Tramadol Therapy For Pain Resource

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What is the treatment/ and or medication(also pain med.) for a crushed nerve in leg? Was in a car wreck in Oct. - doct. says I have peripheral neuropathy, possibility of it being crushed nerve. Have been on Lyrica(to rejuvenate nerve-not working), also was given Tramadol(for pain-not working). I'm in pool therapy 3x a week(not working). Doct. has me wearing the AFO brace(so I won't get drop foot). Need pain relieve- and want to know treatment if it is crushed. Thanks/All Have A Good Day!!!

MCR_crazy replied: "OWW! I don't really knoww. [[sorry.]] :["

angelbaby7595 replied: "hyperbaric oxygen treatment- This is the only treatment that I saw for crushed nerves. And as far as the pain meds, I know that toradol is a pretty strong med. I am not sure if they can prescribe it to you or not, but I would call the Doctors office and tell them that the pain meds that you are on, are not working. They will usually try and prescribe some other type of medication. Hope you get to feeling better. Good Luck!"

SusiQ replied: "I can't believe your doctor only gave you Tramadol (Ultram) for this pain. You need something stronger. Like percocet or at least Vicodin. You need to tell your doctor how your feeling. You shouldn't have to be suffering in pain when there are drugs out there that could be helping you. Its not fair. I would call the office today and tell them you need something stronger. There are alot of things that can happen to you after such a trauma. I got a chronic pain deasease called RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy) after breaking my wrist. One of the major things everyone with RSD experiences is pain that won't go away after the trauma. You also have burning and redness, but mainly unexplained pain. If this happened in Oct. how come they don't know if the nerve is crushed or not by now, its been 6 months. RSD has to do with the sympathic nervous system, my doc explained it to me as a light going on when you were experiencing your trauma and the light never going off, so your sympathic nervous system is still telling you your having pain. I hope this helps. You can look up RSD and see if you have any of the symtoms. good luck"

Katie replied: "i heard about this thing: nerve transplants. they take nerves from other parts of your body, then switch them with the damaged ones. theres only like one doctor in america that can do it professionally, but hes training others. you should check it out."

Snowhiker replied: "I have neuropathy in my right leg from 4 back surgeries!! I have been on Nubain IM, Codeine,Oxycodone, Percodan. Demerol IM .These are just to name a few. So many pain medications I have lost count. I had to go to a pain clinic and had a internal pain pump put inside me for the pain. This pump has morphine in it and it releases so much medication during the day. Plus I am on oral morphine as well. I recently was in the hospital due to back spasms and the pain threw me into a seizure. I was in a coma for 5 days and on a Ventilator. I stopped breathing. So pain can do all kinds of things to you. I had 8 doctors that was taking care of me. They were not sure I would even make it. I was in the hospital for 19 days. Keep going to the doctor and keep telling him he has to do something for the pain."

Chas replied: "You should also be supplementing, Omega3's and other nerve nutrifying supplements would assist in the nerve healing cycle. Medications alone, particulary pain meds wont heal a crushed nerve. Nerves are slow to heal and that can last for 18+ months. Also alternative therapies such as Low Level Laser Therapy may help as well."

why do I sweat when I lie down but not when sitting up like at night? I get really bad night sweats but not always at night just about any time I lay down. even with the air on.nad ant time of day or night but only when I lay down? I take heart medicine.and blood pressure meds. and happy pills and tramadol.a mild pain reliever.aspirin therapy. I dont drink or smoke .

waffle replied: "when you lie down, air can't circulate under you as easily."

ardalan replied: "well its happen to me az well its cuz you high, there for you need to drink more water is not the air at all its happens in the body only when you lay or sleep.... i know is not air ,"

