Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

@rwinney So, on that note, I have actually had to do a reevaluation of the "big picture" schedule of my life. A friend of mine has encouraged me to be mindful of my plate - what I can add on, take off or rearrange entirely. And, it's been a godsend to me because for once in my life I finally feel like I am allowed to "step back" or "focus on me" if I need...a foreign concept in my world. Right now, with a new semester starting at a new school, staying on top of my assignments is the biggest priority I have. Thankfully, it gives me leeway to say, "I can't today" either to others or myself. Unfortunately, tho, flares keep me awake most nights and do put a hard stop to any physical activities, but on the upside they do slow me down at work, which is where the limitations are needed most. It's been really humbling I'll say, because for one it's allowed me to be able to ask for help and just "be real" with others, while also providing encouragement to them. Sometimes those days when all I really want to do is go for a run, I have to settle and be thankful I have the opportunity to "trade" desired activities e.g. playing my organ instead of a brisk walk. Continuing to seek joy in all things, little or big, is KEY for me and it keeps me going! 🙂

LOL. Yes, I knew what you meant. I was just interested in hearing what all the s*** was and how you handled it. I was hoping it might help some of us or maybe some of us could help you if it happens to you again. But if it's too personal, then I understand if you don't want to share. Just hope you are feeling better and if we can help you in any way, please share with us. We are all here to help and to get help.

You are experiencing the same thing I just went through. I fractured another vertebrae and was in excrutiating pain. I asked my spine doctor if she could give me something stronger until the fracture healed and she said no. I asked her if I could take the pain medication I was on every 4 hours instead of every 6 hours and she said no because I would run out of the pain medication. So all she would do was prescribe Lyrica and a ton of X-Rays and a MRI. Even after finding out what was causing the horrible pain she still didn't try to help with the pain. I sent her a note in the health portal we use and asked her for an explanation of why she wouldn't help with some kind of treatment to ease the pain and she wouldn't even respond to the message. I think it may be time that I look for a new back specialist. But more importantly, I think its time the government hear our complaints. I just don't know who to contact about it. If anyone out there knows who I can contact at the government level about the the laws and regulations please let me know.

But I can tell you that I do have luck with a product called StopPain. It's a roll on and I've used it for my shoulder that has a torn rotator cuff. It does a great job on that pain. I've only found it at Walgreens. You also might ask your doctor about writing a script for those pain patches. Good luck to you. I hope you get some relief real soon. God bless you.

Hi, I’m a new member. Have suffered from lower back and sciatica pain for over 10 years. Have tried physical therapy, epidural injections, Surgery (laminectomy), acupuncture and BCD, and most recently more PT with class 4 laser treatments. None of these has helped. Afraid I have to live with pain for the rest of my life.

@seattle579 Hello there, welcome. Thanks for joining the conversation about chronic pain. You my friend, are not alone. 10 years is a long time of having chronic back pain. It sounds like you may be coming to acceptance, which is such an important factor in moving forward to find your best quality of life. Finding a plan and path forward as to how you are going to find the best quality of life, given your circumstances, is another big step.

Do you mind sharing a little about your daily routine and what self-help tools you presently use?

@rivermaya34 I hear you saying so many good things like mindful, big picture, focus on me, etc... I'm impressed! You certainly are saying the right things and are on the right track. A full plate can be destructive when dealing with chronic symptoms, as you were finding out. It is a real blow when reality sets in that life must change and be recreated in order to find the best quality of life for oneself. Saying it is one thing, but doing is another and it takes time. Please give yourself grace along the way and remember... Self-Care Is Not Selfish.

Greetings my friends. I am 54 and
am retired/disabled due to multiple injuries from a car accident in 2017. I had a laminectomy, discectomy and fusion of L4/L5, radio frequency ablations a C5/C6/C7 and 2 surgeries on my right hand—All of these to address injuries and pain after the car accident. I’ve done years of chiropractic, massage, acupuncture but have suffered from neuropathic pain from the beginning—right after the accident. Last year I was diagnosed with Small Nerve Fiber Polyneuropathy(SNFPN)—caused by the injuries or subsequent surgeries from the car accident. I’m on a daily course of pain, anti-depressant and anti-seizure medications and many vitamin and other supplements—all to address my pain issues. I have chronic lumbar and sacral pain, chronic cervical/thoracic pain, the SNFPN causes Allodynia which presents as whole body skin hypersensitivity, making it nearly impossible to wear clothing—I also have constant crushing pain in all of my bones, constant tinnitus in both of my ears, as well as digestion, bladder and bowel issues—all caused by the SNFPN—for which there is no cure and no treatment—Only pain management. I spend all day everyday fighting with pain that never goes away and it’s physically, mentally and emotionally draining.

Greetings @kireraw ! After reading your post, looks like our situations are 95% similar. I'm SO sorry you are dealing with all this 🙁 Does anything bring you relief at all? I would attest to your last statement - it is exceedingly tiring fighting pain just to be able to function. There is a practical pain management program that @rwinney suggested to me - which I am currently in the process of seeking a referral for - she may be able to give you some more info if you're interested...she said it was "life-altering."

@rwinney This weekend was devastating for me, pain and sleep-wise. No sleep + worst pain ever = bad combination. Thankfully, tho, it was the first time in years I was able to just take a few minutes and cry. And, on top of that, I was able to reach out to a friend (my former figure skating coach, an Olympian at that) who really came alongside me to support, encourage and advocate for me. She even affirmed that it's ok "to slow down" and is probably necessary now. It's really humbling, but hard, to allow others who have always viewed you as "strong" to watch you hit rock bottom then come down and sit with you in the pit before offering a hand out. It's a deeper level of love than I'll ever be able to understand this side of Heaven! Yesterday was the first time I was able to voice to her and another friend that I just needed someone to sit with me while I cry...an enormous step for a hard-headed, independent, strong-willed girl like myself lol. But, your reminders above are absolutely golden and needed... that "it's not selfish" and to "extend grace" personally. As I've decreased my pace in life (with some things, not everything), it's blessed me by presenting opportunities to gaze at beautiful scenery more, increase my gratitude for life itself and basic functions, and ultimately encourage others in their hard times. Thank you for being such a bright spot among this community! 🙂

praying for you!!!