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Internal burn from radiation/chemo: What helps reduce the pain?
My mom is experiencing significant pain in her lower abdomen. It is suggested the she has a massive amount of internal burn from radiation/chemo two years ago and chemo that just finished in September. Her petscan came back clear. She has clear CT scans. She is in constant pain. Pain medication does not touch her pain. Has anyone experienced this? Has anyone found anything that helped reduce the pain?
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I know this will sound wrong, but hear me out. Chronic pain can be caused by the brain. This is especially true when there are no physical explanation the cause of the pain. It happens because the brain was trained to react when the body experienced the acute injury. The body heals but the pain doesn't go away and may even worsen. Its not the person fault. Its how our minds work. There is a good book on the subject Chronic Pain Rehabilitation: Active pain management that helps you get back to the life you love by Even Parks.
After my a long term bought with a bowl obstruction my insurance company (United Healthcare) referred me to intensive cognitive behavioral therapy. I worked with a therapist and a para professional for 8 weeks to reprogram my behavior and thinking to reduce and eventually eliminate the pain. Some people resist this because they think that it indicates that pain is imaginary, but it isn't/ Its real pain that doesn't have a physical solution. Our bodies are amazing things. Our brain will do so much in an effort to protect us and sometimes it over does it and gets caught in a loop.
Denise
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7 ReactionsFascinating! I am filing this knowledge and I hope that you are now pain free. As a result of your therapy.
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2 Reactions@kathyc62 This sounds just terrible for your mother. Who suggested that her pain could be from the treatment (chemo or radiation) she received two years ago? Was it a physician who suggested this? If this were my mother I would certainly want to help her find out the source of her pain and find whatever means available to help her reduce that pain. As @denisestlouie suggests there are pain relief therapists who specialize in cognitive-behavioral therapy that is very helpful in managing pain.
What has your mother tried other than pain medication that has helped?
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3 Reactions@ffr it was very helpful
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1 Reaction@denisestlouie, you might be interested in this Mayo blog that describes more about the pain and brain connection, and approaches that can be part of pain management including for chronic pain.
- Chronic Pain & Symptoms Rehabilitation https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/chronic-pain-symptoms-rehabilitation/
kathyc62, how is your mom doing?
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