facet joint syndrome

[stillstruggling]

Am on the Fentenyl Patch at 150 and still am not able to control pain.  Does anyone else have symtoms of facet joint syndrome and are there any alternative treatments for it?  I am wondering about bioflex, has anyone heard about it for pain relief.  All these meds are driving me crazy.

[adele360]

Hi Mike: good comments and suggestions, but can you tell us what kinds of symptoms & diagnosis you had.  Thanks

[mike1105]

dont just "try" this. You need to live it for 4-6 months before you even think about evaluating whether or not it worked.

[stillstruggling]

Thanks for the input.  I think I will try the exercise route and see what happens.  Not getting anywhere with anything else.

[stillstruggling]

I have lower back pain that radiates down my legs.  The top of my hips seem to be the worse.  Some tingling in feet at times.  When the pain is at it's worst I am bent sideways and forward and can not straighten until after I have visited the local emergency ward and gotten my pain shots.  I have been to see specialists in arthritis, scoliosis, a pain specialist a back specialist and my gp.  I have had exray, mri(s) and every other test they can come up with. There is the usual some spinal stenosis and a bit of arthritis but not enough they say to give me such pain.  So far this is the only diagnosis they have come up with.  Once I start to bend there is no going back.  I have had injections from the SI joint up to L2 with some but not much effect.  As long as I sit perfectly still and not move the pain will stay at a 2 or 3 on the scale but as soon as I move the pain moves up the scale.  Things seem to be getting worse and right now I am very lucky to go 4 days without starting to bend. I have tried chiropractors and massage but came away worse.  Have done physio as best I can with no results.  Any ideas would be appreciated.  

[mike1105]

with no severe enough to be casuing this much pain findings on your tests, you probably have Myofascoial pain. this means you muscle balance is all out of whak. you can fix this n your own (if this is the problem) with good education and understanding of the propblem, along with the proper exercises and stetching. You'll need to be committed and understand it will taker time. I was in agonay for 2 1/2 years with my hips. lower back, and neck and upper back. Now I am pain free- it took 4-6 months of relentless exercise and stretching, and I used 4 sources for this:
1. A website by Jolie Bookspan and her book called "fix Your back Pain without Drugs or Surgery"
2. A Book on posture by D'Arezzo
3. A book on self treatment of trigger points by Clair Davies
4. Website by John Barnes.

the self tretment hurt. Muscles in spasm do not take kindly to being pulled on, stretched, pressed, rubbed, etc. They are in spasm becasue they are trying to protect your spine. I did 1 hr sessions 3X per day for 4-6 months. Read Read Read.........you've tried everything else right? You dont get pain for no reason......

[mike1105]

what are your symptoms ?? where does it hurt??/ who gave you this diagnosis?

[stillstruggling]

took awhile for me to get your post.  I've been off work for 2 years because of the pain.  I was running a recycling depot and on my feet a lot, some lifting but not more than normal.  I don't get a lot done in spare time, like to fish but even find it hard these days.  I putter when I can, the usual kind of thing, car maintenance, yard work.  I have been on morphine, methodone, mscontin, oxcotyn and still have not been able to control the pain.  Have done the injections also.  Right now we are basically trying to get the pain under control before I can do more.  Do you have facet joint syndrome? or know someone who does?  Thanks for any help.

[mike1105]

what exactly are your symptoms, and when are they worst? also what do you do for a liiving and what do (did) you do alot of in your spare time?