Things I’ve tried and things I haven’t tried

January 28, 2018, 1:55 p.m.

These are the thoughts that come to mind today as I think about what I have been doing over the past year to relieve what was first discomfort in my neck and then became painful enough to interfere with my normal, everyday life. These things that I’ve listed here are roughly in the order of what I used them or thought about considering using them.

I have tried:

Anti-inflammatory diet

What could be more anti-inflammatory than the diabetes diet that I’m already on?!? My “diet” already includes supplements for “joint health” —glucosamine, turmeric with black pepper, and alpha lipoic acid. I do not eat highly refined processed foods, especially no sugars, grains, or starchy vegetables, and no foods containing or converting to trans fats.

Shiatsu massager

This was the first thing I tried in an attempt to relax my neck. I lay on it in bed, with the heat on, and it shut off after 15 minutes. I frequently started it again—and again—and I almost always fell asleep while it was on. It felt therapeutic while I was using it, but the neck pain always came back.

Many months later, I bought a shiatsu massager that goes around your neck and you hold it with one or both hands. It plugs in so it’s very effective. Like the bed shiatsu, it feels very therapeutic while using it.

Pillow

I used a Tempur-Pedic pillow for the first 10 months, until I was able to find my MyPillow that had become buried in the guest room. Maybe there are other pillows that are better, but I am able to “fluff” the MyPillow somewhat and make it conform to the support I need for my neck.

Heat

• Heated neck wrap (given to me my Lisa) which is warmed 90 seconds in microwave. Heat lasts approximately 10 minutes. Wrap is filled with rice (so is quite heavy) and some calming herbs, including lavender.
• Electric heated neck wrap (purchased for me by Linda). It’s heavy, too, but a little lighter than the microwave wrap. It’s very convenient because the heat is constant and does help with the pain as long as it is on my neck.

Cold & Heat

• I’ve had a supply of ice packs in the freezer for many years. I use one whenever I have a migraine (along with a heating pad on my feet) to help ease the pain while I’m waiting for the meds to kick in.
• I bought a cold pack (in the freezer now) designed specifically for the neck. I haven’t used it yet.
• I use my cold fingers on my neck, head, and face wherever I have pain.

Aroma therapy

My aroma therapy is done mainly in the shower where I am using Trader Joe’s body wash, shampoo, and conditioner with tea tree oil, eucalyptus, and mint.

Pain relief cream

I have used many brands through the years: Ben-Gay, Aspercreme, and Icy Hot. More recently, a Jadience cream that Catherine gave to Linda. And then I got a Medical Cannabis Salve at Harborside.

Tylenol #3 with Codeine

Had some of this leftover from dental pain episodes. I took them at random times when the pain seemed to be worse. I don’t have any more left now.

TENS unit

Linda purchased this for me, but it did not relieve my neck pain and made me have involuntary muscle movements, which felt scary. I didn’t use it any more, but Linda uses it occasionally for her back and leg pain.

New ergonomic desk chair

For an  early birthday present, we went to Office Max and, after a long time of comparing products, we finally purchased a new ergonomic desk chair, one that would be a better fit for my body and could be adjusted in height and several other settings. I pulled in the foot stool we had been using with the rocking chair to use now with my desk chair.

Inflatable lumbar pillow

I bought one from the Kaiser Health shop after using one during the Kaiser neck pain class. It was not expensive and I like it a lot better than the old lumbar support that I got at Walgreen’s for $4. I use it now in my new ergonomic desk chair.

3 months later: I used the inflatable lumbar pillow for several months when I noticed that some air had leaked out of it, so I pulled out the plug and re-inflated it. It worked for a while and each time I noticed it was deflating, I re-inflated it, until it just wouldn’t hold air any more. So I have retired it, not yet having decided what to do with it.

Physical Therapy

Manual Physical Therapy for Pain Relief
Manual physical therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy delivered with the hands as opposed to a device or machine. In manual therapy, practitioners use their hands to put pressure on muscle tissue and manipulate joints in an attempt to decrease back pain caused by muscle spasm, muscle tension, and joint dysfunction.
https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/physical-therapy/manual-physical-therapy-pain-relief

I’m still holding on to the belief that the right physical therapist will be able to help me!

CBD/THCA

Taking 20 drops of each, twice a day. Since November 20, 2017, have not had any migraines to date.

Acupuncture

So far, just group acupuncture. I would like to get individual acupuncture sessions.

Meditation with Mindful Breathing

Currently learning this in the Pain Management program.

NSAIDs (Advil, Aleve)

Since my arthritis flare in January, I have been taking 600mg Advil Liquid Gels twice a day.

Flexeril

Still taking 1 tablet at bedtime. I think I still need it.

Gabapentin

Prescribed by Dr. Kalra at phone appointment on January 25, 2018
Starting with 100mg once daily, increase to 300mg twice daily

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I have not tried:

Acupressure

I’m actively interested in finding out more, especially what I can do at home.

Reiki

I would need to have more details.

Prednisone

I still have a bottle that Dr. Andrews, neurologist, gave me on 8/19/16 for breaking a severe siege of migraines. But the siege broke the same day I got the prescription filled so I never took it. It was a 9-day regime of decreasing dosage. I came very close to using it, though, during my most intense neck pain.

Update: Linda has had some difficulties with her eyes. Nothing has worked–eye drops, eye wash, etc.–and in her desperation, Linda asked me if she could have the prednisone. It is helping her eyes but is causing her to have insomnia.

Reflexology

My mother used reflexology in her massage practice. I think it’s valid. I just don’t know where to go to get it now.

Tapping

Also known as EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)
I would have to have more convincing information than what I have found so far. But I did buy a book to download onto my Kindle.

Essential oils

They seem expensive and not always stable and can be harmful or fatal to pets, according to what I’ve read. I’m not really interested.

Traction

All About Spinal Decompression Therapy
Dr. Kalra was very adamant that spinal decompression therapy (or any kind of manual manipulation or physical neck traction) was not going to work to relieve my pain.
https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/all-about-spinal-decompression-therapy

Biofeedback

I don’t know anything about this except what I see in (paid) commercials for a Bay Area doctor who uses this in his practice.

Kratom

I’m a little bit afraid to take something that is so controversial. Some say it’s an opiate. I haven’t researched it.

Stuff I’ve never heard of before…until now

Could tapping be the solution to chronic pain and anxiety?
https://www.today.com/video/could-tapping-be-the-solution-to-chronic-pain-and-anxiety-1137958467625

Heal Yourself with Writing
http://www.dailyom.com/cgi-bin/courses/courseoverview.cgi?cid=83&aff=92&ad=2018012241&img=11