Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

@wenner Hi Wendy,
I also have RLS. Without the medicine I would be a raving lunatic!

The Polyneuropathy started in 2016. I developed a very rare disease in 2015 that damaged my nerves. I don’t have much pain from it but some of my toes are numb, and I got that “bugs on my skin” sensation.
It also gave me Reynard's. Touching very cold things can be very painful.

You are the first person from outside the USA who has confirmed that our healthcare here is very good compared to their own. Thank you.

Did you get my reply. It just disappeared on me after wennerholme splashed across my wenner@wenner

Thank you. Something for me to consider!

@wenner I don’t see your reply can you send again

I'll try , I asked were you a worker in the health system after you comment. I think you said you has RLS and I was going to tell you what I take. I don't know how to get in and find your message again @wenner

I'm a 77-year-old male with back problems (lower vertebrae compression, 3 slightly bulging discs, plus one old, fractured vertebrae), also having general anxiety, and now swelling and pain in left knee from arthroscopic surgery 5 months ago. I'm on clonazepam at nighttime, 2 mg, for general anxiety control, and also at bedtime taking meloxicam 15 mg for pain relief of back issues. So, I have an interest in weaning off the 2 mg of clonazepam which I have been taking for 6 years and/or also increasing the 15 mg dosage of meloxicam if that is not dangerous. Also, when my back really hurts, I'd like to take Tramadol either 25 mg or 50 mg but I have heard there can be really dangerous side effects when taken with clonazepam. Could I separate the two doses by like 12 hours and be safe? Finally, would trazadone be a good alternative to getting off the clonazepam? And, can I safety increase dose of meloxicam to 23 mg (1-1/2 tabs) even though my doctor says that 15 mg is the max? I'm 5'10 inches tall and weigh 182 lbs.

My name is Laura. I have neuropathy but no pain with that. I now have chronic lower back and glute pain from trying to build up glute muscles in physical therapy. They put ankle weights on me and it was too much as I am small-boned and had history of degenerative disc disease. I will be trying acupuncture but in the meantime I feel lost and depressed. My quality of life is impaired. I am hoping that something will work to heal me.

@arcuri24 , sorry to learn of your problems. I would suggest that perhaps you were too aggressive in trying to build up your glute muscles. Anytime you start working a muscle group, you have to start slowly with small weights. Otherwise, the muscles will cry out in anger and pain. At least you do not have pain with your neuropathy(I assume you have been tested). My neuropathy created steady buzzing, tingling and pain. Every step is painful. Were you monitored by a therapist in PT? The PT should know how to start you out in weight training. Perhaps disc problems are causing some of your back pain. I wish you well in your journey. Don't give up. There are answers out there. Get second, even third opinions.

I was monitored by a therapist. She started me with no weights--just leg lifting and then we went to using two lbs, then three--the four lb weights were probably the tipping point. I also had muscle wasting in my glutes as a result of my neuropathy--which may be due to my celiac disease. At another PT place, they went gungho and wanted me to do thirty reps of each exercise. If I said it was too much, then they told me that I was weak and would only face further degeneration. Be wary of PT--its not all its made out to be. Today I took a long walk around my local reservoir--had some pain but saw some honking geese and the resident swan. I told myself if I had arthritic feet, I would not have been able to walk this far. I had the MRI done but the doctor who is going to give me acupuncture says my problems were caused by the muscle wasting. I am not giving up!!!

I should also add that the doctor said that the ankle weights were too much and I cannot do any heavy lifting. I was given an EMG test by neurologist--he said I had a mild case. I plan to see my rheumatologist just to make sure there is no autoimmunity involved here. My brother has RA and his quality of life is great--skiing, traveling, working, etc.