Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

Posted by Kelsey Mohring @kelseydm, Apr 27, 2016

Welcome to the new Chronic Pain group.

I’m Kelsey and I’m the moderator of the group. I look forwarding to welcoming you and introducing you to other members. Feel free to browse the topics or start a new one.

Why not take a minute and introduce yourself.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

@gemmax

I suffered from a rare bactrial infection and two years later developed autoimmune syndrome with a variety of autoimmune illnesses showing up one after the other. The chronic pain began in the calves of my legs and has affected every part of my body since then; that has been about 23 years ago. As.time goes by it has become worse. With chronic fatigue a major problem. Although I walk when I am able to (about a mile and ½) it just makes me feel better for the day.My doctors encourage walking for pain relief. My pancreas was ruined by some of the meds that were used to try to help me so that i developed diabetes, which added a huge burden to my life. For years I searched, corresponded, called ,doctors all over the world trying to find help. About 10 years ago I just stopped trying and decided to attempt to have some sort of life as things are. I stick to a pretty restricted diet, leaving out these foods: pork, beef, shellfish, white bread, potatoes and rice and sugar. I eat oats, brown rice and some other grains, a lot of veggies and a moderate amount of fruit and poultry and fish; ail organic. I am a positive person who has remained so through most of it. My strengths are definitely my faith,my diet, my hobbies (writing, genealogy, photography.) It is my belief that focusing on the needs of others can really help. No matter how much others care about us, as tme goes by, many friends fall away. I think we can make them feel helpless. So hello, fellow traveler..may your journey become free from pain.

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@gemmax - Welcome to Connect. We are glad you found us. I want to thank you for sharing such a positive post. It sounds like you have found a good plan to help you with your health problems. I am a true believer in your message that focusing on the needs of others does really help. So, as they used to say when I was in the Navy eons ago...Welcome Aboard!

John

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@oregongirl

Galig......Hi there. I live in San Antonio. I moved from the Coast of Oregon. My house overlooked the Ocean and the Boat Harbor. Yes, I must be out of my mind Gave up my Free and Clear House with a view, Friends that I knew, and my Marijuana. I wanted to move near by son. I stayed in their guest house as long as I could stand it and then got my own apartment. I am living in an apartment that used to be Military housing in WWII. The remodeld the entire Track inside leaving the beautiful 40's and 50's look with REAL wood floors and a beautiful kitchen. In Oregon, I lived nearly 2 hours from the REAL doctors. As my RA got worse, I knew I would need a better doctor. My doctor had MD behind his name but???? I miss the beautiful weather but I have to say, I do love San Antonio and all the trees. I turned 76 this month. I truly love it here, but I felt more alive in Oregon and my wonderful trails in the woods. My dogs certainly miss that. Try to find the group that is working on legalizing MJ.

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@oregongirl Sounds like Brooking OR.We just moved there in September. Heath care is hit or miss, mostly miss and real docs are 2+ hours away in Medford.

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@gemmax

I suffered from a rare bactrial infection and two years later developed autoimmune syndrome with a variety of autoimmune illnesses showing up one after the other. The chronic pain began in the calves of my legs and has affected every part of my body since then; that has been about 23 years ago. As.time goes by it has become worse. With chronic fatigue a major problem. Although I walk when I am able to (about a mile and ½) it just makes me feel better for the day.My doctors encourage walking for pain relief. My pancreas was ruined by some of the meds that were used to try to help me so that i developed diabetes, which added a huge burden to my life. For years I searched, corresponded, called ,doctors all over the world trying to find help. About 10 years ago I just stopped trying and decided to attempt to have some sort of life as things are. I stick to a pretty restricted diet, leaving out these foods: pork, beef, shellfish, white bread, potatoes and rice and sugar. I eat oats, brown rice and some other grains, a lot of veggies and a moderate amount of fruit and poultry and fish; ail organic. I am a positive person who has remained so through most of it. My strengths are definitely my faith,my diet, my hobbies (writing, genealogy, photography.) It is my belief that focusing on the needs of others can really help. No matter how much others care about us, as tme goes by, many friends fall away. I think we can make them feel helpless. So hello, fellow traveler..may your journey become free from pain.

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THANK YOU

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Lucky you...marijuana available....you never have to use prescribed pills again. For most illness.

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@kristacat

Hello :). First time I’m using a chat for medical reasons. I feel quite desperate and thought I would see if I could tap into this community for help. I was recently diagnosed with hip bursitis. I’m only 42 and sometimes the pain is debilitating. It started on my outer thighs but months later is now more painful on the top of my pelvis bone (highest point) and the groin area which sometimes swells up. I have angioadema (my lower lip swells and I get a rash). I was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few years ago. I am fortunate that this condition flares up now and again and is not something that I suffer everyday. I do get very tired - I am finding it hard to stay awake during the day. To add to all this I have 7 uterine fibroids. And also restricted blood flow in both lower legs which can make standing still and flying very painful. Such a variety of conditions but I cannot figure out whether any of these could be related or am I just incredibly unlucky ???!!!! If anyone has any insights I would be very grateful. I am aware that I do have some IgG intolerances to certain foods and recently stopped eating dairy. tips on handling chronic pain and tiredness would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much

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Hello everyone. I don't intend to be intrusive with my post, but would just like to add that when tapering or altering medication doses, it is important to keep your medical provider and/or pharmacist in the loop as each of us reacts differently to medications and tapering off of them.

