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What is pain management?
Is pain management (PM) merely *not complaining*? Making pain subside or go away? Distracting oneself from the pain? I ask because I recently went to a pain management clinic, where after a lengthy intake/question process, I was prescribed Vicodin! Any qualified, serious input would be deeply appreciated! Thank you!
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I'm not sure of the terminology to use, but dealing with pain doesn't just mean "putting up with it" or "toughing it out". Chronic pain is a nervous system overreaction, and you learn strategies to overcome it .
It doesn't mean you will be pain free - after 70 years of living, most of them very active, and with arthritis just about everywhere except my jaw and my ankles, numerous surgeries, as well as other ailments, I realize there will be pain. My goal is to take every possible action to minimize it, including diet, stretching and exercise, rest, PT, massage, meditation...
Within reason, the more I move, the better I do, but a full day of strenuous work is now beyond me and I have learned to (usually) listen when my body says "rest."
When I started this journey, I was amazed at what could be accomplished without NSAIDS or opioids - not everything we tried was helpful, but I found enough tools for a satisfying life.
I encourage you to consider giving it a try.
Sue
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3 ReactionsFor me, pain mgmt is all of the above. Opioids as needed, PT, mental health, epidurals, preventative maintenance, and keeping a journal of what I did each day. So if my pain suddenly gets worse I can look back at what I have been doing or not been doing. Etc.
I am lucky that I did find a great Doctor who does not just feed you pills and check your urine. Been there done that and while it helps it's like putting a bandaid on a gunshot wound.
Best wishes to all of you who do the daily grind with me. While I will never be healed physically my mind is in a great place !
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4 Reactions@budo7 Hello and welcome.Thank you for your uplifting post, and contributing to the pain management conversation, you've inspired me!
Finding a good doctor can be key. I'm glad you have one.
I like that you keep a journal, it's an excellent idea for accountability. I use a daily/weekly planner to schedule my days. It helps plan and structure things like morning stretches, cardio, physical therapy, meals, relaxation and socialization. I also look back and see when I push and crashed. I use a bright highlighter to mark those times, then plan better next time.
Do you have any other tools or coping mechanisms that you wish to share with the community?
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3 ReactionsWhat a terrific post.
I think what needs to be added to your list is "positive attitude."
My neighbor would add "a plan for each day." She said she makes a list of 2 things every morning that must be done - like clean the litter box and buy groceries. If she finishes that, she feels her day went well. If she does more, great. She is a terrific artist, and says if she can't paint on a given day, she tries to watch a video or read an article about art, or plan her next project.
Sue
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5 ReactionsI was just put into pain management. I have a diagnosed issue that is very unheard of, Pudendal Nerve Entrapment. This got worse when the nerve was injected 3 months ago with a steroid. Since then it has gotten progressively worse, now all over where the pudendal nerve is. This is completely debilitating & the only people who even get it are seasoned urogynecologists. Since being so unknown the pain management folk do not get this at all. I have never ever needed pain pills in my life until those nerve injections, and definitely need a pain management that understands this issue. So far it has taken me 3. Right now, I'm in horrendous pain, rectal, perinium, labia, buttocks, thighs, bladder, ect. This nerve pain flares, and is debilitating. I finally am seeing a very good urogynecologist at LomaLinda tomorrow!!! We will most likely do botox to the pelvic floor muscles involved. Until I get the issue resolved I need understanding kind compassionate
Pain management for this, as soon as pain from the nerve is lighter, decompressed, ablated, & exact location found ..I will still be in pain during urinating and defacating. This started from being over dilated in a simple hemorrhoid banding
5vyrs. Ago...the damage to my rectum took 10 colorectal surgeons to find. Not only nerve damage but 3rd degree rectal descent. My pain never needed pills, until after major surgery this year, robotic assisted ventral biological mesh rectopexy, cystocele and rectocele repair. I wasxtold my rectum could be fixed, but the pain after defamation would not.
I when healed was doing great, seeing a pelvic floor therapist who got too aggressive hitting the pudendal nerve. This then was treated with pudendal nerve block...now hopefully the urogynecologist will start to help the nerve. This is the urogynecologist who first found the issues from scar tissue in the internal spinchter complex. So during this disorder which many men & women have...there will be pain, and pain management for this is difficult...as they are there to remove the medication to help. Been very difficult...I needcall to communicate and they don't. I belong to a forum on Pudendal Nueralgia...so misunderstood ER doctors are just starting to get it, but can do nothing for it. Some how I need understanding pain management, I will discuss this with my doctor tomorrow as all who have this are in debilitating pain, and grasping for help. He knows, people come from very far. This is also called Cyclist Syndrome. Pain management needs to understand and communicate with the doctor..as soon as this gets under control...I want off all pain meds..as I have never been any kind of pain pill person, but they sure help right now. My plan is to get fixed, and taper off asap. Wishing all who have this luck...not any cake walk....sorry if too long...but maybe I helped or educated a few!!!
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1 ReactionI also had enhanced pain after cryoablation of the pudendal nerve. It made my pudendal neuralgia worse. So no more pudendal injection. Like you can find no to help with dealing with the pain. Am looking at SCS but cannot find any body that has had this treatment for pudendal neuralgia.
If you were on instant messenger I can refer you to the group. Go to Margaret Fish on FB, and message me there...I am from Temecula, CA.. I will get you into the great group. They have been through it all, and mention
Stimulators a lot. I will do the best I can for you. Yes!!!! No more nerve injections for me!!!!! Made me sooooooo bad. As my urogyno nurse ...the good one ...said kenelog can last 6 months...this junk is traveling thru the whole nerve!!! It's so bad...that urogynecologist will not call, zip!!! So I am bypassing him and going to his older wiser colleague at Loma Linda. This is not fun stuff!!!!!
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1 ReactionWell, Olivedog, I had this condition for 14-1/2 years. I sat on a donut everywhere I had to sit. The only this that finally worked was an an anti-seizure medicine (Topamax) for an unrelated issue. And it worked fast - within 2 weeks. Ask your doctor. Good luck!
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2 ReactionsPND is not that rare, just hard to diagnose.
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1 ReactionNormally it is as, best I can describe it, set of usually wholistic form of treatment with the intent of not using narcotics to treat pain. Except for physiatrist prescribing various dosage of Cymbalta and OTC substitute for Gabapentin, I have had very little success with what may be called mind therapy and physical therapy aspects of pain management. However, some people have had some success by participating in the entire process.
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