Shock has warn off (only took 6 months)!

www.amazon.com/HIMALAYA-ACUPRESSURE-MAT-Amazon-awarded/dp/B0032ULI10/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1412025974&sr=8-10&keywords=acupuncture+mat

That mat looks pretty interesting! I could even use it in my car as work in real estate and driving mid-day (mid-zanaflex) is a killer. Have done acupunture and that does work as a temporary relaxer so could see this helping. Thanks..also didn't realize that coconut water may be helpful.

Do I think these injections will help? Nope. They are using this first one as a 'diagnostic' test for the right SI joint and mentioned that if helps than will schedule 2 more for the joint. Can do 3 injections per year due to the localization of the steroids and that could do more damage than good as won't fix the problem...may just relieve the pain, so sounds like your back injection cocktail.

Really trying to avoid 15 years of this, so thanks for the update (funny how pain clinic was also going to give me cymbalta along with the zanaflex). Glad he didn't as sure to have the same reaction to it as the neurontin. All these drugs don't help the problem, they just trick the brain into thinking things are right and physically nothing gets diagnosed.

I'm surprised you take Naproxen as I was told that was a definite no-no for ITP patients.

I hope you get one and I hope it helps. I used mine last night and fell asleep on it.

Yeah, that sounds like the injection that I had. That didn't help, but the steroid muscular injections (Trigger Point Injections) did. I got those every six weeks for two years until I had the surgery. Things were great for about 8 months, but I think I have other disks with problems now. I expected that.

I take a few meds that are not recommended for ITP patients, but so far I've held remission anyway. I didn't feel as if I had a choice; Rheumatology treatment beat Hematology problems. I also have to take aspirin (when I remember).

I think Cymbalta is worse than Neurontin as far as side effects. Meds don't fix the probelm, but they can sometimes help until the problem can be fixed (if it can be). There are plenty of alternative methods to try that don't have side effects, and I found those to be even more helpful.

True on taking meds that may impact the ITP as think that was why hematologist caved on the zanaflex as knew been working the pain issue for over 2 years, even his recommendation of the acupunture. They all helped short term but really just delayed anyone looking for an answer.

So far the zanaflex is working, so sleep very well at night, other than having to get up mid-sleep to get rid of the excess water at least once per night. Had to cut back to 1/2 dose in the morning as seems to build up in my system and end up feeling like sleeping all day now.

The trigger point injections are way down on the list so have to manage to endure each of the other ones before they try that. Maybe I can convince him to move those up in the list after this first SI joint injection (unless by some miracle it actually does help).

Maybe you are holding steady on the counts because of the dose of prednisone you take along with the other drugs?

I don't know if Prednisone is keeping my counts up. I've been on it for nine years, since the remission started. Judging by past Prednisone use and platelet counts though, 10 mg's wasn't enough to keep them up. I do bump it up on bad days so anything is possible.

I can't believe they won't give you an MRI. Until stenosis sets in, there isn't much they can do or will do except manage the pain though. I saw a Neurosurgeon when the herniated disks were first diagnosed and he pretty much brushed me off with no follow-up. Told me I didn't need to be there. Things kept getting worse and when I suspected stenosis and got the MRI, it was a pretty bad situation by that point.

You'll get used to the meds in time.

Well, guess the zanaflex didn't hurt my counts, had CBC before SI joint injection last week. Counts went from 111 to my regular 124. Glad as the diagnostic injection didn't do squat for the right side mid/lower back pain. Gave the injection a week to see if did anything for back. Kind of strange that used to be more pain when laying down and less if moving, now is more pain when moving and less when laying down. And yes, I get steroid side effects from the injection (went through the no sleep, swollen eyelids, increased appetite then into the short tempered, brain confusion and now lethargic. At least seems to filter a little quicker through my system.

Upping the zanaflex to 3 times per day and requested to go back to OT for bowen technique to see if can release the muscles again. Pain clinic put in the request but of course there is a glitch. Per VA back issues can't go to OT, even though OT treated the back muscle tightness before I ever got into the pain clinic. I sometimes start to think it isn't the medication side effects, it is the constant state of confusion and aggravation to get treatment that causes so many issues

So the fight begins again next week when hopefully I can talk to the OT person. VA does not allow the OT person to work on backs, only PT...yet PT doesn't help and aggravates the back and ribs...around and around we go...is it any wonder why it takes so many years to get anything done? I wonder if they were in chronic pain, if the continuous 'process' delays would be acceptable to them?

PS: The acupunture mat works great in the car but I just can't seem to find a comfy position to sleep on it.