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Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

Posted by Kelsey Mohring @kelseydm, Apr 27, 2016

Welcome to the new Chronic Pain group.

I’m Kelsey and I’m the moderator of the group. I look forwarding to welcoming you and introducing you to other members. Feel free to browse the topics or start a new one.

Why not take a minute and introduce yourself.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

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phxratt1 | @phxratt1 | Jun 30, 2025

Hi, I'm Richard, and I've had 2 lumbar discectomies and a lumbar fusion in the last 10 years. I now have chronic lower back pain, and I'm told I now fall into the category of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, or FBSS. I'd like to hear from others with similar diagnoses and learn from their experiences!

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ronnie3716 | @ronnie3716 | Jul 1, 2025

Hi, I am Ronnie. I hurt my knee and fractured my back. I had ablation on knee. Awaiting spine ablation. Chronic pain for almost 2 years.

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bluevirgo | @bluevirgo | Jul 1, 2025
In reply to @bluevirgo "Hi, please call me Blue. I am 46 and I have lived with chronic pain for..." + (show)
Profile picture for bluevirgo @bluevirgo

Hi, please call me Blue. I am 46 and I have lived with chronic pain for almost two years. It started after my hysterectomy. My pain is in my lower right abdomen. The pain was always intense burning, from the time the nurses had me up and walking after the surgery. After months of telling my doctor (who was dismissive and mostly indifferent) and no relief, she referred me to a pain management doctor. Unfortunately, the lidocaine injection or increase in Gabapentin did not help. After a year of horrific pain, I reached out to a former classmate for his advice. He referred me to his colleague who specializes in pain management. I was diagnosed with CRPS. I had an epidural, but with no relief. I qualified for a DRG trial and after eight days, of the trial, I had experienced less pain. I understood that even with the DRG implant that about 50% of my pain would remain, but I was still interested. I had my surgery in January 2025 to get my DRG implant. I definitely have more good days than bad; however, I still live with pain and the flare ups remind me of just how awful my life was prior to my implant.

My PCP suggested that I use a topical cream or lidocaine patches to provide more relief. I’m also on a clonidine patch (usually prescribed for blood pressure, but has been know to help people with CRPS). I’m here because I want to learn more and find ways to reduce my pain and have a decent quality of life.

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@jw9 thank you and take care!

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jw9 | @jw9 | Jul 2, 2025
In reply to @wisco50 "I have been taking the same dose of hydrocodone for several years now. The same dose..." + (show)
Profile picture for wisco50 @wisco50

I have been taking the same dose of hydrocodone for several years now. The same dose still helps with my neck pain. Maximum of 2-3 lowest dose available daily.
My main concern is my primary MD is retiring and I’m concerned newer doctors won’t prescribe anything! 😬 I cannot not use NSAIDs any longer because I got severe gastritis from them.

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@wisco50
I understand your valid concern about your doctor retiring. It's a strange place to be in; chronic pain, something that helps us find a better quality of life, plus there's always a question about finding a doctor who will help. NSAIDs are really supposed to be short-term. Too much risk of GI discomfort or bleeds. Thinking of you!

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2 replies
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jhubler72 | @jhubler72 | Jul 2, 2025

My name is Jon, i was diagnosed with central sensitization 3 years ago to this day i can not endure even slicing an onion at the counter or transferring clothes from the washer to the dryer. My last appointment with physical therapy the therapist would not even do soft tissue treatment due to the amount of muscle spasms i was incurring.

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1 reply
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elainestewart48 | @elainestewart48 | Jul 2, 2025
In reply to @pegsj3 "I’ve been hoping that they would give me some kind of pain med like hydrocodone, or..." + (show)
Profile picture for pegsj3 @pegsj3

I’ve been hoping that they would give me some kind of pain med like hydrocodone, or oxycodone or something. Can a person Max, out on pain relief with that?
I’m really sorry that you’re struggling with trying to find relief. I can relate. It sure makes life difficult.

