Do you live with chronic pain? [Archive] - Big Big Forums - Coupons, Freebies, Deals & Discounts

MsTerious

09-27-2002, 03:42 PM

Originally posted by angelinwaiting
Welcome to BBS naughty....:D

This is a good topic....My hubby has a lot of joint pain and has so far, found nothing that helps him....Hopefully someone here will have the remedy that will help him....

{{{{{{{naughty}}}}}}}

Awww, thanks for the hug {{{{hugs u back}}} I guess it would be appropriate to share my story with you. It's a long one, so I'll post bits and pieces of it. I have pain literally from my head to my toes. I'm recuperating from knee surgery, which I had done a month ago. My other leg was done in March. I have a congenital deformity (thankfully not obvious. The bones aren't aligned or even shaped properly. I also have a bad lower back. I sprained it about a year ago and since I'm walking differently, it's giving me a lot of trouble. Working my way up, we come to my neck. I have a lot of damage in my neck from 2 car accidents. I also have a congenital fusion at 3-4. So there's a bit of my story. Like I said, I'll share more as we go along.

bears984

09-27-2002, 03:42 PM

I have lived with chronic pain for 3 years now. I hurneated my L5 disk. I have found that some days are better then others and excersie helps a little don't sit around and wait for the pain to go away it never will LOL. Pain med's are not always the best thing for you. Heat helps alot and sometimes cool soaks help. crying never helps but I do alot of that sometimes too.

MsTerious

09-27-2002, 03:47 PM

Originally posted by Kelsey1224
Yes...and no...

I have two herniated disk's and spent many months in constant, chronic pain.

I finally got a doctor who took it seriously and ordered an MRI. Now, with a regimen of pain medication and regular chiropractic care, my pain is managed.

That's awesome Kelsey! It's good to hear that there is hope for some people. For those of us who haven't had luck, it sure does give us hope.

MsTerious

09-27-2002, 03:50 PM

Originally posted by bears984
I have lived with chronic pain for 3 years now. I hurneated my L5 disk. I have found that some days are better then others and excersie helps a little don't sit around and wait for the pain to go away it never will LOL. Pain med's are not always the best thing for you. Heat helps alot and sometimes cool soaks help. crying never helps but I do alot of that sometimes too.

I have to disagree with you about crying. I think that it's perfectly healthy to cry when you hurt. It does help, because it releases the aggrevation and stress that's built up inside of you. So cry, cry whenever you want and as often as you need.

Kelsey1224

09-27-2002, 03:52 PM

Yes...the doctor told me that if this didn't work, then my only alternative would be surgery...not a fine option.

I am fortunate as I have good insurance which covers 30 chiropractic visits a year. I go every 3 weeks for an adjustment and more often if needed.

Just recently I was in absolute agony and went to my chiropractor three weeks in a row. That did the trick and I am back on my regular track.

I had also suffered from a chronic headache for almost 20 years. Not that it was always agony...just always there. The chiropractic treatments got rid of that as well.

As you can see, I am a great fan of chiropractic. However, you do have to find the right doctor as there are many questionable chiropractors out there.

MsTerious

09-27-2002, 03:55 PM

You may not be aware of this, but caffiene exasperates pain. So those of you who rely on your coffee to keep you awake, you're also worsening the pain. Figures, doesn't it?

MsTerious

09-27-2002, 03:58 PM

Originally posted by Kelsey1224
Yes...the doctor told me that if this didn't work, then my only alternative would be surgery...not a fine option.

I am fortunate as I have good insurance which covers 30 chiropractic visits a year. I go every 3 weeks for an adjustment and more often if needed.

Just recently I was in absolute agony and went to my chiropractor three weeks in a row. That did the trick and I am back on my regular track.

I had also suffered from a chronic headache for almost 20 years. Not that it was always agony...just always there. The chiropractic treatments got rid of that as well.

As you can see, I am a great fan of chiropractic. However, you do have to find the right doctor as there are many questionable chiropractors out there.

Kelsey, that's wonderful! I couldn't be happier for you.

