How to deal with constant pain for years

Tylenol and cream patches are of no use for pain such as you describe, opioid pain medication is the best way for temporary pain relief, getting to the cause of your pain should be number one goal so that appropriate treatment options are utilized, opioid pain medication works wonders for a while but is just a temporary solution

Do you have any diagnosis for your back or arms. I had to keep pestering my GP to get me set up for my second back surgery. I am going for steroid shots for one of my arms next week. I am in the same boat as you though I am fairly depressed, I was hoping by now I would have everything under control, Iam going to keep fightimg though.

With crippling knee arthritis and a left ulnar impingement, I get relief from biweekly cortisone shots (they only last 3 weeks) plus daily cocktails of tramadol and extra strength Tylenol. It sounds horrible with pain, but walking in the pool water is a real help-I stopped moving for two years, and dreaded trying to get to the pool, but it really stops hurting in the warm water. Try to find an aqua therapist, or just walk back and forth. I can’t believe how much it helps. It’s sad how many of us can’t find relief-carry on, and try these ideas.

Hi, fellow pain sufferer, @kathyclickner53 . I've had chronic pain in my feet and ankles for 10+ years, and I know how exhausting it is. When none of the meds that work for everyone else don't give us relief, it becomes discouraging.

Chronic pain has a twin - her name is depression, and they feed off each other. More pain, deeper depression. Deeper depression, worse pain. It becomes a cycle.

Because of the recent additional pain source that has happened to me, I was becoming more depressed. I'm thankful for a caring PCP, who recognized what was happening and recommended an add on antidepressant. It has helped me stop the cycle. The pain is just as bad, but it isn't making me feel more depressed now. I've lived with major depression for more than 20 years, and I don't want to lose ground in my treatment. It doesn't seem to take a lot to get me heading back to where I never want to be, so I realize that I have to be proactive about it. I know - what person who's really at a low point wants to think about being proactive!?

Knowing the cause of the pain is important to many people. I'm the kind of person who over thinks things, so I've been helped by a couple of suggestions from a pain therapist I saw a few years ago. One that usually helps me is to focus on the actual pain, and analyze the different sensations. Kinda weird but it works.

I hope you find ways to experience relief. Most of us need a break. Yeah, some people can tolerate a lot of pain, but I'm not one of them. The non-stop pain is hard. Especially when you have more than one thing going on with your health.

Would it help to be able to talk about it with your kindred spirits here? Maybe it would. We're here to lend our support when you're ready.

Jim

You have it right. I still try to find ways to beat the pain but I don't obsess any more. Now I have made a new life enjoying what I have each day. Also have started a gratitude journal that I write in at the end of the day.

I am suffering for many years for post colorectal surgical pain with limited pain mgt. results. Recently the PT specialist has been using an apparatus referred to a Softwave Therapy. So far have only one treatment and the results were not all that great. Going for another treatment in a few days. Hope to experience better results.

After living an active, pain-free life for 79 years, I find myseld in excruciating pain due to falling while skiing 8 years ago. I have had about 4.5 years of decent pain relief using a cocktail of meds and a spinal cord stimulator, Then about three years ago, I must have turned my back just the wrong way because the old pain came flooding back all of a sudden. Have consulted with more pain docs than I can remember. Spinal fusion, injections, nerve ablations, chiropractic, and, finally, a pain pump implanted. The pump was supposed to be the ultimate help. But, I only had a couple of days of decent relief almost a year ago. I have had the pump output upped many times with little effect. Pain is definitely your friend.

The PT recommended the use of a device called softwave to control pain and promote healing. Have had one treatment with minimal results on curtailing the pain. Have another appointment for Monday.

Sometimes the doctors can’t figure out what exactly is wrong. And the injections, physical therapy, and other treatments don’t work. I’ve been on opiates for 8 years. I don’t see a different plan. 🤷

What medication do you have in your pain pump? Have you tried more than one? I'm planning to get a pump eventually, if and when a doctor who manages it will be available where I live.

Jim