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.

@jrchicago You can also scroll down to the end of the email and unsubscribe from a thread...I hear you on the emails!!!! I am new to all of this and MERCY!
Takes time to figure things out. Disabling all notifications was my favorite option.

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We are all so different...any of the triptylines turned this person into a ferocious female feline as did Gabapentin (Neurontin), Lyrica, Savella, Cymbalta, in fact: all antidepressants even some of the newer ones. The Benzo's put my mind in such a dark place...Now a new PCP and already playing w/ the one med (I only take one) I do take w/o side effects and 1 I have to have as my thyroid was destroyed long ago by a doctor that had his numbers wrong-I was 28 and now nearing 66. After years of taking the synthetic I became allergic to the name brand Synthroid as well as the generic. A rare thing...I truly do not believe that doctors even look at charts (now online for the world to see!). Called in an increase in my thyroid med and back on the synthetic!!!! Is this a new plot to kill old folks?? Took the help of the pharmacist to get this straightened out.

Help me! Help me! I have Doctorphobia!!!! Truly, I do...

Excuse. Needed to provide my own comic relief lest I stroked out. Back to a low simmer and once again dismounting soapbox. Where are the doctors at the Mayo clinic when I need them?? A pipe-dream.

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@hazelblumberg

I developed earaches in September 2016. My primary care found no ear or sinus infection and sent me to an ENT, who diagnosed TMJ pain. I went to my dentist for help. He gave me weekly anesthesia shots into trigger points (OUCH!) and exercises to do, including massaging the trigger points and opening my mouth as wide as I could numerous times in the shower while my face was warm and wet. (I have been wearing a night guard made by my dentist for over 20 years; he replaces them as they wear out.) The pain continued and only got worse; it was at the top of my head, in my ears, in my jaw, above my palate (as though I'd eaten hot food). My dentist sent me to an oral surgeon, who did 360-degree x-rays and found no joint damage. He told me I was therefore not a candidate for surgery (YAY!) and prescribed Flexeril, a muscle relaxer. The pain only got worse, and I continued to wake up in the night with horrific pain. Ibuprofen didn't even touch it.

My dentist then sent me to a physical therapist, who didn't listen to a word I said. I came in on a "good" pain day: my pain level was about a 5 out of 10 (10 being the worst). After his examination and showing me how to do various exercises, he triumphantly told me that my pain level was now reduced. I said "No. My pain level is now about 7.5." He said he didn't believe me. He attempted to push me to go to his outside clinic to get "magnet therapy," and he tried to push me to see a friend of his who is a naturopath. Two days after this session, I was still in excruciating pain and doubt I'd ever return to this physical therapist, although he had me schedule 4 more 1-hour sessions with him.

I called my dentist again, and he called in a prescription for Tylenol plus codeine, which I can take every 4 to 6 hours. My dentist seems to have no further solutions for me.

My primary care is currently out of town, but I will see her when she gets back (in August); she may be referring me to a pain management specialist, which my dentist recommended--however, my dentist refuses to give me a referral to such a specialist, even though the specialist will take referrals from dentists or doctors.

I have been treated for many years for clinical depression and panic/anxiety disorder by my psychiatrist, and the meds have helped me immensely. On Monday I see my psychiatrist for my usual 6-month med check, and I'm going to ask him for help with the terrible TMJ pain. I have also had fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome for a long time. The fibro pain has greatly lessened over time and hardly bothers me, but the CFS continues.

The TMJ pain makes it difficult to concentrate. I'm self-employed, and I enjoy my work. But pain gets in the way, as it does in every single situation: work or pastimes. My dentist mentioned massage therapy, but I'm in too much pain right now to try it. Another friend mentioned using a TENS unit. I feel as though I'm not living; to be in constant pain is hardly living, at least to me.

Any other suggestions? Would a TENS unit help? I'm more than willing to purchase one. I'll try just about anything to be pain free. Sometimes I am pain free. But I spend about 2 weeks out of every month in serious pain. I am feeling very discouraged.

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@jimhd Thank you for my morning chuckle...there are meds that can do some (can't come up w/ word)...Wait! Lower inhibitions.