Gia

09-27-2002, 04:04 PM

Hi {{{{{Naughty}}}}}~and welcome to BBS~
I suffer from Chronic Pelvic Pain and have since 1994~:(
I had a total of 13 surgeries (related to this pain)starting in Jan 1994~finally resulting in a complete hysterectomy at the age of 27 in Nov 1997 :( :(
After all of this I still suffer....lately more often than not :rolleyes: I am currently awaiting an appt with a Specialist about an hour away and am praying with all my might to find some relief~pain meds do NOT seem to work so well for me~I do , however, find a bit of relief from my Chiropractor and from PT~I continue to take my meds when necessary though.. otherwise I would not be able to function or get any amount of sleep at night~which lately isnt too much anyway :(...sorry to whine but its been a REALLY hard week for me~ Thanks for listening (reading ;))I hope next week is better~not just for me but for all of us who suffer from Chronic Pain.....Great idea for a support thread and it is so very nice to meet you :)

P.S. I cry ALOT :(

bears984

09-27-2002, 04:07 PM

I went to 30 chiropractic treatments back 3 years ago it helped up until the last 2 apptments when I had a wreak and everything go worse again My doctor said that he could do surgery but that I would still have pain well NO THANK YOU!! And yes I cry alot when it hurts

2muchprincess

09-27-2002, 04:09 PM

delete

MsTerious

09-27-2002, 04:16 PM

Originally posted by Gia30
Hi {{{{{Naughty}}}}}~and welcome to BBS~
I suffer from Chronic Pelvic Pain and have since 1994~:(
I had a total of 13 surgeries (related to this pain)starting in Jan 1994~finally resulting in a complete hysterectomy at the age of 27 in Nov 1997 :( :(
After all of this I still suffer....lately more often than not :rolleyes: I am currently awaiting an appt with a Specialist about an hour away and am praying with all my might to find some relief~pain meds do NOT seem to work so well for me~I do , however, find a bit of relief from my Chiropractor and from PT~I continue to take my meds when necessary though.. otherwise I would not be able to function or get any amount of sleep at night~which lately isnt too much anyway :(...sorry to whine but its been a REALLY hard week for me~ Thanks for listening (reading ;))I hope next week is better~not just for me but for all of us who suffer from Chronic Pain.....Great idea for a support thread and it is so very nice to meet you :)

P.S. I cry ALOT :(

It's very nice to meet you too Gia. Please, there is only one rule in this thread. That rule is, no apologizing for whining, *****ing, or complaining. That is what this thread is for, so whine all you want. You're finally amongst people who understand what it is to have pain. I have a huge problem with pain meds. A former doctor had me so overdosed on narcotics (oxycontin, methadone, morphine) that now nothing works. I'm also allergic to non steroidal anti-inflammatories (nsaids) which is a huge problem for me. Especially now, while I'm recuperating from surgery. Anyway Gia, chin up darlin, things can always be worse. :)

scifiwoman

09-27-2002, 07:24 PM

I am in constant pain. I have degenerative discs in my back, nerve damage in my left arm and have migranes frequently. Pain pills do not help me. And I have no insurance so chiropractic drs are out. I have tried everything and nothing seems to help. Some days are better than others but they seem to be getting worse lately. The only alternative Im told is fusion of the discs in my back. Which I delfinately want to avoid. I cant do the things I used to do and most of my real life friends have deserted me because of that fact. And I cant work because of the injuries and I cant get disability. So Im screwed all the way round. Ok, guess Im though now..next.. :D

