1. < Chronic Pain

What Distracts You From the Pain?

Posted by Jen, Alumna Mentor @sandytoes14, Oct 4, 2016

Hello!
We share what works (and what doesn't) for us as far as medicines and surgeries,etc.
What works for you to give yourself a little break? I'm presently researching family history from the comfort of my recliner.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

wendyhobbie | @wendyhobbie | Mar 29, 2023
In reply to @charliegirl "This group is excellent. Thank you for adding me. I think the common denominator from you..." + (show)
@charliegirl

This group is excellent. Thank you for adding me. I think the common denominator from you folks is to not let the pain consume you. And giving back to others always helps us. I enjoy reading fiction and self-help books as well as Bible study. I watch too much TV but hey, a person in pain has to cope in their own way. I have had chronic back pain since a car accident when I was 18. I am 58 now. I was diagnosed with Fibro 23 years ago. I am on Lyrica, Cymbalta, Nortriptyline, Tizanadine, Skelaxin. I would not survive withour these meds. I also take vitamins and supplements to help my body function. I use Lidocaine cream and Salon Pas patches. I listen to contemporary Christian music all day. God cured me of Alcoholism and illicit drug use almost 16 years ago. I just quit! Never any rehab. I hate the taste of alcohol, even a glass of wine or a beer. I am grateful every day for this. I have an Ebay business selling women's clothing, skincare, pottery, small art. So I go out on finding missions every few weeks, to nice thrift stores. That is fun for me. Take care of yourselves!

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We have a lot in common! I have a canvas in my bathroom that says “Faith is not Believing God can, it’s Knowing he will”
Everything happens for a reason…keep the faith

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Mentor
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Mar 30, 2023
In reply to @charliegirl "This group is excellent. Thank you for adding me. I think the common denominator from you..." + (show)
@charliegirl

This group is excellent. Thank you for adding me. I think the common denominator from you folks is to not let the pain consume you. And giving back to others always helps us. I enjoy reading fiction and self-help books as well as Bible study. I watch too much TV but hey, a person in pain has to cope in their own way. I have had chronic back pain since a car accident when I was 18. I am 58 now. I was diagnosed with Fibro 23 years ago. I am on Lyrica, Cymbalta, Nortriptyline, Tizanadine, Skelaxin. I would not survive withour these meds. I also take vitamins and supplements to help my body function. I use Lidocaine cream and Salon Pas patches. I listen to contemporary Christian music all day. God cured me of Alcoholism and illicit drug use almost 16 years ago. I just quit! Never any rehab. I hate the taste of alcohol, even a glass of wine or a beer. I am grateful every day for this. I have an Ebay business selling women's clothing, skincare, pottery, small art. So I go out on finding missions every few weeks, to nice thrift stores. That is fun for me. Take care of yourselves!

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Hi @charliegirl - that's a long time to have chronic pain. You are well versed by now. I'm sorry about your accident way back when you were younger. My mom had a motorcycle accident when she was 28, she is now 72. I've watched her do her best in managing chronic symptoms and pain throughout the years. My chronic journey began at age 43 and at age 50 I gratefully entered Mayo's 3 week Pain Rehabilitation Center. Here's more about the program -

Mayo Clinic Pain Rehabilitation Center Overview -

- https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/pain-rehabilitation-center/sections/overview/ovc-20481691

Have you ever considered or attended a pain rehabilitation program? My mom always says now that she wished she had had the opportunity to attend. Truth is she still could at 72 but she's closed the door on it at this point and that's okay. For the record though, I was in class with folks ranging from 18 to 72. Amazing.

You nailed the common denominator of don't let pain consume you. It takes practice to get to that point, wouldn't you agree? I love the Dolly Parton quote:

"We can not direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails."

You sound like you do a good job of that through distraction and faith. Good for you!

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dancing1 | @dancing1 | Apr 7, 2023

Does anyone have pain in the chest that may not be related to heart attack or heart disease. I was just in the hospital in emergency department and had an MRI and it was fine. Very anxious have main in the breast and chest they keep telling me to go to emergency but I’ve had this for along time is not heart pain one doctor a couple of years ago said might have been pleurisy. But still don’t know had a full work up by heart doctor two years ago all fine. See her again in two weeks. But painful in left breast and anxious.

