So... to add salt to the wound. I am leaving work. I am putting on my SI belt. A lady asks what it's for. I am always taking the opportunity to teach. I told her a bit about my pinched nerve and the function of the belt. She says; "I guess losing weight would help." Totally infuriated me. Yes, I am over weight. Yes, I would LOVE to lose weight. I would LOVE to dance, and exercise, and ride my motorcycle also. I CAN'T. It's so frustrating! Why is it if you're overweight it's the reason for your pain? When I weighed 115 pounds I hurt just the same. ARGH! ARGH! ARGH! ARGH!

Thanks for listening. ::: feeling sad:::

Hi everyone!

9 hours post epidural. Was pain free for about 6 hours. Felt great! Of course, pain's baaaaaccckkk! Not with a vengeance... but slightly strong. My main concern is before the back pain came back, my calf felt like it was on fire. Usually it's my lower back that burns, and pinches. Does that mean it's working?? I'll see the Dr. in 2 weeks.

I am taking my meds... icing my back... and praying tomorrow is better. This was my third epidural. Each time, I have woken up from sedation screaming from pain. I did it again today. I will see my chiro Friday. So, for now, I wait.

Wishing for the best for all of us in pain!!
XOXO

There are a lot ways to fight back pain. Here are few ways that might help. Hope you get better soon!

1) Learn deep breathing or meditation to help with chronic pain.
Deep breathing and meditation are techniques that help your body relax, which eases pain. Tension and tightness seep from muscles as they receive a quiet message to relax.
Although there are many to meditate, the soothing power of repetition is at the heart of some forms of meditation. Focusing on the breath, ignoring thoughts, and repeating a word or phrase -- a mantra -- causes the body to relax. While you can learn meditation on your own, it helps to take a class.
Deep breathing is also a relaxation technique. Find a quiet location, a comfortable body position, and block out distracting thoughts. Then, imagine a spot just below your navel. Breathe into that spot, filling your abdomen with air. Let the air fill you from the abdomen up, then let it out, like deflating a balloon.

2) Reduce stress in your life. Stress intensifies chronic pain.
Negative feelings like depression, anxiety, stress, and anger can increase the body's sensitivity to pain. By learning to take control of stress, you may find some relief from chronic pain.
Several techniques can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. Listening to soothing, calming music can lift your mood -- and make living with chronic pain more bearable. There are even specially designed relaxation tapes or CDs for this. Mental imagery relaxation (also called guided imagery) is a form of mental escape that can help you feel peaceful. It involves creating calming, peaceful images in your mind. Progressive muscle relaxation is another technique that promotes relaxation.

3) Boost chronic pain relief with the natural endorphin from exercise.
Endorphins are brain chemicals that help improve your mood while also blocking pain signals. Exercise has another pain-reducing effect -- it strengthens muscles, helping prevent re-injury and further pain. Plus, exercise can help keep your weight down, reduce heart disease risk, and control blood sugar levels -- especially important if you have diabetes. Ask your doctor for an exercise routine that is right for you. If you have certain health conditions, like diabetic neuropathy, you will need to be careful about the types of activities you engage in; your doctor can advise you on the best physical activities for you.

4) Cut back on alcohol, this can worsen sleep problems.
Pain makes sleep difficult, and alcohol can make sleep problems worse. If you're living with chronic pain, drinking less or no alcohol can improve your quality of life.

5) Don't smoke. It can worsen chronic pain.
Smoking can worsen painful circulation problems and increase risk of heart disease and cancer.

6) Track your pain level and activities every day.
To effectively treat your pain, your doctor needs to know how you've been feeling between visits. Keeping a log or journal of your daily "pain score" will help you track your pain. At the end of each day, note your pain level on the 1 to 10 pain scale. Also, note what activities you did that day. Take this log book to every doctor visit -- to give your doctor a good understanding of how you're living with chronic pain and your physical functioning level.

7) Get a massage for chronic pain relief.
Massage can help reduce stress and relieve tension -- and is being used by people living with all sorts of chronic pain, including back and neck pain.

8) Eat a healthy diet if you're living with chronic pain.
A well-balanced diet is important in many ways -- aiding your digestive process, reducing heart disease risk, keeping weight under control, and improving blood sugar levels. To eat a low-fat, low-sodium diet, choose from these: fresh fruits and vegetables; cooked dried beans and peas; whole-grain breads and cereals; low-fat cheese, milk, and yogurt; and lean meats.

