Chronic Pain Management Support Group

[hollyquaiscer]

Well as expected the x-rays show my condition is worsening, however I am still better than many.
My medication has been increased and I go back sooner for follow up.
Thanks to all for your prayers.

I am glad to hear that your pain meds were increased. If we can move around with less pain, it makes us feel more alive! I was going to say makes us feel like a spring chicken, but I haven't felt like that in over 20 years, not sure about the rest of you.

[Lynn49]

Thank you, Gameprogirl, Skippy, Holly...I guess what I have is emotional pain (along with all the other physical ones I have! ....her hubby picked up the walker that my late Mom used...we both did a little crying, he and I....it was never supposed to happen like this. We said we'd be friends until we needed name-tags for each other!
And now they're thinking of moving to Toronto to be with their two daughters.....I hate that I may not be with her through this...no one knows her better than I do (okay, maybe her daughters...), or can make her laugh, or remember old times...Ah. Enough of me...it's not about me, is it?!
So my sleeping pills are finally working so it's off to bed (should have gone earlier..now I'm really zonked!)...Blessings to you all...I will keep you all in my prayers tonight...Lynn

[gameprogirl]

I called for my test results done 3 weeks ago, my blood and urine tests have not come back for some odd reason. This has never happened, usually they come back within 7 days, really concerned.
I've been getting chest pains off and on over the past month and my heartbeat is over 100 at rest. Being sick and not knowing all the causes is making me worry a lot. My doctor said not to worry about the chest pains, he says its probably stress (says it shouldnt be heart related since I'm only 32) but I'm a smoker and my father has heart disease.......

I need to quit smoking so bad, but I dont have any willpower. I got so much stress right now that I dont really know what to do anymore. I feel much older.......

All my friends are enjoying their careers, married life and kids. I feel very left out. I dont get much enjoyment from anything right now, even stuff that I should look forward to, I dread.

My doctor has been giving me the run around, and has been for a while. He pretty much says nothing is wrong because I'm 32, boy was he suprised when the specialist told him I have a bunch of things wrong with me. Its almost like my doctor believes I'm a hypochondriac, which I am not.

I was never worried about my health until I couldn't function or hold a job anymore. Most of you seem to suffer so bad but yet have a smile or joy still. I just feel drained and empty all the time. Like a shell of who I once was.

I am sick of being sick. Tired of being tired.
Sorry guys, just needed to vent.

[hollyquaiscer]

You know what, I have learned that the more we let our Dr's let us feel like we are hypocondriacs, the less faith we have in them. If you don't trust your doctor, always, always ask for a referral to a specialist. I find generaly that a GP is not schooled more than 10 hours in the field of pain (this is a fact), and hence, have no further answers if they don't physically see a cut. If you go in with your hand in a bag and say Doc, I cut my arm off, he will be able to help you, thats about it. I went through an internalist, my Rhuematologist, a pain specialist, am GP, a Phyciatrist (that when my GP thought it was all in my head), my oncologist and to many more I can't even remember. When everything is said and done, your GP can give you your pain meds, but you will need a specialist for everything else.

Pain and depression go hand in hand, so if you have not spoken to either your GP or a pain specialist (and I suppose a phyciatrist) about depression, perhaps you should. Don't be ashamed. The phyciatrist I was sent to years ago (for disability insurance through the school board I worked for) told me that I was depressed due to the amount of pain I suffer from the various issues I have. She prescribed an antidepresant that I have been on for years now. Perhaps you should look into this.

I feel bad for you and all I can do is offer you a shoulder to lean on, a kind word to let you know that I totally understand where you are coming from and tell you to keep your chin up. Tomorrow the sun will shine, and when you think you are down for the count, remember that your are alive, you have people that love you, and you will make it through today. We can only take it one day at a time.

[walkonby]

Oh boy, am I ever glad I read back a few posts before commenting.
I have had the blues " pain wise " for quite a while, but I struggle through each work day, taking my traditional meds, extra doses of the unconventional one ( laughter ) and hope and pray for a better tomorrow.
I am so very very fortunate. I signed up to sc in July 2010, but it wasn't until after Christmas I got the nerve to really say hello.

Since then I have had various health issues, but I feel grateful to have found a place where I feel safe to say " hey I feel crappy today ! " and many others lift me up.
That kind of encouragement, along with personal testimonies, off colour jokes, and many many Google Images to enhance the message is why I plan to hang around.

sc seems to be good for what ails ya.

Here's to hoping that the pain each and every one of you have endured and are still suffering with hourly, daily, or weekly will somehow serve a purpose. I know it opened my eyes and certainly made me feel grateful instead of self pity, so thank you all so much for that.


Hugs and healing kisses to all chronic pain sufferers!

[gameprogirl]

Thank you guys, I tried to rep you both but they wont allow me to yet LOL
Trying to stay positive is pretty hard but I haven't given up trying. Seeing the specialist tomm. Hopefully he can answer some more questions I have since I starting writing a list LOL

TY kindly everyone for your support!

[hollyquaiscer]

Are you in rep jail too I was there for 24hours, didn't like it so much They let me out for good behavoir

[gameprogirl]

Yep in rep jail for sure lol

**UPDATE**

Specialist appt did not go well just like I thought.
I have some blood disorder that causes clotting and really thick blood, super high cholesterol, thyroid problem and I'm expected to have a heart attack within 5-7 yrs. I'll be 37-39 yrs old if my life dont change quick.

