Chronic Pain Support Group
Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...
I have to start this with an appology. I am not working on my computer right now, and thoug hmy typing is no worse than usual, the mouse does not work right so I can't come back and fix my spelling. this would be why I coud l not keep a job as an admin.
So, if you can get past that one hand types faster than the other, here is what is on my mind...
Pain, what a shocker there.
I have too damn much of it, that is for sure. The pain from my crushed spine starts as just a dull pain that fills my whole chest. Movement, especially movement that bends the spine, sends sharp spikes up and down my spine. The longer the pain goes unchecked, the worse it gets, until each breath is enough to make me 'gruff' in pain.
But getting this pain under control is not enough, in spite of what my pain management doctor thinks.
The pain from my crushed spine can be beaten back with gabapentine and hydrocodone.. as well as TENS, Salonpas or Icyhot patches, and OTC pain meds. That is to say, all of the above combined can get my pain from my T6 vertebrea down to a level I can deal with...
But there is more. My whole spine has arthritis. So does my left hip. This is a throbing pain that is twinged with sharp pain. Sitting seems to make it worse. My lower back and hip wants to not be weight baring as the sharp throbs turn sitting into a horror. Standing up brings movement to these joints that will make me yelp. I have only found that heat soothes this pain.
And there is more.. both knees were ruined years ago. If the pain from my spine is brought down enough, it is my knees that remind me that I used to walk at a snails pace. My knees are a dull ache that slowly fills my legs with muscle cramps, some times to the point that the muscles in my calves will tear - which brings a whole other kind of pain... Just to add insult to injury, when my knees act up my legs will swell to the point that my feet no longer fit in my shoes. Walking is not an option - but is the only thing that help.
Lastly, since a fall just over a month ago, my head has been killing me. Calling it a migraine is not enough. Even using the biofeedback I learned as a teenager when I had a concussion only relieves the pressure and pain for a few minutes at a time.
No matter what I do, I hurt. Even when I manage to get one kind of pain under control, the others are there to take its place, keeping the pain receptors in my brain at full throtle at all times.
I am sort of out of thoughts of what to do...
So, if you can get past that one hand types faster than the other, here is what is on my mind...
Pain, what a shocker there.
I have too damn much of it, that is for sure. The pain from my crushed spine starts as just a dull pain that fills my whole chest. Movement, especially movement that bends the spine, sends sharp spikes up and down my spine. The longer the pain goes unchecked, the worse it gets, until each breath is enough to make me 'gruff' in pain.
But getting this pain under control is not enough, in spite of what my pain management doctor thinks.
The pain from my crushed spine can be beaten back with gabapentine and hydrocodone.. as well as TENS, Salonpas or Icyhot patches, and OTC pain meds. That is to say, all of the above combined can get my pain from my T6 vertebrea down to a level I can deal with...
But there is more. My whole spine has arthritis. So does my left hip. This is a throbing pain that is twinged with sharp pain. Sitting seems to make it worse. My lower back and hip wants to not be weight baring as the sharp throbs turn sitting into a horror. Standing up brings movement to these joints that will make me yelp. I have only found that heat soothes this pain.
And there is more.. both knees were ruined years ago. If the pain from my spine is brought down enough, it is my knees that remind me that I used to walk at a snails pace. My knees are a dull ache that slowly fills my legs with muscle cramps, some times to the point that the muscles in my calves will tear - which brings a whole other kind of pain... Just to add insult to injury, when my knees act up my legs will swell to the point that my feet no longer fit in my shoes. Walking is not an option - but is the only thing that help.
Lastly, since a fall just over a month ago, my head has been killing me. Calling it a migraine is not enough. Even using the biofeedback I learned as a teenager when I had a concussion only relieves the pressure and pain for a few minutes at a time.
No matter what I do, I hurt. Even when I manage to get one kind of pain under control, the others are there to take its place, keeping the pain receptors in my brain at full throtle at all times.
I am sort of out of thoughts of what to do...
I tell you this because I want you to know that for the amount of pain that I endure, I do understand about pain.
I am so sorry about the huge amount of pain that you are having to live with. Please know that for this Christmas week each morning I will light my special candle for you. I will be thinking of you each and every day of this week. I do hope that this small remembrance will help you a bit.
Did you get checked out after your fall? I never get headaches, but if my neck is in the spasm, i get the worst headaches ever and i have to use ice and muscle relaxers.
The only thing i can say is - i hear you, sister. It sucks!
You are someone who can't sit still like me, but we need rest. When you feel this badly, as much as you hate it, rest your body, let it heal.
Hope your day gets a little better.
Hugs.
Checked out after the fall? Well, sort of. I saw my pain management doctor who went ballistic over the concept that I blacked out and fell. I am glad that someone gave a damn that I do periodically fall, but no, the battery of tests I took two weeks ago were to get to WHY I fall, not what damage I did in the fall. I see her again tomorrow to go over the test results.
Yrod, pain is pain is pain is pain - lol - for the most part. That my pain has taken over my life is because it was allowed to by lack of treatment for an injury over a period of almost a decade now. That yours is from a syndrome, does not make it hurt any less!!! Oddly enough I was still broken back when it was just my knees and I was in 1/10th the pain I am now... so I DO understand!!
I hate sitting. I hate it hate it hate it!! Hubby keeps trying to get to me play online games with him and our daughter, because he thinks it would be a good bonding time. While that might help to keep me from going NUTS on days I can't get up and move, I know I would get addicted and I don't want to lose a second I might be able to spend with my horse!!
Hum - um, it seems reasonable. I have been horrifically sedentary for the last few months. When I am able to get up and move, it is to a screaming lower back. Any suggestions of good PT exercises for this? I will do more research on it tonight, but I am happy to hear from those who may know what helps!
No, you are not bragging! I have missed what you have conquered. If I have read it, it has not associated in my mind with you.
It amazes me sometimes how few people who deal with chronic pain also understand PTSD.
I will take any tips you have to offer! I am floundering here and can't seem to find the surface! I am now off all my mental health meds... for the first time in years. To say I am not coping is an understatement!
Thank you for going into all of that. As I have slowed down in my movements, I have encountered a few people who have had childhoods like yours - pure hell.
I don't have access to a therapist, never have. Just doctors who give pills, yuk. I am at the whim of the VA medical system which is one two two hours away, depending on traffic. I also can't get physical therapy. They are too far away and 4 apts spread out over two months is not enough to bother with. I have learned to research the exercises I need online.
I do know what you mean about faking it until you make it. It is how I get most things done. Most of the time it works and I can do it, or at least most of what I set out to do. I have dabbled in meditation, I can do that again!
I have to find a better place emotionally to be. I hit a wall almost exactly a year ago and I have yet to pick myself up for more than a week here and there.
Again, thank you for the input! This is something I can conquer. I just have to figure out which battle to fight first - the physical one or the mental one.