Dr. David Dechellis

Pain Management 13 years experience

Back pain common: No two "back pains" are the same. Key is to remain as active as possible, avoid activities/factors that worsen pain, and seek formal evaluation by a p... Read More

5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

1 comment

4 thanks

A member asked:

If u have sciatic nerve pain for 1 yr could it be permanent?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Source of "sciatica": "sciatica" is a vague layman term that refers to severe/sharp pain radiating into back of leg. The pain may be secondar to a number of pathologies/pro... Read More

5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A member asked:

What is the best remedy for neuropathic pain in the feet caused by a previos disc fusion at l5?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Options: Neuropathic pain refractory from prior lumbar surgery can be treated in a variety of ways. Conservative tx such as medications that "calm" nerves may ... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Yash Khanna and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 35-year-old male asked:

Can a herniated disc heal by using an inversion table? lumbar stretcher? yoga?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Real question: The real question i hear you asking is can conservative treatments such as ones listed improve pain/symptoms associated with disc herniation? The answ... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Eric Bluman agrees1 doctor agrees

A 28-year-old male asked:

Please describe the medication: oxycodone?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Opioid: Schedule ii controlled medication. Opioid (semi-synthetic) used for analgesia in patients.

5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and 3 doctors agree4 doctors agree

12 thanks

A 30-year-old male asked:

How long does hydromet stay in your system for a urine test?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Ranges: There is no definitive answer to how long metabolites of any medication stay in the body, only ranges.

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 57-year-old male asked:

50 mg of diclofenac is equivalent to how many mg of ibuprofen?

Pain Management 13 years experience

?: Diclofenac does not have a clear conversion to Ibuprofen as its selectivity for specific cyclooxygenase (cox) is different than ibuprofen.

5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

9 thanks

A 41-year-old female asked:

Could the painful left butt be a sign of other than sarciatica .plz advise.?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Could be yes: Although "sciatica" may involve portions of the buttock region, many other types of pain do as well. Get formal evaluation by specialized physician wh... Read More

5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 33-year-old male asked:

I have a cervical herniation between c5-c6. i have had severe pain in my neck, arm, shoulder for over a month. when can i expect it to heal, if ever?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Disc herniations: Once occured, disc herniations do not "heal". They may improve over time or they may herniate to a further extent.How they r managed depends on sympto... Read More

5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and 3 doctors agree4 doctors agree

A 47-year-old member asked:

How to relieve shoulder pain from playing lacrosse?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Evaluation needed: Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of problems, so the 1st step is having an exam to find the causes. Common pain generators may be bursitis, te... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged

Dr. M. Jay Petruska agrees1 doctor agrees

A 38-year-old member asked:

How can ultram mimic a mild codeine?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Receptor action: In "mimick" if you are referring to the pain relieving qualities, ultram is thought to have some effect at the same body receptor ( mu receptor) as op... Read More

5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 34-year-old female asked:

How long does it take to get over a thoracic strain, and is it normal to still be having severe burning pain after almost 5 weeks of injury?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Eval: Any pain that is persistent or progressively worsening should be reevaluated by a physician. Burning pain may represent a pain etiology other than a s... Read More

5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 39-year-old member asked:

Are leg and back pain related to one another?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Can be!: May different causes of back pain can refer pain to the legs. Just a few examples would be lumbar facet pathology, spinal stenosis, herniated disc, or... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 34-year-old member asked:

Is there a non-narcotic pain reliever for the permanent bursitis?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Why permanent?: Bursitis is often a secondary cause of another underlying issue.Rarely does bursitis occur spontaneously without some other defect contributing to its... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 30-year-old member asked:

I have shoulder pain, numbness in my hand, tingling sensation from my wrist to my elbow, and neck pain. what could it be?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Electrodiagnostics: The differential of your pain generator/s is large. Nerve conduction studies, electromyography, and possible advanced imaging such as mris may be warr... Read More

5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 41-year-old member asked:

How do i get rid of muscle soreness after a workout?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Multi component: One key is supply your body with the rebuilding blocks it needs including hydration with water and well structured diet. Proper sleep also helps the b... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

6 thanks

A 36-year-old male asked:

Please suggest some good questions i should ask my doctor about back pain.

Pain Management 13 years experience

Ask: Ask your physician if specific braces may help improve ability to tolerate work and activity.