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Thank you for responding and understanding my pain.
Any pain medication will eventually build up a tolerance and stop working, but then we have to try something else.
I would give anything to even have my pain reduced by 50%.
My pain doctor is working with me and I know she cares about me, but it seems I’m always trying something and waiting for results that never arrive.
I know there are many things I haven’t tried yet, and I’m hopeful that soon I can be free of the total pain and have some comfort.

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elainestewart48 | @elainestewart48 | Jul 2, 2025
In reply to @pegsj3 "Hi, My name is Peggy. I have any chronic pain suffer virtually my whole life. It..." + (show)
Profile picture for pegsj3 @pegsj3

Hi,
My name is Peggy. I have any chronic pain suffer virtually my whole life. It started with what they called growing pains as a child that I still have to this day. I can hardly go to sleep at night. In fact, I actually dread going to bed.
I take restless, sleep medicine that helps with this, but my other significant ailment is my back. I have had two total disc replacements in L4 and L5.. I have sciatica in my left leg, in constant pain all day, long in my lower back, stream pain in my glutes down my legs to my knees. Every evening, this pain is exacerbated and I’m really not given any thing to help relieve this. Have been seen by various specialist, but not yet Mayo and I am considering it. Absolutely nothing pain at night time. I use heating pads, ice, I’ll get up and jog in place, but I’m still in so much pain.
I also have something that’s going on with me probably about eight years or so and my doctor and other specialist have yet to truly diagnose me. Body cream, cramps, arm, cramps, cramps times of the day they are extremely difficult to get rid of. In the evening, I will get cramps so bad in my thighs, hamstrings, ankles, feet, calves, I would tell you is on the scale of eight or nine on the pain scale. I can’t move and I have to endure roughly 8 to 15 minutes. I literally cry when this is going on. It does not happen every night and I have no relief from it when it happens.
I have extensive blood work done to see if I’m deficient in something, but nothing seems to show up. This is another reason why I may be visiting Mayo too.
I don’t want to stop any part of my living. I do everything and I’m extremely active. I’m just in pain almost all the time.
Sorry for this rant.

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You’re not ranting so don’t apologize!!
You’re living with constant pain and this is a horrible way to live.
As I read submissions written by people who live in horrible pain, I see so many suggestions that I haven’t tried yet.
You give me hope that maybe I’ll land on a solution that can allow me to live with less pain for even a little while.
Please everyone, keep posting and tell us what has and hadn’t worked to help your pain.
We are all listening!!!😁

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1 reply
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wisco50 | @wisco50 | Jul 2, 2025
In reply to @jw9 "@wisco50 I understand your valid concern about your doctor retiring. It's a strange place to be..." + (show)
Profile picture for jw9 @jw9

@wisco50
I understand your valid concern about your doctor retiring. It's a strange place to be in; chronic pain, something that helps us find a better quality of life, plus there's always a question about finding a doctor who will help. NSAIDs are really supposed to be short-term. Too much risk of GI discomfort or bleeds. Thinking of you!

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Thank you for your reply!
Yes, I took 4-6 regular adult aspirin per day for years if not decades and suddenly BOOM my stomach protested mightily!
I’ve had 2 back and 1 neck surgeries, have spinal stenosis, listhesis (sp?), and OA in several other places.
As I told my doctor once, it’s very silly for me to take narcotics when I sometimes feel strong NSAIDs would help also (because of the anti-inflammatory properties). 😢

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1 reply
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pegsj3 | @pegsj3 | Jul 3, 2025

I see my doc next week for a yearly physical. I am going to unload on her liner I never have. I am just so done with this.
In the meantime my husband was just diagnosed with stage 4 terminal Glioblastoma (brain cancer).
I’m not sure how j more I can handle.

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adrienne9484 | @adrienne9484 | Jul 3, 2025
In reply to @jw9 "@wisco50 I understand your valid concern about your doctor retiring. It's a strange place to be..." + (show)
Profile picture for jw9 @jw9

@wisco50
I understand your valid concern about your doctor retiring. It's a strange place to be in; chronic pain, something that helps us find a better quality of life, plus there's always a question about finding a doctor who will help. NSAIDs are really supposed to be short-term. Too much risk of GI discomfort or bleeds. Thinking of you!

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I have chronic pain. All the time

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