LIVID after a routine appointment to my new (NOW OLD!) PCP!!!!!! WARNING--LONG

Mal - I am a longtime chronic pain sufferer for several conditions and can have whatever I want for pain.  My normal, with a goodly amount of pain meds is a 7 and I am used to this and try to limit myself on meds but when it gets to a 12, I take dilaudid.

Sciatica.  There is a simple solution to this and I cannot believe that no one has mentioned this.  You NEED an inversion table.  You can get a great one for about $200 and perhaps you can even find one on CL for a lot less.  By hanging upside down, you decompress your spine and whatever is causing the nerve impingement will resolve itself.  You really need to wiggle around a little while you are hanging so that any nerves that might be hung up on spurs or if you have a bulging disc will move back to where it should be.  This is a temporary fix, but it can last for quite some time.  I discovered this many years ago when my chiropractor got one and had his patients use it before adjustments.

Go somewhere where they sell them and try it out for free first.  I think you will amaze yourself with the difference.  I have a lot of issues that cannot be solved like this, buy it sure took care of the sciatica!

When you use this, do it slowly at first.  Do not just flip yourself upside down or you could pass out.  Once you get used to it, you can even do exercises this way and really help your spine.  It will not really help your neck as you head is not enough weight to stretch your neck, for that you can make a neck traction if you need one, but your neck has nothing to do with the sciatica.

Take care!

That is good but be cautious if she tries to talk you out of it, because an inversion table is traction and exactly the amount you need.  Hope everything works out as I know how painful sciatica can be.

Thanks for your input.  My new chiro is going to start traction on Wednesday, but I will be sure to ask her about this!!!

M'Lane

I've mentioned this before but I suffered from terrible sciatica with my pregnancies and tried everything and what helped every time (4 pregnancies) was acupuncture.  I couldn't take pain meds because the pain wasn't constant and it wouldn't have helped.  The last time I had one treatment and I have never had it again.  I had physical therapy, a chiropractor, a special belt and everything else they suggested.

I also need pain meds due to terrible headaches and neck pain.  Thank God my PCP knows me and works with me and I am very careful.  I haven't needed to take any for several days but when the pain gets bad I allow myself one 5 mg pill a day and it takes the edge off.  I have tried physical therapy, pain management, trigger point injections and a chiropractor and other medication and nothing has helped so far.  You have my sympathy.  Pain is mind altering and that is what pain medication is for.

Thanks for your input LadyTaz.  I've used acupuncture once  before to help treat the extreme nausea and morning sickness when I was pregnant with my triplets, with some success.  I'm happy it cured your sciatica, (I had it during both pregnancies too) and there really is nothing that makes it better.  I'm so sorry you suffer with headaches.  I've only ever had one migraine and it was one too many.  Light bothered it more and I was so nauseaus that I couldn;t stop puking.  It hurt so much so I thought my head was going to explode.  I'm happy you hav e a good doctor and a good pain management plan.

M'Lane

MD's have to be very careful now regarding pain pills of any kinds.  I go to a clinic and none of the docs will prescribe for the other docs when the primary is on vacation.  It is terrible when the script end, you never checked the refill date, and you are put in a situation of withdrawal that can be terrible.  There are a couple of things that I am thinking about establishing good functional relationships with others whether they be our docs or landlords.  The relationships are two ways and you need to make sure that you are doing your part. Also, I wonder how the P.T., chiropractor, accupuncturist and medications ate all integrated to make sure that you are getting the results you need.  I don't think you should hurt after P.T. Any adjust,enta should be very low force if not NO force.  Good luck to you and I hope the New Year brings you relief! Allison

Are you not allowed to leave the island?  Get on a boat and go to Boston to a real doctor.  You are probably already screwed with the doctors there as they are undoubtably all friends or associates.