How do I manage pain until I can see a specialist? (lemmy.world)

submitted 2 weeks ago by acetanilide@lemmy.world to c/needadvice@lemm.ee

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I fell a few months ago and landed on my head and spine (it was the corner of an object so I landed perfectly down the center from head to tailbone).

After a few weeks of head issues it all pretty much cleared up, until last week when I started having severe back pain to the point where I can't walk much. I feel like I'm going to pass out from the pain and my whole body feels like it's burning from the inside out.

There is nothing on imaging or labwork. Strong meds like oxy did not help much if at all. I am also overdo for arthritis medication so was fighting a ton of inflammation and pain already.

What can I do until a specialist sees me? I have to wait for insurance approval and then an appointment, which could take months since they are so busy.

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[-] jared@mander.xyz 7 points 2 weeks ago

Cannabis if you can.

[-] acetanilide@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

I have been considering this since I'm in a legal state now...Do you know how much I would probably need to use? I'm trying to figure out a budget for it but the prices are for like 3.5g, 7g, etc., and I have no idea how long that would last for.

[-] Kit 4 points 2 weeks ago

If you don't smoke now, you likely have an extremely low tolerance. 3.5g could last you weeks. There's also oral liquid you can take if you'd prefer not to smoke or vape. You take a few drops under your tongue, and it takes an hour ish to kick in.

[-] acetanilide@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

Thanks. Thats good to know. I was reading that the oral stuff is good for maintenance and vape is better for like breakthrough pain. Does that match with what you know about it? I mean I'd rather not smoke or vape but if it works faster then I might need to at least at first.

[-] Kit 3 points 2 weeks ago

Smoking and vaping is certainly more fast acting, but anecdotally the drops are equally effective for pain overall in my experience.

[-] cheers_queers@lemm.ee 3 points 2 weeks ago

a good budtender can help you find what you need, so just go to a dispensary and ask! it might take trial and error to find a strain that works well in your body, so don't give up! it's the only thing that helps my chronic pain and severe migraines.

also Leafly is a great resource.

[-] acetanilide@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Thanks! I looked at Leafly and it's awesome. Appreciate the rec!

[-] jared@mander.xyz 2 points 2 weeks ago

I'm in a backwards state but at least we have legal thca. How long it will last depends a lot on your pain/tolerance and how you use it. I've been making my own "oil" so I can have measured doses and I can feel it more in my body. Smoking will work but I find vaping will make it last longer, however it has a learning curve and stuff to buy.

[-] acetanilide@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

Ok thanks. I was looking at the convection vaping stuff which I think I'd be more comfortable with after learning about how sticky the oil can be on the lungs. But not sure if I'm understanding fully

[-] Kit 2 points 2 weeks ago

Agreed. Cannabis helped me recover from major surgery without pain meds.

[-] pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online 2 points 2 weeks ago

Start doing guided meditation. There are plenty of options out there, but learning to quiet your mind can help with a ton of things, including pain.

For example, I have the redhead gene that makes me super resistant to anesthesia, both local and general. My urologist didn't believe me when I said I could feel everything, so I had my vasectomy without anesthesia. Because I can clear my mind so well, I made it through the procedure with just saying ouch under my breath a few times.

One way I do it is I imagine the pain as a red aura. I breath in through my nose, imagining the air as green, and it pushing the red up and out of my mouth when I exhale.

Apparently infrared saunas can help a lot with chronic pain too, since IR waves can penetrate pretty deep. They can be pricey for the decent ones, though.

[-] acetanilide@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

Thanks, that stuff is fascinating. Gonna try doing some stuff with my therapist in my next session.

this post was submitted on 08 Dec 2024

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