Re: Upper and Middle Back Pain - Pain Mgmt.

[Guest guest]

Singh wrote:

> After having 2 acute attacks within 3 months, my wife is now recovering at

home for the

last 30 days. (snip) back pain has persisted. The main concern right now is

her back

pain...it just wont go away. Its constantly there (snip) deep down below the

shoulder

blades, upper back and upper-middle back. (snip) The endo wants her off the

narcs asap.

and also suggested getting a pain specialist involved to discuss other

approaches like

nerve blocks etc. The GI and Surgeon suggest we wait longer.

Dear Singh,

This same type of back pain is always a big problem with me just before, during

and after

an attack. The areas your wife describes sound exactly the same as where my

pain is.

This pain can be so severe and debilitating that it causes more discomfort than

the

abdominal pain. I'm currently having all types of spinal X-rays done to try to

find the

source, for even though we know it's exacerbated by a pancreatitis flare, my

doctor feels,

that in my case, there is something else triggering it. Irregardless, it's a

horrible pain!

I'll list some things that I've found helpful. I lie back on a heating pad, or

ice pack,

rotating between the two, for some relief. I also have regular chiropractic

adjustments

when it becomes too uncomfortable, since my other muscles seem to cramp up and I

eventually get myself out of alignment when all the other muscles start to try

to

compensate for those that are hurting. You could also try Lidoderm patches.

I've found

them to be mildly successful, yet not on any pain that seems to be deep within.

The

Lidoderm patches provide temporary relief for pain closer to the surface.

For me, pain medication is most necessary at these times. I've been on full

time meds for

well over a year now, so there's no question of my dependence, but I personally

cannot

tolerate the pain without them. My PM doctor recently put me on Neurontin, 900

mgs.

daily, and I've found that this has helped tremendously with both my back and

abdominal

pain.

The doctor has also recommended that I go to a physical therapist on a regular

basis for

help with therapy to strengthen my back. He believes that proper therapy may

help to

diminish the back pain episodes that always accompany a pancreatitis attack.

Your wife's situation may be entirely different than mine, but I would say that

if her

doctor's agree, I would think that a little more time on some pain medication to

help her

through this phase may be necessary. This pain does and will go away, but

sometimes it

just needs some additional time. I hope this information helps you in some way.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and should not be

substituted for

consultation with a medical professional.

[Guest guest]

Hello, I have been ill with pancreatitis since 1996, I have 2

congential defects of my pancreas along with SOD (sphinter of oddi

dysfuction) I have always had back pain that was not inital symptom,

but it came soon there after. It has never left, persons who don't

suffer from chronic pain don't quite understand pain, there are

degrees of pain, with chronic pain, I am never without pain, I have

had more celiac plexus blocks than I can remember, blocks have NO

long term effects, they are temporary, this can mean hours or days

maybe weeks, and months well that can happen. I disagree with the

endo specialist about the pain meds. I have been on some type of

opiod pain meds since 1996, if I am addicted well then so what, I am

at least today not sucidal from pain, which had been controlled

since August 03, when I had an intrathecal morphine pump implanted (

some refer to it as a pain pump). For me the pain, can be increased

by physical activity such as trying to sweep, repeative motion,

things that require reaching with my arms. As I said I am always in

some degree of pain, the pain management Dr. calls it back ground

pain, that the pump doesn't cover, and then there is some

breakthrough pain, that is more acute.

If I can answer anymore questions I would be happy to explain the

specific aspects of the blocks I have tried. The e-mail address

above is incorrect and I can't get it changed, the correct address

is michaelslady@...

Atwell LPN