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Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself
Chronic Pain | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (7758)Comment receiving replies
Hi my name is Melissa. I am 58 years old. I herniated a lumbar disc in 2014 had one surgery, then had another surgery in 2016 at the same level. In 2019 had surgery on my neck. All those specific areas don't seem to cause me significant pain anymore but it seems they've led to a cascade effect throughout my body. I have acute on chronic pain in one hip and hamstring that no one can figure out. I've had multiple surgeries on my hands and now have chronic pain there as well. Over the last year I've had a flare up of TMJ that I didn't even know I had which led to treatment of my teeth and jaw and a significant amount of weight loss. It seems like when one thing stops hurting another thing starts. I never stopped being active because that keeps my spirits up and my body strong. It's a huge bummer that in many ways I seem to have more issues than my 86-year-old mother. Also a bummer that I had planned other things for retirement. LOL
Replies to "Hi my name is Melissa. I am 58 years old. I herniated a lumbar disc in..."
@melissamc
I understand your pain and frustration completely. I'm also experiencing chronic pain that no doctor can address, which has been about 10 top surgeons in NY. Started with TLIFT Was on hydromorphone for years, tried all available biologics, PT and medical massages. Nothing has helped. Doctors say either a complete spinal fusion, SCS or nothing at all. No guarantee on outcomes. Currently trying LDN, Celebrex and arthritis strength Tylenol. Feel like I'm 90 but only 70. The frustration and depression is overwhelming at times. Hang in there. My mantra is 'things can always be worse'
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@melissamc Very few of us get to pick their retirement and are able to actually live that way. I had planned on working at my job until I was 70 so the house would be paid off, but I came up 14 years short on my plans. The reason, chronic pain from osteoarthritis and idiopathic neuropathy in my feet. We lost the house after I had to "retire" and go on permanent disability for over a decade. Now I'm 67, live in chronic pain 24/7/365 days a year, and we'll never own a home again while struggling financially this whole time. The reason I might sound bitter is because I am. This isn't what I envisioned as my retirement.