Chronic Pain, Ultram ER Mystery Symptom? First, I've told a Dr. about it, but I am searching for more Info. Maybe someone else dealing with similar chronic pain/pain meds, etc. Any info is appreciate. So, I have been taking Ultram ER for about 6 months. Recently My dosage was upped to 200 mg/daily by my pain mgmt doctor. Also I take Ultracet (tramadol) 37.5 mg (as needed every 4 hours). I recently noticed, that I have had a strange phenomenon happening that I believe could be a possible side effect? When I told my Dr's they ran some tests but did not find anything really. The symptom is hard to explain, but basically a couple hours after I fall asleep I am in a sort of awake dream. My whole body feels completely numb, I can't move or snap out of it. Tingly everywhere. When I finally do awake, I still feel tingly, although the symptoms are subsiding significantly, and I stand up very dizzy to the point where I fall down almost. It was pretty scary and doesnt happen every night but more like once or twice every couple weeks. Here's some backgound on me and my coniditions as I realize there may be other causes. 24, male, fit, athletic, non-smoker, no recreational drug use. 2 years ago, my lung spontaneously collapsed. ER, placed a small chest tube to reinflate my lung. The tube failed. A second tube was placed in my chest. The tube reinflated my lung. As I was to be released, I fell very very Ill. After a week in the hospital running tests, a week in ICU, loss of 25% body weight (near death), another chest tube (3) they finally found I had a staph infection in an empyema on my chest wall/lung. They did an emergency thoracotomy (scraping the infection out of my lung, removing small piece of my lung, and scraping my chest wall). Released after 4 weeks hospitalized. 4 more weeks IV antibiotics as outpatient. Severe chronic pain following. 4 radiofrequency ablation treatments on intercostal nerves to remove (some) pain. Chiropractor, Physical Therapy, Post Op Pain Meds (Oxy Codone, Percocet, Lyrica, Celebrex, Ultram ER, Ultracet). 2 Years moderate-severe Post Thoracotomy Chronic Pain Syndrome. Well thats the basics. I told my doctor as well and got a similiar response, I have a whole team of pain doctors too. The ran MRI's other tests, seemed concerend but couoldn't figure it out and didn't seem to think it was the meds. Also I started on a l ower dose, but it's been raised over time. I dont know. Glad I actually got a a response though. Thanks.

Jen replied: "Wow- That's a lot of tramadol.. I am on Ultram it's just the regular 50mg tabs, I take around 4 a day. Anyhow, w/ Ultracet being Ultram as well, just a lower dose, still being taken on top of Ultram I would imagine will put you at higher risks for seizures.. I'm not sure if you are have small ones.. I CAN tell you this tho, I have taken my dose close to bedtime and experienced something similar, and have always wondered what it is/was.. So it MUST be the meds... I have spoken to my doc, and he kinda looked at me odd."

What are some non-surgical ways to cure a herniated disc? My husband has a herniated disc in lower back (I think L5). He has been in pain for about 6 months. Physical Therapy did not help. He had two of the three scheduled steroid injections and he actually got worse after the third. Right now he is on bed rest. He takes Flexaril, Hydrocodine, Tramadol and an antiflammitory (don't remember which one). It just seems to keep getting worse.

Lindsay replied: "If the steroid injections are not working then unfortunately there is very little else he can do. Some people don't respond to the steroid injections. The surgery is actually not that bad, I had it at L5S1 and the surgery and recovery are fairly straight forward. It's better to get it fixed permanently and get to you life. I hope this helps good luck!"

I_am_AWESOME replied: "The longer he stays on the pain meds, the greater chance he has of getting seriously hooked on them. Go for the surgery."

