Pain from Arthritis of the Spine

[Murrmurr]

Have you ever heard of a liquid supplement called Nervestra ? I went through one bottle of it [about one months worth] I am thinking maybe that wasn't enough .... might try maybe two months, to give it a real try, see if I notice any relief.

I went through a peripheral nuropathy therapy treatment sometime back. Ended it ... mid-June after two months & $4000 spent. It was 2-3 times p/week , it consited of IR light wraps, low level laser light, acupuncture , and spinal adjustments. During a few sessions they also applied a "tens" unit to my shoulder.

None of that helped either.

Seriously, your options are limited to chemical substances. There's no other way (yet) to manipulate or effect the actions of nerves.

 

[Murrmurr]

Have you ever heard of a liquid supplement called Nervestra ? I went through one bottle of it [about one months worth] I am thinking maybe that wasn't enough .... might try maybe two months, to give it a real try, see if I notice any relief.

Yes. It contains low doses of the key ingredients so even if you drink 2 or 3 doses a day, your still not getting a very effective amount. Also, the type of vitamin B1 it contains doesn't have very good absorption so most of it gets lost when you pee. Quality (easily absorbed) vitamin B1 is good for repairing damaged nerves and improving nerve function.

 

[rgp]

Yes. It contains low doses of the key ingredients so even if you drink 2 or 3 doses a day, your still not getting a very effective amount. Also, the type of vitamin B1 it contains doesn't have very good absorption so most of it gets lost when you pee. Quality (easily absorbed) vitamin B1 is good for repairing damaged nerves and improving nerve function.

"low doses of the key ingredients " ?

Key ingredients of what ? Or are you saying a low dose of the "B" vitamin ?

 

[rgp]

Seriously, your options are limited to chemical substances. There's no other way (yet) to manipulate or effect the actions of nerves.

And the side effects of those can be scary to say the least.

Have you ever heard of Senexus ? It is another nerve stimulation that is said [of course] to work.

I'm getting tired of chasing it.....but hard to just give up as well.

 

[Murrmurr]

And the side effects of those can be scary to say the least.

Have you ever heard of Senexus ? It is another nerve stimulation that is said [of course] to work.

I'm getting tired of chasing it.....but hard to just give up as well.

The sound of the side effects are scary, yes; terms like drug-addiction and early-onset dementia scared me.

I was under the care of a very wise physician back when my spine first got messed up, and decades later, when I had this internal conflict going on about pain medication and all the scary terms around them, I realized that's all BS.

I never heard of Senexus, but I'm guessing it's making someone a fortune off chronic pain sufferer's fear of actual medicine.

 

[rgp]

The sound of the side effects are scary, yes; terms like drug-addiction and early-onset dementia scared me.

I was under the care of a very wise physician back when my spine first got messed up, and decades later, when I had this internal conflict going on about pain medication and all the scary terms around them, I realized that's all BS.

I never heard of Senexus, but I'm guessing it's making someone a fortune off chronic pain sufferer's fear of actual medicine.

If you care to share ? What meds are we talking about ?

 

[Murrmurr]

If you care to share ? What meds are we talking about ?

Prescription meds? Stuff like morphine, hydrocodone, codeine, and compounds that contain an anesthetic.

Those drugs are a major problem on the street, but I'll wager the percentage of patients who become addicts is fractional. Some do, but I just don't think the percentage is very high. And patient addiction is treatable. They're under a doctor's care, their blood levels are monitored regularly, and if it's clear they've developed an addiction, they get treatment, which is fully covered by their insurance.

 

[rgp]

Prescription meds? Stuff like morphine, hydrocodone, codeine, and compounds that contain an anesthetic.

Those drugs are a major problem on the street, but I'll wager the percentage of patients who become addicts is fractional. Some do, but I just don't think the percentage is very high. And patient addiction is treatable. They're under a doctor's care, their blood levels are monitored regularly, and if it's clear they've developed an addiction, they get treatment, which is fully covered by their insurance.

OK, that's what I thought ...... but to be honest, I just do not want to go there .... yet.

