You have to be stronger. At this point it's a mental thing. I keep going as much as I can because I want to be there for my grandchildren I've accepted the pain will not get better. Hell. It's going to get worse. I know that. But I'm NOT giving up. I want to enjoy my family that I love. It's hard. I know. But you have to be strong

Hi, @wbert93. Pain of all kinds can wear at us, and it can be devastating. Each of us has our own way of coping, and the breaking point comes sooner for some than for others. Have you seen a pain specialist or a pain counselor? The pain specialist I see has worked hard to find treatment for me. He knows more options than my primary physician, but even so, we're still working on it. I can't take Ibuprofen or any other NSAIDS because I had bleeding stomach ulcers, and NSAIDS can cause bleeding. I took Ibuprofen 80mg, 3 times a day, for more than 20 years. If that works for you, you're fortunate. If it isn't taking care of the pain, your doctor could recommend lots of others. Last year, I lost 60 pounds, and I think it helped reduce my pain. I can't tell you what you should do to cope, but I encourage you to look for ways that work for you.

I can't do PT either,as it REALLY puts me in chronic pain for a few days after. I have everything wrong with my lower back you can name. Every day the sciatic nerve on my right side is so severe, I find it difficult to go out and do basic things. Besides that, now I have Trigeminal nerve pain due to a dental procedure. I get very depressed because I know there is no cure, and the meds I'm on make me SO dizzy. Compound that with the back issues, and I just find life gets so hard some days. I've tried epidural injections, but they don't work. My osteo arthritis is so bad at one joint it's hard to get the needle in. I've had 2 specialists try, and it just didn't work for me.
I wish I could say it's a mental thing. When you are in this much pain every day, that's hard to accept. I still try to be as active as possible and to stay positive. My doctor recommended me to a pain psychologist. She has helped me cope somewhat .
I wish you well!

Hey...any tips from pain psychologist?

Attaway!

I get your Grandchildren thing. But i am only 46 my oldest is 18 he better not be making grandchildren. I started pain syptoms 3 years ago. Progressively worse. I can't even imagine what it will be like when i am in my 50s, 60s or 80s as i planned to live.

I understand. My chronic severe pain started over 15 years ago as scoliosis curve worsened. Couldn't imagine future but here I am. You have to stay positive. It's extremely hard especially if those around you don't get it. I've prayed to die in my sleep some nights.

Was going to a therapist for various things but on the day of the appointments i would get high anxiety chest pains. Making things worse. I did learn some positive thinking and breathing exercises that help but sometimes it just doesn't work.

I take 800 mg ibrophen 3 times a day. I take 120 mg ER once a day for Essential Tremors which i have had since i was young also which have gotten worse with age and pain. I take 300 mg gabapentin 2 times a day for tremors also. I use muscle relaxers for sleep at night. I am still working full time. I still have one child in junior high. I am positive most days i jave learned how to hide it from my family to a point. I find that when i get "flares" my work suffers. I recently had to take a month off work to see doctors to find a semi solution. My therapist at the time said i may have to go on disability. I am too young to be on disability. And pain really doesn't seem like a good reason.

A small history .....i had knee surgery in 2009 for meniscus tear. About 3 to 4 years ago i was getting minor back pain for what seemed no reason. Had xray went to a specialist then he seemed to be nonchalant about it recommend epidurals then. But that seemed pretty extreme for minor back pain then.

Last Christmas i fell down some stairs just 4 or 5. At my inlaws. High ankle sprain .physical therapy for 10 weeks.

Beginning in july this year pain seemed to just hit me MRI prescribed by PCP at Banner Health. Took a month of work to try to get pain under control. My wife transferred all my care to Mayo. Neurosurgery recommended no surgery at this time. Sent to pain department. Had local injection did not work. Had epidural which seemed to take edge off. [Makes me sound like a druggy] now epidural wearing off. Counting the days to next appointment. Lower spine L1 to L5 bulging with tear on L4. T 1 to T3 slight bulge.
Missing an ibrophen dose makes for a following miserable day. Like this morning when we popped out of bed to run to the store to get stuff for the Christmas Party. Missed my morning dose. Oops.
I guess i should get another the counselor.
I just got sick of apointments. And went off anti depressants because of the side effect in the romance area. Which might have not been the best decision.

Tried physical therapy for back for awhile but it was crippling me for work. There has to be a better way. Quit drinking soda.
Trying to quit chewing tobacco. Almost eat a vegetarian diet. What else do i need to quit?

I've gotten worse over the past 30 years but been able to adjust each year. I've had 17 surgeries on my back and neck. I've the longest butt crack in the world. Each surgery made the chronic pain worse.

It's helpful to meditate. It helps to relieve stress and muscle spasms. I also have medications for pain and autonomic peripheral neuropathy and fibromyalgia. They help but don't completely resolve the pain. Morphine is a good breakthrough pain but difficult to get these days even from a pain specialist. Copays are expensive.

Hang on, you can adjust. Be strong for your self.