denisemm

09-27-2002, 07:34 PM

Ok... I have been dealing with headaches for over a year now. Trying to find a doctor who took me seriously took a long time, most were basically like "so, you have a headache?". It comes on daily, and sometimes get so bad I can't function at all. So, I went to a doctor who still just said he thinks they are headaches, but decided I should go to a neurologist. I went to the neurologist, and he thinks that at least part of the problem is all the advil, tylenol, aleve type stuff I've been taking for the headaches. So I was getting daily rebound headaches. (every other doctor I saw just told me to take advil or tylenol, I was up to 1600 mg of advil and/or 2000 mg tylenol daily, sometimes on or the other, sometimes both) And the phases of it being almost unbearable (that last about 2-3 weeks at a time) are cluster migraines. So, I had to completely stop taking everything. He gave me 2 rx's, one to take daily for a month (to help while I quit all the others), and Maxalt, for migraines. The Maxalt sort of helps. Now I am waiting for an MRI (which has been a big PITA between the neuro's office, the medical imaging place, and my insurance, trying to get the appointment), to see if there is anything else going on. The main problem is in the back of my head, at the base/right at the top of my neck area. Its unusually bumpy, but no one seems to think that's an issue. I'm hoping the MRI will go down far enough to check that area and make sure nothing is going on there. So this has been going on for over a year now. I just want to be normal!!!!!!! It gets so dam frustrating sometimes, to have a constant headache, and no one takes it seriously.

On another note, I have tried marijuana a couple times, and that seriously helps. There has been no other medication I have taken for these headaches that has helped like it does, and that includes LorTab & Vicodin.

I wish everyone the best.

midniteblu2

09-27-2002, 07:38 PM

WELCOME!

I have been in constant pelvic pain for 2 years. To help with the pain I try to walk at least 1 mile a day on my treadmill. I also take a long, hot bubblebath afterwards. Most times I am able to control the pain by using Motrin & heating pads. When the pain is at it's worse, then I take Vicadin or Percodan.

DeeTee

09-27-2002, 07:47 PM

Thank you for starting this thread. I suffer chronic pain from trigeminal neuralgia, so I have constant face pain. Also suffer from daily headaches. Have had the MRIs, dental work, acupuncture, etc. My dr. is finally referring me to a Pain Clinic. I sometimes sit and cry too. I just want to feel better!!! I currently take Neurontin, which lessens the pain by making it numb, but at the same time, makes all the nerves in my body somewhat numb, making it difficult to function. I'm thankful for medical insurance, but even the co-pays get expensive. I'm also VERY thankful for paid sick leave at work (I've saved up my sick leave for a long time, so I am able to be paid when I am off).

MsTerious

09-27-2002, 08:11 PM

Originally posted by scifiwoman
I am in constant pain. I have degenerative discs in my back, nerve damage in my left arm and have migranes frequently. Pain pills do not help me. And I have no insurance so chiropractic drs are out. I have tried everything and nothing seems to help. Some days are better than others but they seem to be getting worse lately. The only alternative Im told is fusion of the discs in my back. Which I delfinately want to avoid. I cant do the things I used to do and most of my real life friends have deserted me because of that fact. And I cant work because of the injuries and I cant get disability. So Im screwed all the way round. Ok, guess Im though now..next.. :D

Ya know, nothing works better for pain then good old fashion marijuana. I totally hear you regarding being deserted by friends. If you can't work, why can't you get disability? I'm on disability, but it took 9 months to get approved.

MsTerious

09-27-2002, 08:14 PM

BTW, I STARTED THIS THREAD WITH THE NAME 'NAUGHTY' I FINALLY GOT MY NAME CHANGE! ;)

MsTerious

09-27-2002, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by denisemm
Ok... I have been dealing with headaches for over a year now. Trying to find a doctor who took me seriously took a long time, most were basically like "so, you have a headache?". It comes on daily, and sometimes get so bad I can't function at all. So, I went to a doctor who still just said he thinks they are headaches, but decided I should go to a neurologist. I went to the neurologist, and he thinks that at least part of the problem is all the advil, tylenol, aleve type stuff I've been taking for the headaches. So I was getting daily rebound headaches. (every other doctor I saw just told me to take advil or tylenol, I was up to 1600 mg of advil and/or 2000 mg tylenol daily, sometimes on or the other, sometimes both) And the phases of it being almost unbearable (that last about 2-3 weeks at a time) are cluster migraines. So, I had to completely stop taking everything. He gave me 2 rx's, one to take daily for a month (to help while I quit all the others), and Maxalt, for migraines. The Maxalt sort of helps. Now I am waiting for an MRI (which has been a big PITA between the neuro's office, the medical imaging place, and my insurance, trying to get the appointment), to see if there is anything else going on. The main problem is in the back of my head, at the base/right at the top of my neck area. Its unusually bumpy, but no one seems to think that's an issue. I'm hoping the MRI will go down far enough to check that area and make sure nothing is going on there. So this has been going on for over a year now. I just want to be normal!!!!!!! It gets so dam frustrating sometimes, to have a constant headache, and no one takes it seriously.

