Laurie your welcome to rant all you want....this is a safe place for that type of stuff...sorry your hurting so badly and I do not know your conditions at all so I just know your hurting badly.....hugs bill

Hi Laurie, Welcome back! I am so very sorry you are going through so much pain. We haven't met yet my name is Lisa a shortened version of me since 4/02 I have had nine back surgeries, three total knee replacements, R rotator cuff surgery, severe break to the R wrist that healed with a 20% deformity, I have DDD, several bad discs in my neck, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, arthritis & most recently severe abdominal pain & what my GI doc describes I have a Torrturous esophogus which I may be having surgery on next week and the list goes on.

It's so hard when we are in pain 24/7. Having a fractured rib is awful! During one of my back surgeries they needed to remove my bottom left rib that pain was almost worse than the back pain. One thing I found that helped a little is to hug a pillow placed over your tummy. This really helps when you have to cough, sneeze & laugh. Just by hugging the pillow it helps a little with the pain. Unfortunately you just have to ride it out it can take a couple of weeks maybe longer until it starts to feel better. I wish I had some wonderful words of wisdom & remedies to help the pain. Just know that you are not alone. We are all here to support you so vent away we've got your back! Sending up prayers for healing and comfort. Please keep us posted on how you are doing.

Hugs & God Bless
Lisa

Thank you both so much. It is comforting to know that there are people out there that understand and don't judge. I am sorry I was gone for so long.

Hi Laurie,
Glad you came to vent. Welcome back. I am sorry the pain is so overwhelming. It just seems like a bad roller coaster ride to me.

Each day they are finding better treatments so we just have to hang on to the hope that one of them will help control the pain better as our life goes on.

We are here to help you hold on and keep the fight going.

Warm hugs-RJ

Oh Laurie...I'm so very sorry you are in so much pain and feeling with so much. While I wasn't a member 5 years ago, welcome back. We are here for you anytime you need it. Don't apologize for venting ever. That's what we are here for! Lord knows this last week I've vented so much I was annoying myself, lol.

I am only familiar with osteoarthritis as that's what I have. It's so painful and I can't possibly imagine having other painful conditions on top of it. I really really hope you are able to find some relief. The emotional side of chronic pain is hard but at least we have this group where everyone understands.

(((HUGS))) to you. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers that you can find some relief soon.

~Michelle

RANT AWAY! And don't apologize even if you feel like you're rambling-because you weren't! I'm very sorry that you are in such pain and that your so called friends and family lost out on knowing you.
So-pain managements clinics aren't very helpful huh?
Is there anything that can distract you a little? Music? Tv? Watching activity outdoors? Are you able to get out and about-even in a motorized chair or wheelchair?

Thanks Laurie, and welcome back. I have been here at DS and it has brought me great comfort in knowing t am not alone and there are others who understand.

I lost a best friend of 40 yrs due to me going on disability ( a few other issues) She said some really hurtful things the last time I saw her, ( a year ago) She said "I don't know why you are on disability....you seem to be getting around fine".

It is so hard for others to understand that we are ill even if we don't show it on the outside. That is no excuse for the way she treated me.

I'm glad you are here.....I hope that you find the support and understanding we all need.

Best wishes

Thanks again for all your support. I truly have no issues with my pain doc. I have been put on several meds until we settled on oxymorphone It helps with the pain somewhat but I am never pain free. At least it helps me function somewhat. My biggest issue is the broken rib is causing me to walk hunched over and that is really aggravating my back. I was actually ready to go to the ER last nite but I was afraid they wouldn't help me. Today is another day and all I can hope for is a little less pain. Thanks again for your friendship and support.

Hi Laurie. I'm sorry your suffering so much too. I can't imagine having the pain of a broken rib on top of everything else, its no wonder your feeling so bad and needed to vent. I know how you feel about losing friends and having no support, a friend I'd known since we were 4 stopped calling because she felt guilty telling me about the places she was going etc while I was stuck at home. It broke my heart at first but I dont have the energy to take it personally anymore, I've realised people just have no idea what its like to live with cp or how hurtful their comments can be. I hope your pain starts to ease a little very soon..

Sorry, I meant to say I hope the pain from your rib eases soon! Unfortunately I know it would be a miracle to be pain free with your other medical problems. Take care.

When I read all the conditions all of you are going thru, it makes me feel as though I am just complaining? Anyway, I have Transverse Myelitis, it is a spinal disease. I also have osteoarthritis, neck spinal disk stenosis and epilepsy. The epilepsy only causes headache pain but not often. I have daily and night too! muscle, back, hip,arm etc .pain and know what you must be going thru.
I am only taking gabapentin and acetaminophen now for the pain but know I need something stronger. My biggest problem is the darn epilepsy keeping me from being able to take other medications. Do you think I should take something as strong as oxyoxymorphone I just do not know? What side effects do you have after taking them for a time?

I personally have no side effects from the oxymorphone but it is a huge jump from gabapentin to an opioid. I would def check with a doc for that, maybe a pain management doc. I hope you find something that can help you and please don't feel like you are just complaining. Everyone has their own issues and no one minimizes whatever someone is going through. I hope you have a good day without so much pain.