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...
Hi DS Chronic Pain group. I'm new here too! Well, not new to DS, just new to this board. I saw how welcoming you were to Norman and thought I'd join because I could really use some chronic pain friends right now.
Thank you for your support and hopefully future friendship.
About me - I fell down the stairs 5+ years ago and that started all the chronic pain. If I look back, I did have minor flare ups before that, but those came and went. I did PT for a couple years with no long term success after getting the diagnosis of a 'minor' herniated disc.
Then we started trying to have a baby. I'd waited because I wanted to get my pain in order, but I'm older and we needed to try. Well, we got pregnant the very first time only to miscarry. The miscarriage dragged out over 4 months and ended in a burst tube and a diagnosis of endometriosis. That's when I joined DS and the endo board.
Since then I've had a total of 5 surgeries which lead to the birth of our baby in October. surprisingly enough my pain went away after my last endo surgery 10/12 and stayed gone through pregnancy. I even gained way way way too much weight, but I had a lot of health issues going on, and my body just wanted food.
Since giving birth, I've been in a ton of pain. I needed an unplanned C-Section so that may have aggravated things, not sure. But it started with pain all the way from my shoulder to my toes on one side. Then I got that more under control with massage therapy, only to find I had major joint pain. I read that sleep deprivation can cause that post pregnancy, so I got the support I needed to take care of baby and slept a ton. That seems better although not all gone in my hands and such.
Now my back is killing me, to the point where I'm not a good person to be around. Hell, I've not really been a pleasant person to be around since baby was born. :-( The ibuprofen doesn't cut it and I'm almost out of Percocet - I had a few left from my C-section so I started to take the few that I have.
I'm scared. I'm 36 and too young to have so many issues. I saw a sport psychologist for a while and have stopped seeing him because of baby's birth. He helped me emotionally before, and I feel like I still am using his techniques, but...
I'm so mad at the world. DH gets home and I've been taking care of baby all day long, all day, and he's all 'let me go change and check my internet, and do this and do that...and then I'll help you.' and then I just snap.
And my OB/GYN 'says' that my pain is not caused by the endo because I haven't started my period yet, and my back doctors told me my herniated disc was too small to cause this much pain. Man, just writing this is therapeutic. Thank you for listening.
Thank you for your support and hopefully future friendship.
About me - I fell down the stairs 5+ years ago and that started all the chronic pain. If I look back, I did have minor flare ups before that, but those came and went. I did PT for a couple years with no long term success after getting the diagnosis of a 'minor' herniated disc.
Then we started trying to have a baby. I'd waited because I wanted to get my pain in order, but I'm older and we needed to try. Well, we got pregnant the very first time only to miscarry. The miscarriage dragged out over 4 months and ended in a burst tube and a diagnosis of endometriosis. That's when I joined DS and the endo board.
Since then I've had a total of 5 surgeries which lead to the birth of our baby in October. surprisingly enough my pain went away after my last endo surgery 10/12 and stayed gone through pregnancy. I even gained way way way too much weight, but I had a lot of health issues going on, and my body just wanted food.
Since giving birth, I've been in a ton of pain. I needed an unplanned C-Section so that may have aggravated things, not sure. But it started with pain all the way from my shoulder to my toes on one side. Then I got that more under control with massage therapy, only to find I had major joint pain. I read that sleep deprivation can cause that post pregnancy, so I got the support I needed to take care of baby and slept a ton. That seems better although not all gone in my hands and such.
Now my back is killing me, to the point where I'm not a good person to be around. Hell, I've not really been a pleasant person to be around since baby was born. :-( The ibuprofen doesn't cut it and I'm almost out of Percocet - I had a few left from my C-section so I started to take the few that I have.
I'm scared. I'm 36 and too young to have so many issues. I saw a sport psychologist for a while and have stopped seeing him because of baby's birth. He helped me emotionally before, and I feel like I still am using his techniques, but...
