Everyone goes through those ups and downs with meds, so that is why that you keep a pain/accomplisment journal, so that way you and your Doctor can see when and why your pain happens, that way he will know if he needs to adjust your meds, or give you something else. Do you use ice or heat when your pain gets bad? I swear by my ice packs, I have those that cover the whole spine, and they help me a bunch.

I hope that you start feeling better soon, take care.

I spend what time I can on a heating pad, on the couch with my smallest dog on top of me. Sometimes when I'm trying to work, the pain gets so bad that I can barely finish...that's when I need the couch and can't take the time.

Every day has become something to dread.

Hope you are doing better....suggestions are helping you here. I know what it's like to be in a funk due to pain. Or even not in pain. Depression goes with pain...or can. I hope support here helps you get out of some of the pain so you can enjoy some of these beautiful warm days.
Ms. T I love the ice packs too. The long gel ones that mold to the shape of your 'whatever'. Mind is spine/butt area.
My best to you.

It's helping to alleviate some of my feeling of isolation to have people who understand. What a blessing to have you all.

You know..... I also live alone, and lost most of my friends when I lost the job, the house, etc. I spend almost 2 years in an awful depression, and it was due to the pain, and also the living situation that I was in, I lived in 4 walls litteraly. I lived in an efficiency, and that kept me very sad, but all of that ended when I was offered a part-time job, just 3 days a week, and since the person that I work for is a personal friend, he understood my condition, whenever I need to stay home and work from here.

Staying at home day in and day out thinking of the pain does not help, before I started working, I went out and did some "Meals On Wheels", for an aids service organization that is by my house, and I also answered their phones when they needed help. I hope that you get better soon, and that my experience will shed some light in yours.

Hugs,
Tipper

I know this sounds backwards but doing less makes my pain worse and doing to much makes it worse I have to get it just right sort of like goldie locks of pain but it works for me.

I balance my day and have to follow that and I feel better not only about the pain but me also the depression does not seep in so much.

Today I did way to much and I am feeling it now I am almost sick to my stomach and need to just sit and relax and chat with you all to get back to normal.

I haven't found a balance, yet. I never know how much pain I'm going to be dealing with when I wake in the morning. My work week starts today and I don't know how I'm going to do it. I think I've booked too much, but I can't afford to lose clients because of my condition. I'm the only one paying the bills!

I'm hoping to get my MRI report soon though that's only to look at my rotator cuff. It's a small part of the whole problem, but it's something and it's certainly making it hard to be a hairdresser.

i hope u find some releif and some balance in life i feel greatful because as bad as it gets i do have some good days and operation hopes give a glimmer of hope hope u find some hope it sure helps with the bad days

Try to make it so that pain doesn't own your appraisal of how life is going. Focus on other, positive elements.

The last few years have been kind of tough. I got out of a short marriage to an angry, jealous man. During the time I endured being constantly accused of things I didn't do, my pain went through the roof. I was hoping that it would lessen when I changed that part of my life, but it has continued to worsen.

I have so much anger...