Hi Cathy,

I feel your pain (no pun intended)! I have been dealing with anxiety and pain in my shoulder for the last 5 years now. I have been on several different anxiety/depression meds as well as solely anxiety meds. NOTHING is working and I don't know what to do! I have a 13 yr old daughter and I honestly feel that if it weren't for her I would definitely end it all so I could just be done with all of this! I have started drinking in the last couple months to help relax me but it isn't working either but I continue to do it! Now I feel anxiety from that as well!!!
I just want you to know that I am here for you and completely understand where you are coming from.

Hugs,
Tracy

Hello Cathy,
You mention that your pain is mostly nerve related and that you are going to see your pain management Doctor on Monday....... Has your PM Doc ever talked to you about having a spinal cord stimulator installed to control some of your nerve pain?
The reason that I ask, is because like you, I have problems with radiculopathy (nerve pain) on my left leg, caused by a fusion and some bone that is impinging on my nerves.
But anyway's, after trying every kind of medication for the nerve pain I went to see a new pain management Doctor, and these Doctor talked to me about the spinal cord stimulator. I had a 4 day trial done, and it was the most incredible thing that ever happened to me!

The SCS has been my salvation from my nerve pain, so I think that you need to speak to your Doctor about going through an SCS trial. If the trial doesn't work, then you don't go for the permanent implantation, but if it works then you will feel better for life.

To find out more about the spinal cord stimulators go to: www.controlyourpain.com.
If your PM Doc doesn't work with SCS's then you need to find another one that do.

Take care,
Tipper

Hi Cathy- I can relate to the pain/anxiety cycle. I got shingles a few weeks ago and before the blisters came up I didn't know why my back, shoulder and breast were in so much pain. It was excruciating and my oxycontin and oxycodone weren't even touching the pain. I went to my pain doc and asked for stronger meds because of the excruciating pain I was feeling. She said no, that she didn't want to give me anything else unless and until she knew what the root of the problem was. Talk about anxiety, my blood pressure shot up to 200 over 110. It wasn't until 2 days later that the blisters appeared and she gave me Dilaudid for the pain. In the meantime, I was a mess. She told me that nerve pain is especially hard to treat. Have you tried trigger point injections? Those can be a big help.I am sorry you are feeling so lousy. Hugs to you Cathy.

First I want to say welcome. I think you are going to like it here. It is nice to know that we are not alone. I think unfortunately this is a vicious cycle. The pain gets bad which makes us anxious and then we get anxious from being in pain all the time. Maybe you can talk to your doctor and see if he can give you something for both. I know once I am on a med for a long period of time it loses its potency and usually I will need something new or at least the dosage made different.
I would just talk to your doctor about it on Monday and see what they have to say about it. I hope that you can find some relief soon. I know that this isn't a fun thing to go through.

I have found that meditation and relaxtion techniques such as breathing excersises really help with the anxiety. Some of my pain, is only caused by anxiety, and I have learned to lower my pain number by several notches just by learning to relax. If you can ask your Dr. about Biofeedback, I think you might find that it helps. I think the majority of my anxiety, comes from my Oxycontin.

sounds like you and i have similar problems,yes it dose get to me .the only thing that worked for me was aminatripline its problem is tjat it well make you put on wiegth.so i had to cut back it migth work for tempory .
but then if your on to long.you have to wean off hugs minnie