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What Causes Chronic Back Pain?

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Posted on Mon, 14 Jul 2014
Question: My 44 yr old son has been dealing with chronic pain in his back for several months. He is a type 2 diabetic his glucose has been as high as 400+ during this ordeal. It currently runs between 120-240 daily. He had an MRI that indicated he has a PARS Defect in L5, spondylolysis, L4, herniated disk T11 or T12 (I can't recall which) degenerative disk disease. He's had a CAT scan of his entire spine which did not indicate any nerves were pinched. He cannot handle any garment on his upper torso. He has burning sensations, feels as though his skin is ripping internally. He has lost a significant amount of weight. He has been on opiod & or antidepressant treatments for pain. He currently takes Lyrica and Hydrocodone( which has been the most effective and it is moderate relief). He has been put on morphine, hydromorphine, tramadol, amatryptaline, He has an appointment with his family med doctor & pain med doctor on Wed. I am looking for answers for him. He has 5 & 16 year old daughters. He currently is unemployable (can barely leave his home due to the pain and the increased pain when he puts on a shirt). I need to ask specific quality questions that provoke some relief. They said he had opiate induce hyper algesia. So he went totally without any opiates for 3 weeks. He just began back on the hydrocodone last week. He is currently taking it 2x's a day. The doc has authorized 6x's, but he does not want to become addicted and does not want to go back to the other pain which was putting him in the ER every week needing additional relief. I am desperate. I do not want to lose my child and he is losing hope. I need help to help him. If you can't work you have no money to pay for quality medical care. My husband and I are retired and have limited resources to help him. We are doing all we can do financially and emotionally! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SOMEONE HELP US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would love it if someone came up with a way to end his pain...but realistically I'm looking for someone to provide me with an alternate brain to suggest treatments or tests or whatever to his physicians on Wed.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
can be due to severe diabetic neuropathy

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I have studied your case.

As per your symptoms and investigation there is early spine degeneration due to diabetes and associated osteoporosis.
His pain may be due to diabetic neuropathy which is difficult to get cured by opiods.
Lyrica will help him; dose of Lyrica can be increased up to 600mg daily as required consulting your doctor.
Physiotherapy like TENS and anodyne therapy will help him.
If not relieved then epidural injection can be given for long term pain relief.
He may require diabetic control to control his pain.

Diabetic diet which you can follow - that you need to avoid fatty, bakery and high carbohydrate diet. And you need to focus on high fibre, moderate protein and high mineral and vitamins in diet.

You need to avoid

Sugar – includes soft drinks, fruit juices, fructose, sucrose, agave and the obvious cookies, cakes, etc.
Starch – both potatoes and rice are high in starches; which means they are high in carbs.
Grains – especially wheat (gluten) in ANY form; flour, pasta, breads, crackers, cakes,

Tran’s fats, hydrogenated oils - including corn and vegetable oils. Ditch the canola oil and bring back the real butter!
Cereals – All kinds.
Legumes – including beans and peanuts
(peanuts are technically a legume and not a nut).
Pasteurized milk
High Carb Fruits - especially bananas and pineapple.
High Carb Vegetables – avoid potatoes.

Many of my patients get relief by yoga pranayama and XXXXXXX XXXXXXX so you can also due that.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Take care

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 5164 Questions

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What Causes Chronic Back Pain?

Brief Answer: can be due to severe diabetic neuropathy Detailed Answer: Hello, I have studied your case. As per your symptoms and investigation there is early spine degeneration due to diabetes and associated osteoporosis. His pain may be due to diabetic neuropathy which is difficult to get cured by opiods. Lyrica will help him; dose of Lyrica can be increased up to 600mg daily as required consulting your doctor. Physiotherapy like TENS and anodyne therapy will help him. If not relieved then epidural injection can be given for long term pain relief. He may require diabetic control to control his pain. Diabetic diet which you can follow - that you need to avoid fatty, bakery and high carbohydrate diet. And you need to focus on high fibre, moderate protein and high mineral and vitamins in diet. You need to avoid Sugar – includes soft drinks, fruit juices, fructose, sucrose, agave and the obvious cookies, cakes, etc. Starch – both potatoes and rice are high in starches; which means they are high in carbs. Grains – especially wheat (gluten) in ANY form; flour, pasta, breads, crackers, cakes, Tran’s fats, hydrogenated oils - including corn and vegetable oils. Ditch the canola oil and bring back the real butter! Cereals – All kinds. Legumes – including beans and peanuts (peanuts are technically a legume and not a nut). Pasteurized milk High Carb Fruits - especially bananas and pineapple. High Carb Vegetables – avoid potatoes. Many of my patients get relief by yoga pranayama and XXXXXXX XXXXXXX so you can also due that. Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries. Wishing you good health. Take care