Pain Management
I've spent years trying to manage pain - physical, emotional, mental, spiritual... I have not been well - ever? Not really. But the last few years have been especially rough.
As far as physical pain, it will get to the point where I just can NOT go on and I just lose my grip. All I can think is, "I just need a break!!" No lie, the first time I take pain pills after going a long time without and after the pain has gotten intolerable, (and by pain pills I mean anything, even Aleve, not just prescribed stuff) there is this sense of /letting go/ that seems almost miraculous. I am often able to sleep soundly for the first time in what may be weeks at that point. Relief!
The problem is that after that point, I have a tough choice. Stay on whatever medicine is giving me relief, or go back to the pain. It sounds like an easy choice, but all meds, even Tylenol or Aleve or Advil have side effects and can really mess with you long term. Narcotics are especially horrid for me, though, since I am not ME while medicated.
If I can hit a sweet spot and just medicate for a short time for long enough to build up my strength and rest, but not so long that I've lost touch or become dependant (mentally or physically) then I usually come out the other side better for having taken them. If I go too long, I become a zombie and risk addiction, withdrawal, etc. and if I go to short, then I am back to being in an intolerable state of exhaustion and pain almost immediately.
The thing is, this is the same cycle I go through emotionally. If I find myself "in a bad way" and I ignore it and let it go too long, it's a rough process to recover and it's really hard finding that sweet spot between "taking a break" and sinking into a dark, dangerous depression where I stop caring about anything.
I know life is all about balance, but I sure am not good at it.
As far as physical pain, it will get to the point where I just can NOT go on and I just lose my grip. All I can think is, "I just need a break!!" No lie, the first time I take pain pills after going a long time without and after the pain has gotten intolerable, (and by pain pills I mean anything, even Aleve, not just prescribed stuff) there is this sense of /letting go/ that seems almost miraculous. I am often able to sleep soundly for the first time in what may be weeks at that point. Relief!
The problem is that after that point, I have a tough choice. Stay on whatever medicine is giving me relief, or go back to the pain. It sounds like an easy choice, but all meds, even Tylenol or Aleve or Advil have side effects and can really mess with you long term. Narcotics are especially horrid for me, though, since I am not ME while medicated.
If I can hit a sweet spot and just medicate for a short time for long enough to build up my strength and rest, but not so long that I've lost touch or become dependant (mentally or physically) then I usually come out the other side better for having taken them. If I go too long, I become a zombie and risk addiction, withdrawal, etc. and if I go to short, then I am back to being in an intolerable state of exhaustion and pain almost immediately.
The thing is, this is the same cycle I go through emotionally. If I find myself "in a bad way" and I ignore it and let it go too long, it's a rough process to recover and it's really hard finding that sweet spot between "taking a break" and sinking into a dark, dangerous depression where I stop caring about anything.
I know life is all about balance, but I sure am not good at it.
Replies
Try the TENS unit.. It worked for me. Hugs
I hear you loud and clear sista on this one. I was a health advert for no drugs, the fruits of regular meditation, herbs, fitness, veganism and the like.. yada..(she says yawning).
As far as the pain and being unwell, I used to do what you do and then I got to the point of not having the choice (well there\'s always a choice but I mean where the pain got too intolerable to bare for an hour let alone all day (s))
The more I spoke with the specialists, the more they told me how my bouts of pain I was putting up with and the yo yo routine were doing more harm than good. The body was in it a high state of stress and inflammation at these times trying to cope with all the pain and exhaustion. After my own research, i found this IS the case..all the pain research shows much damage occurring when we ignore pain and try and tough it out with out meds.
Having said that, the meds do bring a litany of issues.
Dealing with this stuff certainly changes you to the core on every level as does Not dealing with it.
It\'s a bastard of a dilemma that tests you at every turn.
Chin up buttercup!
My friends 10 year old is a cancer survivor who suffers from neuropathy and has spent weeks hospitalized to manage the pain.
Her mother was guided towards organic gluten free diet with daily carrot applejuice made fresh. The improvements began within days. She has not had a severe pain episode in almost 7 months. Even her GVHD (graft vs host disease) skin rash cleared up.
If you are going to try this give it a few weeks of 100% before deciding if it works or not.
I suffer from back spsms that have been around since I\'m 18. They used to happen a couple times a year and last about 2 days. I\'ve been through many medications. Eventually the frequency and intensity increased ad well as how long they stuck around.
Last year I was prescribed zanaflex which has been my life saver. Its not narcotic. I initially had to be on it 3 times a day to give me peace. They knock Mor out so no functioning. For days I had to function I took percoset.
Once the spasms were gone I went on maintainance. Once a week maybe twice, I take one at bedtime If I feel a twinge of pain.
I don\'t know if youve tried either approach but I thought I would share.
Sorry yoy are dealing with so much pain. Di you have medical answers to it?
Sending some cyber (((hugs)))
I had to cancel my MRI when my daughter was missing. It\'s rescheduled for Thursday, but who knows if I\'ll find any answers.
I went gluten free for months after having my gallbladder removed thinking it was the cause of my gut issues. No improvement on any front - turns out gallbladders actually serve more of a function than the surgeon lead me to believe.
I wonder how zanaflex compares to flexeril? Would be nice to just figure out and fix whatever is wrong.
I take flexeril two or three times a year when my fibromyalgia acts up. Since the new year I\'ve been practicing yoga more often and haven\'t had a bout of FM since. It seems to be keeping me hovering in that sweet spot, and helps a lot mentally/emotionally as well as physically. And you don\'t have to be super flexible to start. I think it\'s intimidating to some people, but you just start wherever you are and flexibility improves from there.
Until I had a disc removed I was into hiking and yoga and backpacking and all the good-for-you exercise that feels good without the bonus of a \"runners high\" which I have never had, even when running 1-5 miles 5 times a week. I\'m told others with FMS have the same issue, so I\'ve mainly stayed with \"pleasant for its own sake\" exercise.
I should get back in the habit. Backpacking is def out, and I\'ve been scared to get back into yoga without guidance, but I could at least start back up with hiking again. I wish we weren\'t in such a rural area or I might be able to get into a \"gentle yoga\" class.