I was a long distance runner most of my adult life and ended up with a total hip replacement two years ago. I have low-level chronic pain, but nothing 800mg Ibuprofen can't make manageable. Not being able to run anymore helped put me in a deep depression and probably contributed to my drinking. What's the source of your pain?

I have herniated discs at L5 and S1. Its degenerative disease but child birth aggravated the situation.

Exercise really helps alleviate all the symptoms. Since my husbands illness, I haven't exercised like I should and now I'm paying for it.

Another example of me not taking care of myself first. One day I'll learn that I'm no good to anyone if I don't start putting myself first.

Hi Beth,

I am always in pain. The only time I am not in pain is when I am sleeping. I have drank so much in the past to get rid of the pain.

I have degenerative disc disease, fibromyalgia, arthritis, cervical dystonia...

That is only a few of my physical problems and I won't even touch on the mental part of it.

To make a long story short, because it would take too much time and space on this group, I'll try to keep it simple and message you later.

I've recently started taking gabapentin. Still in the early stages of it for now. It has helped my numbness, tingling, stiffness, and pain that keeps me awake all night. Another benefit has been my moods have leveled out because I'm also bipolar. It also seems to have reduced my alcohol cravings. I kind of just feel like what "a normal person should feel like." I have also been going to AA for the past six days. I have Botox shots in my neck for cervical dystonia. I do yoga and exercise, as much as I am able to.

So, yes, I definitely have chronic pain, and alcohol has always helped me deal with that pain, but I'm sure you know alcohol is not the answer.

I've always preferred oblivion to reality. I have just come to a point in my life that I don't want to continue like that. I'm looking at other avenues of escape, or freedom, whichever one prefers to call it.

Message you later. Hugs.

so sorry you are miserable and hurting. hope you can get some pain relief and watch a good movie or something relaxing. Drinking will only help the pain for a little while, you will feel REALLY crappy tomorrow! I know, I sure been craving a drink all weekend too. I need to get exercising too, it is just so darn cold!!
I just want to veg out on the couch. high of -4 today, brrrrr
hope you get feeling better soon!!! hang in there!!!

prayers from here. I know that when I hurt it is hard on my sobriety. the constant pain is like a chinese torture machine. I have problems with several issues / elbow / knee and the cumulative effect is damning. I must say that simply praying for relief helps sometimes and also asking others to pray for relief. It was hard for me to EVER ask for help but If i do , it helps. Prayers from here girlie. 1is2

focus on something else. try to trick your brain into some other thought. think about a vacation , heck plan one. take one.

Not like that but I've got a knee in need of replacement. However, luckily so far cortisone is making it livable. You may want to consider carefully weighed medication and other treatments. Do you smoke? If so you're severly limiting the oxygen supply to your disk which can exacerbate the problem

I quit smoking 15 years ago. I'm taking 800mg of ibuprofen. I could wake up tomorrow perfectly fine. As for now, my left leg is killllllling me. My left foot is numb. Back pain is so crazy and unpredictable.

Acupuncture can work wonders for pain and remember that alcohol actually causes inflammation in the body so makes pain worse in the long run :)

Funnily enough Beth I'm due at the Docs in 2 hours, symptoms lower back pain in the sciatic nerve, pins and needles/loss of feeling right leg and a sharp pain underneath my right foot like im stepping on a rock.

All these things came on really since I stopped drinking so theres a temptation to think im getting old :)

It is true though alcohol does a lot of damage to the nervous system...sometimes I just gotta accept I have done some damage...

P

I recommend mindful meditation for chronic pain. Courses are available from many medical groups and online.
I have degenerative disc disease, arthritis as an adult, as well as rheumatic pains in my leg bone since I was a child. It was most difficult going to sleep when I first quit. After practice it was easy. Don't give up. It will get better.

I'll give meditation a try. I'm pretty desperate to relieve the pain at this point.

Tomorrow I have a doctors appointment for my sciatica. I really do not like the NP I'm seeing but feel pretty desperate just to get in to see someone. I started to get pretty worked up about the situation and called my husband. He actually said, "maybe you should have a couple of drinks before your appointment." I know he means well and doesn't want me to hurt or get stressed out. But SERIOUSLY?!?!?!

I just laughed it off and said if I wasn't an alcoholic I would totally do that. I love that man to the moon but sometimes he really doesn't get it.

8 ruptured and a bum shoulder meet the qualifications. I also used alcohol for pain relief. The problem I always had is the consequence that followed. I have been off and on narcotics for the past 40 years an reached a point where I just said enough.

Now I take tramadol and aspirin which does some good. Hang in there and remember that what you are experiencing right now is a tempoary flair up.

Doc

I find that hand reflexology is a great addition to pain relief, it releases the body's natural pain killing endorphins when you know what you are doing. One of my friends is a qualified reflexologist and trained me how to use it effectively for myself and others.

Booze was also my answer to many things. Of course, it was also the reason for my ailments. I sobered up in '92. I also suffer from chronic pain. I sure wasn't kind to my body back then.

I am always looking forward. A positive attitude has ensured that the pain won't win. I insist on living a quality life but I must remain willing to do whatever I need to in order to maintain it.

Beth, I also have Sciatica. It is a very painful condition. My leg went from very painful to numb to going out from under me. The only relief I have found has been Lyrica. It also treats my fibromyalgia.

Good luck at the dr appt today. Let us know how it went!

Hugs,

Dianna

Went to the Dr. this morning. Not going to lie, I did the ugly cry when she was checking me. The whole appointment was torture.

Came home exhausted with Rx's for Ibuprofen, Hydrocodone and Flexeril. MRI scheduled.

The bad news is I'm on bed rest for 2 weeks. The good news is I'm still sober.