Chronic back pain relief for 84 yr old
Discussion
Hello fellow petrol heads, I need to ask for some info on what the best alternative pain relief for my partners mum could be. She's 84 bless her and suffering really very badly with chronic back pain. She's currently taking Gabapentin but it's not working for her. Still in pain and the Gaba is causing constipation.
She can't take Tramadol anymore either.
Does anyone have any medicinal suggestions for chronic back pain please? She has a fractured lower vertebrae.
Many thanks all.
Cad
She can't take Tramadol anymore either.
Does anyone have any medicinal suggestions for chronic back pain please? She has a fractured lower vertebrae.
Many thanks all.
Cad
Is the pain in her back or going down her legs? Gabapentin is a neuropathic analgesia so helps pain spread by nerve irritation. Mechanical back pain from fractures etc can be helped better with non neuropathic painkillers. However they do cause constipation as well as other side effects. For this alone it is worth getting advice from her GP who knows the other medical problems and drugs she may be on.
caduceus said:
Hello fellow petrol heads, I need to ask for some info on what the best alternative pain relief for my partners mum could be. She's 84 bless her and suffering really very badly with chronic back pain. She's currently taking Gabapentin but it's not working for her. Still in pain and the Gaba is causing constipation.
She can't take Tramadol anymore either.
Does anyone have any medicinal suggestions for chronic back pain please? She has a fractured lower vertebrae.
Many thanks all.
Cad
Are you saying by your post the pain is both chronic and acute?She can't take Tramadol anymore either.
Does anyone have any medicinal suggestions for chronic back pain please? She has a fractured lower vertebrae.
Many thanks all.
Cad
More than likely arthritis. The natural, and worst thing to do, is to rest it. Motion is lotion - she needs to go for a walk, and do some basic, gentle stability exercises. Forward (not backward as might be facet arthritis) bending exercises etc. It won't cure it, but pain meds won't either. Stay away from chiropractor IMO but possibly a *good* osteopath or physio would be money well spent.
If she has a fracture:
1. Do not go near a chiropractor.
2. If it still hurts after a few months it’s worth considering if vertebroplasty (injecting cement into the bone to reinforce/stabilise it) is an option.
3. Paracetamol regularly, and keep walking is usually a good start. Gabapentin etc are good for nerve compression pain (sciatica) but rubbish for actual back pain.
4. May be worth an xray to check for further collapse or adjacent additional fractures.
5. Any hint of sciatica down both legs, loss of bladder control, tripping over feet is an A&E job toute suite.
1. Do not go near a chiropractor.
2. If it still hurts after a few months it’s worth considering if vertebroplasty (injecting cement into the bone to reinforce/stabilise it) is an option.
3. Paracetamol regularly, and keep walking is usually a good start. Gabapentin etc are good for nerve compression pain (sciatica) but rubbish for actual back pain.
4. May be worth an xray to check for further collapse or adjacent additional fractures.
5. Any hint of sciatica down both legs, loss of bladder control, tripping over feet is an A&E job toute suite.
She needs to be seen and assessed by her GP. No one here can give advice without seeing her past medical history, allergies, intolerances, latest bloods, other co-morbidities, etc. You get the gist. Pain in frailty is complex and often multi faceted. If she is housebound then ask for a home visit.
Thanks for the replies gentlemen, much appreciated.
She has seen a GP and that's why she was on Gaba, but she's stopped because of the constipation. Not ideal I know, she's quite stubborn.
Not going to a Chiro, it'll be too harsh for her. She does have sciatica down the legs, yes.
I'll ask the missus a few more questions to get a better idea.
She has seen a GP and that's why she was on Gaba, but she's stopped because of the constipation. Not ideal I know, she's quite stubborn.
Not going to a Chiro, it'll be too harsh for her. She does have sciatica down the legs, yes.
I'll ask the missus a few more questions to get a better idea.
caduceus said:
Thanks for the replies gentlemen, much appreciated.
She has seen a GP and that's why she was on Gaba, but she's stopped because of the constipation. Not ideal I know, she's quite stubborn.
Not going to a Chiro, it'll be too harsh for her. She does have sciatica down the legs, yes.
I'll ask the missus a few more questions to get a better idea.
There are multiple pain relief options. If that’s not working she needs something else. She has seen a GP and that's why she was on Gaba, but she's stopped because of the constipation. Not ideal I know, she's quite stubborn.
Not going to a Chiro, it'll be too harsh for her. She does have sciatica down the legs, yes.
I'll ask the missus a few more questions to get a better idea.
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