Richard C replied: "Gwen, don't be in any rush to have your husband undergo any surgical procedure. Statistics show that only around fifty percent of those procedures are successful and once done there is little that can be done to correct for any problems that arise. I am sorry that the physical therapy that was done was not successful but try again. Find a therapist that does hands on work and not the use of modalities coupled with some exercises. You want hands on work! I am going to give you some movements to have your husband try. Some of them may not seem related to the problem but trust me that they are. All that is needed is a straight chair. Have him sit in the chair and do these movements. Raise the left arm up as high as it can go and then return it to the side. Note how high it went and then do the right arm. One arm will have gone up further so start with that arm. Raise that arm up as high as you can for thirty seconds and then rest it for fifteen seconds. Now repeat that procedure exactly the same way twice more. Then do the opposite arm exactly the same way for three times. Next turn the head to the left as far as it will go and note the movement. Turn to the right and note how far it went. One direction will have gone further so start in that direction. Turn the head in that direction as far as you can for thirty seconds and then rest for fifteen seconds. Repeat that process twice more on that side and then go to the opposite side and repeat that process three times. He should now get up and move around. There should be a decrease in pain and a little bit more mobility in the lower back. Return to the chair and follow these instructions carefully. Do not ever enter into an area of pain but stop short of it! The feet and hips should be planted firmly and since he all ready knows which side has more mobility turn in that direction as far as possible without pain for thirty seconds and then rest for fifteen seconds. Repeat that twice more on that side. Now do the opposite direction. Do not enter into any painful areas! Turn in that direction as far as possible for thirty seconds and then rest for fifteen seconds. Repeat that twice more and after the last movement get up and walk around. There should be a lessening of symptoms with more mobility. Hopefully that has worked. It should be done at least once a day and if possible twice. Get to a therapist that specializes in backs and does one on one work. The muscles of the legs from the feet on up to the head have to be strengthened and brought back into balance to control the problem. Good luck!"

mistify replied: "Without seeing him clinically, it's difficult and dangerous to give him specific treatment advice. What is also tricky is the term "herniated disc." Radiologists and other medical practicioners commonly use this term haphazardly. In it's true sense, a herniated disc differs from that of a "bulge" or a "protrusion" in that in a herniation, the wall of the annulus (the outer layer of the disc) remains intact, but it is incompetent. This means that the material that has been displaced in the disc is unable to be restored to a normalized position. The clinical presentation is typically one that pain (and possibly numbness and tingling) usually radiates to the foot, and is constant. Some relief may occur with lying down or specific exercises, but the second the patient returns the standing, the symptoms return. In the incompetent annulus, recovery with physical therapy...whether manual therapy, traction, direction specific exercises, or "stabilization" exercises is a moot point. Many of these patients will get better with time as the disc firms up again, or they may need surgery. The fact that you say he was worse after injection is worrisome. Was it done under flouroscopic guidance? If not, I've seen a handful of cases where people were worse after injection done in the physician's office. Typcially, these patients will, after injection, have a progression of their leg pain, which may have been intermittent before, but is now constant and worse than the back pain. If this is the case, this correlates highly with an extruded fragment...presumably because the injection went into the disc instead of the epidural space and subsequently ruptured the disc. Not a whole lot can be done in these cases other than surgery or time. However, in cases where the disc is only protruding or bulging, these frequently respond to physical therapy. Yet, I would have expected a much greater recovery at this point...should have occured in days to weeks, not months. The next thing to discuss is that the quality of physical therapy varies greatly between practicioner. Having spent literally hundreds of hours of continuing education and residency in spine care, the best advice I can give you, as opposed to specific exercises is to have your husband follow up with a physical therapist who is at least certified, but preferrably a diplomate in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. If he did not receive care from such a PT, I would HIGHLY recommend it, as an easy and simple solution may have been grossly overlooked. Or, if it does appear to be an incompetent annulus or an extruded fragement, this becomes very apparent during assessment, and they will relay this information to you. Find a certified or Diplomate in MDT at: Best wishes"

Back Pain Issues? I am a 24 year old Male. Over the last 1yrs or so I have had numerous problems with my back. I sought chiropractic care but eventually I had to stop that due to $$ reasons. Recently in the last 3-4 Months the pain has became constant. Some times worse than others. I work at a Job where I am at a desk all day. Half way through the day I am in so much pain in My back and my neck . I have seen my primary doctor and he recommended physical therpy. I have started physical therapy , my therapist says that I have 2 curves in my spine and that one leg is 1 1/4 inches longer than the other(talk about giving someone a complex). I am still in pain daily and it gets so mad at work that I want to cry at times because I have no choice but to stay there and take the pain. The doctor has perscribed Tramadol and a muscle relaxer which slightly helps at times but not close to enough. Please help, Anyone know any good,sympathetic doctors around Portland,ME or any advise would help thank you

