Re: Extreme Back Pain during PMS
From: Alyson (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri Jan 13 13:36:31 2006
Oops! Just saw this post!
As far as changing my diet, some of the foods I gave up were upon
suggestion from my acupuncturists. I drastically decreased the amount
of raw food and cold food I was eating. No more ice in my drinks, ice
cream only occasionally and salads only occasionally. I also stay away
from fried foods, shrimp, and added more ginger to my diet. From some
other research I learned about the benefits of Vitamin E, Evening
Primrose Oil, and Flax Oil....and started taking those along with a
multi vitamin for women.
The acupuncturist will decide where to insert the needles based on
specific symptoms you are experiencing. i.e. if you come in
complaining of sinus troubles they may only use points on your face and
no where else. I had pelvic pain, back pain, and other things bothering
me so I pretty much got needles everywhere! There is also something
called acupressure, which is a type of massage concentrating on similar
point and lines that they follow with the needles.
During each visit I would first talk over how my week was, what symptoms
I was experiencing etc. The acupuncturist would listen and determine
where she needed to concentrate on inserting needles based on what I
described to her. i typically had them in between my eyes, in my hands,
fore arms, legs, ankles, and feet. She would also use electro pulses,
pulsing patches, and insense (can't spell that right today!) in
conjunction with the needles. They would then leave me to rest for
about 45 minutes (I'd usually fall asleep) and come back to remove the
needles and pulse points (if they were using those that day). At that
point they would massage my legs, arms, face, head, and belly. And off
I would go! Sometimes when my back pain was really bad they would use a
technique called "cupping". Its hard to describe quickly, but suffice
it to say it was almost like getting a deep tissue massage.
If you have more questions feel free to e-mail me and I'd be happy to
talk with you about my experience.
--
Alyson
p.s. Someone mentioned Diane Sheperdson Mills' book...I've been on the
waiting list at the library and pick it up today. I am curious to see
what she has to say.
At Fri, 13 Jan 2006, Lisa wrote:
>
>Alyson,
>
>What dietary changes did you make that helped with pain?
>I've read before that certain foods contain "inflammatory" properties,
>that can cause pain in sensitive areas of the body. What foods did you
>encounter that helped/made worse (as in the extremes) the pain?
>Also, what type of acupuncture did you try? As in, all over or specific
>areas?
>Thanks!
>Melissa
>
>At Tue, 20 Dec 2005, Alyson wrote:
>>
>>Here I go...
>>
>>I can't believe that in this day and age an ObGyn would tell his/her
>>patient that the only option left to them is pregnancy! That is just the
>>most insane thing I have ever heard and I think it is a total copout!!
>>OK, that said....There is nothing wrong with getting pregnant if that is
>>something you are ready for and were planning on. However, there are
>>several women on this site that have had continued endo difficulties
>>throughout their pregnancies-getting pregnant is not a cure. Does you
>>doctor have any suggestions for what you are supposed to do about your
>>endo after the baby is born, or are you supposed to have a baby every
>>time your symptoms are bad??
>>There are alternative treatments such as acupuncture that can be very
>>effective. I used acupuncture to help manage my pain, along with
>>dietary changes. That worked until my endo had advanced to a certain
>>point (this all happened within a year). My doc gave me the pregnancy
>>line as well and I sought a second opinion. The new doc suggested that
>>the back pain was being caused by the nerves in the utero sacral
>>ligament. When he performed my lap he cut the sacral nerves and the
>>difference in my pain level is immensely improved. I would suggest
>>seeking a second opinion. Hopefully you can find a doctor who is
>>willing to discuss ALL of your options with you.
>>Alyson
>>
>>At Mon, 19 Dec 2005, Kristy wrote:
>>>
>>>Hello all. I am new here and am hoping someone might be able to assure
>>>me that I'm not totally insane! I have been on the pill for over half my
>>>life...starting at age 12, off for about a year and a half at 22, and
>>>back on after my laporoscopy. I was told I had endo sometime in
>>>college, but it didn't mean anything to me. It wasn't until Fall 2003
>>>that I finally saught help for it.
>>>
>>>I had a laporoscopy in May of 2004 and began taking Mercet. In November
>>>2004, my doc told me to begin the continuous pill. That worked great
>>>until about September 2005 where the pain was getting increasingly worse
>>>when I did have my period and my moods were horrific...to the point I
>>>couldn't stand to be around myself.
>>>
>>>I went for my annual check-up in November 2005 and the doc said to stop
>>>doing continuous pills and put me on Yasmin. I start Yasmin this coming
>>>Friday, but this last period I had was really bad. The pain in my back
>>>from the base of my neck, through my shoulders to about my tailbone was
>>>so bad, I could barely feel the cramps in my stomach. I've been taking
>>>Tylenol 3/with codine for the pain, but this time, two pills didn't even
>>>touch the pain. My doctor has told me that the only thing that can help
>>>me at this point with the pain is to get pregnant, but because of the
>>>endo, I may not be able to.
>>>
>>>I realize I have a very low pain tollerance, but it is extremely hard
>>>for me to believe that in this day and age of technology and medicine
>>>that there isn't anything else that can be done for my pain.
>>>
>>>Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
>>>
>>>Thanks,
>>>Kristy
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