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Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

Posted by Kelsey Mohring @kelseydm, Apr 27, 2016

Welcome to the new Chronic Pain group.

I’m Kelsey and I’m the moderator of the group. I look forwarding to welcoming you and introducing you to other members. Feel free to browse the topics or start a new one.

Why not take a minute and introduce yourself.

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

granny998 | @granny998 | Aug 10, 2016
In reply to @frank1 "Hi, my name is Warren. I have dry eye disease, whose cause has yet to be..." + (show)
@frank1

Hi, my name is Warren. I have dry eye disease, whose cause has yet to be determined (after 6 years). I don't have pain in the sense of "hurt", but I do have it in the sense of irritation that is constant any time I have my eyes open. For that reason it seems I am more similar and sympathetic to people who have chronic pain than other types of disorders. People do not understand how it feels to constantly have sand in your eyes, or large foreign objects, and burning, and when one looks--there's nothing there! When I leave home or go outdoors, I find that wearing a snug-fitting pair of high-school chemistry lab goggles help keep my eyes from drying out so fast helps, but it is humiliating, and you should hear the comments some people make! I've said enough for now, but I am so glad to be part of this group. I hope I can help some of you. Thanks. Warren

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I have also had the tubes in my tear ducts and have had them for a long time. Not sure if I remember how they felt before.

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hosta, Eve | @hosta | Aug 10, 2016
In reply to @alysebrunella "Hello and welcome to all of our new members, @sunshineme, @janicedean, @granny988, @hosta, @hemraj, and @lauriedr!..." + (show)
@alysebrunella

Hello and welcome to all of our new members, @sunshineme, @janicedean, @granny988, @hosta, @hemraj, and @lauriedr! We're thrilled to have you all as part of the Chronic Pain group. And appreciate you sharing a little bit about yourself in this thread. I'd also like to introduce you all to existing members of the Chronic Pain group, @leh09, @19lin, @suebreen54, @ladyjane85, @briansr, @salena54, @sharonmay7, and @lolomarie.

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I have had spinal surgery twice. First time at 18 I did well, then was pregnant at 22 and had a baby each of the next three years. Had trouble after that. The next surgery was when I was 32. My 4th child was 3 years old. Did good tho I had to watch what I did and how I did it. Then had the compression fracture in 2009 when I tried to move a queen size sofa. Had the kypo done and did pretty well until I fell in 2015. But as far as the surgeries were concerned, I wish I could have it again if it did away with the pain. No such luck.

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Vickie | @vickiekay | Aug 10, 2016
In reply to @mojoearle "Hello group! I'm almost 34 years old and suffer from Chronic pain. I have had 16..." + (show)
@mojoearle

Hello group! I'm almost 34 years old and suffer from Chronic pain. I have had 16 surgeries and have been a patient at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale for almost 3 years now but I live in Idaho and have to travel down to Arizona every three months for a month or so of treatment and testing and Doctor appointments and just even thinking of packing and flying down makes me hurt even more. But in all seriousness I do struggle with the long trip down to Scottsdale and then making it to all of my appointments and giving hundreds of vials of blood and doing all the test and my existence is just painful all the time 24/7! I have a pain Doctor in Boise but they make everyone at their clinic only take extremely low doses of pain medication a day and DONT GET ME WRONG I WOULD KILL TO NEVER HAVE TO EVEN LOOK AT A NARCOTIC PAINKILLER AGAIN BUT I DONT EVEN GET TO A 5-6 ON THE PAIN SCALE!

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I would appreciate hearing more about the Mayo Pain classes/workshops! I<br>tried the one day class when it was first offered and was not happy..we sat<br>on hard folding chairs and watched PowerPoint presentations!!! UGH! Has it<br>improved? What is covered? Thank you in advance!<br><br>

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lamerex4 | @lamerex4 | Aug 11, 2016
In reply to @jimhd "I'm Jim, turning 66 tomorrow, 8/10/16. I'm here because of idiopathic peripheral neuropathy pain and for..." + (show)
@jimhd

I'm Jim, turning 66 tomorrow, 8/10/16. I'm here because of idiopathic peripheral neuropathy pain and for mental health issues, specifically depression, anxiety and PTSD. I've been seeking help for the chronic pain for around 3 years. Clinical depression was diagnosed 13-14 years ago. I've seen therapists between 2006 and 2015, and see a psychiatrist to check in with meds every 3 months. Dealing with such long term depression has been difficult and discouraging. I've tried every medication available to treat neuropathy, now on Cymbalta, tapering off morphine sulfate. Duloxetine (Cymbalta) is the last med on the list.

I retired at 55 on the advice of doctors and a psychiatrist, and was approved for Social Security disability for mental health, including multiple suicide attempts. My wife and I have only my Social Security income, but we're fortunate to own our home, with no mortgage and no car payments, so with EBT and a couple of other assistance resources, we can survive.

I don't know how much of this introduction is made public, so I'll leave it at that.

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I was first diagnosed with chronic clinical depression in 1991; although I believe I've had it my entire adult life. I have been on an SSRI since the diagnosis and have been in cognitive behavior therapy off and on. Five years ago I discovered a clinician who recommended EMDR. This truly has been a life changer for me; I no longer have the negative self-talk and I speak up for myself when people cross boundaries. I mention the EMDR because you mentioned PTSD; it supposed to be highly effective for that diagnosis. Make sure to look for a certified EMDR therapist. I also have idiopathic peripheral neuropathy in my legs and arms. Gabapentin didn't do anything for the numbness, so I don't take any medication for the neuropathy. It is progressive, however, and that is discouraging. My neurologist thinks it is familial. Happy Birthday, Jim!

