My mother is currently only 69 years old, but her body has been seeing many health concerns, both physical and mental, that have really taken a toll on her. She's a former gymnast, a cancer survivor, and someone who's dealt with mental health issues all her life. As such, she has a number of issues colliding right now; the worst of them being in so much pain that she can't exercise, which is normally how she keeps her mental health in check. So, both aspects of her health are really beginning to suffer.
So on the short term, what are some good ways to help Mom stay active when she's in so much pain? Also, what are good medications for pain that have minimal risk or side effects? She's that one person who gets all the side effects.
Some more info on her pain: Her current pain stems from her back (a nerve?) and a bunion on her foot. Mom is very terrified of surgery, taking more medications, or even having a shot in her back. She has a history with anesthesia negating her anti-depressants which she needs to function on a daily basis, and her last surgery a few months ago was particularly traumatic. She just canceled an appointment to get a pain-relieving shot in her back because she's afraid of being paralyzed. On that note, what kind of doctor is most qualified or skilled to do anything around Mom's spine?
My health network includes a large, reputable ortho practice that includes a pain management clinic. It's its own department. Or, I would see an orthopedist who specializes in back issues. If she doesn't know what's actually wrong, she may do more damage by attempting to exercise a damaged part of her body.
She won't exercise unless her pain is under control. She will need to keep experimenting with different treatments to get relief. She may need to decide any "side effects" are worth being pain-free.
Do you know what the side effect is if she doesn't just choose to take a risk? She won't exercise and her mental and physical health will continue to decline. She can't have it both ways -- there's no miraculous medicine out there with no side effects. She can have bunion surgery, too.
I'm sorry she's had so many health issues. I wish her a peaceful and pain-free 2025.
The same with getting a shot in her back. If your mom has been diagnosed with nerve pain in her back and her doctor says that the shot(s) should help, why wouldn't someone at least give it a try?
I've had several shots in my back over the years and sometimes they helped and sometimes they didn't, but I never had any negative side effects from them.
Plus I've had 2 foot surgeries, and the doctor used the mildest of anesthesia for both.
I can't really feel too sorry for someone that says they're in pain yet doesn't want to take the necessary steps to get out of said pain.
Your mom may need to talk to her doctor that prescribes her anti-depressants to see if they might need to be adjusted, as again this seems to be more of a mental issue than anything else.
Oh and by the way, it was an orthopedic doctor that gave me all the shots in my spine. They have orthopedic doctors that deal strictly with the spine/back, and that is who did mine.
Good luck.