Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

Hi Marie,
What kind of cyst in your spine did you have? I'm curious because I have perinural/Tarlov cyst at S1-2. I've been told to leave it alone. It's so low down that I don't feel it unless I sit on a bicycle seat or something.

My Drs are talking about some type of surgery in my cervical spine C4-7, One doctor says three fusions and I'm waiting to see the other doctor to see what he says. They do disc replacement but I can't find many people who have done this. A three level fusion in my neck does not sound like something I want.

I guess I'm lucky as the pain meds, and anesthesia don't bother me. Right now I'm recovering from an epidural in my C3-C6 that they did today.

Hi I'm Mike. I've had 17 back and neck surgeries from 1975 to last year when I broke my neck twice. I developed fibromyalgia after the fifth surgery. The fibromyalgia got worse each surgery.

I found that some medications like hydrocodone, all hydro...s , tramadol and synthetic forms of codeine cause problems like agitation, nervousness and itching. I've had chronic pain for many years. The only medication that relieves my pain is morphine. Thanks to all the fear of opioid addiction it's been difficult to get a prescription.. I only use it when extremely necessary. I use less than the prescribed dosage.

I was a Chemical Dependence counselor and later Executive Director of inpatient and outpatient treatment centers. I taught at one of the major universities on how to manage private nonprofit organizations. So I'm aware of the problems inherent in misuse of drugs.

The problem isn't with you, it's with the physicians. You have to communicate every reaction to the medications and anesthesia directly and forcibly to them!!

I didn't answer about the benzo's. Yes I've taken them when nothing else was helping the pain. I don't want to be hooked on them so I'm tapering off in right now. I've had no bad reaction with them but I've been extremely careful with what I take. I really don't think I need them so my doctor told me some people have trouble getting off of them and some people don't. So far I don't feel like I do. I'm not sure the best thing to be taking pain medicine.

Thank you Jim, that sounds like a great resource. I'll look into it. Jennifer

I'm" 86" and have had pretty good health along the way.
This problem started months ago, while lifting my body weight up into a big truck several different times.
I had a pain in my arthritic neck, hips, arms, calf & thigh muscles stopped me from doing that.

Went on a paddle boat cruise, I climbed up several flights of stairs to the deck.
The last set of steps were direct upwards, as I stepped up, I pulled my body weight hand over hand up.
Next day my under arms were bright red stinging itchy in a long oval area , with weeping overall, (toxins) BMs had a foul odor, constant urine.
This may seem rediculous but both cheeks of my butt muscles had the same appearance in an oval shape (from forcing my legs to lift). I have seen the same exact symptoms on a medical page I found.
I have abdominal pain along with the: numb tightening muscles, (as I raise my left arm at the shoulder) also tight & some numbness & tingling in the feet, & calves. I regret that I didn't go to the Dr. right away. Retelling the symptoms, loses the reality of it. When I read about all the symptoms I realized it wasn't a simple strain.
I think I know what it is but, can't get anyone to listen long enough to understand what I'm saying.

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Today was a difficult one for me. I had an appointment with a hematologist because my pcp doesn't know what's caused my iron and hemoglobin levels drop. The appointment wasn't until 4, and we had spent the day shopping, and my feet were burning, and the arthritis in my hands is hurting. I'm so tired of pain, both physical and mental pain. Then, hearing that what might be wrong could put me through what my sister did, and slowly killed her, but I have to wait for test results from 4 different doctors, deepens my anxiety and depression and suicidal thoughts. I just want to be done with it all, but it never ends. It's one thing after another. 3 days to go before I see the therapist again. Sometimes, a week is more like 15 days long.

Jim

Hi Jerry,
What do you think the problem is? What is been the reaction when you tell your doctors what you think it is? Do they have any ideas of their own? Jennifer

Hi Jim, sometimes these messages seem all jumbled up by date, I'm not sure why. I guess it's because we respond to a specific answer, or question.

I understand the depression that constant pain causes. You feel isolated, like you can't participate in your own life. Probably a dumb question, but are you want any kind of antidepressant? Even for a short period of time until they figure it all out, might be helpful. Also can you not move up your appointment with your therapist if your having a crisis moment?

You're in the right place. At least there's people here that understand and probably whether they admit it or not of felt exactly the same way. I know when I'm in really bad pain, I get very down. Fortunately the pain fluctuates and I have a little breather and I feel like myself again. Also having my kids come visit makes a huge difference, they just brighten my world. I'm lucky that one lives close, and the other and his wife will face time me. They kinda are my lifeline, as well as my husband and a few friends that come visit, call or text. Do you have people that will connect with you and real life? Really helps a lot. You have to find ways to distract yourself otherwise you're kind of a crazy in the situations. My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Jennifer

After barely listening, I was told it couldn't possibly be rhabdomyolysis. Subject dismissed .
What saved me from severe toxins, I had a BM problem and was keeping the movement very loose to prevent a blockage. Drank lots of fluid before getting an x-ray. That really helped to get the initial toxins out of my system..
Thank you for your response.

I've been taking Clonazepam for 11+ years, and have tried all kinds of pain meds. I started morphine sulfate contin a few years ago, and the pain specialist added Cymbalta around the same time. I finished getting off the Cymbalta yesterday, and I'm down to half the amount of morphine I have been taking. I never noticed a problem combining Clonazepam and other pain medication. My therapist told me last week to hold steady on the dosages until I'm through the current stress, so I guess I'll stay with the dosage of morphine I'm on for awhile.

Jim