Your physician may suggest taking drugs to help deal with the pain from degenerative disk disease, or DDD. The severity of your symptoms ascertains what drugs you might need, plus, it makes a difference if your pain is acute or long-term.
Severe pain is, in addition, called a flare up; a sudden onset of pain.
Chronic pain is long-term, and you’re prone to possess long-term pain than intense pain as degenerative disc disease advances.
As with any drugs or medicines, you should not take anything without first consulting with your healthcare professional to see if it’s the best option for you. Most likely, you will proceed through a progression of drugs, first attempting over the counter medicines. Stronger drugs may be prescribed by a healthcare specialist if those don’t work. You may need spinal injections that send a stronger medicine, if those don’t help.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Degenerative Disc Disease
- Acetaminophen: Tylenol is an example of acetaminophen, a sort of drug that’s turned out to be an excellent pain reliever. Your physician may call this an analgesic, but most people refer as a painkiller to acetaminophen medications. It doesn’t help reduce inflammation, though. By essentially blocking the perception of pain of your brain, acetaminophen works, plus it may help pain flare-ups that may come with DDD.
- Over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These will reduce swelling (or inflammation) while relieving your pain; that’s how NSAIDs differ from acetaminophen. If an over the counter NSAID is a choice for you, you’ve lots to select from. You can use ibuprofen (eg, Advil), aspirin, or aproxen (eg, Aleve).
Prescription Drugs for Degenerative Disc Disease
- Anti-depressants: Antidepressants may be effective drugs for treating pain since they block pain messages on their strategy to mental performance as astonishing as it might seem. They could also help increase your body’s production of endorphins, an all-natural painkiller. Finally, antidepressants can also assist you to sleep better, which can be a major headache for people in persistent pain.
- Muscle relaxants: If you have chronic back pain caused by muscle spasms, a muscle relaxant, which should help prevent the spasms may be needed by you. Muscle relaxants could also help you sleep.
- Agents that are neuropathic: If you have nerve pain, your physician may prescribe a drug that especially targets the nerves. Neurontin (gabapentin) is a good example.
- Opioids (narcotics): In only under careful supervision, and the most extraordinary cases, your doctor may prescribe an opioid. Vicodin is an example of a narcotic.
- Prescription NSAIDs: NSAIDs that are more powerful can be taken by you than the over-the-counter variety, if your doctor believes this is best for your pain.
Medication/Drug Precautions
As with all medicines, your doctor’s guidance must be followed by you exactly. Never blend over the counter and prescribed drugs without first consulting with your physician. Also, as your physician determines things to prescribe, if you are using any herbal nutritional supplements make sure to tell him or her, as well as every other prescription medications you’re taking.
Spinal Injections for Degenerative Disc Disease
- Epidural steroid injection: That is only one of the very common shots. In lots of people, an epidural steroid injection is successful to reduce low back pain caused by a herniated disc; among the affiliated conditions with DDD. An epidural steroid injection (ESI) targets the epidural space, which will be the space enclosing the membrane that covers the back and nerve roots.
An epidural steroid injection sends steroids—very powerful anti-inflammatories—right to the nerve root(s) that is inflamed. This is really a pain management treatment, therefore it’s best to have an injection-trained pain management specialist perform the injection under fluoroscopy (real time xray). You could need two or three injections; generally, you need to not have that because of the possible side effects of the steroids. - Facet joint injection: Also referred to as a facet block, facet joint injections are useful if one (or maybe more) of your facet joints are causing pain. A steroid drugs (powerful anti inflammatory) is injected into the joint’s protective capsule. Reduce joint pain and the medication works to ease inflammation.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .Additional Topics: Whole Body Wellness
Maintaining overall health and wellness through a balanced nutrition, regular physical activity and proper sleep is essential for your whole body’s well-being. While these are some of the most important contributing factors for staying healthy, seeking care and preventing injuries or the development of conditions through natural alternatives can also guarantee overall health and wellness. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective treatment option utilized by many individuals to ensure whole body wellness.
