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.

My name is Renee, and I have severe Trigeminal Nerve Pain. I am currently taking the generic form of Tegritol 2X a day, along with gabapentin 3X a day ( which I have been on for the past 3 years for back pain). I feel sick to my stomachs, and very dizzy when I lay down since starting the 2nd dose of generic Tegritol. Not sure I have the flu, or if this is common with Tegritol . I was fine with one a day, but pain came back after 2 weeks of being on it. Any ideas or comments about this?

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I'm Mikee. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1985. I've had 17 surgeries on my back and neck. Two neck surgeries this year and two broken necks. One needed surgery and the other put me in a brace that I get off December 9th. I had two successful careers lost to injuries and pain. I've got the longest plumber crack in the world. From butt to top of neck.

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@mikee

I'm Mikee. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1985. I've had 17 surgeries on my back and neck. Two neck surgeries this year and two broken necks. One needed surgery and the other put me in a brace that I get off December 9th. I had two successful careers lost to injuries and pain. I've got the longest plumber crack in the world. From butt to top of neck.

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@mikee, I'm impressed by the number of surgeries you've had. Were they work related? It seems that a lot of people suffer with the pain of fibromyalgia, and it's hard to imagine how it must feel. I fell 12' a few years ago, and had 3 compression fractures in my lower back, which really only hurts when I overuse my back. I found that I have idiopathic peripheral neuropathy a few years ago, and I've seen several neurologists, and now I'm seeing a pain specialist because none of the medications usually prescribed for neuropathy have helped. I'm taking Cymbalta now, though I don't think it's really doing anything, and I take 30mg 3 times a day of morphine sulfate contin, which helps as long as I sit in the recliner all day. I just started trying Marijuana, and I think it would help, but the recreational strength isn't enough to do much. I think I'm going to get a green card so I can get medical Marijuana. I've been taking medication for depression, anxiety disorder, suicidal ideation and PTSD for 13 years, and the combination of depression and pain is hard to deal with. Does your chronic pain affect your mental or emotional status? I'm 66 and retired 11 years ago on Social Security mental health disability. That ended my career. Sometimes I can't decide which is worse - chronic pain or the pain of chronic depression.

I've noticed that a number of people I know who have fibromyalgia also have back problems. I'm wondering if there's some kind of connection. I surely hope you're done with surgeries for a long time.

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Hello! I have read some posts and I like you have moderator as well. I am 61 and due to wreck 26 years ago I have lots of broken bones, arthritis, fibromyalgia, nerve damage...yadayada. I visited the Mayo couple years after the wreck for several days tests, appointments that were exhausting. On the final synopsis with husband and sister there, they said nothing could be done...lucky to be alive...I asked prognosis for future as only 36 then, 2 teenagers...expect to be in wheelchair within 10 years.

Soooo...I am still walking. I feel mind body connection biggest factor in dealing with pain. I volunteer at different places and even though difficult at times, it takes me out of myself, improves moments for others and puts good karma in universe. Plus added bonus of oxytocin hormone in body.

My dog Doll is best medicine of all. Husband good guy but...

I Persist and prayers up for you all.

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@persist

Hello! I have read some posts and I like you have moderator as well. I am 61 and due to wreck 26 years ago I have lots of broken bones, arthritis, fibromyalgia, nerve damage...yadayada. I visited the Mayo couple years after the wreck for several days tests, appointments that were exhausting. On the final synopsis with husband and sister there, they said nothing could be done...lucky to be alive...I asked prognosis for future as only 36 then, 2 teenagers...expect to be in wheelchair within 10 years.

Soooo...I am still walking. I feel mind body connection biggest factor in dealing with pain. I volunteer at different places and even though difficult at times, it takes me out of myself, improves moments for others and puts good karma in universe. Plus added bonus of oxytocin hormone in body.

My dog Doll is best medicine of all. Husband good guy but...

I Persist and prayers up for you all.

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I totally understand. Nothing can be done for my scoliosis either. Same as you. I keep distracted as much as I can. The wheelchair will be coming for me too at some point.

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@persist

Hello! I have read some posts and I like you have moderator as well. I am 61 and due to wreck 26 years ago I have lots of broken bones, arthritis, fibromyalgia, nerve damage...yadayada. I visited the Mayo couple years after the wreck for several days tests, appointments that were exhausting. On the final synopsis with husband and sister there, they said nothing could be done...lucky to be alive...I asked prognosis for future as only 36 then, 2 teenagers...expect to be in wheelchair within 10 years.

