Depression Recovery

Question:

|> My husband had a liberal laminectomy on the L5-S1 level of his back. He |> also had surgical fusion don and the pedicle instrumentation done and the |> implantation of a bone growth stimulator inserted. He is in a great great |> deal of pain and also is developing depression.  He would like to get off |> the drugs the doctor is prescribing and wants to know: |> |> 1. What types of vitamins, herbs or minerals would be of help with |> his recovery. |> |> 2. What vitamins would be good to help fight pain. |> |> 3. What vitamins would help with the healing of the fusion. |> |> 4. What vitamins would help withdrawal from the pain meds. |> |> 5. And finally what vitamins would help depression. |> |> Thanks for any info on the above questions |> |> |> — |> |> Kathy (In Sunny South Florida) |> In my personal opinion, one would do better to investigate the use of imagery or hypnosis for pain control. Consider locating a clinical psychologist or other trained mental health professional (L.C.S.W, some psychiatrists, R.N.’s) who has received training in this area. References: American Society of Clinical Hypnosis 2250 E. Devon Ave., Suite 336 Des Plaines, Ill 60018 708 297-3317 Academy for Guided Imagery P.O. Box 2070 Mill Valley, Ca 94942 415 389-9324 Wayne Beeman Nationally Certified School Psychologist

Response:

My husband had a liberal laminectomy on the L5-S1 level of his back. He also had surgical fusion don and the pedicle instrumentation done and the implantation of a bone growth stimulator inserted. He is in a great great deal of pain and also is developing depression.  He would like to get off the drugs the doctor is prescribing and wants to know: 1.      What types of vitamins, herbs or minerals would be of help with his recovery. 2.      What vitamins would be good to help fight pain. 3.      What vitamins would help with the healing of the fusion. 4.      What vitamins would help withdrawal from the pain meds. 5.      And finally what vitamins would help depression. Thanks for any info on the above questions — Kathy (In Sunny South Florida)

Response:

|> My husband had a liberal laminectomy on the L5-S1 level of his back. He |> also had surgical fusion don and the pedicle instrumentation done and the |> implantation of a bone growth stimulator inserted. He is in a great great |> deal of pain and also is developing depression.  He would like to get off |> the drugs the doctor is prescribing and wants to know: |> |> 1.        What types of vitamins, herbs or minerals would be of help with |> his recovery. |> |> 2.        What vitamins would be good to help fight pain. |> |> 3.        What vitamins would help with the healing of the fusion. |> |> 4.        What vitamins would help withdrawal from the pain meds. |> |> 5.        And finally what vitamins would help depression. |> |> Thanks for any info on the above questions |> |> |> — |> |> Kathy (In Sunny South Florida) |> I’ve seen d-phenylalanine suggested for pain and l-phenylalanine suggested for depression.   In terms of a person’s energy balance, depression is usually associated with problems of inadequate energy in the sacrum.  So, this would not be unexpected in a situation like your husband’s.  I know it’s difficult to think rationally about things when one is depressed, but depression in a case like this is normal.  It can be dealt with. You didn’t ask about anything but vitamins, so, I’ll just briefly comment that eventually, when he can exercise, it would be helpful if he were to make a point of doing whatever exercises his doctor would approve that stimulate the sacrum area.  Normally, I would suggest deep knee bends.   Tai chi might be good, also.  But clearly it’s important to clear any kind of exercise with your doctor.  Even a walking program might be really helpful. Regards, Scott

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