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...

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jasmine0523 05/10/2014

I am now 3 weeks post rib fracture. I was feeling a little better so what do I do? Laundry. Stupid move. I am now in almost as much pain as before. I actually woke up crying last night which is not good since I have only been averaging 2-3 hrs a night sleep anyway. Fibro has blessed me with insomnia and my sleep routine has been no sleep for 3 days and I crash on the 4th. When the doc put me on lyrica I had severe side effects until I lowered the dose to 25 mg. I couldn't believe that I was actually sleeping. My pain doc will not preauthorize to my insurance co and put me on gabapentin. Instead of making me tired I actually fall asleep for 2 hours and wake up wide awake with no going back to sleep.
I am so tired and in so much pain. I even use a sleeping pill which is no help with the gabapentin. I might try calling my rheumatologist to see if he will preauthorize the lyrica but I don't want to get in trouble with my pain doc. Besides being tired I think the meds are screwing with my memory. I will try and take a nap but won't hold my breath. YUK!

Emerald22 05/10/2014

Hi Jasmine,
I'm sorry you're in pain & not sleeping. I'm on the 2day awake crash on the 3rd day cycle myself. It makes for long, miserable days. My kid has a triple header today and I'm really trying to get to at least one game. But I'm running on 2hrs of sleep & have a groin pull that hurts to sit for more than 15min. Much less park & walk to the field. Not a great day for baseball!

If the Lyrica works for you and your PM won't do the pre-auth then ask him if you can have your rheumy prescribe it. Then ask the rheumy. Then he won't get upset that you went around him. Its not a narcotic so I'm not sure you'll be in violation of your contract but you never know unless you ask. My PM doesn't like pre-auths either or insurance companies for that matter. So I've gotten to where I get the form from the ins co, fill out what I can, email it to his nurse who fills out the rest and puts it in my file so I can have him review it & sign it at my next appt. That's all he has to do and he's been fine with that. The nurse will fax it in & give me a copy just in case it gets lost or something.

I hope you feel better & get some sleep. It does make the pain worse. It will mess with your memory too. The gaba made me feel like a braindead zombie. And stay away from laundry with that broken rib! Ouch!

Take care,
Emerald

akacountrygirl 05/10/2014

Try taking Benidryl to help you sleep. Also, Melatonin helps me sleep all night. I have been in the same spot as you are....it is worth a try and inexpensive.

RJRelaxing 05/10/2014

I know an injured rib takes at least 6 to 8 weeks of rest to be even safe to move and twist around. Been going through that with my son. If nothing else use the Claw to reach things and don't pick up anything.

Melatonin is a good over the counter. Benedryl works for some people but you don't want to use that long term. I might cause your body to build a resistance to it, and you might need it for an allergic reaction.

Sorry your pain is so high, I don't know about PM contracts. I think your Rheumy needs to call your PM and explain that you need the med and they can decide who prescribes it. Or they may have an even better option. I wish you well.

Hugs-RJ

jasmine0523 05/10/2014

Thanks for all your input. I am on so much medication that I am afraid to add anything else but melatonin sounds like a good option. I will try that.

jeremy1999 05/10/2014

I hope you feel better soon, Jasmine. I'm sending up prayers and positive pain free energy your way. Soft hugs!

annettearizona 05/11/2014

Aren't you suppose to have your ribs taped? And ofcourse your own personal male maid!

deleted_user 05/11/2014

Not going behind your PM Doc and his PM Contract to get your Rheumy to get a med preauth'd is a VERY good idea. That could cause you pains you wouldn't ever want to have to deal with.

I'm also wondering why your ribs are not wrapped to give them some support, so that every time you move the wrong way or just move they don't react so easily to the force of the jostle. You can have your Partner wrap them in an ACE Bandage firmly but not so tight that they cut an indent into your skin. KTape is also a really good product to use to tape fractured ribs and it helps with the pain all around the area.

Other OTC things that can help with sleep are Valerian Root or Diphenhydramine. Valerian Root can be taking safely with Melatonin.

Hope you feel better soon.

Kat

jasmine0523 05/12/2014

Thanks again. Yeah I wouldn't go behind pm doc. Not if I wanted to still use him. I really would be surprised if I had a problem since he gave me samples of lyrica to begin with. As far as taping ribs they don't do that anymore because it restricts the lungs. I figure with any luck I am halfway thru so it should start feeling better soon. I will keep my fingers crossed. I will buy the melatonin either today or tomorrow. I haven't driven since my rib broke and I might try tomorrow. Keep my fingers crossed.

deleted_user 05/13/2014

Hope the pain is better today and your getting some relief.

Kat

deleted_user 05/17/2014

Allbetter,

I must say I'm a little curious...you've been posting up a storm, promoting your diet and supplement changes as a cure for Chronic Pain, yet your Profile doesn't say much about what type of Chronic Pain you had.

So, just out of curiosity, what type of pain producing injury or illness were you made "all better" from?

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