QuestionI know this will sound crazy. I am a 71 year old female. I had a fall in February. About 10 days later I started having a lot of pain in the groin,thigh area that runs down my buttock. The pain is quite severe when I bend over or get up from a sitting position,but is better after a couple steps. I just figured it was a pulled muscle etc. I do not go to the Dr. easily as my only insurance is Medicare. I take 6 aspirin a day and that does help. I am putting on a lot of weight from inactivity, and am wondering just in case I have a ruptured disc if it would be ok to use a stationary bike and stair climber? Could you recommend some stretches. Thank You Shirley Rogers
Answeraspirin side effects, national healthcare, herniated disc, Pain in thigh and leg
Hello Shirley Rogers,
I am sorry to hear of your condition. I am sorry that you are hurting since February. I am also sorry that you have no examination findings to report to me!
It is the end of July, you have had a problem for five months. You have been taking aspirin- admittedly 6 per day- what damage must you be doing to your stomach/ GI system?!
(( ".....Aspirin has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-pyretic (lowers fever) effects. While effective, it has many potential side effects and therefore must be used carefully. Like most powerful drugs, an overdose of aspirin or salicylates can be fatal. If a child or adult takes an overdose of aspirin, induce vomiting to empty the unabsorbed medication from the stomach (if the person is still awake and conscious). Obtain emergency medical care right away.....Aspirin and NSAIDs sometimes affect the normal function of the kidneys, or they can cause fluid to accumulate in the body. If you have liver, kidney, or breast disease, get your doctor's advice before taking these drugs. If you begin to swell up, gain a lot of weight, or feel ill while taking one of these drugs, stop taking it immediately and contact your doctor....." http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com/aspirin-side-effects.html ))
You state you are putting on a lot of weight? = ? = ".....if you begin ... gain a lot of weight, stop taking it immediately and contact your doctor.....", perhaps this is one of the long term effects of your aspirin use.
((( "......Aspirin can irritate the stomach and intestines and cause indigestion, nausea, and vomiting. The 揺nteric coated,?or EC, form of aspirin is gentler on the intestines and produces milder side effects. Other less common side effects of aspirin include difficulty breathing and intestinal bleeding.
What to watch out for: If you find black or tarry-looking stools this is a sign of intestinal bleeding. This, and any other forms of abnormal bleeding should prompt you to stop taking aspirin and to go to the nearest emergency room. Also go to the emergency room if you develop difficulty breathing while on aspirin. You should never give your children aspirin as they can develop a serious and often fatal disease called Reye抯 Syndrome....." http://stroke.about.com/od/caregiverresources/a/blood_thinners.htm )))
Aspirin is a powerful drug, often having it's side effects under-appreciated. Many deaths are caused by apsirin and it's cousins every year as well: "Each year, use of NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) accounts for an estimated 7,600 deaths and 76,000 hospitalizations in the United States." (NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, ketoprofen, and tiaprofenic acid.)
Source: Robyn Tamblyn, PhD; Laeora Berkson, MD, MHPE, FRCPC; W. Dale Jauphinee, MD, FRCPC; David Gayton, MD, PhD, FRCPC; Roland Grad, MD, MSc; Allen Huang, MD, FRCPC; Lisa Isaac, PhD; Peter McLeod, MD, FRCPC; and Linda Snell, MD, MHPE, FRCPC, "Unnecessary Prescribing of NSAIDs and the Management of NSAID-Related Gastropathy in Medical Practice," Annals of Internal Medicine (Washington, DC: American College of Physicians, 1997), September 15, 1997, 127:429-438, from the web at http://www.acponline.org/journals/annals/15sep97/nsaid.htm last accessed Feb. 14, 2001, citing Fries, JF, "Assessing and understanding patient risk," Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology Supplement, 1992;92:21-4. http://drugwarfacts.org/cms/?q=node/30
I would also recommend visiting this website: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2000/09/24/aspirin-part-two.a...
In my Staten Island Chiropractic office I utilize informational handouts which may also be helpul:
PAIN
Pain is a 憆ed light on the dashboard?
Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.
That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?
Take a painkiller,
mask the pain,
and allow a problem to progress in your body?
NOTICE ON PAIN RELIEVERS:
Label changes ORDERED by FDA; the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news 206- 207; 12-9-06) ;
The American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement 2-26-07).
NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis, not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse. These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.
Pain can often be the result of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation ( 慥SC?, 憇ubluxation? )
Vertebral Subluxation is actually a quite common condition. Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties, and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this). VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.
Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC, as well as other pathology.
The course of VSC is highly variable. Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights. Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC, some patients take years to develop symptoms. Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position. When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition. Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine
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Disk Herniation
Back Pain, neck pain can be caused by many different things.
Big, BAD, catastrophic things like a tumor or a cancer can cause l back / neck pain (only a proper exam by a licensed doctor, like your Doctor of Chiropractic, or your family Doctor of Medicine, can evaluate your signs and symptoms, and perhaps refer for testing).
Big, bad things like a Herniated Disc, sciatica, possible fracture or dislocation can cause back / neck pain (again, best evaluated by your DC or MD, and perhaps referral).
Bad things, like - Sprains, Strains, contusion, or Vertebral Subluxation Complex (all very efficiently diagnosed and treated by your Doctor Of Chiropractic).
Sometimes Back / neck pain is caused by a Herniated disc: Herniated disk is actually a quite common condition. However, the course of the condition is highly variable. Some patients with a herniated disk literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar MRI findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights. Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Although the course is highly variable, there are certain steps that are always helpful to follow: Ice the area when painful- 10/ 15minutes on, 30/ 45 minutes off; avoid certain postures and movements; bend the knees when coughing or sneezing; bend the knees when lifting anything; do not extend legs straight out when sitting, laying down, lifting, or driving. Avoiding certain movements and postures will prevent aggravation of the condition. Practicing good postures and movement patterns will help the condition heal and be less painful. Disk Herniation is often caused by, or often concurrent with the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
Subluxation is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
Spinal Kinesiopathology:
This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
Neuropathophysiology:
Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
Myopathology:
Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
Histopathology:
A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
Pathophysiology:
The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration. Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position. When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition. Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.
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You need to be evaluated by a doctor: whether a medical doctor or a chiropractic doctor, your five months of pain require an appropriate evaluation by a licensed health professional.
"....just in case I have a ruptured disc if it would be ok to use a stationary bike and stair climber?....", I would recommend that you can certainly do any activity you want, to your tolerance. Try the bike or stair climber. The first time you try--- a minute may be enough, or maybe twenty minutes-- it all depends upon YOU, not some test, Xray, or MRI. Most doctors will tell you 'active rest' and or 'activity to YOUR tolerance'.
You may have a herniated disc, sciatica, or something else. Only an appropriate examination will tell.
I do not understand your reluctance to go to the doctor on insurance reasons: "....I do not go to the Dr. easily as my only insurance is Medicare.....". As you know, Medicare is our National Healthcare Insurance for our seniors, and things are changing in America; soon we will all have the same type of National Healthcare; it is supposed to be excellent. We will all have your type of coverage soon.
My basic recommendation: be appropriately evaluated.
I hope this helps.
If you need further,,, do not hesitate to REcontact me here at
AllExperts.
http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm
Wishing you Good Luck, Good Health, and health improvement,
your Internet Chiropractic Staten Island Expert,
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC DACBSP
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com - - -- - Email NewsLetter