On another note, I have tried marijuana a couple times, and that seriously helps. There has been no other medication I have taken for these headaches that has helped like it does, and that includes LorTab & Vicodin.

I wish everyone the best.

I've taken maxalt for my migraines and not only did it always work, but it always worked within a half hour. Unfortunately, I can't use it anymore because I have high blood pressure now. Promise me that you'll keep on top of this! I don't want to scare you, but I have an aunt who had a story similar to yours and it turned out that she had a brain tumor. It was removed, and she's fine now. I'm sorry if this does scare you, but please, just don't give up!

MsTerious

09-27-2002, 08:28 PM

Hi midniteblu, thanks for the welcome. Thank goodness for bubble baths!!! I'm glad that you can get some relief without drugging yourself. Do whatever it takes for you to feel better.

DeeTee, I'm taking high doses of neurontin too, but I don't have the same side effect that you're having. Be careful when you go to the pain clinic because I was overdosed on narcotics by a pain specialist. Now nothing works for me. And you are very welcome for the thread. :)

callsheb

09-27-2002, 10:08 PM

hi i have fibro and arthritis so i have joint pain and muscle pain and now they have found some kind of tumor in my 3rd vertabre i go monday for a mri for the tumor but for the other i was always told there was nothing wrong with me so they said i had chronic pain disorder like i was a nut or something. Till i found the best doctor who told me what i had so now we are doing low doses of meds to try and control the pain if by the next time i see her it is no better she ups the dose but as far as being on pain meds i am on flexaril at night only and a pain med if needed some days are worse than others and if the weather changes it is worse my left hand has floating spurs in it and it is starting to detorate we have no insurance and have been waiting since july 1st for medicaid to see if i can get on that we have a letter from one doctor who says with the pain i can not work and the other is in the process of writing one up but we still have not heard anything 1st of all the hosiptal records dept sent records from 10 years ago and now we are waiting again so monday when i go for a mri i am going to go give my peace of mind. I find that a hot shower does wonders but right now i am in pain sometimes from my back i cant even sleep in bed i sleep in a recliner chair sometimes that is the only way to sleep plus with the fibro i find i am so tired i cant sleep and go to bed then i am awake for hours so unless i take my meds i cant sleep sometimes but i dont like that being so tired in the morning you feel like you have not slept all night so i dont take it as much as i should.

Nascat48

09-27-2002, 10:11 PM

First I would like to say welcome. And second I want to apologize ahead of time for my post being lengthy.

I too live in just about constant pelvic and back pain. I will try to explain without going too much into detail and boring everybody! :-) I was almost killed in a car accident in May of 1999 in which I broke my hips in 5 different places, broke the wings off my bottom 2 vertebrae, had a lacerated spleen, 2 broken ribs, a split kidney, alot of bruising and other minor injuries. They said I did not need surgery on my hips that they would pretty much heal up on their own. WELL....no surgery...BUT...they did not heal right...the bones never fused back together properly. I had to learn to walk all over again and was told that I would not be able to and was advised against having children due to the injuries that my hips sustained. Well needless to say 8 months later I found out I was pregnant. I was on bed rest most of my pregnancy beacause I was unable to handle very well the weight of the baby on my hips. I was scheduled for a c-section foir all obvious reasons and for some crazy reason they wanted me to try a vaginal delivery. Unable to they performed an emergancy c-section anyways and in the process one of my bones on the front left side of my hips popped back out of alignment. Went back to the doctor...said nothing he could really do but put me on pain killers. WELL....8 months later I found out I was pregnant once again and had to go through this ordeal all over again except this time The weight of the baby had really taken its toll.... To this day whenever I walk the bones on the left side of my hips grind and rub. I have been on the morphine patch, percocet and vicodan ever since my accident and yet I am still in pain. I cry in pain whenever I stand too long, bend the wrong way, sit awkwardly, sit too long or even pick up my kids. Arthritis has started to kick in already and the weather takes its toll and I have yet to find an allieviator for my pain. I have tried home remedies, meditation, acupuncture(sp) and massage therapy and nothing. Might I add that I am only 25 years old!!!!
And I did actually go into too much detail didnt I??? :-) SORRY!!! But if you are reading this now I want to thank you for enduring the boredom and making it through the end of my post! :D

