Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

Hi my name is Robin. I am looking for support and can also be supportive to others with chronic pain. I had surgery May of 2016 on the t-9 in my spine for a very large herniated disc. I really think it had been there most of my life. At first I had remarkable pain reduction but in a few months my back burned like a horrible sun burn. I was told it was neuropathy and that my nerves were affected from my back procedure. I have used so much advil and tylenol it was dangerous. I am allergic to most pain pills and break out in hives so stay away form them. I also am a Type 1 diabetic for 35 years so my Dr. really fround on the over the counter meds and put me on Neurontin. I am now on a dose of 300 mg tid. Plus I wear a lidocaine patch. I have done months of Physical therapy with some relief. I am now being seen by pain specialist today for the results of my recent MRI. Yuck
I want to do more activites, walk, play with the kids, enjoy gardening and my pets. I am married but not much fun because every night I sit with an ice bag on my back. Overall I am very happy and continue to do things. My friends and family can tell I hurt and this makes me sad. What do you think? I have never been a support system before but my Nurse Practitioner said to try it. hank you Robin

Mayo Clinic Info new experience for me-
been treated for severe bursitis with cortisone shots (both hips)--think trauma from shot in one leg (modest residual lymphedema from 5 year old mastectomy) resulted in extensive swelling in ankle/foot. Swelling is down, now have pain in that foot--feels like I am walking on potatoes and have extensive cramping. Is there something I can do to relieve this?

Robin, I feel very badly for you, but I am not convinced I have anything to add. Only, to keep on keeping on. We have a woman at church who has a lot of the same stuff, I think. She comes to church in her "electric cadillac", but she is there every time the weather is good enough. I just appreciate her being there. She often pulls up beside me, and sings and participates. I thank her every week for being there. And same to you.

Hi Robin I'm Paul suffering with nerve pain 2 1/2 years after a bout with shingles.

On my 4th pain dr, the third talked me into getting a spinal cord stimulator before doing other therapies
and it really hasn't done it's job.

My new dr is trying different meds and next month will change some of them.

We just have to push ourselves into enjoy some kind of life.

I hope you get some relief soon

Have a great day

Paul

Hello @rsuda (Robin), welcome to Connect. Thank you for sharing your story. I enjoyed the part where you shared that you are still happy and continue to do things despite your pain. I am glad a few members jumped in to welcome you as well. You will find that the Chronic Pain group has many supportive and active members with a LOT of experiences. We are glad to have another willing supporter as well.

You mentioned a few different issues in your post, and I would like to give you a few links to discussions that talk specifically about those:

- Anyone here dealing with peripheral neuropathy? http://mayocl.in/2aWCYXq (discussions take place regarding various neuropathy)
- Diabetes and Endocrine System, http://mayocl.in/2eUNVZY
- What to expect with back surgery, http://mayocl.in/2lfVI81 (brief discussion, but I think your input could spark some great conversation)

Hello @drueann, welcome to Connect. Thank you for sharing a little about yourself. Here are a few conversations happening elsewhere on Connect that might help you get started:

- Anyone here dealing with peripheral neuropathy? http://mayocl.in/2aWCYXq (while it may not be the same type of foot pain you are dealing with a lot of members talk about how they deal with foot pain)
- Swollen foot, http://mayocl.in/2ky8JwC

@rsuda
Robin, I'm sorry for the pain you're living with. I have chronic peripheral neuropathy pain and burning in my feet, and I've tried every medication available for it. Some, especially Lyrica, had side effects, and none helped. I'm going to have a spinal cord stimulator implant in the next few weeks, and I really hope it helps. Most peripheral neuropathy is associated with diabetes, but I don't have diabetes.

Some of my siblings have had neuropathy, and medications have helped them. All 5 of them have had back surgery. I'm glad I escaped that, though I had compression fractures in T12 and L2 from a 12 foot fall, from which I've recovered. I'm seeing a great pain specialist, just started therapy for depression and anxiety and suicidal ideation, and I'm supposed to see a neurologist to see if I have MS. I have a team of doctors who are working together to help me. I'm thankful for them, and I'm thankful for the church we attend and for a pastor who's experiencing his own share of medical issues (cancer) and depression. I've found support groups to be a great help to me. I participate in a few here at Mayo Connect, and some local depression support groups, and another online group. I surely encourage you to accept the support of the many people in this site. We're always learning from each other here. Welcome, Robin.

Jim

Welcome to connect Robin!!!
You are so right!!! Pain is no fun!!! Your positive outlook will help you tremendously. Curious if you have tried any other non traditional treatments such as Biofeedback, Acupuncture and Raki? All have great benefits and each work in their own unique ways.

Blessings
Dawn

Welcome to Connect @drueann!! So happy you are here. You posed a few thoughts for me. First and foremost cramping. Ouch!!!! I have this plenty. Here is a link with some great information on causes and some symptom relief ideas. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/symptoms-causes/dxc-20186052

Have you talked with your doc about your complications?? I would highly suggest a discussion with him/her.

Looking forward to learning more about you.

Praying for pain relief.
Dawn

Thanks for your interests.

Regarding physiotherapy. I have chronic pain after 17 back and neck surgeries from 1975 to 2016. My lover said the first time she saw naked "You have the longest butt crack ever.". The trauma of the surgeries was a cause for fibromyalgia and autonomic peripheral neuropathy. I've been in pain since about 1984. I was disabled at 53. 1 broken back and 2 broken necks last year with 2 surgeries increased the pain greatly.

My doctors couldn't diagnose the cause of the falls that resulted in the breaks. Having been a Chemical Dependence inpatient and outpatient clinic treatment program director, I searched the meds I was taking and found it was the ingredients in an OTC sleeping medication I was taking.

Sorry to be long in telling a short story. Doctors don't e are the only book they're ever going to read about chronic pain. We are the experts on our bodies. I too have been told to exercise to tolerance but have developed a high tolerance to pain. I go beyond their set limits. You know your body, set your own limits.

I too have used meditation to absorb and accept my pain. I often meditate on Zen Koans while engaged in pain causing activities. Congrats on your observations and advice to us. Each of us need to find and follow our own path. It's knowing to accept our own limitations but challenging our bodies that works best.