Spinal stenosis and DDD pain. HELP!?

Question

I have 2 bulging discs, 1 herniated disc, torn annulus, 5 disc with degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis. I am in pain everyday. Today is a really bad day and the pain goes from my head through my arms and back. Does anyone know anything to help the pain. I am undergoing Long term pain management already. I have lidocaine. But it doesn't really help that much. What can I do? Should I see my doc about bumping up to a new med? What can I do to dull the pain back to manageable on my worst days like today, when it hurts all over?

Answer 1

If you mean the Lidoderm lidocaine patches, especially if you are already tolerant to your current dose of pain pills, these patches can be very helpful if the affected area is not located too deep (less than 2 inches or so) and you apply them before you are in terrible pain. If you are already in pain it might take 2-3 days of daily use to catch up to your pain.

Another valuable tool is capsaicin cream made from hot peppers. You apply this 2-3 times daily and at first it burns like crazy but after a few days it just gets warm for a while but the pain disappears or lessens. After a few weeks of usage you can reduce the frequency of applications and still have good pain relief. Make sure and do not get any on your lips, in your nose or in your eyes or you will be very sorry. Also do not apply immediately after a hot shower.

Going to a physical therapist and learning some very mild exercises to gradually strengthen your muscles that support the damaged areas can also help, especially if you are willing to experience a little more pain now to get rid of more pain later.

There is no cookie cutter answer. Switching meds around helps some. Maybe a new break through med would be helpful. However sometimes you just have to try a bunch of different modalities and find out what combination of treatments work best for you.

good luck beause back pain sucks