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pain management support group

For all of the chronic pain sufferers out there, whether it be from ... more

Reply: Glial Cells: A New Target for Chronic Pain Treatme...

I really enjoyed this article, thanks for sharing Charles, B

Posted by bren_bren

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Glial Cells: A New Target for Chronic Pain Treatment I really enjoyed this article, thanks for sharing Charles, B

Reply: rsd/crps

Hello paininSD, Thanks for writing and sharing your story. Unfortunately we don't get...

Posted by bren_bren

4 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:rsd/crps Hello paininSD, Thanks for writing and sharing your story. Unfortunately we don't get...

Reply: My Journey into Prolotherapy...

Prolotherapy - Is the DOCTOR in?????? bren_bren posted: A few months ago I...

Posted by bren_bren

Prolotherapy - Is the DOCTOR in??????

bren_bren posted: A few months ago I posted a response to the Dr. about PRP and Prolotherapy - he had created a poll that asked readers their opinions about this sort of therapy.

I am writing to him, and others who have had experience, about prolotherapy (It prompts healing in ligaments, tendons, and cartilage, and it supporsedly is more effective in curing pain caused by damaged, unhealed connective tissue).

I suffer from horrible pelvic pain that is relative to a disc bulge at L5 S1, SI joint dysfunction, pudendal neuralgia, and various other "diagnosees".

The problem with my inability to get a diagnosis and the appropriate treatment has exhausted me. I used to by a cyclist and I think this all started after slipping off of my pedal and crashing down on my bike saddles. I continued to ride anyway, then played tennis the next day. It felt like a serious hamstring pull at first, then sciatica, then low back pain accompanied by burning down my left leg.

I feel that I have damaged the ligaments there, then after compensating for the pain on my left side, I was limping and sitting oddly for some time.

Prolotherapy makes sense to me; however, I went out of state for my first session and it was incredibly painful. I received around 20 injections into the various ligaments and tendons within my pelvis and lumbar spine. The shot had lidocaine, dextrose, and some other med. The lidocaine did not work - I have to get like 4-6 shots at the dentist before he can drill - and since it didn't work, he tried 2 other combinations to no avail.

I want ANYONE who has had an experience, or knows someone who has had this procedure done, to share their story because I could really use some positive input now. The visit was over $700 cash and my insurance doesn't cover it. The next visit will be minus the initial 1st time consulation fee, but I fear it will be around $500. Before I wipe out my savings (my husband is the only one who is working now), I would like to know if this is too steep of a price?? I trust that the doc knows what he is doing, he used to be a spine surgeon, however it seems a bit flaky because he mentioned it would take 6-10 treatments 1 time a month.

Please, someone tell me I'm not pursuing something that is going to create more problems (ie. scar tissue), and eventually lead to more complications in regard to my chronic pain.

Thanks for your time, Bren [a name=0>

4 days ago DUKE MEDICINEDavid Berkoff, MD responded: Prolotherapy does work for some people and not for others. It is typically a cash procedure and it typically takes multiple sessions to get things better. What is used and how the injections are done is very variable. There is no data out there to guarantee you success and the impact to the wallet is very real. THere a a ton of people who have had relief and I would recommend looking on the web for someone in your area who is both knowledgeable in prolo and spine. Sounds like this first doc was a reasonable choice. You can alway see out a second opinion but in the end no one will guarantee you success. Chronic pelvic pain is tricky and unless they can figure out which structures are causing the pain your success may be limited.
Getprolo.com is a good site that lists prolo docs nationwide.Good luckView Thread

Posted bybren_bren

11 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:My Journey into Prolotherapy... Prolotherapy - Is the DOCTOR in?????? bren_bren posted: A few months ago I...

Reply: My Journey into Prolotherapy...

Hey there Annette, Yes, I'm 17 days into the treatment. I explained to you the large...

Posted by bren_bren

Hey there Annette,

Yes, I'm 17 days into the treatment. I explained to you the large amount of injections I received and the pain I was in during and immediately after the procedure...as for what's new: I feel more mobility in my joints (SI and hip), my hamstring/groin pain is more sporadic in intensity. I have felt some difference with my pudendal neuralgia - it's much more defined and distinct from the pulled hamstring pain. Don't know what all that really indicates; but I accept the difference as improvement??

My husband got really quiet last night when I explained the difficulty I was having - he is rarely so speechless. He started to show some doubt. I have been, admittedly, skeptical since the day of the procedure, but last night was the first time we have been on the same page about it.

I get very "reflective" after visiting doctors and it takes time to digest what they have to say. For some reason I have been dwelling on their "claims" recently (the spine surgeon and his assistant wife). One being that they see this type of injury/pain on a daily basis (which I highly doubt they've seen my case and all the complexities).They also claimed that I was 1in about 30 patients who didn't get the proper relief from the lidocaine and various other anesthetics. The other 29 patients got instant relief of their symptoms and some could "hop around".

They also generalized the length of the process of achieving a full recovery: anywhere from 2-10 treatments. They did say I should expect pain relief (90-100%). Now I stew over the fact that I am that 1 in 30 patients who doesn't display a "typical" outcome....I'm really trying hard to not be cynical...

We've decided to give it up to 3 more tries(1 procedure/month or 6 wks). We don't have the money for it all (cash only is accepted, and they won't file our insurance - that is a case we have to make with Aetna); so, without the cash flow we have to take out a loan. I'm not working because I can't, but we're fortunate enough to have child care, so I have plenty of down time for healing.

I may have just written way too much in response, but I do want to kind of "log" my experience.