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2 replies
rjjacobsen | @rjjacobsen | Apr 8, 2023
In reply to @dancing1 "Does anyone have pain in the chest that may not be related to heart attack or..." + (show)
@dancing1

Does anyone have pain in the chest that may not be related to heart attack or heart disease. I was just in the hospital in emergency department and had an MRI and it was fine. Very anxious have main in the breast and chest they keep telling me to go to emergency but I’ve had this for along time is not heart pain one doctor a couple of years ago said might have been pleurisy. But still don’t know had a full work up by heart doctor two years ago all fine. See her again in two weeks. But painful in left breast and anxious.

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Yes - have had mild pain/soreness that worsens with exertion for at least 30 years. It mimics mild cardiac issues. Multiple cardiology work-ups have found nothing amiss. We think it's muscular in nature - possibly related to my fibromyalgia.

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2 replies
dancing1 | @dancing1 | Apr 8, 2023
In reply to @rjjacobsen "Yes - have had mild pain/soreness that worsens with exertion for at least 30 years. It..." + (show)
@rjjacobsen

Yes - have had mild pain/soreness that worsens with exertion for at least 30 years. It mimics mild cardiac issues. Multiple cardiology work-ups have found nothing amiss. We think it's muscular in nature - possibly related to my fibromyalgia.

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Thank you for your response. That makes me feel so much better sorry you
have it also!

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cgs | @cgs | Apr 8, 2023
In reply to @lioness "I had those nerve pains but found a product that helped me Its homeopathic called Nerve..." + (show)
@lioness

I had those nerve pains but found a product that helped me Its homeopathic called Nerve pain formula it's from Botanic Choice I love it you chew 2at a time ,you use it up to 4times a day but I've never had to more then 2 times I also sleep without a pillow as my nerves in neck where being pinched try it works for me good luck Linda

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Hi I'm just curious as to what kind of pain you are having

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cgs | @cgs | Apr 8, 2023
In reply to @dancing1 "Does anyone have pain in the chest that may not be related to heart attack or..." + (show)
@dancing1

Does anyone have pain in the chest that may not be related to heart attack or heart disease. I was just in the hospital in emergency department and had an MRI and it was fine. Very anxious have main in the breast and chest they keep telling me to go to emergency but I’ve had this for along time is not heart pain one doctor a couple of years ago said might have been pleurisy. But still don’t know had a full work up by heart doctor two years ago all fine. See her again in two weeks. But painful in left breast and anxious.

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Anxiety and panic attacks feel just like a heart attack I'm not diagnosing you but that is something that I've experienced several times I've had stress test over the years and they always told me that it was anxiety

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covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Apr 9, 2023
In reply to @rjjacobsen "Yes - have had mild pain/soreness that worsens with exertion for at least 30 years. It..." + (show)
@rjjacobsen

Yes - have had mild pain/soreness that worsens with exertion for at least 30 years. It mimics mild cardiac issues. Multiple cardiology work-ups have found nothing amiss. We think it's muscular in nature - possibly related to my fibromyalgia.

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Have you ever been diagnosed with costchronditis (Sp?)? I have this along with fibromyalgia and it can be very painful. It usually is brought on by exertion such as swimming. It is inflammation in the breastbone. I know several with fibromyalgia that have this. I don't know if you have taken Advil or Motrin for this or not....my doctor prescribed that for me. I haven't had a flare up in a long time with it. God bless you!

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1 reply
rjjacobsen | @rjjacobsen | Apr 9, 2023
In reply to @covidstinks2023 "Have you ever been diagnosed with costchronditis (Sp?)? I have this along with fibromyalgia and it..." + (show)
@covidstinks2023

Have you ever been diagnosed with costchronditis (Sp?)? I have this along with fibromyalgia and it can be very painful. It usually is brought on by exertion such as swimming. It is inflammation in the breastbone. I know several with fibromyalgia that have this. I don't know if you have taken Advil or Motrin for this or not....my doctor prescribed that for me. I haven't had a flare up in a long time with it. God bless you!

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Thanks for your reply and suggestion.

Regarding costchronditis - I don't believe I have it because whatever I have doesn't respond to Advil, Motrin or any other OTC pain relievers.

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1 reply
eirrol | @eirrol | Apr 10, 2023

Hi, I am eirrol, joining in, and just want to say that I listen to audio books a lot or look at videos on my iPad to distract me from neuropathy pain, especially at night, so I can get to sleep. I also listen to a yoga cassette developed for post traumatic syndrome to calm my nerves, somewhat . Every little bit helps, I think. I might have posted this before. If so, sorry.

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