up and found it also is prescribed for migraines. Well fast forward to today, over a year later and I have not had one migraine and can count on one hand that amount of simple headaches I've had. It might be worth a shot, talk to your doctor about it.
Posted 11/30/2014 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lacey, I would look for a good chiropractor, I seen one in st Pete fl. Here and he adjusted my atlas disc, the atlas disc is the disc right under your skull. Look for a homeopathic one though, mine had a machine that did a tiny tap on the disc and poof, my leg pain disappeared right then.
Posted 12/1/2014 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lacey & welcome to the forum. Are you being seen by a neurologist for the migraines? Have you tried any of the prescription meds for migraines & do any of them help at all?

You mentioned neck & shoulder pain. Have you been worked up by a dr to check your neck out & maybe have had an MRI? The reason I ask is if you have something going on in your neck that can also contribute to the migraines. Same as the migraines can contribute to the neck & shoulder problems. You need to be worked up by a specialist to make sure there are no underlying problems.

There are some older threads here about sciatica that you may want to go back & read. However, we do ask that you not post on those older threads as we like to the older posts off of the front page. You will get better coverage by asking your questions here.

Keep us posted on how you are doing.
Posted 12/1/2014 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
I would stay away from chiropractors when it comes to neck pain & migraines. Chiropractors can actually make matters worse when it comes to necks. I'm
actually fighting a flare right now. Ice, heat & massage can help. I recently found out I have a torn rotator cuff on the same side as the neck pain & have heard that shoulder problems can radiate to the neck. PT is also helpful, but can take awhile before you see positive results.
Posted 12/1/2014 4:11 AM (GMT 0)
I have all you have mentioned and recently went through C4-7ACDF to relieve neck issues and stop progression of pressure on spinal cord and cervical instability. And have sciatica bad in both legs but left leg is worse where I had a failed L5/S1 surgery. I feel your pain. When you hurt in so many places it makes you crazy, and my neurosurgeon the pain in one places feeds the other areas. So do whatever you can to break the cycle and it may be a variety of things and meds. Stay away from the chiropractor unless you have had an MRI and ruled out that you don't have any disk issues etc. it can cause more harm. My chiropractor told me that he would never work on area that has a bad disk. TENS units can help with spasm and pain. Ice, heat, massage etc. I am so sorry. This is a great place for ideas. We all understand.
Posted 12/1/2014 4:15 AM (GMT 0)
It all depends on the chiropractor, they are like any other doctors,you have the good and bad also have you tried a inversion table ?
Posted 12/1/2014 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
Lacey if you only have muscle type problems causing any of the spine problems an inversion table may help, but only if you have a healthy spine. If you have spine problems an inversion table can cause more problems that what you already have & for that reason I would stay away from an inversion table. I know too many people that ended up worse off because they thought it would be a quick fix.
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