Franklin Said:

Why do i have chronic pain from a mild t4 fracture i sustained in a fall 1.5 yrs ago?

We Answered:

Back in the late 70's, I broke a vertebrae mid way in my rib cage (I forget the number now T-7 I think) which I had thought was healed until 8 years ago. A severe case of bronchitis struck me and at one point I coughed so hard that the break let go or separated and clamped down on the surrounding tissue. Talk about hurt...that sure did. A few hours later, I coughed again and it let go of the tissue and the pain subsided. Since this time I have had trouble with it every time I coughed or sneezed and I have hay fever, to boot! Well, I am not anxious to have some doctor cut around my spinal cord, so I still have problems with it.

Pain wise, Oxycontin has worked for me when I really am in severe pain. However, I do not wish to get addicted again so I don't take anything stronger than Tylenol any more. I know what your are going through as I have spent the last two decades mostly in my recliner as I cannot sleep in a bed. My recliner is built up with pillows and it takes many months to break in a new recliner before it is comfortable again.

L8r