Billie77 replied: "hopefully in time the physical therapy will help you. If you have a access to a Jacuzzi this would really help massage and relax your back. if not take a hot bath it every night with 2c. of dissolved epsom salts and soak for 30 minutes. I highly recommend deep Tissue massage therapy. this can really work out a lot of back problems. Since you have to sit So much I'm enclosing a link about desk exercises. This might help you get through the day. You should use a back support in your chair. Most chiropractors have these for sale. This will make a big difference in your back pain. You may need to wear a support belt around your back During working hours. This would give support and your muscles would not have to work so hard to sit. During lunch or any breaks place an ice pack on your back for fifteen minutes. This will help you get through the day. If you have any further questions please let me know, Billie77"

howmidoin? replied: "Sometimes I think whoever invented the desk should be drawn & quartered. It's really not the desk's fault, more than likely it is the chair. You might ask your doctor to prescribe a pad that sits on the chair & fits in the small of your back - they do help. DO NOT SIT ALL DAY - get up and walk abount. Your PT should have given you exercises you can do while sitting at a desk. One of my favorites (and you may get strange looks from co-workers) is to just bring one foot up & place it on the edge of the chair; hold it for a few seconds then do the same with the other foot. This exercise is a mild form of traction that helps to stretch the tendons & muscles temporarily. I am in the Central Valley of CA, so can't help with doctors in ME; how about asking your MD for a referral to a Pain Management doctor - they are usually anestheologists and, I have found, are a great source of information and help in relieving pain."

Snowhiker replied: "I know what you mean about the back pain!!! I have had 4 back surgeries and a fusion!! I used to work as a nurse and the worst thing for a back is when you have to sit down!!! I had a doctor tell me to never let a chiropractor work on my back! And I never have!! Has your doctor taken any X-Rays of your back?? They can tell if you have any disc problems?? do you have pain running down one of your legs?? if so this could be a disc problem?? All the work on your back is not going to help if your leg is longer then the other!!Just walking around will cause you problems!! You at least need a new pai of shoes specially made!! Ask your doctor for a stronger pain pill!! I have been on so many different kind of pain medicine it isn't even funny. At this time I have a internal pain pump that is putting Morphine right into my back!! It works faster this way! I also am on oral Morphine 30 mg 2 every 4 hours for brake thru pain . With all this medicine I couldn't pass a drug test if my life depended on it!! I used to be a nurse, now I stay at home all day. I am in pain constantly. Sitting, standing and laying!! You need to find out what is going on with your back?? See if your doctor will do some back X-rays at least you will know for sure what is going on and they might find something. Good Luck!!"

regina j replied: "the only thing that my husband remembers, what the Doctor told him, it was a compressed fracture in the lower back, 2wks.ago, before he went to the hospital, he couldn't even get out of bed. He would get a sharp spasm in his back."

