I had a hemorrhagic stroke in my right thalamus 22 years ago! I tried to return to work as a paralegal. I had worked for over 35 years and was 53 years old at the time. I was unable to multitask or do any of tbe work I had done for so many years. Depression set in also. I was in such pain. My dad had a stroke, but no pain. But it was the area of the thalamus my sttoke hit that causes the constant pain. I finally found a physician who diagnosed me with what they then called "Thalamic Pain Syndrome." The pain never goes away. The stroke was on my right side so my left side was in pain constantly. I now am in pain all over!.

I've taken Neurontin for years. It's the only medication thst helps the pain, especially on left side of my face that feels numb, cold, and in which i have other sensations. I also had Scoliosis that progressed so fast I had to have a Fusion from my T3 to my L5-S1.....during testing for the surgery, they found I had a 90% blockage in my right coronary
artery. So I had a stent put in and the Scoliosis surgery was done a few months later.

My pain never stops. I've continued my life because I've had to, but my two neurologists who knew what Central Pain was retired and all the pain clinics, which never helped me anyway have mostly closed. In fact, they gave me so many injections that only.made me worse. Now my primary care doctor has taken over, she didnt want to, but I needed my medications and was desperate. I've been going to her over 25 years....she doesn't know anything about this condition but took over my medications. She knows me and that I've never abused any medication. In fact, I wish I never had to take another pill and have actually been cutting back on them since i wasn't getting the relief i need. I have to go see her every 3 months since I take a very small mg. Pain pill. I take anywhere from 400 to 800 mg. Of Neuuontin, depending on what I do during the day.

My husband had a stroke two years ago and has bladder problems and has a Foley leg catheter that is causing him such pain and he's unable to do the things he once did since the stroke. So, I'm taking care of him now, where he once did the grocery shopping and helped me. Now, I have everything to do. In fact I need to give him his medication now and take mine too. I have Afib and have just started medication for that. I take a muscle relaxer, BP medication and some Supplements. I can't tell I'm getting much relief from anything. I saw where someone was taking Lamotrogine and getting some relief. I think I took that medication years ago, but I tried so many the first 4-5 years, and have just stayed with my regular medications since. I'm wondering if I could try something else in place of some of my medications because caring for my husband has taken a toll on me and i love him but there's much more for me to take care of now, as far as his doctor appointments and he may be having surgery where they will go into his abdomen?, make a small incisionn and place the catheter there.

I am seeing a Neurologist, however, the past two years I've really not seen him much due to being so busy with 911 ER visits with my husband.

I hope those of you suffering in pain are having some low pain days, but I understand the difficulty of those. I just wanted to pop in and see how everyone is doing. I was on here several years ago, but of course, havent had much time. God Bless all of You! Take care!
Sandy