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Hi Kelsey, I have had pain issues since the eighties. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 1990. The pain was so bad I was frequently suicidal. I never came close to acting on it though because I couldn't hurt my children that way. The doctors would prescribe a muscle relaxer for use at night, but nothing worked during the day. Trammadol never touched the pain so I quit using it. Through the years I developed several damaged discs, and had three surgical procedures done. Now I also have Arthritis in all of my joints, IBS, Diverticulitis, and small amounts of Diabetic neuropathy. Believe me, I have tried everything they can throw at you, and the only things I have found that provide relief are as follows, for me: Low carb, grain free diet, Lyrica, Mobic, Mindfulness, Prayer, Gratitude, Faith, and helping others. Gratitude, faith, and being grain free are the most important. If I slip and consume grain products, the other things I mentioned will barely work, if at all. I don't know how many people with severe arthritis are affected by consuming grains. And it might not be the grains themselves, but what they are treated with before they get to our tables. I just haven't studied it enough. I also keep a fairly predictable schedule of sorts. I pace myself, and try not to overdo it. Water aerobics classes are awesome, especially with the sauna right after. I am so thankful for this group. I hope to learn a lot here!

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@mamasitalucita

You have reminded us that dealing with chronic pain is something that is all inclusive. You have shared a lot of helpful tools for dealing with pain. The tools you have described have been both physical, mental, spiritual and emotional. You have covered the whole gamut. This is very helpful to us all who deal with chronic pain.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa

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@mamacita

Hi Kelsey, I have had pain issues since the eighties. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 1990. The pain was so bad I was frequently suicidal. I never came close to acting on it though because I couldn't hurt my children that way. The doctors would prescribe a muscle relaxer for use at night, but nothing worked during the day. Trammadol never touched the pain so I quit using it. Through the years I developed several damaged discs, and had three surgical procedures done. Now I also have Arthritis in all of my joints, IBS, Diverticulitis, and small amounts of Diabetic neuropathy. Believe me, I have tried everything they can throw at you, and the only things I have found that provide relief are as follows, for me: Low carb, grain free diet, Lyrica, Mobic, Mindfulness, Prayer, Gratitude, Faith, and helping others. Gratitude, faith, and being grain free are the most important. If I slip and consume grain products, the other things I mentioned will barely work, if at all. I don't know how many people with severe arthritis are affected by consuming grains. And it might not be the grains themselves, but what they are treated with before they get to our tables. I just haven't studied it enough. I also keep a fairly predictable schedule of sorts. I pace myself, and try not to overdo it. Water aerobics classes are awesome, especially with the sauna right after. I am so thankful for this group. I hope to learn a lot here!

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@mamasitalucita I appreciate your honest and inspiring post so much. I have had so many autoimmune illnesses that sometimes i forget to list them all,! treatment for lung diseases(sarcoidosis-prednisone) ruined my pancreas and gave me diabetes on top of it all. It is so helpful that you have shared your ways of coping. I also ry to stay as active as possible and have a lot of interests, but it is my faith that has kept me going.I have made a vow to myself that I will practive kindness and empathy in every way that I can whenever and wherever it is needed. I truly love others and want to have my life, as difficult as it often is, to mean something. I try to stay positive and when I can;t zI take a break and cuddle up in my “nest” for restfor acouple of days. Be blessed!

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Your welcome message is really inviting so I thought I would introduce myself so you know a bit more about me. It's been very helpful emotionally having met others thru the community. My dagnoses include: Chronic pain syndrome , psoriatic arthritis, RA, sjogrens, Degenerative disc disease, latent tb, fibromyalgia, etc. I struggle with feeling so weak all the time. The posts here are very encouraging, thank you!

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Hi All!
The last couple of weeks have been unbelievable!
Last week I was walking with my hubby and i almost fell. He was able to catch me before I went down, but it was difficult to get my footing back. For sure, if he wasn't there, down I would have gone.
Then two days ago, we were walking out of the store. I felt myself going down and I grabbed my hubby the same time he grabbed me. Not only did I go down, but I took him down with me.
The next day he was sore, especially in his hip. Thank goodness his hip is not broken.
As for me, not only was I sore, but my headaches have returned and my neck is sore all over.
I go to the neurosurgeon in a week for my 12 week post-op check-up. Before I go, I'll have an x-ray to be sure everything is healed from my disc replacement surgery. I am worried I might have done some damage.
My PT therapist feels, by the way I walk, that the fall is due to my lower back issues. I tend to agree. She said it is time to use a walking device, a cane. So I -got one. I haven't felt any different walking, but I haven't fallen either. She also said no flip- flops type of sandals. She wants me to wear a closed shoe like I sneaker. I live in Florida and haven't worn closed anything in almost 4 years. But I have 1 pair of sneakers and just ordered 2 more.
This Tuesday I go to my pain doc for a shot in my lumbar spine. The last 2 have not helped my right side, which is where I get the most pain. I am trying one more time. If it does not work, I will be discussing alternatives with the neurosurgeon in 2 weeks.
I am certainly happy that neither of us have broken any bones, but I feel horrible about my hubby!!!!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

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