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.

@popeyegurl

Hello to Colleen and to all who share with me the frustration of dealing with chronic pain. If all I get is a bit of support from this forum, I will be happy. I HAVE gotten a bit more than that already by reading some of the stories on here. I am 64 years old and getting ready, on top of everything else, to deal with signing up for Medicare. I need to find someone to help me navigate that because of my healthcare needs. I live with chronic back, neck and knee pain that has gotten worse in the last few years. I also have rheumatoid arthritis and osteopenia. I have a wonderfully supportive husband but really worry that all of my ailments and lack of enthusiasm for doing things that we enjoy, are going to take a toll on our relationship. I have had to all but give up on things that I personally enjoy. Now with Covid complicating things, it seems like there is no end in sight. I still work full time and have a somewhat physically demanding job. But I need the exercise it provides as well as the income and great medical benefits. I got through laryngeal cancer in 2016 and this year I am 5 yrs clear of cancer! I am a fighter but I am getting older and tired. I am sick of treading to the pain specialists office monthly for my meds and hate needing those meds. I feel like one of the cattle in the paddock when I go there. I don’t feel that I have any control over that part of my life and am at their mercy. Waiting for hours to be seen for 5 minutes just to get a piece of paper feels degrading! Have had three back surgeries, one of which was a fusion. The levels above the fusion are causing issues so I am trying nerve ablation to ease the pain. Had my numbing trial today and it went well so I hope that it will give me some relief. My next steps in the future are either another fusion or trying nerve stim device in my back. I just want to be able to put it off until retirement. My hubby and I want to retire and go cruising on a sailboat until we can’t do it anymore. I worry that I may not realize our dream. That breaks my heart. If the pain issues get under control, then I can be free to sail off into the sunset! I can’t do that if I need to check in for scripts every month. So, sorry this is long, but my story, like so many others I feel sure, is long and complicated. Just being able to talk about it feels good. Thank you for having a venue where people like me can talk, get help finding answers and where we can all support each other.

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@popeyegurl
Hi, I totally understand how you feel about the future. I am my wife's caregiver. Her endless debilitating pain from neuropathy, chronic headaches and severe tinnitus have completely sidelined her for almost 2 years. I do think she has worried at various times about what effect her situation would have on me. I decided back when this all started in 2014 after chemo that I was with her 100% no matter what. I think by now she knows I am going nowhere, that she is my number one concern and always will be. It's a bummer sometimes what life dishes out to people, but it is what it is. It certainly helps to have a strong faith!

Regarding Connect, I'd like to suggest to you to do searches using the search window above regarding radio frequency nerve ablations and electronic nerve stimulators, etc. This site is brimming with folks who have had a variety of experiences with both, and you might gain some good insights. For example, it has come to light on these pages that many people who have stimulators put in go through a two week trial first and experience very positive results, but after the permanent one is installed, not so much. Lots of reports along those lines. So do make use of all that Connect has to offer. And I'd encourage you to check out the links at the bottom of the page about how to use the site to maximum effectiveness (such as "Getting started on Connect" and "About Connect"). Glad you are here! Best, Hank

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@popeyegurl

Hello to Colleen and to all who share with me the frustration of dealing with chronic pain. If all I get is a bit of support from this forum, I will be happy. I HAVE gotten a bit more than that already by reading some of the stories on here. I am 64 years old and getting ready, on top of everything else, to deal with signing up for Medicare. I need to find someone to help me navigate that because of my healthcare needs. I live with chronic back, neck and knee pain that has gotten worse in the last few years. I also have rheumatoid arthritis and osteopenia. I have a wonderfully supportive husband but really worry that all of my ailments and lack of enthusiasm for doing things that we enjoy, are going to take a toll on our relationship. I have had to all but give up on things that I personally enjoy. Now with Covid complicating things, it seems like there is no end in sight. I still work full time and have a somewhat physically demanding job. But I need the exercise it provides as well as the income and great medical benefits. I got through laryngeal cancer in 2016 and this year I am 5 yrs clear of cancer! I am a fighter but I am getting older and tired. I am sick of treading to the pain specialists office monthly for my meds and hate needing those meds. I feel like one of the cattle in the paddock when I go there. I don’t feel that I have any control over that part of my life and am at their mercy. Waiting for hours to be seen for 5 minutes just to get a piece of paper feels degrading! Have had three back surgeries, one of which was a fusion. The levels above the fusion are causing issues so I am trying nerve ablation to ease the pain. Had my numbing trial today and it went well so I hope that it will give me some relief. My next steps in the future are either another fusion or trying nerve stim device in my back. I just want to be able to put it off until retirement. My hubby and I want to retire and go cruising on a sailboat until we can’t do it anymore. I worry that I may not realize our dream. That breaks my heart. If the pain issues get under control, then I can be free to sail off into the sunset! I can’t do that if I need to check in for scripts every month. So, sorry this is long, but my story, like so many others I feel sure, is long and complicated. Just being able to talk about it feels good. Thank you for having a venue where people like me can talk, get help finding answers and where we can all support each other.

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@popeyegurl Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. As you have found out, there is a lot to offer here, reading about different experiences that members choose to share.

If you are still working, and receiving health insurance benefits, even as you turn 65, there is no need to look for additional insurance. All you will need to do is to sign up for Medicare, part A only. Until you retire, you have your employer's health benefits to sustain you. Failure to sign up for Medicare part A may lead to penalties later. May I suggest you look for an insurance agent to help lead you through the maze, and if you have a county Area Agency on Aging, they may have an ombudsman available to guide you. Being informed and making the best choices for you can be overwhelming! I know, been there, done that!
Ginger

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Hi
My name is Hannah. I have autoimmune issues and also CFS. I try and mediatate for chronic pain, as well as heat and CBD...Nice meeting everyone!

