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Suggest Treatment For Severe Back Pain In An Elderly Person

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Posted on Thu, 20 Apr 2017
Question: Mother is 92.....one kidney....I bought a Icy Hot Smart Relief tens therapy unit over counter today because she has terrible back pain .. hip pain... groin pain... and pain from hip to thigh ..all on left. She can't sleep at all....maybe doses off and on.
Is it ok to have her use tens on her back area ... over the L4-5???... an MRI according to doctors showed no break but plenty of degeneration to explain the pain... she is to have a epidural at L4-5. next week... is it generally ok to use tens to get her out of pain!!! She can hardly sleep...
She's taking Ultracet-----37.5 mg Tramadol prescribed drug that has also 325 mg of Acetominaphen---Tynenol---- in it? She dosed iff and is getting some rest now in recliner....better than before
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Your mother can use it.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HealthcareMagic.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

It is okay to use the smart relief TENS for back pain, since there is degeneration of spine.

Muscles are suffering too in such cases and increase the pain level.

From symptoms that you've described, the levels of the lumbar spine responsible seems to be the L4-L5 and L5-S1. So, it is correct for the device to be used on these levels until she will have epidural injections done.

TENS should improve the pain level at least partially.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Kind regards.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (3 hours later)
Dr she was rescribed Tramadol. 37.5 mg plus Tylenol... moms 92... can u comment on that Tramadolp
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (12 hours later)
Brief Answer:
In my opinion it can be used.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

That dose of tramadol and paracetamol usually does not affect kidney function, and in addition to TENS should give satisfactory control of pain.

Furthermore, it doesn't increase blood pressure and does not damage the stomach, so, in my opinion, it is okay to be used.

Hope I helped you.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4500 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Back Pain In An Elderly Person

Brief Answer: Your mother can use it. Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for using HealthcareMagic. I have read your question and understand your concerns. It is okay to use the smart relief TENS for back pain, since there is degeneration of spine. Muscles are suffering too in such cases and increase the pain level. From symptoms that you've described, the levels of the lumbar spine responsible seems to be the L4-L5 and L5-S1. So, it is correct for the device to be used on these levels until she will have epidural injections done. TENS should improve the pain level at least partially. Hope you found the answer helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further. Kind regards.