Mrs Creamcheese replied: "I think you have done the right thing by opting for physiotherapy. It sounds as though all those $$$'s you spent on quack doctoring ('chiropractic' fakes) did not reveal even the basics.... Leg shortening can have a dramatic effect on spinal architecture - as you have found out - and the stress that this creates, by 'tilting' the whole of the pelvis, can cause a huge amount of pain, stressing the sacroilaic ligaments and the muscles of the lumbar spine. As a first step you need this corrected. Unfortunately, 1" + cannot be corrected by 'shoe-lifts' - its too great a difference. You will need a referral to a biomechanics dept (hospital-based) for corrective footwear. I know what you are thinking - its not an attractive idea!! OK, but a lifetime of worsening back pain isn't much fun either... One effect of the discrepancy is that it will have altered your posture - and you need to address that. Have a look at the Alexander Technique ('Google' that) for some clues on what you can do, and stick with the physio. In the workplace you could think about involving your Occupational Health advisor. He/she should check the 'ergonomics' of your workstation and ensure that this is optimal for spinal health and good posture. 'Tramadol' is a medium strength opiate, but it is not the drug of choice for back pain. Diclofenac Sodium ('Voltarol', in the UK) has more efficacy, and is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug specifically targeted for pain of this nature. Low-dose Valium is often appropriate for short-term use, and Baclofen or Methocarbamol would be useful muscle relaxants. There is no point in 'zapping' you with Vicodin, Buprenorphine or similar opiate pain-killers; you need to correct the leg discrepancy and your faulty posture: this done the pain will diminish. Regular stretching exercises will also be beneficial. PS: Contrary to a previous piece of 'advice' given: we put back braces and belts in the waste bin 30-40 years ago. There is no evidence for them - and they would only help to weaken the muscles you need to exercise for good spinal health..."

Has anybody had any luck with fibromyalgia treatments without going broke in the process? I've had fibromyalgia since 1991 and have been treated with P.T., medications (tramadol, elavil,clonopin, & lorab), stretching, massage therapy (when I can afford it), and some biofeedback. My neck and back are so tied in knots it feels like concrete. My current regiman barely gets me by. I have worked steadily since diagnosed, and done some pretty physical type jobs. I do believe staying active is much better than laying around feeling sorry for myself. It helps me take my mind off of the pain if I keep busy. I couldn't afford to live on disability even if I wanted to, lol. I have tried tens units, and water aerobics/therepy without any relief. I am curious about yoga being a possible help to me.

gypsyveg replied: "www.frequencyspecific.com - very successful at treating pain. I have no clue about the cost. Also drink VIVO water."

Danielle G replied: "See about getting a tens unit. Usually the place you can purchase them from can help to enroll you in a program that either pays completely for the unit, or that will provide it to you at an affordable cost. I have heard wonderul things about the anti-depressant Cymbalta for those who have fibromyalgia. there are prescription assistance programs that the drug companies have that will send you the prescribed drug at a small cost. Other than that itr sounds like you are doing all that you can. I have heard that people with muscle diseases or conditions who eat diets that are very high in protein have some relief."

susan e replied: "nobody can live off disability.all i can tell you is my neighbor has fibromyalgia and she works around our apartment complex cleaning the pool,general maintenance because she says it helps plus she needs to supplement her disability check.shes got more energy then me but then again everybody's different. from time to time she gets an epidural type pain reliever,have you ever explored that option?or holistic medicine?i wish i had a better answer for you.i'm a big believer in vitamins and traditional medicine.but do think theres alot of holistic approaches to every condition/disease.peace.keep going,don't sit around.never give up."

Jeanne B replied: "Hey commonsensemom, Sometimes we need to use several drugs at the same time. But there is an over the counter medicine made just for fibromyalgia. It's called "024 Fibromyalgia." I've been using it for 2 years now, and it works well. The manufacturer is "swissmedica." I have found it in several stores that have pharmacies. It was $20. There is a "wipe" form of it for about $8, it has 6 towelettes. The liquid lasts a long time. I am only on my second bottle. I'd like to tell you about the best fibromyalgia website I have found. It's . They have exercise guidelines on their website that suggest that we should only be doing walking, it should be at maximum 30 minutes, 3 days a week. Perhaps you are doing too much. Unfortunately, one thing we must realize is fibromyalgia only worsens as we age. Massage therapy has to be done by someone who is expert with fibromyalgia. If the massage is any harder than a very gentle hand moving slowly across your skin, it's too hard and can make fibromyalgia worse. It's also necessary to find an acupuncturist who knows fibromyalgia well, too. It has to be done in the "deep tissue" method. That's the one kind of acupuncture that can hurt, but when properly done, it does work. You must have at least 30 treatments for it to begin to work for longer than a week. You should have it done daily if at all possible. That is much more effective. I have had both of those and I can say they do work."

