@edda.....you asked a simple yet very complex question. "Any suggestions?" Pain is so unique in intensity and duration for everyone. However, the pains of aging seem to finally get to all of us. I am 77 and my suggestions would be the following:

1. Explore the practice of gentle yoga and mindful meditation. Study your pain and learn from it. Learn what works and what doesn't. This daily practice is my salvation.

2. Find a type of treatment e.g. massage, acupuncture, walking exercise, infusions, that makes your body feel better and enhances your coping skills.

3. Find a type of medication that works where and when you need it to. And as an adult, you know about the opioid dependency. I have chosen a non-opioid option, medical cannabis. The journey has taken me years and now that the cannabis industry is more regulated in adult-use states, we can be sure that the product meets the industry regulations when we purchase it from a legal dispensary.

4. Give back.....find a way where giving back to a charitable cause is a real game-changer for you. Do you feel like you are becoming unworthy with nothing to share? That happens to many of us after retirement. We used to be sought after for our talents and contributions.....now look what happens. We are replaced and our accomplishments become a faded memory. In case you haven't guessed, Mayo Connect is my "give back" and it matters to me to be totally there for you and other members. I am comfortable at home and my pain is manageable at a mid-range level most of the time.

Would it be possible for you to send us some shining moments in your life that you can share? Be free of suffering today. Chris

Hello Edda
Nice to hear from you.

When I was 8, my Mom had a motorcycle accident which broke both of her legs multiple places. From that day forward I began observing my mother's massive life changes, challenges and chronic pain. 1978 meant less advancements in medicine... 4 months on her back in traction, one year bound to a wheel chair and on crutches, countless drugs, operations, infections, therapists, hospitals, doctors etc... As a matter of fact my mom was one of the first in NY state to be hooked up to the brand new technology of a tens unit for electric stim! The day of mom's accident, her Dr. wanted to amputate but Dad refused to let him because she was only 28 years old with a little girl to raise (yours truly). Fast forward 41 years later... who knows if that was the right decision. The Dr saved her legs but with repercussions. She has been through hell along the way and I have been along her side.

Before I began this post I was texting with my mom who is now 69 and really wearing down from all she's been through. She has always been THE MOST powerful, strong, stubborn and determined person I know. Her words to me just were... "Alot of times one feels the fight is gone. I am trying to stay positive."

Now, here I am with chronic pain of my own, on opiods after watching her need them for decades, trying to stay positive for her as well as myself and feeling bad for many folks on this forum. The one thing I have learned throughout it all is that none of us are truly alone in our misery and no matter the challenge... support, love and a sympathetic yet encouraging ear can be the best medicine ever!

Thank you for reading my story. I hope it occupied your mind and took away from your pain, even for a bit. Wishing you peace and comfort. Don't be a stranger. We can all help each other.
~Rachel

@edda Good morning. I just read your post. I empathize with you and also relate. I think a vicious cycle is occurring in my life too. I am in pain and have difficulty getting around, because I really don't know, but I do. This makes me avoid activities and even family gathering. In turn the depression comes in which stimulates our pain button and here we are. I also take percocet and get frightened. I also was an addiction counselor for 28 years and certainly know the perils of opiate and of course other drug use. At the same time I am tired of pain and the percocet helps so much, except for the foot pain. They only take the edge off the foot. I have osteoarthritis and several back issues and when that attacks me they wil do the job of relieving the pain. I take them as prescribed and so be it I think a suggestion for both of us right now is to get away from the depression. I take an antidepressant (obviously not working well), but in spite of pain I need to get back into water therapy, which is so available to me. I am also going back into grief counseling (lost my husband 18 months ago) and TRY to socialize a bit. Al sounds good, right. Now to do it. If the opiods help to down size your pain and make it a little easier to get about and you are taking them as directed I would not put all my focus on being a drug addict. Many drugs that people abuse are the same ones that keep people walking. God bless