Chronic Pain Management Support Group

[Skippy]

For all those who suffer,sometimes in silence,sometimes not!

Perhaps we can share insights as to what does/does not work.

Allow one to vent,encourage and support oneanother.

Any takers?

[Angela273]

I'd be interested...

[dealsniffer]

I will definitely share what I can!

[dealsniffer]

when the pain gets sooo bad-I grab my mp3 player and listen to music and distract myself and it takes the pain level down a notch by distracting myself.

[Kitty77]

DealSniffer, good idea with the MP3 player, even playing on the computer must help out.
Think the hardest part of constant pain is not being able to do the simple things. On nice winter days, try to sit outside for just a few minutes, the fresh air & change of scenery helps.
Skippy, what are some of the ways you try to manage the constant pain?
Take care, Angela, Dealsniffer & Skippy!

[unkman]

go to a physiotherapist.they will give you a set of exercises to do.i do one of the excercises right in bed , so i can get out of bed without the excruciating pain that i used to get.

[Skippy]

DealSniffer, good idea with the MP3 player, even playing on the computer must help out.
Think the hardest part of constant pain is not being able to do the simple things. On nice winter days, try to sit outside for just a few minutes, the fresh air & change of scenery helps.
Skippy, what are some of the ways you try to manage the constant pain?
Take care, Angela, Dealsniffer & Skippy!

I try and walk everyday even if it is just a block or two,or I walk at the Shopping Centre which is great,especially during the winter.
My theory is if I don't walk,then I will seize up for good.That said,I'm still undecided,cuz sometimes it makes me better,and sometimes it makes me worse.Bottom line is I believe if I don't walk then I'll end up in a wheelchair.
DealSniffer's idea is right on,because if you can distract yourself from the pain,then it gives you some relief even for awhile.
I use a heating pad year round,but I swear by an oil called O24.
It's pricey(about $25.00) yet it is worth every cent.
Medication is something I don't really want to get into.
Take your blessings whenever you can get them,and take it one day at a time.

[YesI'mcheap]

Sorry to hear that everyone here is in pain too. I have some major health issuse and on top of that I woke up about a month ago with back/hip pain. The Er said pinched never after some major pain medication through IV. They are/were thing pinched never but now they "might" see a problem with my L5. All I can say is I the pain medication is not working. I was wondering if you guys ever used Naprox? Did it work for you? I have so many health issues and a 2 other medication it limits the pain meds they can put me on.

[Skippy]

Sorry to hear that everyone here is in pain too. I have some major health issuse and on top of that I woke up about a month ago with back/hip pain. The Er said pinched never after some major pain medication through IV. They are/were thing pinched never but now they "might" see a problem with my L5. All I can say is I the pain medication is not working. I was wondering if you guys ever used Naprox? Did it work for you? I have so many health issues and a 2 other medication it limits the pain meds they can put me on.

Never had it,so unable to comment.

[CentrallyCalm]

Hey all,

Not a group I would "LIKE" to be a member of, in the sense... I wish that suffers just didn't have to suffer.

I'm 36 and have severe arthritis in my back and a condition in my spine called sacralization of the lower lumbar. Basically, my lumbar fused itself to my tail bone, and continues to fuse. I have less flexibility than I used too, which is really frustrating.

I take pain medication every night at bed time, after years of grappling with "is it lack of faith in God to add medication to my life" to finally deciding that using the medication was the best thing for me personally to do, to finally getting a regime that works most of the time for me.

I am also an 'only' parent, which means that I am a single mom, but I don't have support of a dad for my son. (long story, but great topic for another type of thread!)

Some tips I have learned to live by:

1. Don't overdo it. Know limits, and stay well within it. If a friend needs help moving, cleaning, or whatever; remember that my family needs the same things and I have to be well for them first. Use common sense, and balance.

2. Taking the pain medication every day, once a day, keeps the level even in my system; whereas, taking it only as needed when the pain is really bad, takes way too long for the medication to build up to be impactful, it could take days of full does (3-4 doses per day) before I hit the level of pain management needed.

3. Walking. Skippy is right, sometimes it's great; well other times you wonder why you just went for that walk, because you may feel worse. But, to stop moving because it "may" hurt, is not good reason to give up on it altogether.

4. For my particular condition (other's may identify), when walking, can you hear what sounds like bones in your back grinding? Shorten up your stride, your steps are too big and the sound in your ears (like an echo of bones clicking together), should cease. (my chiropractor told me that years ago)

5. Sense of humor, besides being very serious when I have to be, I have a great sense of humor and try to find the lighter side of everything. For me, God is my rock and salvation, and humor is one of His many gifts that he gave me to cope with what I have to deal with here on earth.

6. Music (as mentioned by another member), is wonderful! I listen to Christian music on my MP3 player, and can easily fall asleep to it, when needed.