Again, if not to personal ? How did you mess up your spine ?

I had two back impact-trauma incidents , one when I was young , and one later in life. No immediate problem other than some minor pain @ the time. Also, worked on concrete for over thirty years, and was exposed to many toxic fumes, [though not thought of @ the time] So not sure if those things affected it or not?

I have been told that I have arthritis, spinal stenosis, and ankylosing spondylitis ....... So take your pick.

What puzzles me is ....... my current condition/situation came on me all at once over one weekend six years ago,in the fall of 2016. I got off my motorcycle and my legs just didn't hold me up . That has improved for the most part but , It has been constant pain ever since, and the need for a cane.

 

[dobielvr]

OK, that's what I thought ...... but to be honest, I just do not want to go there .... yet.

Again, if not to personal ? How did you mess up your spine ?

I had two back impact-trauma incidents , one when I was young , and one later in life. No immediate problem other than some minor pain @ the time. Also, worked on concrete for over thirty years, and was exposed to many toxic fumes, [though not thought of @ the time] So not sure if those things affected it or not?

I have been told that I have arthritis, spinal stenosis, and ankylosing spondylitis ....... So take your pick.

What puzzles me is ....... my current condition/situation came on me all at once over one weekend six years ago,in the fall of 2016. I got off my motorcycle and my legs just didn't hold me up . That has improved for the most part but , It has been constant pain ever since, and the need for a cane.

Hi there, I also have anklyosing spondylitis. Have had it for a while now. 30 plus years.
I take a monthly injection called Simponi. I've tried others, but I always have some kind of side effects from them.

I used to take a drug called Indocin, which really f'd up my kidneys. So no Ibruprofen. Bad for kidneys too.

This Simponi is kind of strong for me, I wish they had a lower dosage.
But , speak w/your doctor....ma y be you could get some relief w/ one of the many injectables for A/S.

 

[rgp]

Hi there, I also have anklyosing spondylitis. Have had it for a while now. 30 plus years.
I take a monthly injection called Simponi. I've tried others, but I always have some kind of side effects from them.

I used to take a drug called Indocin, which really f'd up my kidneys. So no Ibruprofen. Bad for kidneys too.

This Simponi is kind of strong for me, I wish they had a lower dosage.
But , speak w/your doctor....ma y be you could get some relief w/ one of the many injectables for A/S.

"indocin" ? or indomethacin ? I take it and of course have a concern about the longer term effects of it as well.

I think I need a new doc ..... it is hard as hell to talk to him period. He does his exam room thing, then next thing ya know, his nurse is bringing in my exit papers for the visit , see ya in 3-6 months. Or he just says surgery or one of the {IMO} horrible meds like Humira etc.

 

[Been There]

Do you have osteoarthritis? Try Meloxicam. After being jammed into the seat of a Hornet for long periods of time, many aviators end up with severe pain on the spine. Doc gives us Meloxicam and 24 hours bed rest. Stuff works wonders. I think I have 15 milligrams 1x per day.

 

[rgp]

Do you have osteoarthritis? Try Meloxicam. After being jammed into the seat of a Hornet for long periods of time, many aviators end up with severe pain on the spine. Doc gives us Meloxicam and 24 hours bed rest. Stuff works wonders. I think I have 15 milligrams 1x per day.

Thanks for the info but, due to the implication of complications involving heart disease ....... I'll pass on it.

 

[dobielvr]

"indocin" ? or indomethacin ? I take it and of course have a concern about the longer term effects of it as well.

I think I need a new doc ..... it is hard as hell to talk to him period. He does his exam room thing, then next thing ya know, his nurse is bringing in my exit papers for the visit , see ya in 3-6 months. Or he just says surgery or one of the {IMO} horrible meds like Humira

Indomethacin/Indocin...same thing. One's the brand name, the other, generic.

I'm surprised he doesn't check your sed rate or CRP...to see what your inflammation rate is.
I first took Humira, but after a while it made me flare up.

Yes, may be try a new doctor, have some blood work done, and hopefully he/she will find an injectable suitable for you.

