Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

Dear lauriedr,
Thank you for all the wonderful information. I will discuss this with my doctors. BTW, my LFT's are always elevated due to my cryptogenic cirhosis of the liver.

@boxermomma, I had significant chronic depression quite a while before I started having chronic pain, but with more than ten years of medications and therapists, depression has plateaued. Unfortunately, the plateau is kind of low, so things like pain and stress easily pull me down into depression that's uncomfortably close to the thoughts of suicide. I'm trying to be aggressive about finding a treatment for the neuropathy pain. I just started trying out medical Marijuana, and it's really too soon to tell how much it will help. The cost of Marijuana is enough to make me feel depressed. I hope to see a doctor soon with whom I can discuss a spinal cord stimulator. So many decisions to be made - it's overwhelming.

Hello jimhd,
Yes there are so many options out there with so little relief. Dealing with the pain, the depression, the pain, the depression......its a never ending vicious cycle that seems like no help in sight, but there is that one option out there that'll help you and i do hope you find that relief very soon. Life is hard enough to deal with at times for everyone, but then there are people like us and others that have to deal with the chronic pain among our other health problems, it is very frustrating. I'll keep you in my thoughts and pray relief finds you soon. Take care.
boxermomma

Dear jimhd make sure the trial of a neuro stimulator really does the job.<br>I found it no better than a TENS unit. The rumbling or vibrating is<br>supposed to make your brain think of that and forget the pain. I actually<br>had it put in bec it was my last reasort for my up to 9 level pain. Had to<br>have it removed little over a year later bec caused more troubles and pain<br>issue was not satisfied. Just my problem - some get up to 25 to 50%<br>help. @ladyjane85<br><br>

I had hoped to have one but spine is too curved to implant. What do you do for your pain now?

Thanks, @ladyjane, for your input. I haven't made a final decision to do the scs, just going to discuss it with a doctor who does the procedure. If I do, I'll at least have the temporary, external stimulator to assess the benefit or effects before I commit to having one implanted.

I have a few resources that have helped me. I have a loving, supportive wife, who could have understandably left me at the hardest times, but stuck with me. I have a psychiatric service dog, who's always with me. I have several doctors who care about my well being. I volunteer for Hospice, by visiting patients once a week. I have a pastor who's understanding because he has frequent depressive episodes, usually having to do with his fight with cancer. And I enjoy the group of people with whom I worship on Sunday evenings, where I lead the singing and play the piano. So, I do what I can to stay safe and more or less stable.

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Thanks for your input. I haven't heard about the Barrow Institute. Is it difficult to get appts. at those places for pain consults?
Kathy

I am Butterfly37. I am suffering from advanced arthritis and fibromyalgia. Currently, the only medication I can take is hydrocodone 7.5/3.25. I read all the material about the opioid addiction crisis and I know when I take my prescription to the pharmacist, I sometimes get funny looks from the clerks. I cannot take any medication where the side effects is a negative effect on the kidney; therefore, I can take no anti-inflammatory medications and many of the new medications advertised on television. I never take more medication than is prescribed. I can only get a refill every 30 days. This medication dulls the pain; the pain never goes away. It is worse in my lower back and neck. I will have to have a total right knee replacement this winter. I am afraid of back surgery. What have been the experiences of others who have gone through back surgery?