They told me my blood showed I had the same amount of nutrients as a starving person and I'm lacking everything.

My husband cried when I got home and told him. It's been a bad day.

I dont even know how to proceed anymore.

This on top of my liver issues, pancreas issues and IBS, IBD and crohns

[hollyquaiscer]

Not the news I wanted to hear. I am so very sorry for all you and your dh are going through right now. Did the specialist give you any specific diet to go on? Any vitamins you should be taking? Anything to help lower your Cholesterol levels??? Anything?

I find sometimes that if we don't ask questions, they never give us the answers we need and are seeking. Are they going to put you on cumidon or any other type of blood thiner. I guess it is pretty touchy with your liver and all, but there has to be things that can help. Your energy level must be extremely low if you are not getting any nutrients in your body, and believe me, I know all about that as I have some of these issues as well.

One thing I can tell you, you will not have a heart attack in 5 to 7 years, not if you can help it. You MUST fight back, life is worth living and no matter what gets thrown at us, we need to deal with it by getting all the info you can and pushing any Dr. you can until you are getting the treatment that you believe is best for you. You are in control of your treatment so don't just sit there girl, get up and make them give you the very best of treatment. You deserve it. I know it's tough, and there are many days we don't want to get out of bed due to the pain, but life is worth living. I am praying for you, and I know that you will be strong. I am hear if you need to talk.

[Skippy]

Much grace and peace to all who suffer.

[gameprogirl]

TY holly,

I've been kinda flip flopping between sheer depression and positivity. One minute I feel determined and the next I'm crying. Its a very confusing thing. I'm on 7 prescriptions so far, I am quitting smoking Monday with my DH and 3 weeks ago I cut all fat, sugar and most salt from my diet.

My doc told me to eat a huge bowl of cheerios every morning with a yogurt and some fruit to help lower my cholesterol, drink only water and ensure, no red meat, no dairy (cheese), no wheat or gluten. I'm on a diet called the DASH diet but slightly modified because of my lactose intolerant and my other illnesses.

I'm not much overweight so its weird why I have all these issues, some I guess are hereditary and some are from smoking. I'm 32 and have technically smoked my whole life since both parents and all my older siblings smoked (7 people in one house) and I started smoking at 11. My dad had his first heart attack at 42.

My son does not smoke and is a very positive influence on me to quit. I want to turn this thing around, its hard tho. I'm sad a lot and my hormones are crazy cuz of the illness so sometimes I drag my butt around.

I will PM you sometime to chat since we are all in a similar boat and its really heartwarming to have people to share this trouble with and support me and vice versa. You all really lift my spirits. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

[Valiant]

Heart issues are very serious, I know; my doc diagnosed me with HBP and angina and artery clogs about 9 yrs. ago. Non-smoker, but still had lots of medical issues and as well, not eating properly.
Well, it cause me to change my ways for the better, so I could be around for my kids and live a normal life span. I went on the blood pressure pills for 2 yrs. and that helped, 81mg low-dose aspirin for the pain every day helped too, but the biggest thing was changing my diet. I cut out the fat, sugar and salt quite a bit, and my heart started healing. Then I added apple cider vinegar drinks to my daily routine and my arteries started healing. Later on, I added 1/2 glass of Welch's grapejuice to my supper meal, and my heart has been doing as good as it can ever since. I just can't exercise due to my crippling illness, it causes edema, but I've been losing weight and all because of these changes. The biggest changes occurred during the first 2 years. I also did some research about how the heart works, and what is happening when it's under strain from smoking or poor diet, and that really helped me to understand what I had to do. Then I got a hold of some menu charts for heart-healthy eating, and found out what I should be eating, and not eating. Portion control is important, and what kind of foods that are used for snacking.
It was kind of a revolution in my kitchen, but well worth it, as I gradually changed my lifestyle, and brought my health under control. It was rewarding to see the EKG's change from all those ragged mountains & crevasses to a more stable heartrate pattern.

After 2 years, I was much better, and then one of my sons was tragically killed. I would not have lived through it if my heart hadn't been healthier than previously. Three years later, I got the flu shot reaction and the polio symptoms set in, and weakened my heart further; and I wouldn't have lived through that either if I hadn't kept taking care of my heart and health as much as possible.

You've had warning about what to do, so do it, for your sake and for the sake of your loved ones. Life has a way of happening, and we need to do all we can to be as able as possible to meet its challenges.
Take care.

[Skippy]

Everyone is different,yet we all suffer the same.
This whole changing of the seasons is hard on the whole being too.
I'm glad today is nearly over and hope for a better day tomorrow for all.

[Andit]

Sorry to hear everyone's dealing with pain issues.

This was day 2 of 3 days of a non-stop music festival. One more day to go, then I spend next week recovering. Good thing the adrenaline is still flowing.

[hollyquaiscer]

Today is not a good day, was very busy all weekend. I had to pull out on of my cane's to use as my knees are starting to buckle, happens every winter. I had to take a donatation of personal products to the Aventa House this morning, and although it did my heart a world of good, my body is telling me thats enough. I hate it when the body starts to tell me it's time to slow down, cause I don't want to. I want to keep helping others and enjoying the happiness it brings. I think for the month of November I am going to try and scale back my activities, as much as I hate too.

I hope everyone that is in pain today can receive some relief, even if it is just from a warm bath and soothing scents. Gentle ((hugs)) to all.