5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 35-year-old member asked:

What can i do to relieve the pain from an injured back?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Depends on cause: It is important to stress not all "back pain" is the same and wont respond to treatments the same. Up to 85% of us adults will experience "back pain" ... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 62-year-old female asked:

I've got trigeminal neuralgia it's been in remission i've got flare ups strong today. will a pain pill help. i'm on 150 trileptal 1 daily.?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Talk to personal doc: Trigeminal neuralgia flares can be exceedingly painful and often require medication to provide pain relief. The type of pain medication used for flare... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Ankush Bansal agrees1 doctor agrees

A 61-year-old female asked:

I am going for a lumbar discectomy 3 weeks after having a steroid epidural for back pain. is this ok or shall i leave the epidural.?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Right hand left hand: 1st i'd make sure both your surgeon and pain physician both know what the other doctor is doing. That always leads to best outcome. An epidural can be... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 25-year-old female asked:

Why is my neck stiff and i have a headache 3 days after lp?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Post dural HA?: Ha after a LP can be common, and may be related to a condition know as post dural puncture ha (often worsens with sitting up/standing, and improves so... Read More

5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 46-year-old member asked:

What can i do to fight depression after suffering a neck injury?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Common: Chronic pain and depression go hand and hand. Numerous studies have tied depression to higher pain levels in people with chronic pain. It is imperativ... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A member asked:

My sister has severe pain and swelling on the inside of her ankle and she has not had any injury. she is 52 years old and works standing all day on concrete kitchen. whatshould she do?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Recommend evaluation: Swelling and pain to a localized region of a joint without known injury or trauma always warrants a formal physician evaluation. Work up may include v... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 43-year-old member asked:

Should i go to my primary care physician or go straight to an orthopedist for knee pain issues?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Depends: Depends in the musculoskeletal knowlegde base of your primary care, the conservativeness of the surgeon, and if you have any reservations about conser... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 38-year-old male asked:

I have disc degeneration from s1 - l5, with l2-l3 almost 100% gone. this is causing severe pain and immobility. please suggest treatment options.?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Control inflammation: Lbp is an extremely common phenomenon, and disc disease is a common cause. The key is to remain active with exercise that doesn't exacerbate the pain ... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. M. Jay Petruska agrees1 doctor agrees

A 36-year-old male asked:

Please provide some do's and don'ts about dealing with back pain.

Pain Management 13 years experience

Don't: Don't avoid seeing a physician because you think there is little they can offer.

5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 36-year-old female asked:

What are the symptoms of tennis elbow and what can i do to relieve the pain?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Conservative care: Symptoms typically include pain on the outside of the elbow that occur with prolonged hand/wrist activity as well as pulling the wrist back towards yo... Read More

429 viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 51-year-old female asked:

With hypertropic facet sclerosis, l4-5, l5-s1, should i look to ortho or neuro surgeon to fix? other speciality?tired of injections, don't want opiates

Pain Management 13 years experience

Rhizotomy may help: Lumbar zygopophyseal joint arthropathy "may" cause "facet " pain. It can diagnosed with injections, however the best treatment option is typically a m... Read More

5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

1 comment

A 25-year-old male asked:

I walked with my foot inverted to "fix" my flat feet. i think this caused my hip/back pain for the last 8 years. which doctor should i see for this?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Physiatrist or Pain: A musculoskeletal physician (physiatrist, pain management, sports docs) are best to address injuries and pain associated with biokinetic deficiets lea... Read More

5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

A 36-year-old male asked:

Please share an interesting fact about back pain.

Pain Management 13 years experience

Many: Many patients without back pain will have abnormalities on lumbar MRIs.

5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 52-year-old female asked:

I'm having extreme pain in my right knee wich travels down my leg in a straight line more painfully at night and when i'm lest active?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Eval: Question becomes is pain coming from the knee itself or is it referred pain fro other structure in the body. Formal eval by physician may be beneficia... Read More

5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 36-year-old male asked:

Please share a tip in the form of a haiku on back pain.

Pain Management 13 years experience

Patients: Patients with disc hernitations and disc bulges should avoid prolonged sitting and poor posture.

5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Evan Altman agrees1 doctor agrees

10 thanks

A 24-year-old member asked:

What are some good exercises to strengthen the back muscles (i have chronic back pain from sitting down at work)?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Depends on cause: Back pain can be from many different things, and there is no singlemagic bullet exercise to help them all. A therapy program (including home exercises... Read More

5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 32-year-old member asked:

How do you take butorphanol?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Call physician: Always call your physician prescribing the medication in question for the most accurate answers.

