Loosing hope that my chronic pain will end.

Posted by alijoezack @alijoezack, Sep 10 9:50pm

I’m finding myself completely overwhelmed and hopeless. I’m tired of endless dr appointments and no relief. I hurt my back 15 years ago and was told it was just bruised. Fast forward now my pain is severe. It has always been for the most part in the center but has at some points been lower. Now it’s in my neck and all through my rt shoulder and down my arm. I’m not sleeping well. Tired of being in pain with no answers. I have had multiple MRI and X-rays. I changed my back dr because he was concentrating on my lower back pain and that’s not where my worse pain is. Now my dr thinks it’s my neck and X-rays showed nothing. Waiting till my appointment next week for arm then will most likely be sent for MRI. All while waiting for biopsy in two weeks to see if have breast cancer. Just tired of the pain and feeling like it won’t end.

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Profile picture for debrap57 @debrap57

@marcd2k
I suffer from severe abdominal adhesions. I can't move or walk correctly. Drs don't want to do surgery. I've tried pain management, acupuncture, physical therapy and meds. Nothing has helped. The daily discomfort is causing terrible anxiety. I agree with you. In our country, in 2026, how is there no treatment for adhesions. It's a common problem after multiple surgeries. Upsetting and frustrating

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@debrap57
There is no treatment for abdominal adhesions??
I am having unexplained pain in my abdomen & wonder if
it could be from abdominal adhesions. How long after surgery
did this occur? I had a Hysterectomy in April of 2025 & my pains
began about a year later, so just wondering if the two are related???

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Profile picture for loriesco @loriesco

I know that feeling and I’m sorry for your frustrations and pain. I had to go to four different Spinedoctors before I found my prince. I was in the neurosurgery department and I should’ve been in the orthopedic department. I had to go to pain management I had to go to PT. I had to go for test MRIs and the rest, but when I landed on my orthopedic surgeon it was immediately time for surgery and I was restored to my best self. I hope you take an active role in your medical care because that’s what I had to do. I had the most horrible experiences and some really bad doctors. But I also had some amazing God’s for doctors too. I’m 69 years old and I have degenerative disc disease and some days are better. Some days are worse and I’ve just gotten used to it after 30 years. The point is to try and have things waiting that are really important to you so that the pain and frustration takes a backseat to what you still can do. Keep advocating for yourself.

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@loriesco thank you I switched doctors as mine didn’t speak English well and was treating the wrong part of my back. I feel no it’s a money game . It’s been years of pain with no straight answers.thank you for reaching out

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Profile picture for kayraymat @kayraymat

@debrap57
There is no treatment for abdominal adhesions??
I am having unexplained pain in my abdomen & wonder if
it could be from abdominal adhesions. How long after surgery
did this occur? I had a Hysterectomy in April of 2025 & my pains
began about a year later, so just wondering if the two are related???

Jump to this post

@kayraymat sadly there is no treatment. Adhesions can form at any time. I had hernia surgery 3 years ago and they cleaned out adhesions then. It's been manageable for these 3 years until I had to do PT for a gluteal repair injury, post surgery. The exercises involved the core and now I'm in the worst shape ever. My stomach is distended, I'm in pain and uncomfortable with all the pulling and rubbing. It's miserable. I spoke to a Drs ofc at Duke University and he will not do surgery either. The problem is more surgery can create more adhesions. Drs are telling me I learn to live with this. I can't wear jeans or leggings, I need to buy larger tops to cover my abdomen. It's really affected my anxiety. I'm sorry you may be dealing with the same xo

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Profile picture for debrap57 @debrap57

@kayraymat sadly there is no treatment. Adhesions can form at any time. I had hernia surgery 3 years ago and they cleaned out adhesions then. It's been manageable for these 3 years until I had to do PT for a gluteal repair injury, post surgery. The exercises involved the core and now I'm in the worst shape ever. My stomach is distended, I'm in pain and uncomfortable with all the pulling and rubbing. It's miserable. I spoke to a Drs ofc at Duke University and he will not do surgery either. The problem is more surgery can create more adhesions. Drs are telling me I learn to live with this. I can't wear jeans or leggings, I need to buy larger tops to cover my abdomen. It's really affected my anxiety. I'm sorry you may be dealing with the same xo

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@debrap57
I have an appt with a GI specialist next week to see if she can determine
why I have such ongoing abdominal pain. I will mention adhesions. I have
almost become a hermit as I never know when the pain will return even
with pain meds. What pain meds do you take, and are they effective?

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Profile picture for kayraymat @kayraymat

@debrap57
I have an appt with a GI specialist next week to see if she can determine
why I have such ongoing abdominal pain. I will mention adhesions. I have
almost become a hermit as I never know when the pain will return even
with pain meds. What pain meds do you take, and are they effective?

Jump to this post

@kayraymat I have tried gabapentin, which did not help, I tried muscle relaxer, no help. Dr just gave me tramadol to try. I have also tried red light therapy pad, acupuncture, physical therapy and pain management injections. Sadly, nothing has helped. I wish you better luck. Keep me posted and good luck at your appointment

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Unfortunately, I feel your fustration. I am in chronic jaw TMJ pain. Recently, on 09/14/26 had MSK Ultrasound. The Ultrasound report found that my facial smile muscles are fiberous that no other diagnostic report found. Perhaps try an MSK Ultrasound. I had to pay out of pocket for the Ultrasound. My best to you.

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Profile picture for debrap57 @debrap57

@kayraymat I have tried gabapentin, which did not help, I tried muscle relaxer, no help. Dr just gave me tramadol to try. I have also tried red light therapy pad, acupuncture, physical therapy and pain management injections. Sadly, nothing has helped. I wish you better luck. Keep me posted and good luck at your appointment

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@debrap57 thank you I have tried many chiropractors, different muscle relaxers. Way too much Tylenol physical therapy many times, injections, many mris. Now waiting to hear if have breast cancer so have put my pain on the back burner for now

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Profile picture for alijoezack @alijoezack

@debrap57 thank you I have tried many chiropractors, different muscle relaxers. Way too much Tylenol physical therapy many times, injections, many mris. Now waiting to hear if have breast cancer so have put my pain on the back burner for now

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@alijoezack best of luck to you XO I am a breast cancer survivor

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I always find myself listening (in my head) to Coach Jim Valvano, former NC State basketball coach, after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Although he died about 10 months after his diagnosis at only 47 years old, he famously said during his ESPY award speech, "Don't give up. Don't EVER give up!". If you're on this site, you're suffering along with thousands of others who are desperately looking for solutions to their medical issues. I am with you, too! Just please don't ever give up trying to get better. Don't ever lose hope. Even if it's small steps, just keep putting one foot in front of the other! And, if you're a person of faith, talking to Jesus (or whomever you see as your Lord & Savior) everyday will only help! God bless you! Keep up the fight!

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Profile picture for painsurvivor @painsurvivor

@alijoezack Hi. I'm so sorry about your painful condition! I'm in a similar situation. I think, though, it would be helpful for you to see the physicians at the neurospine center for your shoulder as well. That difficulty is originating in your spine. It makes sense to me for it to be addressed by the same physicians unless the ones you are going to in the separate locations work closely together.

My very best wishes for your pain decrease!!!

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@painsurvivor I am having an mri of my neck and top of spine Friday. Orthopedic doctor thinks my shoulder is locked. If no improvement I get another MRI

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