Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

I'm sorry you are in so much pain. I'm a retired orthopedic RN and l have the similar problems . I reciently moved from CA to FL . In Calif I had great doctors and my pain was well managed. Then I moved to the Florida the " Meca of Drug Abuse " no one here will prescribe anything stronger than Tramadol for chronic pain. Its better than nothing but its not enough. Doctors in Florida will still give their patients all of the Oxy drugs they want ( which is what started the drug abuse problems ) but I'm allergic to all of them. So Fentynal patches is what I was given in the past ( which they refuse to give me).

Unfortunately all you can do is keep seeing pain doctors until you find one who will help you. Call your Ins co and let them know that you needing second opinions ( or maybe a third or fouth ). That way they will know that you aren't " shopping for drugs and will authorize and pay for second options. ONLY tell your Ins co and future doctors that "you just don't click " with your current doctor. Never complain to a new doctor about your last one. That's a red flag.

The other thing that might work is to " educate your doctors" about your condition. Be VERY careful about your approch. Physicians have Big Egos and do not like being told how to treat you.
I have h-EDS Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome which means I am in chronic pain and autoimmune. I've collected medical articles about my condition and bring copies with me. I even highlight the important information I want them to focus on. Think of it as giving them accurate "evidence/ proof" in a murder trial.

I wait until I have my first appt to see if I even like them or if they might be able to help me. Then I hand the doctor my info packet at the end of your appt.
All you need to say is that you don't expect your doctors to know everything about your condition ( or what treatments worked in the past...) so you thought this might help him/ her understand you better. THATS IT. The less you day the better. Then thank them for their time and leave. Don't get frustrated if they dont give you what you wanted at that first appt. Give them a chance to read what you gave them... In addition to the clinical info, I always include what previous treatments and meditations worked and which ones didnt. I also request that if he/she can't ( or won't) help me to please be honest and tell me so I can find another doctor. There is nothing wrong with saying that. You are giving them permission to say " I'm not the right doctor for you " and you won't waste your time or theirs.
I hope this helps you.
💜🩷💛

Hi this is Catherine Olsen. I am a retired orthopedic RN and I've worked with pain patients. I am new to this entire forum and I don't know where or how to introduce myself. Please direct me on how to do that. Also what information about me should I include?
Thank you.
Cat 🐾

@spenjen Have you tried gabapentin? I began in tiny doses and the change was amazing. Because of multiple injuries I now take 1200x2. Luckily I can tolerate it n. I know it works well for some but not all. Some prefer Lyrica (I don’t).
A warm therapy pool can help (if one is available)
I go to a pain clinic but none of the injections have helped. I gather that I am not alone in this. But it is relatively recent that fibro was diagnosed which means that treatments are guesswork

@kitkatrn, the posts you made today serve as a great introduction. Welcome. You can also update your profile. Learn how and other tips to getting started in the Help Center here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/help-center/

@krundus76 Ken--I too am a Mayo PRC graduate but it did not help me. I have suffered with lower back pain for 14 years and have been thru 15 back surgeries. I as well would be interested in a support group where people could talk. I don't think anyone who has not lived with significant chronic pain can truly understand what it is like, though my wife probably has the best idea. So, a support group would be beneficial.