I'm so mad at the world. DH gets home and I've been taking care of baby all day long, all day, and he's all 'let me go change and check my internet, and do this and do that...and then I'll help you.' and then I just snap.
And my OB/GYN 'says' that my pain is not caused by the endo because I haven't started my period yet, and my back doctors told me my herniated disc was too small to cause this much pain. Man, just writing this is therapeutic. Thank you for listening.
ok. first off -- IT'S OK TO NOT B A NICE PERSON RIGHT NOW. when you're dealing with soooo much pain, it's unreasonable to expect someone to b completely with it and 100% the person they were before the pain.
second -- i'm soooo glad you were able to get the support you needed to catch up on your sleep and whatnot. but onna daily basis, you obviously need more support than that. i hope that you can find some of that here and in your life. you definitely came to the right place!! we all support each other!!
third & last -- i'm sooo sorry you're going through all of this. it totally stinks. i've been dealing w/chronic pain for 14+ yrs now. i know the toll it can take - emotionally, physically, & financially. hang in there kiddo. we'll all get thru this crazy thing together.
**hugs**
danielle
It will help your mood and your body.
Don't give a thought about being swimsuit ready as this kind of thing comes in all shapes and sizes. When I go I actually wear tights under my suit cause I have horrible broken veins. I don't do a class I just go and float and release all my tension. I go at the least busy time. Sometimes I walk in water. They usually provide noodles.
It isn't easy going through what you are. No guarantee that the disc isn't worse or that the munkin didn't put weight on that and flare it so you might want to get it checked.
Hang in. We are here. Welcome to CP.
hippy
I'm Michelle. I'm 33 and have been dealing with CP for many years. I also have endo/adenomyosis but have thankfully found successful treatment with the Mirena IUD. I'm on my 2nd and have had it in place for a total of 6.5 years. My option, had that not worked, was a hyst and I'm fortunate I have been able to avoid that...for now anyway...every twinge I fear it is "coming back."
My current battle with CP is the OA I have in several joints but especially in my knees. This is due to my previously active life...was in the US Army for 8 years, was a runner, and played softball. I had arthroscopic surgery on my right knee in August and my doc found I have severe damage...I'm basically bone on bone. Because of my age, currently a total knee replacement is not an option my doctor nor I wish to consider. I have been waiting for the last couple months for cadaver cartilage so I can have a surgery in which they will implant the cartilage into my knee with rods/pins...called an allograft. Then...we will deal with my left knee (I chose to take care of them individually).
This cold weather has really ramped up the pain and I'm trying along with soooo many here to get through without losing my mind, lol! Lately, I've been a complete witch because of the pain...I hate it but it's all I can do just to make it through a day!
My kids aren't babies anymore but I definitely can sympathize with having no help...I have zero help...physically or emotionally. My fiance tries but he works 70 hours a week (mostly 2nd-3rd shift) so I'm pretty much doing it all on my own M-F. I come here for emotional support because, while my family and friends try, they just don't get it and I can't expect them to. My mom *should* get it since she has the same issues with her joints (had a hip replacement December 2012) but she really isn't there for me...it's always how her pain is more severe and she's not going to be available. Like when I had knee surgery in Augst...she was mad it was the week she was going to visit my sister but only postponed her trip for 2 days and brought me lunch one day...gee thanks mom. My fiance had a hell of a time getting that day off. I felt like such a burden.
Anyhow, enough of my rambling...I'm rather long-winded as you will surely see, lol.
Again, welcome and I look forward to getting to know you more!
(((HUGS)))
~Michelle
I feel so bad for my husband, married to such a grouch! :-(
So I went to the dr today and asked for an anti depressant, he gave me Cymbalta. Anyone else on that? He said it's also for chronic pain. Said it takes up to a month to kick in, but I'm hoping it will start sooner.
He also told me to do exercises for my upper body. My little one is so frick'n heavy!