Sophiesmom replied: "I have had fibro for about as long as you...Getting it while in the military i was a test dummy, or that's what i felt like...I also have RSDS or CRPS whatever they are calling it now...I have my pain medication and that's it...I have tried so many drugs, i go to the VA now, all is free but again Ima test dummy...I have flushed more pills down the toilet...(dont worry septic tank) I think the only real thing to do is what your doing, keep working, its exercise...If you can get someone to rub out the fibro balls, those knots your having, that would help... Try putting rice in a tube sock, heat it for 2 minutes, it helps alot... My worse pain is in my back...I've just learned different things that work for me to relax....The more busy i am the better i feel...I work as a firefighter with this and i found the cure...Adrenalin, if it wouldn't kill you having so much it would work...Every time we got a call, i felt NO pain, it was great, till the Adrenalin wore off..."

Billie77 replied: "Fibromyalgia is a nightmare. I live with it every day. And yes it does cost money to be Sick with this condition. Here's what I suggest that will improve the quality of your life with Fibromyalgia. Nutrition is very important with this condition as with any serious physical condition. Avoid caffeine products, sugar, processed foods and fried foods. Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia) is often a factor in causing the person with Fibromyalgia to feel fatigued. That is why a good nutrition program is very important, eating frequent small meals with some protein is very important in keeping the blood levels even. Whole grains, seeds, nuts, yogurt, chicken, Turkey, organic beef, eggs, natural cheese and cottage cheese should form the base of your diet. Accompanied by Appropriate vegetables and a minimum amount of fruit. A good quality multi-vitamin is absolutely essential with this condition. It's important to replace what the body loses daily. If a person takes no other supplement but a multi-vitamin they're helping to support their body daily. Co Q 10, in soft gel form 100mg, taken three times daily can help increase the energy. There's no definite cure for Fibromyalagia but there are certainly many alternative methods that can help you improve the quality of your life. I find that deep tissue massage therapy performed regularly really keeps down the pain. When I’m going through a really bad time I always get a massage. It works better than any medicine. Physical therapy that is performed at home is very important for Fibromyalgia. Warm water stretches performed at least three times weekly can be of tremendous help keeping the joints and muscles flexible. A Jacuzzi or hot tub is without a doubt one of the best treatments you can do at home, not only does it improve circulation you can also perform warm water stretches in it. If you have access to one and can use this daily you would see a tremendous change in the body. Using a moist heating pad on areas of pain for 20 minutes can ease the pain. I also find that chiropractic care can bring tremendous relief. I always recommend people with Fibromyalgia seek out a Chiropractor who uses the activator method for physical therapy and pain relief. If you would like to find out about a doctor of chiropractic in your area who uses this method go to"

EMT-B replied: "ask your doctor for neurontin (gabapentin) this has worked for me also a med called LYRICA has just been approved for the treatment of fibro"

Mfamily replied: "Lyrica at 450mg and exercise is the best thing for fibromyalgia. Also request Vit D levels. Vit D deficiency is under diagnosed and can cause similar symptoms as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia."

I have IGA nephropathy. I have had back pain. Doctor keeps prescribing wrong meds, what do I do? I have This rare type of kidney disease. My doctor keeps prescribing me anti-inflamitory drugs like Naproxen, ultram, etc. My nephrologist said I can only have pain medication w/ acetametaphine. The current doctor is not agreeing. I have been to physical therapy for 2 weeks. so of course I am still in the process of, and in much pain! For the first week, I had anexsia(hydrocodone). Then she said that it can be addictive, so she would not prescribe. I told her I am in pain but I am refusing medication that with ultimately destroy my kidney function. She won't prescribe anything but tramadol. I tried it, and it doesn't even work. So she suggested Acupuncture which my insurance will not cover. I hurt NOW HELP!

Billie77 replied: "If the doctor is not listening to you or the nephrologist it's time to get another opinion from a different doctor."

