Chronic back pain? Sciatica? Anyone deal with this?

Nucynta, Is this a prescribed med? I may have to ask my doc about it. I take other meds for depression and anxiety. Not sure if that would be ok to mix. Thanks. And Im glad your brother found some relief with that.

It is a very regulated prescribed med. Its about as potent as Percocet, but lasts twice as long, also it's not cheap at the pharmacy, and most don't seem to stock it. Also don't forget that as RNY patients for pain pills to be effective on us you either need to dissolve it in your mouth, or cru**** into powder.

Thank you!!

I have never had any problems just swallowing my pain pills for them to be effective.  This is actually the first time I have heard that.  My pain meds I am on now work just as well as they did before surgery.

My experience with sciatica lasted over a year and it was paralyzing at times.  The pain went through my right hip and down to my toe.  There were two positions that I could lie in bed, I had to start getting up about 45 minutes before I could stand up and when I was in the kitchen all I could do was hold on to the counter top.  Physical therapy was so painful that I couldn't take it but a chiropractor and a friend mentioned water therapy.  Our insurance didn't cover it so I signed up for water aerobics and gradually started feeling better.  If you have degenerating discs  you may not find improvement but  you would feel so much better by exercising in a pool of warm water.   I haven't had to use a wheel chair for the last 5 years but up until I lost my weight I had to be very careful about doing simple things, even long rides in the car.  

The pain meds that helped me the most was Extra Strength Tylenol or which one is the strongest.  I hope you find relief soon.

I know about having something to hold on to. I do the same when Im in the kitchen and most other places in the house too. I have 1 position to sleep and thats on my back. If I sleep on either side, (even tho I dont stay on my side), I feel more pressure on my back, hips and legs and when I wake up Im in more pain for the entire day. Congrats on getting rid of the wheelchair. I know that must be a big relief for you. Im losing weight and after surgery Ill lose more and I just want to be able to be move freely.

I to am in the same boat. I have djd in my L5,4,3,2,and its starting in my L1, I'm in alot of pain everyday all day. I can't get comfortable at night it doesn't matter which way I lay my back hurts. I can walk very far without pain and when do I waddle like im 7 months pregnant. I suppose I look 7 months pregnant cause I'm fat and most of my weight is in my mid-section lol...but seriously I've been on alot of differant narcotic pain meds and I got addicted to them(I've been "clean" for over 2 yrs now) but I also have what is called a "tens unit" its like a messager that you strap around your waist and it messages your back. You can do any daily activites with it on, it helps me it doesn't take the pain away completely but it helps. I have trouble doing daily living things like getting out of bed putting on socks, shoes, shaving my legs walking, bending,etc my dr has it to were I can't climb stairs due to the weakness, tingling, and numbness in my legs I have falling way ti many times. But enough about my issues this about you. I think you should ask about thw tens unit it does help.

Thanks, Ill check into that. I too have problems with steps and walking too long. My legs go numb and feel rubbery. I have to walk in short increments. Its just so hard to get going again. I live alone so I dont have anyone to fall back on. So I have to do everything myself. I dont mind that but it seems the more weight I lose the worse the pain gets. Ive been dealing with this off and on for years and years. Its just getting to the point now where its getting too much to bear.

Do you think that the weight loss may be shifting the pressure to other joints?  If so, it may eventually be less painful when you do lose the bulk of excess weight.  Are you under the care of a specialist?  My PCP said, "oh, I've had that, you just have to live with it."   She is my EX-PCP.   You should be exercising and I do recommend water.  

You know that might be whats going on. I always had problems with sciatica ever since I had my son 34 yrs ago. But never on a constant basis like the past 6-8 months. Seems like the more I lose the worse it gets. Im not with a specialist right now but thinking I need one. My PCP does know about it and made an appt. with another doc who is some kind of healing doc, that Im not sure about. She cant get me in till the end of Sept. I do move around as much as I can, even in pain. I dont have a choice. I will definitely consider the water aerobics. Thanks again.