Moving the body

I have had 2 of the three injections so far that the PM wanted to try so far. A week and a half until the next.

We have had no discussion of any other options or ideas of what might help me get through each day and not want to "Chop off my body from the legs down". So I am taking matters into my own hands until he is willing to have a discussion, or I find someone who will have a discussion with me. Hubby dug out his stretchy bands, and I am going to try and research some  "safe" movements and stretches that might help, because I am living attatched to a tylenol bottle and heating pad, I dont want to carry on like this anymore. Also, I remember when I was younger my father built his own TENS unit, so I am going to ask him if he remembers how he did it, so I can try it. Maybe he still has it, and I could borrow it if he would mail it to me....

So here are todays questions:

Does anyone with lower back/lower body pain issues have any stretches or movements that have helped them? I would like to try any suggestions.

Also, I found out that the PM I see is a Board certified Anesthesiologist, not BC for PM. So my other question is: how did you choose your PM? What questions did you ask before accepting treatment? or how did you find the person who is treating you? what should I be looking for? and are you happy with the relationship that you have with your doc?

This process is pretty new to me, and I feel like im grasping in the dark, so any guidance from someone who has been through this is greatly appreciated.

Does anyone see a physiatrist (sp)? is that like physical therapy, but with a PhD?

And Lastly, any suggestions on how to shut up the part of my head that argues my body over what I am capable of doing would also be welcome, because Im sure you know that what your brain wants to do, and what your body can do are two very different things...

Looking forward to hearing from the community, and wishing you all a low pain, happy end to the weekend.

 

It's usually pretty quiet here on weekends so be patient with the responses:) It's not because people don't care...

While I think it's great to want to exercise and do as many things as you can, it wouldn't be good for anyone here to suggest which stretches to do or what type of bands (which colors) to use as we don't know all your medical issues.

I would think that if you bring all this up with your PM at the next visit, they would be happy to put together a plan for you. It's really about a "partnership" and if you explain to him what you are looking for, then it will give you an idea if they are on the same page for treatment. Tell him you are looking for a "comprehensive" pain management program.

My PM also did his residency in Anesthesilogy but has a Board Certification in Pain Medicine as well as a Fellowship in Pain Management.

If you meet with your PM next time after discussing all of this and they say that they "only" want to do injections.....or only give pain meds...that is when I would seek out another Dr. But I would give them a chance by making sure they know you are open to any/all treatment.

This is what I have done with my PM and I do everything from acupuncture, massage, PT, aqua therapy, injections, ice, heat, biofeedback, TENS unit, exercise, stretching/yoga, counseling, etc..

My PM knows that I want to be on the lowest possible amount of medication so that we always have room if this is going to be a life long situation. We usually only change my dosages every 3-4 years.

He knows that I don't smoke, that I eat healthy, and try to do everything I can to limit stress and monitor my pain levels. So, any good Dr. is going to love the fact that you want to actively participate in helping lower your pain levels non medicinally.

I have at home all the different colored stretch bands that I had the Physical therapist show me how to use and just gave me all the pages of info based on my own spine issues. That's why it's important to have someone show you first so that you don't do anything to harm yourself further.

A lot of people have good luck with a Physiatrist...but they are a bit harder to find that also specialize in pain management and believe in medication as well. But they are out there....

So, unless you have already gone into great detail with your current PM and they have said they don't want to provide any other treatments, then I would try one more visit and have a good heart to heart and go from there.

frSB I didn't think no-one cared.... I just saw the views and no responses, I just figure it was awful quiet.
Alcie it's just the ESI so far. I had one in the s/I joint for the arthritis and one lumbar for the disc impinging the s1 nerve. I had the nerve conduction done in '08 but I don't think at that time it showed anything. The recent mri showed the arthritis in s/i joints and restholeises(sp?) L5/s1 disc protrusion and nerve impingement on the s1 nerve. I also have a fibromyalgia dx, chronic migraines, ( which I gave upon topamax tx, since back/leg pain has been more pressing )
I think it's just bugging me that PM doesn't go into detail, and I don't know what I should be asking... he seeems a bit hard to talk to. He doesn't ask many questions and doesn't go into detail about anything. His responses sound very "cookie cutter" too.
Even their website only discusses treatments involving various injections, and disc decompression... not much else on alternative stuff like Pt or acupuncture or anything....
And please don't misunderstand, I am not expecting a cure, but I didn't think that relief and minor restoration of daily function was too much to hope for. And I definatly didn't think that signing up for pm would mean when pain has me in tears that they would send me to the er for relief and not follow up with a discussion at my next appointment. (Even when I put the discharge papers in his hand and say " I don't want to resort to this again, isn't that why I'm seeing you?") The esi has reduced pain by about 1 point on the daily scales, but I'm sure there got to be a better way. I'm going to go for the last injection but I want to make my discussion list now, so that if we still aren't communicating well or if he isn't willing to incorporate other modalities, then I need to find someone who will communicate with me better and be willing or capable of a multidisciplinary approach.
I'm sorry I have been such a whiner lately, but I'm down that depression spiral and seeking something to focus on and pull myself out. And hope....always seeking hope for a slightly better tomorrow.

Did you end up doing the entire Medrol dose pack?

And not sure how long you have been on the Enbrel but the people I know that are on it say it works very well for their PA....Hopefully together with the Mobic, this can start putting a decent dent in the pain.

I am at about a 5-7 on the pain scale daily depending on the day/activity. That is with my medication as well as all the other modalities I mentioned. So, hopefully with your meds and then adding it other things you aren't doing now you can get to that 5 or so...

I actually found that counseling was quite helpful for me to go and get emotionally/mentally adjusted to my "new" life with chronic pain. Finding healthy ways to handle my pain each day and grieve for my past, learn to let go of the things I can't do anymore, and focus on what I can do.

Hello and before I offer suggestions I want to say you can't go by views as these are also folks lurking and cruising not necessarily those who post or ever joined in.

Now do you have access to a heated pool? Ywca,motel close by? Many will allow you pool use for a small fee. Another good resource for heated pools are campgrounds,Koa's will let you use theirs.

Hydrotherapy is one of my greatest. modalities and exercising is so much easier with no weight on my back and knee.

As for Drs, I see a board certified Neurosurgeon and he specializes in pain management. I saw a internal med Dr for 8 yrs but we did rotation at the same hospital and we had been friends for years before he passed away.

I was very picky after my Dr friend and consulted 2 pain clinics before deciding on my current Neuro dr for treatment. He offered me a hand in my care and his 1st line on my contract states we are a team and as a team I must agree to work together to find a quality of life we both can live with.

Nvr- the county I live in has pool at a fee for use or membership basis. I'll look into if they offer classes. I do like swimming since it's light impact on my body.
SE- thank you. I appreciate you looking that up for me. Also, do I need to be referred to a PT or can I just call and ask for help? If I need referral I'm putting it on my PM "discussion list"

There are RA magazine you can find in the USA at Barnes and Noble and they offer up good stretches.
You might want to consult with your doctor and see if light physical therapy might be of help.
Many well wishes...

….your welcome!…and I love that site!

SE