Sometimes it's best to keep things like that to yourself. No one understands how much pain we endure with or without meds. I have learned that others are more interested in sharing their problems than undestanding ours. Like some kind of my sickness is worse than yours game. Take care and I hope you find some relief.

Thank you. I will keep it to myself from now on. Do you take pain meds?

hey hope you are feeling better.......all i get from friends is "omg your liver this and that...due to all the meds you are taking" bottom line is....I am not an addict and wouldnt be taking the meds i have to...so i can live some what sort of life that pain FREE people take for granted....

I have learned that once you mention to most people that you sufffer backpain...they seem to tell you that they have backpain too...but the difference is they can go to the gym......walk for miles upon miles....and the best one ...sit without any pain.......

as the saying goes...walk a mile in whoevers shoes that is suffering and then he or she will soon be reaching for the meds asap!!!!!!

take care

I was in so much pain, and my family wouldn't give me anything. He asked, what have I been taking to stop the pain. When I told him, I was taking seven to ten Tylenol two to three times a day, he yelled, Man your killing yourself. I said I didn't care, if it took death to end this pain, than I was ready, I would anything to ease or end the pain.
That's went he started treating my pain. Now if I mention how much meds I'm taking, they want to know why I'm not passed out somewhere. The real problem is, The meds. I'm taking hasn't eased or stopped the pain.

I have had a concern about the pain meds I take, not for my back but for my knees. I know it's a lot, maybe not even good for me. But what is the alternative really? If I stop, I will have pain all over. The way I look at it, if I become addicted, so be it. I would have no quality of life without my meds.

I agree with sigbue. Others are more interested in sharing their own problems than understanding or even being interested in us,the ones who suffer cp. I also agree wih akaspondo when he says,walk a mile in whoevers shoes that is suffering and then he or she will be soon reaching for the meds asap. Why should we stand around in pain and listen to the so called friends problems and how much they're suffering,when they have no interest in what hell we are going through. If necessary,just turn and walk the other way. Why bother.

You do what you need to do and don't bother what any one else thinks.

Thank you all so much for your comments. My friend offered me an aleve. That would not touch my toe. Anyway, I go to Pain Mgmt Dr. tomorrow and the lortab is not working so I don't know whether to ask for something else that I have read about here or let him tell me. Your comments on this.
thanks
Brenda

It wouldn't hurt to suggest something if there is something that you have heard about that has good reviews. Over here in Australia,though things are so different with meds,doctors etc. We don't have contracts,don't have to be approved as a patient. It is really very hard on people over there.

Tell him that it is not working so you can get something that dose. It took over a year to find what helped me. So tell.

Precious,

A combo of Narco 10/325 and Tramadol extended release is available and not heavy narcs like OxyContin or M/S.

I am considering weaning off and going that route.

-Snake

i've being lucky, my friends understand about pain and how i use painkillers just to get out of bed and get through the day.
it took me about 8 years to find the right combo.

Most people don't understand chronic pain. They either ask what you are taking or why you haven't had surgery. I don't answer now. Just simply say it's a long story.
As someone has said here "walk a mile in my shoes". If, on that particular day we can walk!
It's disappointing that people don't understand what we live with.

hi, i had been on pain meds for years, due to severe back pain caused by a drs. mistake during back surgery. now i am off all narcotic pan meds, and have had lost all of my so-called friends while in a hosp. in a coma, not one came to see me. I empathize with you . You know i have recently found out that the people who we think are our friends, should not throw stones, because they themselves live in glass houses.,one of my ex friends is on 6 different meds, ranging from sleeping pills to anti deprssants and even narcotic pain meds. And she had the nerve to stay i abused drugs. Yet she takes these meds for the fact she cannot deal with life. You and our chronic back pain & everyone else who suffers from any sort of chronic pain have true medical conditions., yet we seem to be outcasts. i would cross that person off my list of friends and go on doing what you need to do. I have had so much happen to me which i will not go in to here. But let me assure you, you know what your pain is only you know and you deal with it the way you want to. Please do not get upset, people can be very heartless & cruel. I am setting up a pain awareness group we do not have one, and that is part of the problem, we need to be understood, Drs today generally do not care, if you are interested you can veiw my profile, and become one of us. Hugs to you,

I have suffered from chronic back pain for 25 years. I have not had surgery as its success rate seems low. Like you, I feel misunderstood and have lost most of my friends due to my inability to socialise and their inability to understand.

Having chronic pain is an isolating experience which adds to the grief.

vivit I would like to join your pain awareness group.