Suggest Ways To Manage Severe Pain Despite Medications

Posted on Sun, 18 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 18 Dec 2016 Answered on

Mon, 9 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I have had 8 epidural injections in the last 3 months for chronic pain and have had very little relief. Other than surgery on my back and hip are there any other options? I do take extra strength Tylenol and frequently Aleve.
Most of the time I am miserable.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
wow a huge number of options

Detailed Answer:
So, physical modalities have had the best success rate:
physical therapy, accupuncture chiropracty, massage and body awareness activities such as tai chi and ballroom dance.

Then there are medications such as nerve pills (amitryptiline, gabapentin) muscle spasm medicines, perhaps pure anti-depressants (doubtful), and nerve modulators such as capsaicin or ben-gay for that matter.

modulations of the nerves besides injections include permanently damaging the pain nerves or spinal implants.

This is a list staying away from narcotics.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar