Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

I've been having a muscle spasm in one spot on my back on and off for 20 years. Sometimes it lasts 2 weeks and sometimes it lasts for 6 weeks. This time it is lasting, so far, 7 months. I have tried literally everything from pain pills to spasm pills, PT, acupuncture, and botox and I still wake up with it. I have to sit in a chair with the heating pad on my back or I will be in such pain that I can't do anything! I have been to pain clinics and nothing has stopped the spasm. I obviously have no life.

Have you tried 8-hour Tylenol for pain? It doesn't cause stomach upset, and you can even take it on an empty stomach. Maybe you should take an over-the-counter sleeping pill at night? I have some success with these two, and I can't take prescription pain meds.

Thank you for the kind response. I know I'm not alone in struggle. There is a world of suffering. The biggest challenge for me is how to stay engaged in life when I have so many physical limitations. Being alone increases sadness about loss of partner.
I practice mindfulness meditation and that gets me through the darkest moments but I want more than survival. I’d like to experience joy again. Does this resonate with anyone?

Yes I have tried all of that over the years. I do not take pain meds for all the surgeries I have had. Tylenol is like a sugar cube. These do nothing for me. I am leaning to live with the pain. My mother had it and I have it. I am active and healthy in every other way, but sleep is hard and I live with the pain.
Thanks for all your help and ideas.

I have a palliative dr whose only concern is my comfort. If I want to try something he usually is game.

Thanks. Wish I could find such a doc here in Delaware. I have been under the impression that opioids are like a poison that the government has pretty much been banned (as seen on “Dopesick”).

I even have trouble getting a script for Tramadol. It barely touches my pain.
Anyway, good to talk with you.

Hi this is Sally,
I just joined and am amazed with the number of people who understand chronic pain. I have Failed Back Surgery Syndrome FBSS. The FBSS has caused the chronic pain I’m dealing with. I have nerve pain across my lower back and numbness in my toes. I also have pain and swelling in my thumbs L>R and pointer fingers in the joints of my hands. I saw a rheumatologist before my back surgery who looked at my hands, pressed on each side of my neck (which caused pain) and said you have fibromyalgia. I had cortisone injections twice in my back that didn’t work. My primary doctor prescribed prednisone, Vicodin, gabipentin, methocarbamol, and diclofenac. I was miserable, my body was swollen and I was short of breath, and to make matters worse I developed a heart murmur and gained 70 pounds! I finally said I need to try a different way because this is not working! I changed my diet to pescatarian, stopped the Vicodin and prednisone, stopped drinking Diet Coke, and meditate every morning. I cannot believe how much better I feel!!! Seriously, the pain is now manageable, I’ve lost weight, I’m no longer swollen or short of breath, I’m able to move my bowels, my eyes aren’t beet red every morning, and the best part- my mind is clear and the fatigue is gone. I forget, my sleep is great too. The next to go will be the gabipentin. Never give up! Age is just a number! I’m 66 and not ready to give up, my life is just beginning!

I also don’t drink or smoke cigarettes, I gave up both years ago.

Hello,
I had carpal tunnel surgery and I did not heal well. I was diagnosed with CRPS. My surgeon felt a second surgery might help it. She found a lot of scar tissue that had formed. I’m recovering but again was diagnosed with CRPS, as I have the symptoms of constant inflammation and lack of ROM in my wrist. I’m not sure what more to do to stop its progression. I’ve been doing OT weekly since week 6. It is such a challenging diagnosis and I don’t know where to turn to get information. Thank you for your thoughts.

Thank you!