Soooo...I am still walking. I feel mind body connection biggest factor in dealing with pain. I volunteer at different places and even though difficult at times, it takes me out of myself, improves moments for others and puts good karma in universe. Plus added bonus of oxytocin hormone in body.

My dog Doll is best medicine of all. Husband good guy but...

I Persist and prayers up for you all.

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Hello persist, and welcome to Connect. It sounds like you are bringing a positive attitude with you despite the troubles that you face. I think you will find that other members share your positivity here in the community and will also appreciate yours.

You may be interested in joining the active discussion taking place on fibromyalgia here, http://mayocl.in/2effi2l. There are many other great conversations covering many topics here on Connect. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask.

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@persist

Hello! I have read some posts and I like you have moderator as well. I am 61 and due to wreck 26 years ago I have lots of broken bones, arthritis, fibromyalgia, nerve damage...yadayada. I visited the Mayo couple years after the wreck for several days tests, appointments that were exhausting. On the final synopsis with husband and sister there, they said nothing could be done...lucky to be alive...I asked prognosis for future as only 36 then, 2 teenagers...expect to be in wheelchair within 10 years.

Soooo...I am still walking. I feel mind body connection biggest factor in dealing with pain. I volunteer at different places and even though difficult at times, it takes me out of myself, improves moments for others and puts good karma in universe. Plus added bonus of oxytocin hormone in body.

My dog Doll is best medicine of all. Husband good guy but...

I Persist and prayers up for you all.

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Thank you! What's your favorite pain distraction?

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@mikee

I'm Mikee. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1985. I've had 17 surgeries on my back and neck. Two neck surgeries this year and two broken necks. One needed surgery and the other put me in a brace that I get off December 9th. I had two successful careers lost to injuries and pain. I've got the longest plumber crack in the world. From butt to top of neck.

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Hi Mikee, welcome to Connect. I am glad you have already met @jimhd, as he is an active member in our community and has many experiences similar to yours to share.

We have had many existing and new members begin to talk about fibromyalgia. You may want to participate in the very active discussion happening about fibromyalgia pain here, http://mayocl.in/2effi2l. There is also a discussion in the early stages centered around back injuries and the various treatments that other members have gone through as a result that you may want to check out and participate in, http://mayocl.in/2fK5zBJ.

I look forward to seeing more posts from you Mikee.

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@persist

Hello! I have read some posts and I like you have moderator as well. I am 61 and due to wreck 26 years ago I have lots of broken bones, arthritis, fibromyalgia, nerve damage...yadayada. I visited the Mayo couple years after the wreck for several days tests, appointments that were exhausting. On the final synopsis with husband and sister there, they said nothing could be done...lucky to be alive...I asked prognosis for future as only 36 then, 2 teenagers...expect to be in wheelchair within 10 years.

Soooo...I am still walking. I feel mind body connection biggest factor in dealing with pain. I volunteer at different places and even though difficult at times, it takes me out of myself, improves moments for others and puts good karma in universe. Plus added bonus of oxytocin hormone in body.

My dog Doll is best medicine of all. Husband good guy but...

I Persist and prayers up for you all.

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Great question. I play guitar, exercise, and when I really need to turn the brain off completely I play video games. I am glad you brought this question up because it reminded me of another great discussion you should check out regarding this exact question, "what distracts you from the pain?" http://mayocl.in/2dzZdD9.

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@persist

Hello! I have read some posts and I like you have moderator as well. I am 61 and due to wreck 26 years ago I have lots of broken bones, arthritis, fibromyalgia, nerve damage...yadayada. I visited the Mayo couple years after the wreck for several days tests, appointments that were exhausting. On the final synopsis with husband and sister there, they said nothing could be done...lucky to be alive...I asked prognosis for future as only 36 then, 2 teenagers...expect to be in wheelchair within 10 years.

Soooo...I am still walking. I feel mind body connection biggest factor in dealing with pain. I volunteer at different places and even though difficult at times, it takes me out of myself, improves moments for others and puts good karma in universe. Plus added bonus of oxytocin hormone in body.

My dog Doll is best medicine of all. Husband good guy but...

I Persist and prayers up for you all.

Jump to this post

Persist, I have a psychiatric service dog, who's always with me. She, and the dog I had before her, is an important part of my support team. I'm still training her. My last service dog died suddenly in February, and I found Sadie a month later at the shelter. She had things from her past to overcome, and we're working on them. My wife is wonderful, but...

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