Pain managment question

I have spondylolisthesis which is basically degenerative "structural damage" to the spine.  I have found yoga (I do hatha) to be extremely helpful.  Made a big difference for me.  Its something I will live with forever...if I keep up the exercise, the pain is managed.  If I don't...I feel it.

I tend to agree with the surgical procedure simply because your original injury wasn't able to heal correctly.  Sounds like it should be repaired.  Easy for me to say, right?!

  I have Fibromyalgia and Hubby broke his neck in 98 so he really has Arthur visiting often.  Mom  has FM and MS and my baby girl, (34 yrs old) has FM.  These are the things that have worked well for us.

I take 1 Aleve Liqui-gel as soon as I get up in the morning.  Approximately 30 min to 1 hour later I do Pilates stretching excersise for about 10 min.  Then I take a Hot shower.  When I get out of the shower I apply a homemade lotion that helps the pain and seems to have  been very beneficial to my skin too.   I apply the lotion while my skin is damp, I do not towel dry, I air dry.  

Special Secret recipies!  

Lotion:

1- Jar              Fruit of the Earth Vitimin E cream (very inexpensive, usually 2 jars for 4.00) 

10-15 drops    Ginger oil

5 - drops         Wild Chamomile oil

5- drops           Rose Geranium or Lavender oil for scent (I prefer Rose Geranium, Mom prefers Lavender)

When I have extra difficult days I take a hot bath in the following;

Fill tub as hot as you can stand it

after tub is full add

10 to 15 drops of Ginger Oil

10 to 15 drops of YlangYlang Oil

10 to 15 drops of Eucalyptus Oil

2 to 4 drops of either Lavender or Wild Chamomile Oil (both for scent and relaxation)

1/4  cup Apple cider vinegar

Gently swish it around and get in the tub.  If you put the oils in and dont get right in they lose some of their potency.  You will breathe in the aroma and the oils will penetrate the skin thru the open pours.   I do not use soap or rinse during these baths.  This bath is for theraputic purpose only....I stay in the tub until the water start getting to cool and I do not towel dry, I air dry and then apply my special lotion.   I have been doing this since 1998 and I have been able to control my pain pretty well.  Not that I dont still have "those days" but this does help.

Keep in mind, I am a firm believer in the power of Essential Oils, I dont have any allergies to anything.  I will caution those that have skin allergies to be careful when using them. 

Just like Callie mentioned the Aleve Liqui-gel is taken every day so it has been in my system for some time.  I tried the Gluco/Condrotin/MSN it is the same way it has to get into your system takes usually 4-6 weeks and if you quit taking it,  you start all over again.  I just find that the Aleve works better for me and I only take 1 per day.  My Mom takes 1 in the morning and one at night.  She has managed to eliminate all her pain meds except her pain patch.   No more La-La-Land for my Mom.  She has a life again, one with less pain and more brain!!!!!

I am not a fan of decaf anything so I have cut my caffine intake tremendously.  I still allow myself real coffee, a coke occasionally but mostly I drink water. 

That is my pain input for the day!!!!!  Good luck with whatever you try, wishing you a pain free winter.

Ginger

 With the surgery, basically the doctors waited until I turned 21 to even consider doing it but in all honesty I don't trust the staff at the hospital since they're the same ones that screwed my ankles in the first place.  The accident happened when I was 10 so it's had about 13 years to get worse so I don't think the orginial plan will work any more and the clinic doctor's refuse to X-rays again.  All I can do is manage the pain until I find a doctor who's not afraid of a challenge..

I'm gonna be buying Tiger Balm today and I'll try the oils as well. I don't like taking pain pills everyday cuz they are hard on my stomach and make me sick.

Thanks for all the input. It helps

yes, i deifnately think that topical and invironmental solutions are better that pain killers in this case, simply because this is a long term thing for you and many type of painkillers are bad for your liver, esp long term!

either way, know that you arent the only one with these type of issues. at least you have someone to blame. i for one have had joint pains since i am 15-16 and no injuries to explain it. noone has been able to help me so far either, so i manage it, and i gotta say despite my fears so far it has been getting better, just because i know what to look out for and how to deal with it...

 Oh crap.. I forgot to buy Tiger Balm.. I saw your name Janet and suddenly remembered what I had forgotten.. *sigh* I've still got some cash so I'll pick some up tomorrow.

You might check out BioFreeze as well. It is wonderful stuff!  In the states, you can only get it at chiropractors/acupucnturists/massage therapists. I get a bottle that rolls on (like deoderant) for 12.00. You can also get big pump bottles (think a big bottle of Purell for size comparison).

I agee witht eh rice bag!  I use mine very night it is cold.  It is wonderful!  BTW, just buy the cheapest bulk rice you can.  You're not going to eat the stuff!

Acupuncture is WONDERFUL for pain.  I swear by the stuff!

 The rice bag can be frozen, too. My fav headache remedy is to lay, inclined, with ice on my neck and heat on my feet. For some weird reason that has to do with circulation, it WORKS. I usually have a Chinese Crested on my stomach, too, because I get nasty headaches WITH cramps every month, LOL.