Take your life back!

 

[Murrmurr]

OK, that's what I thought ...... but to be honest, I just do not want to go there .... yet.

Again, if not to personal ? How did you mess up your spine ?

I had two back impact-trauma incidents , one when I was young , and one later in life. No immediate problem other than some minor pain @ the time. Also, worked on concrete for over thirty years, and was exposed to many toxic fumes, [though not thought of @ the time] So not sure if those things affected it or not?

I have been told that I have arthritis, spinal stenosis, and ankylosing spondylitis ....... So take your pick.

What puzzles me is ....... my current condition/situation came on me all at once over one weekend six years ago,in the fall of 2016. I got off my motorcycle and my legs just didn't hold me up . That has improved for the most part but , It has been constant pain ever since, and the need for a cane.

I took a serious fall close to 30 years ago, about a 60ft drop onto a rocky surface. Fortunately I sort of bounced off some earthen outcrops on the way down, so I wasn't traveling deadly fast when I landed. Naturally, I had a couple of surgeries very soon after. Also I have a spinal deformity, fairly minor but the military rejected me because of it, saying it made me susceptible to meningitis and that carrying heavy stuff on my back, as soldiers do, could cause permanent injury.

After the initial surgeries I did just fine until 2010. I went to a doctor who prescribed Vicodin but I stopped taking it after a month. Just didn't like the idea. Pretty soon the problems in my back started effecting my legs; extremely painful muscle contractions, numbness, tingling and this horrible sensation of extreme heat that made my back, hips, legs and feet feel like they were literally on fire. I went to the hospital ER with that problem 3 times, but they just gave me Vicodin and had me lay on a gurney for a few hours. I took the Vicodin while at the hospital but never filled the prescriptions. Stuff I was reading about opioids and all that had me scared. Finally, in 2011 or 12, I totally lost all feeling in my legs and feet and my doctor ordered me a wheelchair and I had to stop working.

I was living in a small mountain town at the time. My sons moved me to Sacramento and I started going to the university medical center. My doctors there did all kinds of imaging and tests, signed me up for pain management, sent me to physical therapy, and put me back on pain medication; Norco. With a LOT of work, I got myself out of a wheelchair thanks to an excellent physical therapist and some spinal injections to control pain. I got around the house pretty well but I had to use a walker whenever I went outside, like out to the mailbox (couple hundred yards away) and to the store and stuff. Then, in 2017, I had major spinal surgery that included disk replacement, some rods and pins put in place (I'd developed scoliosis), and the removal of a bunch of arthritis. I had no idea arthritis could be removed.

That surgery was life-changing. And I'm not afraid of pain meds anymore. I like to keep dosage minimal, but I ask for what I need and I get what I ask for. My PCP totally trusts that I am conscientious about it.

I wonder if riding your motorcycle exacerbated an issue that was already in there. Like, maybe the vibration and bumps in the road and whatnot caused a collapse somewhere in there. I think it's likely.

 

[Nathan]

I was diagnosed with arthritis of the spine after my geriatrician took an x-ray of my back. It causes terrible pain. I am 86. I use 2 Tylenol/Codeine pills every night at dinner and 1,000 mg of Tylenol in the morning at breakfast and at 11 PM if I cannot sleep due to pain. I also distract myself playing chess and Civilization VI on my PC.

What do you folks do for pain?

I can't take NSAIDs so I do Taichi, Qigong, use heat pad and vodka.

 

[rgp]

I took a serious fall close to 30 years ago, about a 60ft drop onto a rocky surface. Fortunately I sort of bounced off some earthen outcrops on the way down, so I wasn't traveling deadly fast when I landed. Naturally, I had a couple of surgeries very soon after. Also I have a spinal deformity, fairly minor but the military rejected me because of it, saying it made me susceptible to meningitis and that carrying heavy stuff on my back, as soldiers do, could cause permanent injury.