7. Migraine headache pain:that is another one that plagues my life at times of the year worse then others (low pressure systems are nuts for me). I try to reduce the noise level in the house, lay down, maybe take medication for it (I say maybe, because I don't want to overuse it because I am young, I don't want to run out pain treatment options, which I am comfortable with). Sometimes I put the MP3 player on really soft (I don't play it loud any how) and that reduces my focus to one noise, lay on my bed and eventually fall asleep. I often pray, and talk to God about what is going on.

I wish you all a pain free day!

Tracy
CentrallyCalm

[YesI'mcheap]

What is everones conditions? You don't have to say but I will so you can see where I'm coming from. Here they are in no order: Pituitary Gland tumour (Classified as a brain tumour), PCOS and bad insulin, Interstitial Cystitis, fibromyalgia and loss of peripheral vision. Most of these I got before I was 30. Nice Can't wait to 80.

[dealsniffer]

wow-centrallycalm gave some good tips! I find that humor is very important because it helps to make things seem less bad. When I am in a bad mood-everything seems that much worse and then I just spiral down. I am having to start walking again and it is difficult but it does help. YesI'mCheap-you have alot of stuff going on and I hope that you don't have to deal with more stuff. I have dealt with chronic pain most of my life and doctors are screwed up because I was told it was in my head but I knew something was wrong. I was finally diagnosed with Kyphosis in 2005 which I was born with. It is a disorder where the spine grows incorrectly and causes the spine to have a hump like appearance but this isnt caused by slouching. It causes several other problems as well as back pain which I didn't know were all connected. I had pain going through my legs which made it difficult to stand and by my diagnosis I was no longer able to stand for more than 30min. It caused breathing problems because of the shape of my back so I had asthma and digestive problems and on and on. All the things I was having problems with were connected to this one disorder. I had surgery in 2007 and complications and another surgery Aug 08 and still healing from that. If I didn't have the surgery I was going to end up in a wheel chair. So now I have to learn how to move with a fused spine and rods in my back. But the good thing is that now I am able to have a chance at a life I have never had. The only downside is that I haven't been allowed to use my arm and back muscles while I was healing till a few months ago and I litterally have little strength. Sorry if I am complaining. I was only 22 when I was diagnosed finally and haven't been able to work since 2004 due to the pain. The funny thing is that I almost feel bad that I get to get better when there are so many people that are stuck with their stuff for life. I am totally not better yet and still can't get out of the house because the pain is still pretty bad from muscle stuff but I am improving slowly. I have made it my goal to educate people so they catch this sooner so they can get treatment before they get to the point I did. I actually started a blog kind of chronicling my journey with this as well which has been helpful for me too.

[YesI'mcheap]

I Dealsniffer I understand what you are saying about the doctors telling you its all in your head. I first started having health issues at the age of 11, they told my mom it was growing pains. Morethen likely it was the start of my Pituitary Gland tumour. At 19 I when to see a doctor because my blood levels were "odd and weird" according to my GP. The Specialist said it was all in my head go see a shrink. I started to live with the problems, I let it go until my bladder start acting up. I have no bladder lining and 2 holes in it a point point and hold 200cc only. Then my life movie to the point that I counld not pretend that I was normal. At 24 I found out it could be a Pitiuarty gland tumour. Then the wait came to get to see a doctor. Which I did, but to bad she was an crappy overwork uncaring Doc. She order a CT scan and then told me my tumour was of no concern, she wrote it in a letter. Put me on meds that may being sick look like fun. In the end we head up moving to SK to find better health care. Which I have for the most part. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that people should not have to move to find decent health care and doctors that believe them.

[dealsniffer]

YesI'mCheap-is the tumor growing and is there anything that can be done? That is awful that you had to do so much just to get somewhat decent healthcare. Where did you live before Sk? Was it Alberta? lol You don't have to share more about your stuff if you don't want to and I apologize if I am prying or being nosey. If you ever need to talk-I am totally available! I am stuck at home most of the time and SC gives me somewhere to go to keep busy and out of trouble! lol So I have pretty much unlimited time to listen if you or anyone ever needs a listening ear or someone to talk with. I am completely serious-I have no problems with you pming me if you need to talk or vent or what ever. Plus then I feel more useful if I can be of help to someone!

[YesI'mcheap]

We lived in Manitoba (born and raised), then moved to Alberta and now SK, we may have to move back to Europe if I can get treatment here. . My tumour may have started to regrow, but we have to wait. The fun of Canadian Health care, I'm consider an urgent case, but I have wait 10 months to get in to the one Specialist. And in that 10 months I have had seizures and now hair loss. By no way with my tumour kill me it can be linked to reprouduct cancers and othe health issuses but they tumour it self just cause headachess, weight gain, hugh boobies and loose of vision. I know my tumour is small compared to someone with Cancer but at some point you have to ask why is so much attention and money given to Breast cancer over other things.