Good news about your test results.

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@hazelblumberg

I developed earaches in September 2016. My primary care found no ear or sinus infection and sent me to an ENT, who diagnosed TMJ pain. I went to my dentist for help. He gave me weekly anesthesia shots into trigger points (OUCH!) and exercises to do, including massaging the trigger points and opening my mouth as wide as I could numerous times in the shower while my face was warm and wet. (I have been wearing a night guard made by my dentist for over 20 years; he replaces them as they wear out.) The pain continued and only got worse; it was at the top of my head, in my ears, in my jaw, above my palate (as though I'd eaten hot food). My dentist sent me to an oral surgeon, who did 360-degree x-rays and found no joint damage. He told me I was therefore not a candidate for surgery (YAY!) and prescribed Flexeril, a muscle relaxer. The pain only got worse, and I continued to wake up in the night with horrific pain. Ibuprofen didn't even touch it.

My dentist then sent me to a physical therapist, who didn't listen to a word I said. I came in on a "good" pain day: my pain level was about a 5 out of 10 (10 being the worst). After his examination and showing me how to do various exercises, he triumphantly told me that my pain level was now reduced. I said "No. My pain level is now about 7.5." He said he didn't believe me. He attempted to push me to go to his outside clinic to get "magnet therapy," and he tried to push me to see a friend of his who is a naturopath. Two days after this session, I was still in excruciating pain and doubt I'd ever return to this physical therapist, although he had me schedule 4 more 1-hour sessions with him.

I called my dentist again, and he called in a prescription for Tylenol plus codeine, which I can take every 4 to 6 hours. My dentist seems to have no further solutions for me.

My primary care is currently out of town, but I will see her when she gets back (in August); she may be referring me to a pain management specialist, which my dentist recommended--however, my dentist refuses to give me a referral to such a specialist, even though the specialist will take referrals from dentists or doctors.

I have been treated for many years for clinical depression and panic/anxiety disorder by my psychiatrist, and the meds have helped me immensely. On Monday I see my psychiatrist for my usual 6-month med check, and I'm going to ask him for help with the terrible TMJ pain. I have also had fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome for a long time. The fibro pain has greatly lessened over time and hardly bothers me, but the CFS continues.

The TMJ pain makes it difficult to concentrate. I'm self-employed, and I enjoy my work. But pain gets in the way, as it does in every single situation: work or pastimes. My dentist mentioned massage therapy, but I'm in too much pain right now to try it. Another friend mentioned using a TENS unit. I feel as though I'm not living; to be in constant pain is hardly living, at least to me.

Any other suggestions? Would a TENS unit help? I'm more than willing to purchase one. I'll try just about anything to be pain free. Sometimes I am pain free. But I spend about 2 weeks out of every month in serious pain. I am feeling very discouraged.

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@jimhd I was prescribed a heavy dosage of ibuprofen too, mine for hip bursitis. I finally got to the point where I just did not feel good about taking so much of it so I quit, even though it really did help. Now, post-transplant I cannot take ibuprofen, aspirin, or any of those NSAIDS, only acetaminophen. Doesn't help much, but better than nothing. You make me glad I quit when I did.
JK

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@sandytoes14

@parus I love your statement "chronic pain is not for whiner’s nor wimp’s" That is so very true! I have had chronic pain for over 20 years now. It's a marathon. I have many issues causing me pain. Fibro, migraines, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc of C4 -C6, lumbar pain and TMJ.
@hazelblumberg we are glad you found us too! I see John has tagged a discussion about TMJ earlier in this thread. An easy way to find conversations taking place is to go to the very top of your screen and click on the magnifying glass, you can type a search word or terms.

Jen

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@sandytoes14 Jen, you look much younger than I am, but I have a shred of hope for you regarding migraines. I had horrible ones that started in HS, got worse in my 30s and continued for years --- until I went through menopause. I rarely get a headache of any type now. It is such a relief. I do feel guilty though because my daughter has inherited my headaches, and hers too are horrible. Sometimes she calls when she has one and I think just talking can help her a bit, plus she knows I can totally emphasize. I used to find it helped me too. I think it probably just helps you to take your mind off of the headache for that brief period.
JK

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@parus

Hello all!! I just started following...chronic pain is not for whiner's nor wimp's. Hoping to learn some things.

