Hello Everyone....Ah, pain my old friend! I've been suffering with pain for at least 35-40 yrs. now. Unfortunately I came along when elavil was the one and only tool. It didn't work. Years later gabapentin came along, and that was helpful but rather left one in a mental fog for many months. Still, it helped.
Years later we moved on to a relative of gaba's.....this time pregablin (Lyrica), there is I believe now a 3rd generation but lyrica has been helpful to me. I've also been on fentanyl for years, and was fortunate enough to get off it with no lasting problems. None at all, actually. Personally in my case the combo of lyrica and fentanyl seemed to give the best relief. Acupressure is something to learn, but not overdo.
However, if you want the greatest help I ever found, it has to be ice....hands down. Ace makes an ice pack that doesn't freeze hard, comes in many sizes, is fabric covered and can be used over, over and over again. It has been a life saver. I have a very large pad that I use for my entire back, especially the area of the spine. That will deaden any pain for long periods of time. You don't leave it on for any longer than 15-20 min. (gets warm then anyway). I can also use it on my breast and ribs on the l. side as they can be problems for me.
I'm older now (74) so hips and one knee are a problem, but I don't use ice on them. You can buy topical creams OTC that contain lidocaine. I like the roll-on ones best....buy the ones with at least 4% lidocaine in them and apply it liberally. Again, I'll put it directly over the spine and all the way to my hips. It doesn't last like the ice, but is helpful.
If you really want the big guns (which I don't after having been through it...I made different choices), you have to make an appt. with a pain doctor, who can prescribe fentanyl and will take you through surgical options, also. You may also have to see a psychiatrist/psychologist who can diagnose whether or not you are in pain. This is frustrating, but we can only blame other human beings for this predicament. If you look around the office you'll understand the reasons why. I would suggest going in clean, well pressed clothing, jeans are fine, with your hair combed. You'll see many people before the doctor and I think each is assessing you. Just be truthful, that's all.
I could have an implant for pain, but after my cord surgery I decided that no one would ever get near my spine again. Besides, I checked the implants out thoroughly and while they work, everyone who replied to surveys said they don't after 10 mos. to a year....then you have the pain again. This is something that will be improved over the years, and it may be worth it for you....for me, it isn't. Tens units didn't work for me.
Personally, I have too many doctors in my life, too many problems especially now that I'm old. One more, I don't need. Before the fentanyl debacle my neurologist was able to handle the prescription. After the abuse, no. These relatively new doctors are hard to find, but make an appt. and you'll probably get in fairly soon as a new patient. Me, I choose to go it alone. My neurologist is able to prescribe an ointment from a compound pharmacy that contains fentanyl along with gaba and a no. of other ingredients. I don't use it any longer, as the ice treatments keep me going. I wish you well. Pain is not a friend and it's something else that a lot of research is being done on. Try the ice packs, heat just causes me to tighten up even on the lowest setting. Oh, put a tea towel over the ice pack and best of luck. Yours, Lenora.