denisemm

09-28-2002, 03:01 AM

Originally posted by MsTerious
Ya know, nothing works better for pain then good old fashion marijuana. [/B]

That's what I'm saying! ;) LOL!

And I am staying on top of it, I've spent the last 3 days calling the insurance company, the neuro, and the med. imaging place, and if I don't have an answer Monday, I'm gonna start kicking some @ss! I'm starting to wonder now, because they told me he wants a brain scan, and I wonder how far down that will go, since the strange bumpiness (which is new- noticed after the headaches started) is at the top of my neck & it seems its more neck than head, but I could be wrong, but I really think it has something to do with what's going on. I could be wrong, but either way, I think strange, new bumpiness should be checked out. WHen I asked the neurologist about it, he did't look or feel, he just said something about muscles & that he gets it too. I figured at that point he had already said he was sending me for an MRI, so that would show it if its something, but now I'm wondering if it will go that low, since he just wants the brain scan. I'm gonna ask the MRI people if they will go that low either way, and if they won't, its back to the dr. for me & I will not leave until he at least does an x-ray or something. SOMETHING WILL BE DONE!!!!! Now I see why so many people form here go other places for medical care... places where doctors listen. I'm going to start kicking and screaming soon if I don't get any answers, and I'm sure you all will hear me. This just isn't right!!

and HUGE HUgs to Nascat48!! (((((((Nascat48)))))))

MsTerious

09-28-2002, 07:53 AM

Originally posted by Nascat48
First I would like to say welcome. And second I want to apologize ahead of time for my post being lengthy.

I too live in just about constant pelvic and back pain. I will try to explain without going too much into detail and boring everybody! :-) I was almost killed in a car accident in May of 1999 in which I broke my hips in 5 different places, broke the wings off my bottom 2 vertebrae, had a lacerated spleen, 2 broken ribs, a split kidney, alot of bruising and other minor injuries. They said I did not need surgery on my hips that they would pretty much heal up on their own. WELL....no surgery...BUT...they did not heal right...the bones never fused back together properly. I had to learn to walk all over again and was told that I would not be able to and was advised against having children due to the injuries that my hips sustained. Well needless to say 8 months later I found out I was pregnant. I was on bed rest most of my pregnancy beacause I was unable to handle very well the weight of the baby on my hips. I was scheduled for a c-section foir all obvious reasons and for some crazy reason they wanted me to try a vaginal delivery. Unable to they performed an emergancy c-section anyways and in the process one of my bones on the front left side of my hips popped back out of alignment. Went back to the doctor...said nothing he could really do but put me on pain killers. WELL....8 months later I found out I was pregnant once again and had to go through this ordeal all over again except this time The weight of the baby had really taken its toll.... To this day whenever I walk the bones on the left side of my hips grind and rub. I have been on the morphine patch, percocet and vicodan ever since my accident and yet I am still in pain. I cry in pain whenever I stand too long, bend the wrong way, sit awkwardly, sit too long or even pick up my kids. Arthritis has started to kick in already and the weather takes its toll and I have yet to find an allieviator for my pain. I have tried home remedies, meditation, acupuncture(sp) and massage therapy and nothing. Might I add that I am only 25 years old!!!!
And I did actually go into too much detail didnt I??? :-) SORRY!!! But if you are reading this now I want to thank you for enduring the boredom and making it through the end of my post! :D

(((hugs))) Holy mother of God, I can't believe what you've gone thru and survived!!! You have as much empathy as I have in me. However, I hope you've learned how to use birth control. You knew what causes pregnancy, and if you were advised against it, you should have used birth control. How is life now? Are you able to play with the kids? Are they now suffering due to your health problems?

