1. < Depression & Anxiety

Depression and Chronic Pain

Posted by sharlynn62 @sharlynn62, Nov 27, 2016

I have been dealing with episodes of major depression and dysthmia since I was a teenager and now I am in my 50's and have moderate to severe arthritis in my lower back and knees along with chronic daily migraines and I am in pain just about every minute of every day. I wake up in the morning disappointed that I am still alive and have to go through another day. I feel that I am a huge burden on my family and am nothing but a "shell" full of negativity. I don't have a decent doctor who will work with me to address all of my problems and help me with other methods since I can't take opiod meds and NSAIDS (I had bariatric surgery) and now my insurance company wants to stop paying for my weekly therapy sessions (they're cutting them back to twice a month.
I feel so hopeless and trapped. I don't want to live like this. I will never end my life, though, because I know what suicide would do to my family and I would never put them through that. I used to be able to work and that was how I coped; I'm no longer able to work and it's killing me. I have no one to talk to that understands and doesn't mind listening to someone who is not Miss Bubbly and full of interesting stories to tell. Insights anyone?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

Parus | @parus | Jan 13, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "@rucyrious - Welcome to Mayo Connect depression and anxiety discussion. I respectfully disagree with your neurologist..." + (show)
@merpreb

@rucyrious - Welcome to Mayo Connect depression and anxiety discussion. I respectfully disagree with your neurologist about CBD oil. It's a new field for sure. I have been depressed for a long time and have PTSD because I've been fighting lung cancer for 21 years. CBD oil calms me down and either reduces or totally eliminates my anxiety, which reduces my anxiety and quiets any pain I have from arthritis and other problems around that location.
Since this is your first post would you mind sharing some of what brought you to Mayo Connect? I hope to hear from you soon.

Jump to this post

@merpreb That anxiety/stress thing surely does enhance pain!!

REPLY
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 13, 2019
In reply to @nanastable "Thanks Ginger. I too feel the same way but didn't want to pontificate. I could write..." + (show)
@nanastable

Thanks Ginger.
I too feel the same way but didn't want to pontificate.
I could write a book about benefits of CBD, understanding the difference with "pot", recreational grass, THC and most importantly Medical Marijuana.
I urge everyone before investing time, money and energy to educate themselves. Seek out the best source which is sometimes not your local physician.

Mayo Clinic should be the first place to begin. They are superior to most others.

Check out newsletter@leafly.com.....a suggested site as there are a few others.

Hope this is helpful.

Jump to this post

@nanastable- A warm welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm happy that you joined us. I am right now on leafy's website and can not believe their prices. They are less than half of what I spend here at home in RI at one of the compassion centers. How did you decide to pick this one for your needs?

REPLY
1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 13, 2019
In reply to @sandytoes14 "I recently tried CBD gummys when I was out of pain meds. While I didn't have..." + (show)
@sandytoes14

I recently tried CBD gummys when I was out of pain meds. While I didn't have any relief of pain, I was calmer, less anxious. That was a big plus for me as I have had terrible anxiety all my life.

Jump to this post

Hi Jen- I hear a lot about gummys- what's the deal with them?

REPLY
1 reply
nanastable | @nanastable | Jan 13, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "@nanastable- A warm welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm happy that you joined us. I am right..." + (show)
@merpreb

@nanastable- A warm welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm happy that you joined us. I am right now on leafy's website and can not believe their prices. They are less than half of what I spend here at home in RI at one of the compassion centers. How did you decide to pick this one for your needs?

Jump to this post

I communicated with MJBizdaily.com and went the NE Cannabis Expo in Boston at Hayes Convention Center. They will be there again in March plus were in Providence last year.

REPLY
stulerner | @stulerner | Jan 13, 2019

Everyone of us has a different physiological-chemical system. That makes it very difficult to determine what is best for us. Despite 30 years of therapy and medication I am still depressed and suicidal.For example: For drugs BIgPharma clinical studies to get FDA approval are based upon around 1,200 patients. It is impossible for those results to apply to everyone. E.g. I took one tablet of Cymbalta for idiopathic peripheral neuropathy-PN- and ended up in hospital for 2 days. But I have read (don't recall which site) someone who wrote that Cymbalta like a "miracle drug" for her PN. Enter this into google: "Just For Today PRAYER FOR TODAY". Created by AA but useful for all of us

REPLY
Jen, Alumna Mentor | @sandytoes14 | Jan 13, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "Hi Jen- I hear a lot about gummys- what's the deal with them?" + (show)
@merpreb

Hi Jen- I hear a lot about gummys- what's the deal with them?

Jump to this post

@merpreb Hi Merry,
Gummys are an easy way to use CBD oil. The oil can be used many ways, vaped, under the tongue, and gummys. My son vapes so he asked the smoke shop guy a good way for me to try CBD oil. The gummys are like the sour patch worms candy kids like. Except they were not sour! More like Swedish fish I guess.
Any form of CBD oil should be kept away from kids and pets ( although I saw oil for pets advertised)

REPLY
1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 14, 2019

@sandytoes14- Hi Jen- Thank you. I might try them. Right now I take the tincture. I wasn't aware that in order to have the best results I'm to take it everyday? I thought that I could use it only when I need it. What do you know about this? Swedish fish- can't wait to try. lol

REPLY
stulerner | @stulerner | Jan 14, 2019

Everyone is different. Never heard of anyone/or directions to "take only when needed". I take CBD oil (from marijuana, not hemp) every day. So far zero benefit for my peripheral neuropathy. Most CBD for sale is derived from hemp, which is cheaper than from marijuana

REPLY
1 reply
petangelkat1 | @petangelkat1 | Jan 18, 2019

I can relate in so many ways. I have fibromyalgia, suffered a neck and back injury from a car accident in 1990 and had gastric bypass surgery in 2007. I lost 120 pounds and gained weight back when I took lomatrogine and Abilify for depression and anxiety. I gained anout 20 pounds back as a side effect from the meds. I tried Lyrica for the fibromyalgia and gained 15 pounds so stopped taking it. The same happens when I take Abilify, but my depression, anxiety and irritability are enough to encourage me to go back in Abilify.
I do know that my pain is always worse during very cold and very hot weather. It’s worse when there is a sudden change in weather, and rain adds a lot more pain to the mix. Stress heightens pain levels. I’m going to get Tumeric because it has s a natural anti inflammatory.
What are you experiencing?

REPLY
1 reply
petangelkat1 | @petangelkat1 | Jan 18, 2019

I have smoked a strand of marijuana called Blue Dream and got total pain relief as long as the THC kept me high. I didn’t particularly like that feeling, but you do what you have to do to get relief at times. I live in Georgia so the chance of getting medical strength CBD oil is near to nothing! I’m ready to fly to Colorado for a little vacation. I feel like marijuana is less harmful with its potential side effects than most of the antidepressants. What other experiences have others had?

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.