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Hello, I am Anne. I suffer from pain that wakes me up at night. Pain mostly in my right hip and right leg. Years ago I had an attack of bursitis in this same hip. Just reading through a lot of posts and people that take Gabapentin. My Vet always prescribes Gaba for my dogs. To me it is an excuse to not give you real pain meds. Not that they would anyway. I am surprised to see how many have chronic pain. I hesitate to go to the doctor. It seems like they are not interested or just want to refer you out. Anyway good to be here and share.

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@annec2525

Hello, I am Anne. I suffer from pain that wakes me up at night. Pain mostly in my right hip and right leg. Years ago I had an attack of bursitis in this same hip. Just reading through a lot of posts and people that take Gabapentin. My Vet always prescribes Gaba for my dogs. To me it is an excuse to not give you real pain meds. Not that they would anyway. I am surprised to see how many have chronic pain. I hesitate to go to the doctor. It seems like they are not interested or just want to refer you out. Anyway good to be here and share.

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@annec2525 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. As you can see, we share our journeys and experiences in the effort to support each other and show what has worked for us! May I ask you, what are you doing for your bursitis now? I am having the same problem in my left side, and dr is getting approval for an MRI. Getting decent sleep at night is something to hope for, isn't it?

Chronic pain is different for so many people. This is a safe place to share, and not be criticized [I hope!] for our choices.

How did you find Mayo Connect?
Ginger

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@annec2525

Hello, I am Anne. I suffer from pain that wakes me up at night. Pain mostly in my right hip and right leg. Years ago I had an attack of bursitis in this same hip. Just reading through a lot of posts and people that take Gabapentin. My Vet always prescribes Gaba for my dogs. To me it is an excuse to not give you real pain meds. Not that they would anyway. I am surprised to see how many have chronic pain. I hesitate to go to the doctor. It seems like they are not interested or just want to refer you out. Anyway good to be here and share.

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@annec2525 Id like to add my welcome Anne . I am going for a MRI tomorrow for rt hip pain and going into my leg . My rheumatologist ordered it . I hope it is only brusitis and nothing more . I use to use gaba but it did nothing for me . I was given it for neuropathy in my thighs as I have had 2 back fractures and my nerve are impacted by this. A friend just had a injection by a pain Dr and feels better this is not a cure but at least relieves you of pain. Have you given this a thought ? I see my pain Dr in March and will take my MRI to him . We are all pain warriors on here pain is so different for everyone. Take care

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@rarelybees2889

Hi
My name is Hannah. I have autoimmune issues and also CFS. I try and mediatate for chronic pain, as well as heat and CBD...Nice meeting everyone!

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Hi Hannah! Welcome to our group! I have a variety of chronic pain issues and try many different things. I try to walk daily(even with the freezing temps, although for awhile I’m going to have to walk inside because I get frostbite when it’s below zero); at home physical therapy exercises; stationary recumbent bike riding; gluten free diet; ice; heat; only sitting about an hour at a time-alternating between slow walking around the house or laying-dependent on my level of fatigue; reading; keeping in contact with others (phone, zoom, or messaging); and good, quality sleep (medication assisted-due to a sleep disorder). Nice meeting you😊

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@lioness

@annec2525 Id like to add my welcome Anne . I am going for a MRI tomorrow for rt hip pain and going into my leg . My rheumatologist ordered it . I hope it is only brusitis and nothing more . I use to use gaba but it did nothing for me . I was given it for neuropathy in my thighs as I have had 2 back fractures and my nerve are impacted by this. A friend just had a injection by a pain Dr and feels better this is not a cure but at least relieves you of pain. Have you given this a thought ? I see my pain Dr in March and will take my MRI to him . We are all pain warriors on here pain is so different for everyone. Take care

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Gosh I hate going to the doctor but seeing a pain specialist makes sense. I keep trying things like exercise, tumeric and natural remedies but it is not working. Sometimes I wake up and say oh no, please not again. You had 2 back fractures? Oh my gosh, that is really scary. Let me know what you find out, we sound very similar. Good Luck!

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@gingerw

@annec2525 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. As you can see, we share our journeys and experiences in the effort to support each other and show what has worked for us! May I ask you, what are you doing for your bursitis now? I am having the same problem in my left side, and dr is getting approval for an MRI. Getting decent sleep at night is something to hope for, isn't it?

Chronic pain is different for so many people. This is a safe place to share, and not be criticized [I hope!] for our choices.

How did you find Mayo Connect?
Ginger

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Mayo came up in my FB feed. I am so glad I found this. I have some 800 mg ibuprophen I take when it wakes me up. One time I ended up in the ER with a muscle spasm so severe in my neck I was crying in pain. They gave me ibuprophen and valuim in an IV and to my amazement it worked. So my general practice doctor allows me to keep a few valium around just in case I have a severe pain attack. I have used the ibuprophen with the valium and it does work. Getting a prescription for valium is almost as hard as getting pain meds.
Nothing worse than waking up in pain. Well, except not waking up at all. LOL

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@migizii

Hi Hannah! Welcome to our group! I have a variety of chronic pain issues and try many different things. I try to walk daily(even with the freezing temps, although for awhile I’m going to have to walk inside because I get frostbite when it’s below zero); at home physical therapy exercises; stationary recumbent bike riding; gluten free diet; ice; heat; only sitting about an hour at a time-alternating between slow walking around the house or laying-dependent on my level of fatigue; reading; keeping in contact with others (phone, zoom, or messaging); and good, quality sleep (medication assisted-due to a sleep disorder). Nice meeting you😊

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What medication do you take for sleep if you don't mind me asking? I think all the things you do make sense and probably help.

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