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@hazelblumberg Hi Hazel, if you find out anything more about this ear bar please share, I would love to pass the info on to my daughter. Thanks.
JK

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@hazelblumberg

I developed earaches in September 2016. My primary care found no ear or sinus infection and sent me to an ENT, who diagnosed TMJ pain. I went to my dentist for help. He gave me weekly anesthesia shots into trigger points (OUCH!) and exercises to do, including massaging the trigger points and opening my mouth as wide as I could numerous times in the shower while my face was warm and wet. (I have been wearing a night guard made by my dentist for over 20 years; he replaces them as they wear out.) The pain continued and only got worse; it was at the top of my head, in my ears, in my jaw, above my palate (as though I'd eaten hot food). My dentist sent me to an oral surgeon, who did 360-degree x-rays and found no joint damage. He told me I was therefore not a candidate for surgery (YAY!) and prescribed Flexeril, a muscle relaxer. The pain only got worse, and I continued to wake up in the night with horrific pain. Ibuprofen didn't even touch it.

My dentist then sent me to a physical therapist, who didn't listen to a word I said. I came in on a "good" pain day: my pain level was about a 5 out of 10 (10 being the worst). After his examination and showing me how to do various exercises, he triumphantly told me that my pain level was now reduced. I said "No. My pain level is now about 7.5." He said he didn't believe me. He attempted to push me to go to his outside clinic to get "magnet therapy," and he tried to push me to see a friend of his who is a naturopath. Two days after this session, I was still in excruciating pain and doubt I'd ever return to this physical therapist, although he had me schedule 4 more 1-hour sessions with him.

I called my dentist again, and he called in a prescription for Tylenol plus codeine, which I can take every 4 to 6 hours. My dentist seems to have no further solutions for me.

My primary care is currently out of town, but I will see her when she gets back (in August); she may be referring me to a pain management specialist, which my dentist recommended--however, my dentist refuses to give me a referral to such a specialist, even though the specialist will take referrals from dentists or doctors.

I have been treated for many years for clinical depression and panic/anxiety disorder by my psychiatrist, and the meds have helped me immensely. On Monday I see my psychiatrist for my usual 6-month med check, and I'm going to ask him for help with the terrible TMJ pain. I have also had fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome for a long time. The fibro pain has greatly lessened over time and hardly bothers me, but the CFS continues.

The TMJ pain makes it difficult to concentrate. I'm self-employed, and I enjoy my work. But pain gets in the way, as it does in every single situation: work or pastimes. My dentist mentioned massage therapy, but I'm in too much pain right now to try it. Another friend mentioned using a TENS unit. I feel as though I'm not living; to be in constant pain is hardly living, at least to me.

Any other suggestions? Would a TENS unit help? I'm more than willing to purchase one. I'll try just about anything to be pain free. Sometimes I am pain free. But I spend about 2 weeks out of every month in serious pain. I am feeling very discouraged.

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@parus I too have spent money trying to get some relief for things and know it was basically wasted but we do what we have to do in desperate times. I'm happy for you that you are now finding some relief.
JK

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@parus I understand your doctor frustration and wishing you could just go to Mayo. I use Mass General Hospital and since going there I am so conscious of the superior medical care I get there. I live in southern NH (considered to basically a bedroom community to MA's northern suburbs and even Boston) and when I go to MGH I have to leave a couple of hours for travel time during the day due to traffic. I would love to go there for my PCP but it's just too far. I just do not really trust the doctors up here anymore. I am sure there are good ones but they are all not accepting new patients, as is mine who I frankly think is burned out.
JK

