My father has been complaining of pain, particularly in his back, for about a month now. He says his doctor says it's arthritis and that he should take acetaminophen or ibuprofen. These two medications give some relief but my father is now always complaining of the pain. It's really bad now and I can't stand to see him like this. Taking care of him like this makes everything worse.
I told him that we need to call the doctor, tell them about the ongoing pain and ask if there's anything else they can recommend or prescribe. My father is stubborn and thinks that all the pain management available to him are the two over-the-counter medications. Does any one else know of anything that will relieve this type of pain effectively? Nerve block, more potent pain medication, exercises, etc.?
(2 tablespoons vinegar and honey to taste, water to not burn the esophagus)
It has been used for many decades and really helps.
Of course staying active is the best no matter what else is being done.
Oh, and yes, movement is important. Sitting around is the worst thing you can do for arthritis. My physio guy even said sitting in one position for more than 15 min. isn't good. He said get up and move during commercial breaks if you are watching t.v. or anything that has you sitting too much.
They can prescribe anything from SalonPas patches or Voltaren gel (topically applied to the back - wash hands thoroughly after using if he has cats; it's very toxic to them) to a surgically implanted spinal cord stimulator (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/treating-pain-with-spinal-cord-stimulators).
I agree that movement is good, so if he experiences any relief with treatment he should add a movement routine to maintain the improvement.
I'm of the firm belief that natural remedies should precede meds, especially acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
This is often due to spinal stenosis, spinal compression of age and it can be very very painful. Good xrays and even MRI may be needed to assess the level of the damage. SOME PAIN is going to be present in age. If it isn't my knees at 80 then it's my back, and if not that it's the feet, the shoulders and so on.
Keeping moving may help if this is ONLY arthritis, but with stenosis or compression of the spine it may exacerbate this.
If all else fails you will need to ask for pain management consult. You ideas of PT consult and possible injections for the back may be in the future dependent on what's goin" g on, but an MD just sluffing this off as "It's arthritis" isn't good enough if Dad's in a lot of pain.
You can help by making a THOROUGH outline for doc of this pain.
Sharp or aching in nature?
What time of the day and with or without activity?
Worsened by sitting, standing or walking, or better?
Does it waken Dad at night?
Is there nerve pain (sharp) shooting down into the feet at all?
and etc. This will help MD diagnose what's happening. Ask for an Orthopedist consult.
What kind of orthopedic specialist does he see? I have a specialty knee doc and a specialty hand doc.
When an MD tells you just to live with pain or dysfunction, seek another opinion.
Years ago, my husband had serious breathing problems post open heart surgery. The first pulmonologist he saw told him he was lucky to be alive and to stop whining(?!).
We saw someone else who recommended specialized PT to get his diaphragm working and 15 years later, he still has no problems.
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