9) Find ways to distract yourself from pain so you enjoy life more.
When you focus on pain, it makes it worse rather than better. Instead, find something you like doing -- an activity that keeps you busy and thinking about things besides your pain. You might not be able to avoid pain, but you can take control of your life.

10) Use Lumbar Belts
Using Pain Belts: Back pain belts like DR Belt's Back Fix, relieves pain by correcting sleep posture that then changes the way you walk, work and play during the day.

You could read up more on this link: http://bit.ly/10JStUd

Hi Jason...

I thank you for the list. I actually am employing a lot of the suggestions.

The most frustrating thing is that I used to teach martial arts. I love to run, and work out. I used to play football, and soccer, and anything that required jumping was never an issue. I just can't anymore. I went swimming, as an exercise, and my leg/foot went completely numb. Should I just keep swimming? I'm worried I'm doing more harm than good.

I walk my dogs twice a day. I can't go faster than 3 mph (I track my walks on an app on my phone - to see how far, and fast I can go). Many times my foot turns inward, and my leg/foot/toes go numb; along with the back pain. I don't smoke, barely drink, and track my pain, on app, in my phone. (I'm such a geek - LOL).

Not much I can do about stress. Being honest, I HATE being on this many pills. I would rather take none. But the meds help, so I take them. I find this very stressful. I also just found out I have to see that nurse again for my follow up. She was just so RUDE!!

Wait, I kinda lie about the stress. When I'm really stressed out, I lie down on the floor and cuddle with my 3 Saints. They are Saints! They come and love me. When I'm done I feel better. Maybe I should get one of them certified as a pain relief dog? hmmmmm.... They could be my medicine when I'm in pain?? I wonder. Does anyone know about getting a dog certified as a pain dog? Does that even exist?

As far as enjoying things to take my mind off the pain, that's part of my stress. My main stress relief was riding my Harley. I haven't ridden in 3 years. That, in itself, is the best form of meditation. I miss it so much!! (many tears flowing now)

I am going to continue meditating. This was part of my martial arts training. I actually have several apps on my phone that help me go into a state of hypnosis. Some are for pain coping, and some are for stress. (I'm such a total geek!)

Thank you so much for the list!! It reminded me, I have to call the massage place to make an appointment. The last massage I had (a couple of weeks ago) was difficult. She could barely touch me, but they do help.

I appreciate your support Jason!! I'm going to print your list, and put it on my fridge so I can keep all these reminders visible!!

Have a great day, Jason!

Here's wishing for less pain for us all!!
XOXO

Glad that this helped you! I hope you get better soon! Be positive, u'll get better soon! :)

HD,

Awww, sorry you are missing doing those things you love! I know exactly how you feel. It's been 4 years now, since my chronic pain has affected my everyday life, and prevent me from enjoying those activities, that I used to do. I hate it, but I try to deal with it day by day.

I am having a gastric bypass in August, so I'm hoping that relieves the pain for me, so that I can get back to my old self. I hope your shot helps, and like I think I mentioned..Sometimes they say that it gets worse before it gets better.

Have a good weekend, rest, and ice it, but still move around so you don't get stiff.

Hugs,

Boo

Hello peeps!

How are you all???

I am 3 days post epidural. I am having a good day. This means, my leg/foot/toes, are numb, but the pain is a 1-2. I walked the dogs this morning and had minimal pain. This is what happened the last time (for 1/2 day). I am going to ice, just took meds.

I really want to go get on the elliptical. I feel so good, I want to take my motorcycle out. I'm not doing any of it. I don't want to get hurt. It's a gorgeous day out, instead I'm going to ice my back, and sit out back and enjoy the breeze. At some point today, I'm going to stretch, and get on my inversion table.

Saw my Rheumatologist, and he upped my Lyrica. I'm on 75mg twice a day. Last night, between the Lyrica, the Baclofen, and the Norco, I felt great! I have to make a note of that and let him know. I was able to keep up with my schedule. OF course, by the end of the shift my legs felt weak, and both my feet were numb, but I was so happy, and proud, of myself for being able to keep up! YAY!!!

Boo, I hope your gastric surgery is successful!! You'll have to let us know how it goes!!

Here's wishing for less pain for us all!!
XOXO