KaYcE replied: "I believe that there are Dr's out there that specialize in pain management. You should try to get an appt. with one in your area."

jake replied: "Stop taking the meds and sell the ones you have. Find another doctor right away!"

wkemrer replied: "Ask to see a pain specialist they are great for people with chronic pain and seem to understand someones pain allot better"

mistify replied: "Have you looked into anodyne therapy? It's a modality used by some PTs in the treatment of neuropathy...it's getting mixed results and is really meant more for people with diabetic neuropathy, but is uses infrared light waves as opposed to medication. It is thought to induce more circulation to the nerves to help decrease pain. The research is a little slow, but it may be worth a shot."

Bonyfish replied: "Hi! Try to ask your doctor if Gabapentin is safe to use.. The cause of your back pain may be neuropathic pain."

Jam1972 replied: "Ask her about Neurotin it is a good medicine and works"

Keko replied: "Knots in muscles can put pressure on nerves. Onion is in the garlic family so it has many curative qualities (Onion soup). Turmeric and cayanee are also good to help. Muscles like ropes are made of many fibers or strands. If some of the individual fibers that work in combination to make the muscle strong are not relaxing they bulk up in the middle and are stretched thin on the ends which results in the appearance of "knots" they are the tender spots. The muscles that effect headaches can come from as far away as the lower back and include shoulders, arms, neck and head causing a cascade effect. So a massage (professional if possible) will help. Specific to the leg - run your hand lengthwise down the section of leg that hurts. You will find tender spots these are the knots described above. Apply pressure to this area in a similar motion just over the length of the knot - it will take many sessions of doing this once or twice per session to get the muscle to relax. Specific to the head - at the base of the skull where it connects to the spine there is a ridge in an upsidedown V like shape - press in and up to the count of three, three times to help relax the muscles there. All through the hair scratch lightly the head you will find tender spots those are knots (rub the rest of the head) the idea is to go over them semi frequently until they are gone. General - Muscles need magnisium (regulates many things) and potassium - both can be found in bananas or molasses (a swig or two) Hydrate with any nonsugar (even the substitutes) liquids - quantity = your body weight divided by 2 times ounces daily. The head of neurology (10 years ago) at UCDavis told my husband that running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil - there will be problems. Reference - The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies teaches about muscles and how to help them yourself."

What have you been prescribed for sciatica caused by a bulging disc? I'm talking meds AND most importantly, ways to fix the problem altogether. My doctor prescribed Diclofenac, Darvocet and Skelaxin as well as physical therapy to begin with. The physical therapy seemed to do wonders, however, after I stopped going the pain became even worse than before. I am now on Tramadol and Tylenol 3 and I'm wondering what to do next. The doctor just seems to think that I shouldn't work as much as I do, but I have to. I have bills to pay!!! So, what do doctors normally do (cause I think mine is a kook!) and what has worked for you in the past?

lpta19899 replied: "it seems that you are taking some pretty good meds, though if you were receiving physical therapy, the keys to maintain that improvement you gained would be to continue to use those exercises and activities they educated you on doing to help w/ the sciatic pain and bulging disc. also it might help if we knew what kind of work you do. but also you have a right to seek a second opinion and ask the doctor what are the alternatives since you cant lessen your work hours if there is any treatment that might help and ask about what you can do at work to make your life a little bit easier. and it may be beneficial to look in to some holistic healing clinics in your community. but as for now i would continue to do those exercises you learned in therapy and what ever techniques they showed you, talk to your doctor about your concerns and if that doesnt help seek a second opinion. good luck and take care"

