Managing Chronic Pain

[Yuck]

I assume this problem has faced a few of you. Age, Arthritis, Old injuries etc. Golf has become very painful for me in recent years for all of the above reasons. Ironically, my back is always fine, but hands, feet, ankles and shoulders are pretty bad. Most of these are chronic issues and unlikely to get better, while some are transient in nature and will heal. For me, OTC pain meds make this manageable, but I have concerns with long term use.

 

Without the drugs, I sometimes feel nearly crippled, and pulling a club from the bag, or teeing up a ball is difficult. I do not want to go the prescription drug route, but I am worried I will have to give up the game. The day I play and the day after are the worst. Have any of you found a solution that works for you?

 

For me, hot weather is better, and taking ibuprofen or naproxen before the round helps, but I pay the price when it wears off.

 

On the bright side, my pain issues only involve movement. I don't move I don't hurt. I consider this a huge nuisance as opposed to the very serious pain some must live with.

[MadGolfer76]

What's wrong with the prescription drug route? Take what you need to feel better and enjoy life.

 

edit: I happen to be enjoying life as we speak, fyi.

[Mob]

Assuming advanced arthritic conditions, I would at least meet with a rheumatologist and hear what they have to say. There are some prescription medications that are non-addictive and can be very helpful for certain types of arthritis. Stay away from chronic narcotics if possible; that rarely ends well.

[cardoustie]

Toradol is a pretty solid Rx ... non narcotic

 

Do not do oxy or Percocet

[MadGolfer76]

Toradol is a pretty solid Rx ... non narcotic

 

Do not do oxy or Percocet

 

I love Oxy and Percocet.

 

I wasn't supposed to say that, was I?

[Handfull]

toradol can do a number on your stomach and kidneys if used regularly. Premed with ibuprofen, naproxen or Tylenol before a round is a better choice to start with. Depending on what's causing the pain and where, look into seeing a physical therapist and see about what stretches you can do before or during a round. Keeping the joint affected warm and limber can help prevent pain during and after round. Also ice afterwards helps prevent aches the next day.

[OrangeGravy]

I'm 43 and have been playing through a torn/repaired ( poorly ) labrum and 3 degenerative discs in my lower back for 20+ years. I sometimes take naproxen or hydro/vicadin 5mg before I play. Sometimes I take nothing. It just depends how I feel that day. I don't play as much I would like, but my rounds per month/year are going to increase soon and I'll be in the same boat as the OP. The more I play, the more I will feel it!

[nowitski41]

I have a bad lower back issues (slippage of the L5 over S1)which is a degenerative condition. Makes it hard to bend over on the tee box and at the hole. Ibuprofin or Naproxen helps manage that issue. I also have very weak wrists. i tore my TFCC in my right wrist and strained my left on in the past couple years. I also have tennis elbow in my right elbow and a family history of arthritis in the hands which is starting to show up in recent years. I switched to graphite and that seemed to help. I thought I was just better and switched back to steel and started suffering so I switched back. It is confirmed that graphite definitely helps with sore joints in the hands/wrist/elbow. I also got some cushy winn grips put on all my clubs and that absorbs shock nicely. I play once a week and practice 3-5x per week with minimal issues now.

[27x10.5]

You would 100% bebfitt from medical canabis, try non psychoactive stuff. Dr told my mom she'd need shots in her hands every 6 months if she ever wanted to golf, she now plays 4 times/week and never got a cortisone shot again. Started smoking every day and never had previously.

[Tanner25]

low back pain for many years, getting worse as I get older, tried Lo Bak Trax, waste of time. Always up for a new solution.

[dpb5031]

I know the feeling. I'm 49,and in good shape for my age, but a lifetime of athletics combined with genetic tendency has me prone to most of the chronic "____itis" aiments. Hands, elbows, shoulders, hip, and knee. Thankfully my back is good. Early morning tee times are particularly tough.

 

I was on various NSAIDS for years, both Rx and OTC, but in all honesty they didn't help much. My doc took me off of them and put me on Omega 3 fish oils and a wheat flour and sugar free diet. He prescribed Tramadol (yes, an opioid) for me to take prior to golf. I ONLY take it prior to golf and have had zero side effects and no addictive feelings, though like any opioid I'm sure it could become a problem for some.

 

The above has been a big improvement. I feel a lot less like the tin man and my game has improved. In fact, I won both my club championship and our President's Cup this year.

[farmer]

I know a lady who uses cannabis oil on her hands for arthritis. She swears by it, but it may not be available where you live.

[Atrayn]

You would 100% bebfitt from medical canabis, try non psychoactive stuff. Dr told my mom she'd need shots in her hands every 6 months if she ever wanted to golf, she now plays 4 times/week and never got a cortisone shot again. Started smoking every day and never had previously.

 

Works for me! Couldn't take any more of the prescription meds or 4 Alleve a day...my stomach was paying the price.

There are some great choices in the high CBD strains available now.

 

They work really well. No B.S.

[toad37]

Here's a weird thing to try, among the other great suggestions here... try only drinking water for your liquids. I try to cut down my sugar and meat intake as well, but only drinking water for liquids has helped me in many ways. I also take Enbrel for rheumatoid arthritis.

[Warrick]

You would 100% bebfitt from medical canabis, try non psychoactive stuff. Dr told my mom she'd need shots in her hands every 6 months if she ever wanted to golf, she now plays 4 times/week and never got a cortisone shot again. Started smoking every day and never had previously.

 

Works for me! Couldn't take any more of the prescription meds or 4 Alleve a day...my stomach was paying the price.