5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 40-year-old female asked:

I haven't taken my naproxen in a couple of day and now have a headache and feel nauseated is this withdrawal?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Possible: The nonsteriodal class (including ibuprofen) can cause "rebound headaches" after cessation, if they were being taken on a consistent basis. If headach... Read More

5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and 3 doctors agree4 doctors agree

13 thanks

A 46-year-old member asked:

What sleeping position is best to avoid shoulder pain?

Pain Management 13 years experience

No best answer: The real question is what is the shoulder pain from? Is it inflammation of a bursa in the shoulder, muscle related or even a tendon tear? The possibil... Read More

5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

4 thanks

A 54-year-old female asked:

Is it ok to take naproxen 500 mg & gabapentin 300 mg at same time?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Should be fine BUT: There are no contraindications I am aware of with taking them at same time. However i always recommend discussing medicationanagent with your personal... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Bennett Machanic and 3 doctors agree4 doctors agree

17 thanks

A 26-year-old female asked:

I take percocet during the day 7.5 i been taking 10 mg paxil (paroxetine) at night but i get anxiety toward end of the day would it be safe to up my paxil (paroxetine) to 20m?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Call physician: It is never safe for a patient to change their medication regimen without first consulting the prescribing physician. I think all physicians on this f... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Pamela Pappas and 3 doctors agree4 doctors agree

A 26-year-old female asked:

Is muscle soreness common after a professional massage?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Can be: Depending on the type of massage soreness can be common. Deep massages are notorious for having this effect, which is often very transient based on pa... Read More

5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 63-year-old female asked:

I have a burning pain feeling on the upper arm near the elbow going up wards - it does not go away at all it is a constant burning feeling ?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Physical exam rec'd : The two points you describe ("burning", and essentially a radiating pattern) would definitely put the concept of a possible nerve irritation in my dif... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 46-year-old member asked:

What are probable causes for right shoulder pain and what can i do to treat it?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Too many to name: The differnential diagnosis for right shoulder pain is immense without further information. The best thing to do is get a formal evaluation by a physi... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A member asked:

My lower back and pelvic area are in constant pain, numbness, shooting pain down the inside of the leg. i have hemangioma l2 1.9cm?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Get evaluation: Radiating pain into leg can be from a variety of sources such as spinal nerve root (radiculopathy), referred pain from joint, or even peripheral nerve... Read More

5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 28-year-old female asked:

I have two herniated discs on my left side, and pain all on my left side, and now i am feeling a sharp pain in my left hip bone. should i worry?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Referred vs seperate: Pain in hip/leg can stem from herniated discs depending on where in the hip/leg the pain is, and what level disc is herniated. However it may be an en... Read More

5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 50-year-old male asked:

Have a burning pain in my back on both sides?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Vague symptoms: Other information such as inciting event/truama, time course, exacerbating/relieving factors, referring areas of pain, and concurrent symptoms( fevers... Read More

5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

6 thanks

A 28-year-old female asked:

Severe pain in my arms when my body gets comfortable especially when i'm slleep?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Eval: Pain in the arms at night with sleep may be caused by various problems such as muscle, tendon, bursa, peripheral nerve or cervical nerve root. A physi... Read More

5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A 30-year-old female asked:

Does weak muscles in back have anything to do with sciatic pain?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Indirectly maybe: Directly unlikely. Indirectly, weak "stabilizing" core muscles may lead to the condition. As core stabilizing muscles of the spine/abdomen/pelvis beco... Read More

5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

4 thanks

A 56-year-old female asked:

L-5 ruptured, 10 weeks severe bck pain. 2 weeks siatica. how long does it take to know if epidural worked? if it didn't work, is surgery only option

Pain Management 13 years experience

May not be: May take more than one epidural to have pain improvement. Also, type of epidural may affect outcome of the injection. Other options including therapy,... Read More

5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Gutti Rao and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 40-year-old member asked:

Is there a connection between having a bad back with sciatica and cold feet?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Evaluation rec'd: Back pain causing leg pain and vascular problems causing leg pain can be very similar in presentation. It's never a bad idea to have a specialist phys... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. David Rosenfeld and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 33-year-old member asked:

What causes low back pain other than sitting for too long?

Pain Management 13 years experience

Depends on cause!: All back pain is not the same back pain. Different causes of back pain can be exacerbated by different actions/situations/movements. Low back pain wit... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 45-year-old member asked:

How is palliative care related to your life expectancy?

Pain Management 13 years experience

It's not directly: People often confuse palliative care with hospice, which are very different by nature. Palliative care uses a multidisciplinary approach to treat pain... Read More

5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago