What can I do for the knots in my back and shoulders??? - Fibromyalgia Message Board

mel1977 · 07-07-2006, 08:43 PM

What can I do for the knots in my back and shoulders??? I have tried a TENS unit, botox injections, PT, myofacial release, acupuncture (which kind of helps), massage ( I literally need it daily), I am currently on a heating pad, I use tennis balls in bed to push on the knots (and man that is sore-sends pain up my neck, into my head and into my chest), I tried Relafen but didn't like having to take it daily and not feeling different, Ultram works okay, vicodin sometimes, but I don't use that often, tylenol and motrin are useless.I did ESI but since then the drs say the herniation in my neck isn't a big deal and shouldn't be an issue. Traction even-I wake up sore, have to take xanaflex to fall alseep. My feet hurt daily bc of the plantar faciitis, my knees and joints when sitting in one position for even ten minutes. I am tired all the time, which could be from the meds, but man. My mil has fibro so she understands, and I am lucky to have that. She sends me money monthly to get weekly massages, but I haven't been able to get in for over a week and I am DYING. I am thinking of seeing a new chiro, get their point of view and looking into TRIGGER POINT inj. anyone have relief from those???? Please let me know if you have. I am avoiding asking my doc for a new MRI of my entire spine, since it has been two years since my last Cspine and I have never had a Tspine one done. I don't know if I want to know if there is something worse, especially since I am two years out from my two level lumbar fusion. I have tension there too, since i can't stretch that area of my spine anymore. Sheesh. Would LOVE some feedback.

mel1977 · 07-07-2006, 09:11 PM

reading some of your posts, I still wonder if I really have fibro. See, my labs were fine, and I don't have many of the same issues. I did have pretty much all the tender points, but the Rheum/Fibro doc I saw said she thought my issue was more skeletal. Then, my newer doc who is a Doctor of Osteopathy, suggested Fibro. Since, I hurt most of the time and am tired. it is easy to say fibro over chronic pain and chronic fatigue but jeeze, I just don't know. Should I see what the chiro thinks about that???

Fibrodoxical · 07-07-2006, 11:54 PM

My primary care doc referred me to a Pain Clinic and they gave me trigger point injections in my trapezius, along with nerve blocks in the back of my neck and an epidural nerve block in my lumbar area. Worked wonderfully well! I was in Horrible shape before I had them! Was almost bedridden. I had severe migraines several times a week from all the knots in my traps and the stiffness in my lumbar area. No matter what I did the knots would not go away. Once the pain cycle was broken up with the different injections then the meds worked much better. Now I'm able to stay on top of things with meds, exercise, and stretching. best wishes.

mel1977 · 07-10-2006, 08:04 PM

thank you and so happy they helped you! I am def. going to take a look into that sometime soon. I'll be getting new ins that is better than hubby's in August so I'll wait-sure they will cover more than his. Thank you for sharing your experience with those. How much did it hurt? I hate needles and the botox inj hurt quite a bit. I could ask for a sedative if needed, or do the muscles need to be tight for the inj? I know I can get these answers from my doc, but if you know that would be great until I see him.

bccled · 07-20-2006, 09:08 PM

I find when I have flare ups of back spasms/pain it helps tremendously to take a muscle relaxer at bedtime. I also have discovered Lidocaine patches to be a godsend!!