Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

Hy name is Duke Borchardt. I live in Rome, GA. Although I live with chronic pain, I am surrounded by a host of wonderful doctors, as well as their stafs. I wore the U.s. Army for 37 years, I am now thankfully retired .

Hello, my name Teresa From Wray, Colorado. I’ve been struggling with chronic pain for over 20 years from a nursing injury.

Hello @doglover4986, @dukeborchardt and @tlallen, Welcome to Connect. You are not alone with your struggle with chronic pain. The Chronic Pain Support Group has over 10,000 members here on Connect. You may find it helpful to scan through the list of discussions in the support group to learn what others have shared. Here is a link to the list of discussions - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/pain/.

My name is Don, IchBinDCK, from Wake Forest, NC. I am an 81 yo retired Chemical Engineer and Microbiologist. I have Spinal Stenosis and mild disc bulge throughout my spine via numerous MRIs. I have struggled with serious back pain for 3 years with little help. I have tried every nonopioid pain killer known to man but they all have serious side effects for me. Currently using Gabapentin 300 mg at night. Don't know what to do.

Hi Don @ichbindck, I think we all have moments of not knowing what to do and Connect, as I'm sure you already know, is a great place to learn from the experience of others. I'm not sure if you have heard about Myofascial Release Therapy but there is a discussion on the topic that you might find interesting if not helpful as a treatment.

-- Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

Thank you

@ichbindck so why haven’t you tried any opiates for pain? I’m 72 and was on Tylenol w/Codine #3 & #4 for many years. In 2005 switched to morphine time release caps and now using buprenorphine patch for pain. It works the best of all my prior meds and provides 24/7 pain relief.

I am new, my name is Tom Rice from Uniontown, Ohio. I have chronic pain since February, 2023. On September 10, I will have a Nerve Ablation procedure done by a Pain Management doctor. This will be at sensory nerves on both sides of Lumbar at L3-L5. The low back pain radiates down both legs and feet. I can't have surgeries because my scoliosis rotates the spine in a S curve to the right like a snake which blocks my my vertebrates where they need to operate. This procedure is my last resort I would have prefer to have this procedure done at three months. The surgeons had me go through extra pain, then this procedure. Pain Management should be over the spine surgeons. I think the hospitals and surgeons want to make more money with expensive surgeries. Delays, delays and more delays to see at least 20 surgeons for different specialties. This could be done by one review. During this time I could not walk at all and went to Emergency 5 times at 4 different hospitals. I also went to rehab at 3 different skilled nursing fascitlities. This was just under 100 days, which is Medicare limit. Good thing I have supplemental insurance. According to
Spine Surgery books this is classified as a emergency. I think all management should have Chronic Pain certiification This is a mental issue too,which could lead to suicide and depression.

I meant to say, I stopped walking and getting up 5 different times. after Rehab for a week I learn how to walk and gain my strength, but I had little help in chronic pain. All the time waiting for answers. I went to the main campus at Cleveland Clinic, where the top surgeon said. "Cleveland Clinic does not have the equipment nor the sills to operate. That I will eventually be bed ridden and to get used to it. Not to use the internet, you tube and medical spine books."
Then I went back to my Pain Management doctor where I passed the trials for Nerve Ablation. I was originally scheduled to have it done on August 19. Now Medicare denied me 4 days before procedure.
This caused me more pain, became more depressed, and felt like committing suicide or would kill someone if pushed without intentions to do so. I went to Emergency, where I got a morphine shot. This helped my pain and depression for a few days.
I was very afraid that I would start to not walk again, but did not happen this time. Then this Friday,
I got a call from Pain Management that Medicare approved procedure on September 10. My doctor was able to expedite appeal, because of Medicare incompetence. I ask for your prayers and it will reduce most of my pain so I can have a life.

Thank you for listening and hope everyone can get better.

Hi All, Bob from Colorado, I had a 3X bypass May 5th 2024, surgery went well and heart is perfect. But, I still have inflammation in my chest, ribs which can be very uncomfortable and sharp pains, kinda scary at times, Diagnosed as Costochronditis, I am doing rehab, PT, tried steriod blast which failed, anti inflammation over the counter pills, some mild oxy products but nothing works so far.
Trying to be careful as possible with upper body, no weight lifting and not lifting over 10 lbs. Walking 1.5 miles 3-4 times a week, no big issues but walking can aggravate the issue. But I am told we have to keep moving and sitting around will freeze up the muscles, that would be bad.
Looking at steriod shot in a few weeks but hard to isolate the pain area since there are 3. I know this should pass, but the cardiologist says it can last 6-12 months.
Thanks for listening, and good health.