It's really nice to meet each of you.
Danielle, thank you for being the first with a huge warm welcome. I imagine in 9 more years I'll be saying the same thing - 14+ years. Ugh, is it ok if I hope neither of us need this board then?
51% nice to meet you too. sorry about the endo and herniated discs. yeah, I hear that they only operate if it's really really bad on the discs because sometimes it does more harm than good. sigh. I may come to you with lots of questions, as it sounds like you've been through the ringer. Any indication of what's causing the herniations?
hippy, thanks for suggesting swimming/water therapy. I was swimming for a while before being pregnant and it did feel very nice. I need to look for a less expensive option instead of my overpriced gym membership...oh, and EW is fine or endo. :-)
red head - wow, 70 hours a week? sounds like you're for all intensive purposes an only parent dealing with chronic pain. I'm glad to meet you, and thank you for posting your story.
Have you ever been to a Pain Management clinic? That might be something you can talk to your GP about. When my discs first went to hell i had an injection and got around 6 mths of pain relief and some people get even more than that.
Maybe because it's admitting that I'm back to where I started. On top of it I'm nervous that they would want me to do another MRI and I've had like a million of those. I really don't want another. Still, I think you are right that I need to make an appointment.
I am sorry it is CP that brings you here but glad that you found us. DS has been the best support I have found.
I had 13 pregnancies and only 3 live births. I understand the heartache and stress. Congrats on your new baby. If I may, a suggestion on your husband. I think it is hard to realize that when a spouse has been working all day they need to wind down. He will do better with the baby and will be a better understanding husband if you give him time enough to change from his work mode to his new role as "dad". I know it is hard, trust me. My first baby screamed all day, had constant diarrhea, and I had convinced myself that she hated me. What made it worse was when my hubby changed and picked her up she would shut up and go to sleep. This did not help my mental state. But keep in mind babies can feel your mental state. If you are stressed and angry the baby knows.
A new MRI sounds like a good idea and pain management may be good. Water therapy is very helpful. You have gotten very good advice.
I just wanted to welcome you. I look forward to getting to know you.
-RJ
You're too young to be having to go thru so much...perhaps contacting that sports psychologist might help as a start...they may have some new ideas for you... but hang in there....it is normal for pain to cause a person to be short tempered.
Healing hugs
I'm sorry you are suffering so with all of this pain. Congratulations on giving birth. The additional weight doesn't help the back pain, but I'm sure you know that, and I know how hard it is to lose. I use to weigh 298 lbs and now keep my weight down to about 155-160, but that took some time, and didn't happen overnight by any means.
But the stretching does help with my back pain, and I have an implanted pain pump with dilauded in it so I can walk. Heat also helps my pain a little as well. The back and pain can be very as you already know. I'm sorry you're dealing with so much right now. Thank God your husband sounds very supportive which is important.
It's alright to get mad, it's almost impossible not to. I got injured in my 20's & life changed from that point on. I went through being mad, sad, and then finally accepted it and moved on.
You'll find a great bunch of people here who are very supportive. This group has helped me through some very rough days. I hope your doctors can come up with a plan of action that helps you, if not, you may have to change drs. You'll find lots of people with similar issues who maybe can offer some solutions, but you'll definitely find support here as well as some great friends.
I hope to get to know you better but wanted to welcome you to the group and let you know you're not alone!
Hugs
((((((((()))))))))
Mary ellen
Please remember .... its possible for "Cymbalta" to take longer than one month to kick in... and or reach full effect ... I truly believe that the reason people say that such and such didn't work was because they didn't give it enough time... another reason -sometimes they don't wait for any "side effects" to lessen or go away when they were not that bad - they gave up because it didn't "work" for so and so.... of course our brains don;t work the same...
sometimes it takes trying more than a few until you find the right one.
Why in the world am I trying to write something at 6:40 AM! LOL
Good luck to you and all the best!