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@contentandwell

@parus I understand your doctor frustration and wishing you could just go to Mayo. I use Mass General Hospital and since going there I am so conscious of the superior medical care I get there. I live in southern NH (considered to basically a bedroom community to MA's northern suburbs and even Boston) and when I go to MGH I have to leave a couple of hours for travel time during the day due to traffic. I would love to go there for my PCP but it's just too far. I just do not really trust the doctors up here anymore. I am sure there are good ones but they are all not accepting new patients, as is mine who I frankly think is burned out.
JK

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Marield65 here. Do you go to Mass General for what kind of pain,back,knee,surgery? I live an hour south of Boston and had my spinal fusion there. Now I may need more back surgery and am considering Boston again. I do have a good surgeon here in Rhode Island but would like to go to Boston for another opinion. Is there a good neurosurgeon there?
Thanks,Marield65

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@hazelblumberg

I developed earaches in September 2016. My primary care found no ear or sinus infection and sent me to an ENT, who diagnosed TMJ pain. I went to my dentist for help. He gave me weekly anesthesia shots into trigger points (OUCH!) and exercises to do, including massaging the trigger points and opening my mouth as wide as I could numerous times in the shower while my face was warm and wet. (I have been wearing a night guard made by my dentist for over 20 years; he replaces them as they wear out.) The pain continued and only got worse; it was at the top of my head, in my ears, in my jaw, above my palate (as though I'd eaten hot food). My dentist sent me to an oral surgeon, who did 360-degree x-rays and found no joint damage. He told me I was therefore not a candidate for surgery (YAY!) and prescribed Flexeril, a muscle relaxer. The pain only got worse, and I continued to wake up in the night with horrific pain. Ibuprofen didn't even touch it.

My dentist then sent me to a physical therapist, who didn't listen to a word I said. I came in on a "good" pain day: my pain level was about a 5 out of 10 (10 being the worst). After his examination and showing me how to do various exercises, he triumphantly told me that my pain level was now reduced. I said "No. My pain level is now about 7.5." He said he didn't believe me. He attempted to push me to go to his outside clinic to get "magnet therapy," and he tried to push me to see a friend of his who is a naturopath. Two days after this session, I was still in excruciating pain and doubt I'd ever return to this physical therapist, although he had me schedule 4 more 1-hour sessions with him.

I called my dentist again, and he called in a prescription for Tylenol plus codeine, which I can take every 4 to 6 hours. My dentist seems to have no further solutions for me.

My primary care is currently out of town, but I will see her when she gets back (in August); she may be referring me to a pain management specialist, which my dentist recommended--however, my dentist refuses to give me a referral to such a specialist, even though the specialist will take referrals from dentists or doctors.

I have been treated for many years for clinical depression and panic/anxiety disorder by my psychiatrist, and the meds have helped me immensely. On Monday I see my psychiatrist for my usual 6-month med check, and I'm going to ask him for help with the terrible TMJ pain. I have also had fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome for a long time. The fibro pain has greatly lessened over time and hardly bothers me, but the CFS continues.

The TMJ pain makes it difficult to concentrate. I'm self-employed, and I enjoy my work. But pain gets in the way, as it does in every single situation: work or pastimes. My dentist mentioned massage therapy, but I'm in too much pain right now to try it. Another friend mentioned using a TENS unit. I feel as though I'm not living; to be in constant pain is hardly living, at least to me.

Any other suggestions? Would a TENS unit help? I'm more than willing to purchase one. I'll try just about anything to be pain free. Sometimes I am pain free. But I spend about 2 weeks out of every month in serious pain. I am feeling very discouraged.

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I buy any and all supplements, then I try to get them ok'd by .my PCP.. it is best if the dr.writes a Rx for the supplements. In the past, business:has sent all meds to the patient . With gm and their staff, plus the workers, housekeeping, etc., they must know. It is sad that Americans pay lots of moneyfor things that fall. I have planned lawn parties and had to call uninhabited. On the way home,

Many OTC and legit scripted are still dangerous. Paul will have to double his payoff from open If you can't until our next time together.

Many vitamins endorse what se as fact. The soviets made a tv show.tl llah bdre! I quickly ran through the tow line istill safe.i will pick the kids for dinner.
That is so sweet of you! Not really, he said.

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