There are some great choices in the high CBD strains available now.

 

They work really well. No B.S.

 

The waxes are even better for pain, plus you are vaporizing as opposed to smoking. My Bro got off opioids thanks to it.

 

I am a firm believer, just need my state to cooperate now.

[GLF4EVR]

For taking either Rx or OTC meds, find what works right for you. The main thought is to take stuff to stay ahead of the pain. A rheumatologist started me on straight glucosamine/chondroitin 15+ years ago. It took him a couple of years to drill into my head to take it everyday to stay ahead of it. Now I have Rx's for hydrocodone, & flexeril. Then ibuprofen is the OTC med that works for me. I can go days & not need anything. But if I am going to do something that I know will gets all the spots to let me know that I am old, I will take stuff before I ever start doing it & I do not pay for it later on. Granted I may be having to take stuff for days or more. However keeping ahead of it is the key to healing up. I see my physician about 4 times a year. Lab tests like liver function are to make sure there is no harm from the use of medications. Have been in the medical profession for over 30 years, so I consider myself lucky with where I am at for my age..59.

 

I am lucky also because just golf in itself is not one of the things I have to "get ready" for. However I have played many rounds where I am takings meds, but again it is to stay ahead of it. Wondering in a couple of years if I might need a couple of ibuprofen before golf due to the hands. Age is no fun, but.....better living thru medication!

 

Another one add that I wish my state would recognize medial weed as medicine. My wife & I would definitely benefit from it. However it is safe to bet this will be one of the last states to do it.

[Yuck]

To all who replied, I appreciate all the ideas. It is also good to know there are many coping with similar issues and still golfing. My attempt to go cold turkey on the OTC NSAIDS has been miserable, so "just toughing it out" does not look like it is my best option. I also realize how lucky I am that my day to day life is not impacted outside of "athletic activity. I watched my dad go through this and he ultimately had to give up golf. Celebrex did work for him, but he had to discontinue because of side effects from long term use.

[rwc356]

Arthritis in both feet (as well as knees) and balky shoulder which limits my back swing to about 9 o'clock. I've been on various prescription NSAIDS for pain and now use them only as needed. I start them day before I will play golf and continue them through the day after golf. Seems to work reasonably well when combined with stretching exercises. Basically getting older sucks but sure beats the alternative !

[Matt J]

I have a congenital inflammation disease and should probably follow the advice in this thread and see a Rheumatologist, too.

 

I try not to just pound balls on the range and use OTC anti-inflammatory meds to manage the aches and pains.

[Mike_C]

So far this year it has been both elbows (tennis in the left, golfers in the right, now moved to graphite shafts), both hips (impingements, had shots in my right one last year) , some lower back issues (has been going out now and then since 1980), left wrist (metacarpal bossing).

 

I don't know if I could play much without Aleve. Luckily knees, ankles, and shoulders have been mostly OK recently.

 

Sucks getting old.....

[northgolf]

The way I managed my chronic pain was divorcing her. :-)

[OrangeGravy]

I know the feeling. I'm 49,and in good shape for my age, but a lifetime of athletics combined with genetic tendency has me prone to most of the chronic "____itis" aiments. Hands, elbows, shoulders, hip, and knee. Thankfully my back is good. Early morning tee times are particularly tough.

 

I was on various NSAIDS for years, both Rx and OTC, but in all honesty they didn't help much. My doc took me off of them and put me on Omega 3 fish oils and a wheat flour and sugar free diet. He prescribed Tramadol (yes, an opioid) for me to take prior to golf. I ONLY take it prior to golf and have had zero side effects and no addictive feelings, though like any opioid I'm sure it could become a problem for some.

 

The above has been a big improvement. I feel a lot less like the tin man and my game has improved. In fact, I won both my club championship and our President's Cup this year.

 

Tramadol works well. It comes with very little "Highness" if any.

[OrangeGravy]

You would 100% bebfitt from medical canabis, try non psychoactive stuff. Dr told my mom she'd need shots in her hands every 6 months if she ever wanted to golf, she now plays 4 times/week and never got a cortisone shot again. Started smoking every day and never had previously.

 

Works for me! Couldn't take any more of the prescription meds or 4 Alleve a day...my stomach was paying the price.

There are some great choices in the high CBD strains available now.

 

They work really well. No B.S.

 

The waxes are even better for pain, plus you are vaporizing as opposed to smoking. My Bro got off opioids thanks to it.

 

I am a firm believer, just need my state to cooperate now.

 

Being up here WA it's nice to have it right down the street if needed. Unfortunately I work on a 100 ton Masters license and pot stays in the system too long for any potential testing I may have. I've tried some CBD tinctures and other stuff with low THC, but it hasn't worked as well as stuff with at least 50/50 CBD/THC or more. As soon as I stop working I'll be on the CBD/THC train though. Much better than Opiates.

[Moonlightgrm]

The Mind Body Prescription by Dr. John Sarno. Buy it and read it over and over.

[CVA19]

I too deal with chronic pain so can really relate. Mine stems from multiple back surgeries (L5S1) and an achilles surgery. Sometimes just moving in the mornings is a real challenge. I don't hesitate to take Oxy or Hyrdos when it gets really bad but really try to limit that. I had someone recommend an anti-inflammatory diet to me and am trying that now. I've done some research, read a few books, and am switching of my nutrition and supplements. I don't believe in a lot of that stuff but figure I can't be any worse off. I've also made appointments for accupunture as some people swear by that.

 

 

Good luck to you!

[Tanner25]

Just saw a commercial from Massage Envy showing Justin Thomas and their new Streto technique. Anyone try it?