Please help diagnosing mid-upper back pain!? I have had mid to upper back pain for five years. It feels like a tender burning sensation from my mid back around my spine up and radiating into my shoulder blades. My shoulders joints are sort of weak, but my shoulder muscles (deltoids, anterior, posterior, are very strong). I am 25, 7% body fat, recreational bodybuilder, never broken a bone, or torn a muscle, and I have good posture, and no scoliosis. I lift weights and my muscles are well proportioned and quite strong. My back flared up 5 years ago while I was cleaning cars part time. I was almost bed ridden for a month. I know that I was overexerting myself with repetitive motion, but since then, the pain hasn't gone away. I have had x-rays, mri's (turned up nothing), nerve conduction (turned up little), chiropractic, acupuncture, physical therapy, etc. and nothing has come close to fixing or even treating the problem. The only pain med that does anything is Tramadol. I am concerned that this pain will never leave, and I'll be taking pain meds for life. If I wash dishes or cook, or anything where I stand in place for more than a couple minutes, I start hurting so bad I want to punch out car windows and shout obscenities at random people (I literally start hyperventilating). Could the cause of all of this be damage from overworking my muscles 5 years ago???

D replied: "The thoracic outlet consists of the space between the inferior border of the clavicle and the upper border of the first rib. The subclavian artery, subclavian vein, and brachial plexus nerves (the nerves to the arm) exit the neck region and go into the arm via this space. In Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (See case history) (TOS), the space is, presumably, narrowed, causing a compression of these structures. The symptoms of TOS include: pain in the neck, shoulder, and arm; coldness in the hand; and numbness in the arm and hand. However, in severe cases of compression of the subclavian vessels, Raynaud’s phenomenon, claudication, thrombosis, and edema can occur in the involved extremity. TOS is a legitimate condition and does occur but its prevalence is extremely rare! Most people who come to Caring Medical, in Oak Park, Illinois, with the diagnosis of TOS leave with other diagnoses such as glenohumeral ligament sprain, Rotator Cuff tendinopathy, cervical ligament sprain, or Slipping Rib Syndrome. All of the pain and numbness symptoms of TOS can occur from these later four conditions, all of which respond beautifully to Prolotherapy. The reason it makes sense that Prolotherapy would be BENEFICIAL for the symptoms of so-called "TOS" is the fact that the condition almost exclusively occurs in women with long necks and low-set droopy shoulders. Activities that involve abduction of the shoulders, such as combing the hair, painting walls, and hanging pictures, cause worsening of the symptoms. Passively abducting the arm (having someone do it for the person) relieves the symptoms. In other words, when the shoulder is actively raised over the head (the person does it themselves) the symptoms of pain and/or numbness down the arms occur, however, when the exact same movement is done passively (by another person) the symptoms do not occur. This type of symptomatology is a perfect description of ligament and tendon weakness (laxity). The injured ligament and tendon give localized and referral pain when doing strenuous movements, but when someone else takes the brunt of the force, no such symptoms occur. "The doctor said I have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and I need surgery to give the nerves more room.” The people with so-called TOS almost unanimously have normal reflexes and nerve conduction studies. This gives further indication that a nerve is not getting pinched. Furthermore, surgically slicing structures to give the nerve more room will not eliminate the symptoms the person is having and could, quite possibly, cause more problems. In my opinion, the person needs Prolotherapy to the pain-producing structure(s), Prolotherapy to the neck ligaments, shoulder ligaments and tendons, or to a rib that is slipping."

Question about taking tramadol (Ultram) and bursitis? About 3 years ago I developed a nasty case of greater trochanteric bursitis that doesn't seem to want to completely go away. I've tried taking tylenol, ibuprofen, vicodin, etc., for the pain when it flares up but nothing seems to really work. Has anyone had luck treating bursitis with tramadol? My doctor wrote me a prescription for 50 mg (instant release) and I took one for the first time a few hours ago and it didn't even put a dent in the pain. Do I need to give it a few days before it kicks in or go back to taking large amounts of ibuprofen and hope that I don't develop an ulcer? I can't take anything like vicodin or tylenol 3 because it makes me too drowsy and I'm a full time college student and I also have kids, so I don't have time for that. Any other suggestions as far as the bursitis goes? Physical therapy is out because my stupid insurance company doesn't want to pay for it. I've tried stretching, but maybe I'm not doing the right stretches or something. Thanks!

Melissa replied: "be careful, with ultram. i would try it. but you need to be careful."