MsTerious

09-28-2002, 08:03 AM

Originally posted by denisemm

That's what I'm saying! ;) LOL!

And I am staying on top of it, I've spent the last 3 days calling the insurance company, the neuro, and the med. imaging place, and if I don't have an answer Monday, I'm gonna start kicking some @ss! I'm starting to wonder now, because they told me he wants a brain scan, and I wonder how far down that will go, since the strange bumpiness (which is new- noticed after the headaches started) is at the top of my neck & it seems its more neck than head, but I could be wrong, but I really think it has something to do with what's going on. I could be wrong, but either way, I think strange, new bumpiness should be checked out. WHen I asked the neurologist about it, he did't look or feel, he just said something about muscles & that he gets it too. I figured at that point he had already said he was sending me for an MRI, so that would show it if its something, but now I'm wondering if it will go that low, since he just wants the brain scan. I'm gonna ask the MRI people if they will go that low either way, and if they won't, its back to the dr. for me & I will not leave until he at least does an x-ray or something. SOMETHING WILL BE DONE!!!!! Now I see why so many people form here go other places for medical care... places where doctors listen. I'm going to start kicking and screaming soon if I don't get any answers, and I'm sure you all will hear me. This just isn't right!!

and HUGE HUgs to Nascat48!! (((((((Nascat48)))))))

Well darlin, make sure you go get a second opinion from another doctor. The radiologists will NOT do anything that isn't specified by the doctor. I've tried asking that same question and the answer was no. It is possible that it's muscular, and it's also possible that it's referred pain. But if you're not happy with the way this doctor responds to you, find another doctor! You guys, you have to FIGHT for the treatment you deserve! IT'S YOUR BODY AND YOU'RE THE BOSS OF IT!!! Keep fighting!!!!

Nascat48

09-28-2002, 09:08 AM

Originally posted by MsTerious
(((hugs))) Holy mother of God, I can't believe what you've gone thru and survived!!! You have as much empathy as I have in me. However, I hope you've learned how to use birth control. You knew what causes pregnancy, and if you were advised against it, you should have used birth control. How is life now? Are you able to play with the kids? Are they now suffering due to your health problems?

I guess I should have added this in!....Due to the trauma I endured from the accident, my menstrual cycles stopped and I was not ovulating AND not to mention that most of the first year I was in way too much pain to even attempt to have any sexual activities at all. Undergone test after test and they wanted me to go on ortho-tricyclin (sp) to see if that would help bring my cycle back.....On using that birth control faithfully I was NEVER able to get my monthly back...SO not only was I on birth control faithfully and not even ovulating I somehow got pregnant anyway.....AND I was again faithfully taking the ortho when I got pregnant with my second. (they were meant to be is all I have to say!)

I can play with my kids who are 21 months and 7 months but I cant PLAY with them. I can do mild rough housing and general play but I cant get too strenuous. It is heart breaking to watch my husband and my oldest baby rolling around in the grass or 4wheeling across the mountain (I cant handle the bumps). My kids really arent suffering tho...I am able to do the day to day stuff and like I said I can play with them to an extent..For all vigorous activites my husband takes them and interacts with them. Maybe when they get older they will question my participation. But for now we take things day by day and enjoy every waking minute with our kids and each other. I am not sure if I will live in pain FOREVER BUT if this was my sacrifice for my 2 children then I will live in PAIN for a million years to come. I just wish I could find something to ease it a little bit.
I strongly believe that this was God's plan and I will not question it. (I was not a believer until the beginning of my ordeal but that would be another conversation completely)