After the initial surgeries I did just fine until 2010. I went to a doctor who prescribed Vicodin but I stopped taking it after a month. Just didn't like the idea. Pretty soon the problems in my back started effecting my legs; extremely painful muscle contractions, numbness, tingling and this horrible sensation of extreme heat that made my back, hips, legs and feet feel like they were literally on fire. I went to the hospital ER with that problem 3 times, but they just gave me Vicodin and had me lay on a gurney for a few hours. I took the Vicodin while at the hospital but never filled the prescriptions. Stuff I was reading about opioids and all that had me scared. Finally, in 2011 or 12, I totally lost all feeling in my legs and feet and my doctor ordered me a wheelchair and I had to stop working.

I was living in a small mountain town at the time. My sons moved me to Sacramento and I started going to the university medical center. My doctors there did all kinds of imaging and tests, signed me up for pain management, sent me to physical therapy, and put me back on pain medication; Norco. With a LOT of work, I got myself out of a wheelchair thanks to an excellent physical therapist and some spinal injections to control pain. I got around the house pretty well but I had to use a walker whenever I went outside, like out to the mailbox (couple hundred yards away) and to the store and stuff. Then, in 2017, I had major spinal surgery that included disk replacement, some rods and pins put in place (I'd developed scoliosis), and the removal of a bunch of arthritis. I had no idea arthritis could be removed.

That surgery was life-changing. And I'm not afraid of pain meds anymore. I like to keep dosage minimal, but I ask for what I need and I get what I ask for. My PCP totally trusts that I am conscientious about it.

I wonder if riding your motorcycle exacerbated an issue that was already in there. Like, maybe the vibration and bumps in the road and whatnot caused a collapse somewhere in there. I think it's likely.

 

[rgp]

I took a serious fall close to 30 years ago, about a 60ft drop onto a rocky surface. Fortunately I sort of bounced off some earthen outcrops on the way down, so I wasn't traveling deadly fast when I landed. Naturally, I had a couple of surgeries very soon after. Also I have a spinal deformity, fairly minor but the military rejected me because of it, saying it made me susceptible to meningitis and that carrying heavy stuff on my back, as soldiers do, could cause permanent injury.

After the initial surgeries I did just fine until 2010. I went to a doctor who prescribed Vicodin but I stopped taking it after a month. Just didn't like the idea. Pretty soon the problems in my back started effecting my legs; extremely painful muscle contractions, numbness, tingling and this horrible sensation of extreme heat that made my back, hips, legs and feet feel like they were literally on fire. I went to the hospital ER with that problem 3 times, but they just gave me Vicodin and had me lay on a gurney for a few hours. I took the Vicodin while at the hospital but never filled the prescriptions. Stuff I was reading about opioids and all that had me scared. Finally, in 2011 or 12, I totally lost all feeling in my legs and feet and my doctor ordered me a wheelchair and I had to stop working.

I was living in a small mountain town at the time. My sons moved me to Sacramento and I started going to the university medical center. My doctors there did all kinds of imaging and tests, signed me up for pain management, sent me to physical therapy, and put me back on pain medication; Norco. With a LOT of work, I got myself out of a wheelchair thanks to an excellent physical therapist and some spinal injections to control pain. I got around the house pretty well but I had to use a walker whenever I went outside, like out to the mailbox (couple hundred yards away) and to the store and stuff. Then, in 2017, I had major spinal surgery that included disk replacement, some rods and pins put in place (I'd developed scoliosis), and the removal of a bunch of arthritis. I had no idea arthritis could be removed.

That surgery was life-changing. And I'm not afraid of pain meds anymore. I like to keep dosage minimal, but I ask for what I need and I get what I ask for. My PCP totally trusts that I am conscientious about it.

I wonder if riding your motorcycle exacerbated an issue that was already in there. Like, maybe the vibration and bumps in the road and whatnot caused a collapse somewhere in there. I think it's likely.

"I wonder if riding your motorcycle exacerbated an issue that was already in there. Like, maybe the vibration and bumps in the road and whatnot caused a collapse somewhere in there. I think it's likely."

I suppose it's possible ? ...... but I have always been fanatic about good suspension & a comfortable seat. Plus I never sat bolt-upright ....... but, who knows.