Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

Hello, I’m Irret and have been in pain for 23 yrs sign first Fibromyalgia 2001 onset (I had bad fall onto stone floor in 1981 while & mos pregnant. Next a Chiropractor “popped” my bk at T5 twice, and I heard a cracking noise. From then on I have had awful pain at that site. Next, bone spurs surgically removed from left neck 2007 (resulted in some nerve damage so left neck, left arm, left shoulder and hand hurt all the time and two fingers in left hand are numb). Next, constant burning at T3 and down Rt leg and foot because dr hit a nerve with the needle during an epidural at T3 in 2010. Next a Chiropractor hammered the bk of my neck very hard with an electric hammer - without explaining what or why and also without my permission.. He obviously didn’t bother to read the paperwork I filled out in his office my first visit - where I wrote about damaged nerves in bk of my neck. Daily bad headaches began in 2016;
2018, Redudent Dr at an Advanced Pain Clinic injected Bupivicaine numbing agent on my left Occipital Nerve Greater Branch and stuck the needle into the nerve instead of injecting the solution around the nerve so she injured the nerve permanently and I’ve had hellish pain there ever since. Because of that hellish pain I had a series of Ketamine IV’s at a Spine Institute but on 6th IV I had a huge Hive develop on my leg - it was an allergic reaction to the Ketamine (not everyone reacts this way). At present I’m on Lyrica and Medical Cannabis. I’m allergic to Hydrocodone.
We chronic pain sufferers can pray for each other to keep on keeping on.

I'm sorry you are going through this. I also have fibromyalgia and was wondering if you take the Lyrica and cannabis for that condition. Does the Lyrica help with pain relief? Also have type of cannabis do you take, and does that help with pain? Thanks.

Oh yes, Lyrica is a big help. Many patients start on too high dose and then quit it because of side effects. U must start on 25 mgs am and 1 hr before bedtime, for 12 mos approximately. Then when 50 mgs stops working ur dr will up u to progress to 75mgs two or three Yim’s a day. I’m now on 75 mgs three times a day. Meloxicam 7.5 mgs with food is big help too. It’s an anti-inflammatory so when u are on it u can’t take NSAID’s.
I have high pain so I’m on a strong serum under my tongue which is mostly THC but has some CBD too. Just the amount of 1 small grain of rice under the tongue gives lots of relief. I have it for daytime (Sativa) and one for night time (Indica). Before going thru the expense of getting a State Permit Card, I would try Hemp CBD first which is legal in all states. Some of the companies you could order from are R & R, Joy, and Cornbread, I avoid those with menthol or mint bc they trigger my nervous system which results in pain.

I am new to this group, I live in Bandon on the South Oregon Coast. I have had two knee joint replacements and eight toes operated on, no problems! I had a date for a total right shoulder replacement this past January 2024, however, after being on shoulder replacement groups and "listening" to those pre and post op, I decided due to my age of 83, having recently been diagnosed with A-Fib, and my living alone, I would not be able to deal well with that surgery and especially the recovery with no help. I am left with a lot of pain in right shoulder and it extends down past the elbow. It hurts to sleep and because of limited range of motion I can't use the right arm much. I can live with that but not well with the pain. Unfortunately, there isn't much pain relief I can use because I have a Pancreatic cyst being watched by my gastroenterologist and he does not want me to take any over the counter pain relief from aspirin through the whole list that most people use. Tylenol is the only one he OKs and to seldom use it. I don't know what else can be done.

I am suffering from post spinal fusion. I developed opiod induced constpation since being sent home in December. I've seen 3 different gastros and been to the ER 4 times since December. No one has offered any solutions. We are leaning to Paralytic Ileaus as I have had colectomy for a 1cm cancerous polyp along with diverticulosis. The medical industry has failed me. I have been using Senna daily and that has resolved the constipation but have severe pain before and after a BM Taking Bentyl and 1/2 7.25 peroset 2 times a day. I've been left to solve the pain on my own as nothing shows on ct and xrays. Joined this group to look for help. May go on 72 hour fast

Thank you for sharing. Yes I used take Tramadol too. It didn't help all that much. As time went on the pain got worse and spreading more to different areas of my body. Now is has consumed me. However, the issue with my throat and inability to speak I fear may be caused by Pacemaker Syndrome. The closure of my throat is on the left side where the Vargas Vein led is placed. I don't have a pump. They are testing me for everything Parkinson's to Alzheimer's. My throat is closing more and more everyday.

You don't get "addicted" to Tramadol unless you were seeking a euphoric high outside of pain control. You DO get acclimated and DEPENDENT physically on it though. It's a very weak synthetic narcotic, so we tend to need more than usual for analgesia even to start with. If you experienced gastroparesis, I expect you were taking it quite often. Restless leg comes from neurological issues we experience as chronic pain patients, not from Tramadol. Did your doctor offer you Gabapentin for the restless leg symptoms? Gabapentin, a synthetic form of the neurotransmitter GABA, is quite useless for pain, but can help with epilepsy, neuropathy, and restless leg. I've had chronic pain for over 50 years! I've tried everything,case you have. Sending a 🤗. Lin Amendt, PhD

On gabapentin two x daily for yrs with no relief. New studies on tramadol say it is addicting and I was diagnosed as tramadol causing my gastroparesis. I was on it twice daily for chronic pain before my fusions. I did not abuse it and don't appreciate the response.

How long have you been taking Lyrica and how did you learn about the dosing you mentioned? I read a Consumer Reports article that mentioned doses as high as 300 mg to 600 mg per day. Did you ever try Gabapentin, which I've read is a similar drug? Thanks.

I have been on 600 mg of gabapentin for years. Every morning. No side effects.