Also, I did read that it is an effective treatment for patients who suffer from Fibromyalgia.?..I would love to hear their testimonials. Speaking of which: my husband and boy spent several hrs in the waiting room, and all the patients they encountered were returning. One lady after 5 yrs of relief.

Thanks for caring and taking the time to write! I hope you are doing well with the belly dancing and lower pain levels!?!
Take great care, wishing you the best,
Bren

PS. the following link does demonstrate some studies done:
http://getprolo.com/

I'm also going to post a doc's response to my question about prolotherapy here on webmd; so long as I can find it

View Thread

Posted bybren_bren

11 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:My Journey into Prolotherapy... Hey there Annette, Yes, I'm 17 days into the treatment. I explained to you the large...

Reply: Athletic Pain (trigger)

also just thought of providing you with this link... ...

Posted by bren_bren

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Athletic Pain (trigger) also just thought of providing you with this link... ...

Reply: Athletic Pain (trigger)

Hello there Athlete20, I just want to share with you that you are not alone in...

Posted by bren_bren

Hello there Athlete20,

I just want to share with you that you are not alone in experiencing those types of feelings. You have suffered a tremendous amount of pain related to surgical procedures, then all the emotional torment that people put you through can add a ton of pressure/stress; if you feel that checking out is the only solution, then you need to seek emergency medical treatment.

I have an opinion on suicide: it is for the weak, it is a temporary solution to the problem, and it is a selfish act. I have suffered PTSD like symptoms due to the fact that my own father committed suicide a few years ago. He had fibromyalgia, CFIDS, mono earlier on, and he suffered for over 25 yrs of doctors/family not believing his pain conditions. His suffering was not something anyone could see, he had no crutches, splints, casts, nor a wheelchair. I was unfortunate to be raised by a mother who didn't believe him and tossed her negative opionions around all of her children - 6. Then came grandchildren - 10...he felt more and more isolated an like a "burden". He was where you are acting like you are considering. PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS TO YOURSELF. I believe that you have family and friends who love and care about you and to put them through that trauma and excruciating emotional pain is not the solution. It is a horrible choice that you feel like can solve a problem that could easily be addressed with the help of medical professionals.

I know, I've been there with the stereotypes, the "dissing" and exclusion from gatherings, the rejection from my siblings when I wanted to care for my nieces and nephews...I can only share with you what has helped me in hopes of offering support to you at this time. I'm not certain that you will write back, so I will wait for your response.

Please just find 1 person to talk to and share your feelings. I too was an athelete, and sports (tennis,cycling,soccer) were my outlet. It sucks when you have to lay around and recover all the time, doesn't it?? What sports do you participate in? If you don't mind, how old are you??

Waiting for your response, wishing you my best, BrenView Thread

Posted bybren_bren

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Athletic Pain (trigger) Hello there Athlete20, I just want to share with you that you are not alone in...

Charl is in my thoughts...

...I just wanted to post and offer support to our fellow board member, Charl (Charlotte),...

Posted by bren_bren

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Charl is in my thoughts... ...I just wanted to post and offer support to our fellow board member, Charl (Charlotte),...

Reply: Pain between rt elbow and hand swelling of hand

Hello there william... I would encourage you to do the same. Only your doctor can examine...

Posted by bren_bren

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Pain between rt elbow and hand swelling of hand Hello there william... I would encourage you to do the same. Only your doctor can examine...

Reply: My Journey into Prolotherapy...

Also, Annette, I failed to include the link to the author (doc's) paper. Where you quoted...

Posted by bren_bren

11 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:My Journey into Prolotherapy... Also, Annette, I failed to include the link to the author (doc's) paper. Where you quoted...

Reply: My Journey into Prolotherapy...

Hey there Annette, thanks for your reply. The thing that is so hard for me to grasp is...

Posted by bren_bren

Hey there Annette, thanks for your reply.

The thing that is so hard for me to grasp is that I've been diagnosed as having so many "conditions" that I'm back to square one. No doctor can pinpoint my pain exactly and now I'm going with something that just seems to make sense. I've tried everything else that can be done to manage my symptoms, and my pain management doc recently suggested this. A doc a mayo clinic told me about it in 2006, but he was clear to state it was a tough to find a great physician who knew how to perform it appropriately. My current guy is a spine surgeon who says he has avoided a triple-fusion through the (long) process of prolotherapy.

I did read about 25% of a book in his office where they had such studies you mentioned: Prolotherapy Your Pain Away.

There seem to be a lot more resources, even on the internet, since I checked back in '07.

If I find something electronic I will be sure to share. In the meantime, I'm dealing with much more inflammation (because that's what the shots do), and therefore, pain. It was a very unpleasant experience, as I received about 4 injections and screamed and about kicked him...then he sent me to a pharmacy to get valium and percocet and told me to meet him back in an hour. After that, I was miserable still and got another "round". I lost count at 15. I was pretty upset as I was told the lidocaine would have worked to help numb considerably, and he even tried 2 other forms of local anesthetic, but nothing compared to that awful deep tearing sensation.

Sounds horrible, and it was. They said that I was the 1 in about 30 of their patients who had such an experience (i.e.painful and no numbing). I'm giving it an honest go though, and definitely will share. To me, the models of referred pain presented in the article that I shared definitely pertain to the pain I experience. It only makes sense to me that when I crashed down on my bike seat 4.5yrs ago that I suffered from connective tissue damage. I feel that reperation of this tissue (at its best) will help with SI joint stability, then ultimately pain. I don't think it's the silver bullet, but I'm so desperate.

What type of adverse reaction from the treatment do you recall?

Take care, BrenView Thread

Posted bybren_bren

11 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:My Journey into Prolotherapy... Hey there Annette, thanks for your reply. The thing that is so hard for me to grasp is...

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