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Chronic pain - Let's talk

Chronic Pain | Last Active: Sep 28, 2023 | Replies (374)

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@jahling

Hello, I was also taking the same medications for both of the same diseases & others. My doctor prescribed me 1800 MG of Gabapentin, which I thought was ridiculous. I also take Tramadol, 200MG, which only takes some of my pain away. I first started having problems after being rear-ended by a truck in 2008. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Since then, I was side-impacted by a Ford super-duty truck, then rear-ended while I was parked 10 months later. I also have SLE/Lupus, Sjogrens, Cervical/Lumbar Herniated discs, Pinched nerve/w no reflex in my right arm, DDD, Carpal Tunnel Chronic Pain Syndrome, Carpal Tunnel, Chronic Tendonitis since my accident in wrist/forearm/elbow. Cervical torn ligaments in both accidents, completely torn ligament in the left ankle, my legs swell to the point that I can't walk, Small Fiber Neuropathy, Peripheral Neuropathy, Dry Eye Syndrome, Sciatica. My neck area started swelling after the 2nd accident, and my doctor thought I had tumors. He thought I had a Clavicular fossa mass. I had an ultrasound done, Myositis. Lumps form on my chest since my second accident. No one could tell me what they were! They are muscle spasms. When I turn my neck just a little bit, my clavicular area swells into huge mountains. My neck started getting stuck. Tendons started protruding from my neck during spasms. When my Trapezius and Latissimus Dorsi spasms, I have trouble breathing. I have more problems than I can remember & it's not because I don't take care of myself, it's because of car accidents. The only good thing is, that both drivers admitted fault & their insurance paid to have my car fixed. I get Botox injections every 3 months since my second accident. My pain management doctor doesn't care. I take Tizanidine muscle relaxer, which gives me minimal relief. I literally fall out of bed every day because I'm in so much pain & so fatigued. I also have Hyperparathyroidism. The spasms had my pulse up to 121, my BP elevated, which is bad for my organs, and constant inflammation in my body from the Lupus. I always turned down medication, but I'm 52, in pain 24 hours a day & I feel like I'm going crazy. I'm still in disbelief of all the extra problems that I have since the accidents, especially the last one. My claustrophobia has gotten worse to the point that, I felt like I was shrinking during an MRI & I panicked, My head started getting smaller. I drive my disabled daughter to school 23 miles away. I just look straight ahead & pray. I wear compression sleeves from the swelling of my wrists/forearms, which was caused by banging my arms on the steering wheel, then literally falling onto the steering wheel in the 2nd accident. I'm just frustrated, tired, in pain, scared & disappointed. I'm sorry you are in pain!

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Replies to "Hello, I was also taking the same medications for both of the same diseases & others...."

@jahling you truly have an unbelievable amount of pain you must deal with and I cannot even begin to know how you manage day to day. I hope something happens soon to alleviate your pain. No one should have to deal with so much pain for as much as the healthcare system is paid and touted as world class. My heart goes out to you.

Hello @jahling, welcome to Connect. I'm glad you've joined the conversation and hope you find comfort here. Living with your obstacles and challenges is no small feat. I'm sorry for all you've gone through, you obviously are exhausted, frustrated and scared.

You've provided quite a detailed list of diagnoses, medications and symptoms. I can tell it consumes you. I'm not a doctor, and have not been through exactly what you have, but I've had my share of challenges and you sound a bit like I did once...lost in health problems that have caused you to lose your identity, confused, overwhelmed, physically deconditioned and emotionally distraught.

It makes me very sad to read your statement about driving your daughter to school. You don't sound confident. What can I do to help? Maybe it helps to just vomit it all up, get it out, and be heard, or are you hoping to find some guidance or answers, along with support?

PS: I'm 52 also! We have a lot of good life to live still, just have to figure out how.

Your story sounds so much like mine. I don’t know what it’s like to not have pain. I’m getting no help. I realize your post is more than a year old. Have you found anything that helps? I too was in an accident, but I was a pedestrian hit by a van.