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Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Aug 11, 2016
In reply to @medic7054 "Hi, My name is Rich Carlson. I have Peripheral Neuropathy with about a 10+ year history...." + (show)
@medic7054

Hi, My name is Rich Carlson. I have Peripheral Neuropathy with about a 10+ year history. I currently take Lyrica 300 mg qid, Cymbalta 30 mg daily, OTC Tylenol and Advil qid. My primary physician has referred me to a Medical Marijuana center. Has anyone here ever tried this? If so, did it help. My pain has incapacitated me to point where I would try most anything that works to relieve my pain.

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I was hospitalized because of side effects from Lyrica, and now I take 90mg<br>of Cymbalta, Percocet prn, muscle relaxer prn, and was up to 90mg of<br>morphine sulfate contin, but I'm trying to taper off the morphine. No other<br>med did anything for peripheral neuropathy. I've also been wondering about<br>Marijuana.<br><br>

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Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Aug 11, 2016

I've wondered what other people's opinions were about nerve stimulator. I<br>hesitate to have it because it complicates things if I need an MRI.<br>

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 11, 2016
In reply to @jimhd "I'm Jim, turning 66 tomorrow, 8/10/16. I'm here because of idiopathic peripheral neuropathy pain and for..." + (show)
@jimhd

I'm Jim, turning 66 tomorrow, 8/10/16. I'm here because of idiopathic peripheral neuropathy pain and for mental health issues, specifically depression, anxiety and PTSD. I've been seeking help for the chronic pain for around 3 years. Clinical depression was diagnosed 13-14 years ago. I've seen therapists between 2006 and 2015, and see a psychiatrist to check in with meds every 3 months. Dealing with such long term depression has been difficult and discouraging. I've tried every medication available to treat neuropathy, now on Cymbalta, tapering off morphine sulfate. Duloxetine (Cymbalta) is the last med on the list.

I retired at 55 on the advice of doctors and a psychiatrist, and was approved for Social Security disability for mental health, including multiple suicide attempts. My wife and I have only my Social Security income, but we're fortunate to own our home, with no mortgage and no car payments, so with EBT and a couple of other assistance resources, we can survive.

I don't know how much of this introduction is made public, so I'll leave it at that.

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@jimhd Hi Jim and welcome to Mayo Connect! Thanks for sharing your story with us. I'd like to say how much I admire the way you are dealing with your health issues and with life in general. Have you found some activities that are rewarding now that you are retired? When I first retired I found a senior center that had some low cost chair-exercise classes. Physical activity in a group setting is a great way to help both your mind and body. Best wishes to both you and your wife!

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hosta, Eve | @hosta | Aug 11, 2016
In reply to @jimhd "I've wondered what other people's opinions were about nerve stimulator. Ihesitate to have it because it..." + (show)
@jimhd

I've wondered what other people's opinions were about nerve stimulator. I<br>hesitate to have it because it complicates things if I need an MRI.<br>

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It didn't do me any good. But keep in mind, everyone is different. It does interfere with having a MRI. I tried to use it for about a year. Couldn't get them to take it out, after 2 more years, it is gone. Feels better not to have it. But that is just me. It might help you!

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ladyjane85 | @ladyjane85 | Aug 11, 2016
In reply to @frank1 "Hi, my name is Warren. I have dry eye disease, whose cause has yet to be..." + (show)
@frank1

Hi, my name is Warren. I have dry eye disease, whose cause has yet to be determined (after 6 years). I don't have pain in the sense of "hurt", but I do have it in the sense of irritation that is constant any time I have my eyes open. For that reason it seems I am more similar and sympathetic to people who have chronic pain than other types of disorders. People do not understand how it feels to constantly have sand in your eyes, or large foreign objects, and burning, and when one looks--there's nothing there! When I leave home or go outdoors, I find that wearing a snug-fitting pair of high-school chemistry lab goggles help keep my eyes from drying out so fast helps, but it is humiliating, and you should hear the comments some people make! I've said enough for now, but I am so glad to be part of this group. I hope I can help some of you. Thanks. Warren

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They have to be replaced in 6 months - ao good....

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beverlymellskog | @beverlymellskog | Aug 11, 2016
In reply to @suesiegel "I am 63 years old. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, CMS and chronic fatigue syndrome in..." + (show)
@suesiegel

I am 63 years old. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, CMS and chronic fatigue syndrome in 2007. At the time I had a viral panel done that showed that, while I had antibodies for nearly everything except Lyme Disease, I had an active Epstein Barr infection. While I have never been able to make the connection, I don't believe in coincidences.

I am lucky enough to be able to work from home. This gives me the schedule flexibility to function.

I have been through all of the medication protocols that the "experts" around here come up with, and none have worked for me. I had terrible reactions to Lyrica and Cymbalta, and the rest didn't work. Despite what doctors think, anti-depressants do not work as pain killers for me.

My most recent issue has created terrible problems for me. 16 months ago I had serious open rotator cuff surgery. This required amputation of the end of my collarbone to remove large bone spurs, as well as repair of a large, full-thickness rotator cuff tear. I went through 6 months of PT and continue to work out at a gym. However, I still have severe shoulder pain. I have seen pain management specialists, neurologists and rheumatologists. Those who didn't make me worse told me to get lost.

I really think I have reached the end of my rope, and don't seem to have anywhere else to turn.

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Have you tried gabapentin for the fibromyalgia?<br>

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