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Excruciating chronic left side neck pain plus lumbar issues

Spine Health | Last Active: Nov 18, 2023 | Replies (360)
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@ab6540183

Hi jm1,

how are you?

Thank you for your support.

Yes I am repetitive by default, I can be somehow annoying at times.

I won't be able to see the second pain management doctor until the 6th of April.

I haven't been taking the meds during the day because the pain management doctor told me to take them at night. It was me that decided to take the extra pregabalin in the last 3 days because I wasn't coping. After taking them I started feeling nausea and feeling extra hot inside my body.

The biggest problem that I have at the moment on top of my existing issues, is managing the anxiety. I find it truly hard to do meditation, doing slow breathing especially after taking the meds, I am feeling short of breath most of the times.

I mentioned the lumps because the pain, the burning start from these lumps and spread downwards. If I hardly touch the right trap muscle I feel very deep pain there.

Best regards

Alfred

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Replies to "Hi jm1, how are you? Thank you for your support. Yes I am repetitive by default,..."
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Mar 11, 2023

@ab6540183

Alfred, You may want to ask your doctor or pharmacist is the extra doses of pregabalin would be safe, and if that could be causing the nausea and feeling of "being hot" that you describe.

I also saw a post from another member that mentioned a podcast with a psychologist about the psychology of pain and gaining control of it. I looked her up, and here is her website, She has written some books that may interest you. I have not seen this, but I think that this may explain
how meditation, music, relaxation therapies can help reduce pain and why it works among other things. If you understand why it can work, perhaps you can let yourself explore that possibility.
https://www.zoffness.com/
When you describe yourself being short of breath, that may be from breathing improperly by taking quick breaths with the upper part of the lungs and even using neck muscles to do it pulling on the upper ribs. That will cause more anxiety. Relaxed breathing is from the diaphragm muscles in the belly. You can place your hand there to make sure your belly is rising slowly with a slow deep inhale. Don't rush or it gets right back to breathing with your neck again.

@jm1 is correct in that the more you describe yourself as being defeated by your pain and situation, the deeper that gets and you begin to define yourself in a negative way. You can talk yourself into staying there if you keep revisiting those thoughts. It may be subconscious, but you need to find a way to interrupt that roller coaster of pain, fear, and anger.

Perhaps you're not ready to understand and explore this just yet. In order to move forward, there needs to be acceptance of the situation, and in a way, "making friends" with your pain and trying to understand it. Only then, will pain no longer be an enemy, and you can find a way to influence the pain and lessen its anxiety. Those are steps that you can take when you are ready to take responsibility for your wellness.

Alfred, it makes me sad to know that you are suffering and not getting the help that you need. I feel powerless to help, but I am listening.

Jennifer

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