Pain And Changes In Weather...Am I Alone????

I take 50,000 IU a week because my blood test show a deficiency. I have a deficiency because of poor absorption due to the fact that I had to have part of my bowels removed. it is important that you have blood tests to determine if you need this much.

@colleenyoung this is SO strange. I'm sitting here in such intense pain that I decided to give a search one more try on Bing regarding intense nerve pain. Low and behold I found this post that I wrote 5 long years ago. I will say that not much has changed except the nerve pain is more intense these days, especially in my neck and shoulders. I checked your profile and see you are still active with the Mayo Clinic. If you have any guidance as to articles here I could read that might give me at least some reassurance that I'm not crazy. I still think that weather has a profound effect on the pain I experience. We've had some really nasty rain events in the Pacific Northwest this last week. Not getting much sleep. The doctor has me on Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen and or Acetaminophen with limits set for a 24 hour period of time for both medications. Sometimes it helps and sometimes not so much. As for the weather theory, I get the feeling the doctor is humoring me and doesn't really think weather makes much difference. As far as getting more opinions from other doctors, I've pretty much had it. I'm getting too old for doctor hopping and, to tell the truth, I hate leaving the house. I live strictly on SS so money is tight and I've been dealing with medical issues most of my life starting with RA when I was just a child. I think I've had my fill of more doctors. I'm now in a wheelchair and using oxygen so exercise is limited but I move around as much as I can. So why am I here? Just looking for little self help tips that might give me some kind of pain relief if only for a few hours at a time. Even a good night's sleep would be wonderful.

@cahnny Hello, I'm Rachel its nice to meet you. I'm so sorry to read of your health issues. RA since childhood is quite the journey. I'm curious of your age... as you say you are getting too old.

I commend you on looking for self help tools. Sometimes the road leads us to using our own strengths and abilities to take control over of our health as best we can. Unfortunately your sleep disruptions may be affected by hydrocodone. You mention sometimes it helps sometimes it doesn't. I took hydrocodone for pain and realized that it was causing additional problems called hyperalgesia. Hyperalgesia is induced pain which of course is counter productive in the quest for relief. Opiates are double edged swords. May I ask how long you've taken hydrocodone?

Ok, enough about that. Lets talk self help! Yes, weather has a definite impact on our bodies but not much we can do about the weather except move to a different climate, and I don't know about you, but that is not happening for me! I'm bound to the great northeast. There are many self help tools. I learned a ton from attending the Mayo Clinic Pain Rehabilitation Center. Here's some good ones:

Pain/stress management:
- speak with a psychologist or therapist
- physical activity/exercise (even from a wheelchair)
- keep a gratitude journal
- replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts
- socialization and distraction, humor, movies, books
- practice relaxation techniques, meditation, breathing exercises
- manage the day with structure and a schedule
- ask for help and delegate when needed
- healthy diet, low sugar, protein, veggies
- drink plenty of water
- set small daily goals and hold yourself accountable
- give yourself grace

I'm more than happy to elaborate on any if you'd like. It takes hard work to implement these self help tools with consistency but there are rewards if you persevere.

@cahnny What self help tools do you currently use? Do they help you and can you see yourself using them more?

Hi Rachel: Thank you for taking the time to reply. To answer your first two questions....I will be 76 in January. I've been taking 10/325 hydrocodone/acetaminophen for years. I've lost track now but I think it's been at least 7 or 8 years. I just looked up hyperalgesia on Web MD and it makes sense to me. A number of times recently I've said to my husband...." I swear that sometime the pain gets worse instead of better soon after I take my dose of hydrocodone". Maybe I should be calling it generic Norco. I am positive the most severe pain I am experiencing is definitely nerve pain. I have also told my husband I think I have nerve damage of some kind that is causing a more intense sensitivity to pain so this all makes a lot of sense.
I am using many of the self help techniques you mentioned. They do help to some degree. I've had no luck with the one I was most interested in and that's meditation. OMG...my mind goes crazy when I try it plus I can't get into a comfortable position so my mind keeps focusing on the pain I'm feeling. I keep trying from time to time though.

I think I want to focus on the medication end of this situation to start. At times I get more pain relief from 1000 mg of acetaminophen than one 10/325 hydro/acetamin . I will contact my primary. My primary is not an MD He is a PA-C.... a certified physician assistant with 20 years experience. Obviously over the years I have seen many specialists but not recently. There are other issues regarding choosing a doctor and doctor's visits but I consider that to personal to discuss on an open forum.

The weather does make things worse. When it's about to rain and while it's raining my pain kicks up. So you are not alone.

Can relate to everything in your story!

Yes, my husband who has New Daily Persistent Headache definitely feels any weather change. His pain level will go way up to near unbearable. You'd think the medical community would have a treatment/solution to this issue.

I’m new to this group because I have peripheral neuropathy. Has there been any discussion about marijuana for pain? I imagine there has been. But I see no reference to that subject in the above.

You are welcome! Ahhhh...meditation....I like to take the pressure off of the term meditation and just think relaxation. Starting with a simple pause. Take time for you, it can be anywhere. Pause and count to 20. Take a deep breath to clear your mind. Scheduling these breaks throughout the day is valuable because it allows you to build a routine and understand that relaxation can be just as important to the mind and body as eating. It doesn't have to be a huge routine, just simple yet effective.

What is helpful for me is to sit in a quiet comfortable place, If not, where ever you are can work too. I carry a lot of tension in my shoulders and always catch myself with shoulders up and tight, also my jaw. First I drop my shoulders as low as they can go even if it hurts at first, next I loosen my jaw by opening my mouth to relieve the tension. Next I put my palms face up and relax my fingers. Once you feel your body start to calm and come down from a heightened state, take a slow deep breath through your nose and inflate your belly then slowly let it out through your nose. This is called diaphragmatic breathing, like a baby breathes with their belly. Allow yourself to practice this relaxation several times throughout the day until it becomes habitual. You can do it for 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes. I use it while eating if I'm having a digestive flare. Chronic pain folks really need to utilize this practice. It's a simple and effective self help component.

I applaud you for focusing on the reduction of medication, it takes bravery to recognize and want to make such a big change. I tapered off very safe and slow and I hope that with the right help you can too. l'm glad you are feeling that Norco has run its course and want to make a change. Your primary doctor is a great place to start.

Have you scheduled an appointment yet with your primary?

Good morning and welcome to the neuropathy group. And yes, there is quite a bit of information about medical cannabis and marijuana on Connect. I think this might be the best way to start. In the Search box at the top, enter "marijuana" and "cannabis". There are many posts and you will be able to scan down and choose the ones most relative to your presenting condition.

You may also go to my alias "artscaping" at the upper right hand corner of your screen. I have used cannabis for pain control for several years and faced many adjustments.

What is the #1 question you have about marijuana?

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris