1. < Chronic Pain

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.

LynneB | @lynneb2110 | Jan 18, 2018
In reply to @lynneb2110 "Hello All, I’m Lynne, and I’m new. I have fibromyalgia, a diagnosis of which I’ve had..." + (show)
@lynneb2110

Hello All,

I’m Lynne, and I’m new. I have fibromyalgia, a diagnosis of which I’ve had for about 15 mos., but have had these symptoms for 12-15 years. About 18 mos ago, I completely tore rotator cuff tendons in both shoulders, which just added to the fun.

Glad to be here; thanks for having me.
~Lynne

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Thank you!

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LynneB | @lynneb2110 | Jan 18, 2018
In reply to @lioness "Hello Lynne I posts as Lioness.If you have fibro you need to be strong like a..." + (show)
@lioness

Hello Lynne I posts as Lioness.If you have fibro you need to be strong like a lion.I've had this for 30 yrs. What do you do for the pain?

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Hello Peach,

I would mention that NSAIDs (which includes Advil, but Aleve works longer) “layered” with EXTENDED RELIEF Tylenol works much better for pain than either of the two by themselves.

You’d want to ask your doc or your pharmacist whether there is any reason for you not to take these; a few people shouldn’t.

“Layering” is when you are using two eight-hour medicines simultaneously, but actually take them on a staggered schedule.

For instance, take your Aleve, which is an 8 hour, at 8am. Take your Extended Relief Tylenol, which is also 8 hours, at 12 noon. Then, the Aleve at 4pm, and Tylenol again at 8pm.

A couple of links which may help in understanding these:
https://www.healthline.com/health/pain-relief/naproxen-acetaminophen#how-they-work
https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/naproxen
It is my understanding that pain control is vastly improved when you don’t wait until you can’t stand it...which is tough when we frequently don’t have meds that are working.

I hope this may improve things for you!

Best,
Lynne

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lyssia | @lyssia | Jan 18, 2018

It's nice to know that other pain sufferers feel as I do. I do not want the insurance companies or government telling my doctor or me (a responsible drug user) what I can or can not use to help my situation. I have a really good pain management doctor for several years now and between the pain medication (use only occasionally right now) injections (upper back trigger point and cervical facet joint steroid) acupuncture, tens, exercise, supplements, meditation practice for me he also has other things as appropriate for the person. I find that this subject of not wanting the doctors to prescribe pain medications to anyone, the insurance companies wanting other medications to be used (that may or may not work or have more side effects) and the government looking at punishing the doctors for prescribing or limiting what amounts can be given to be on my mind a lot. I am at a place at this time where the combination of everything that I use is working pretty good for me and I don't want to go back to where I was in the beginning because of the drug abusers. I don't think that the responsible doctors should not be bunched in with those that are handing out pain meds indiscriminately for a profit. Thanks for letting me vent. : )

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13 replies
peach414144 | @peach414144 | Jan 18, 2018
In reply to @lioness "Hello Lynne I posts as Lioness.If you have fibro you need to be strong like a..." + (show)
@lioness

Hello Lynne I posts as Lioness.If you have fibro you need to be strong like a lion.I've had this for 30 yrs. What do you do for the pain?

Jump to this post

thank you lynnb but tylenol does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for the pain which is why i take Advils. at age 80 and my stomach ulcers and gerd seems the green Advils help somewhat. does not take away all the pain but lessens it somewhat. it is wearing me down. i start to cry now, but somehow the crying helps. WILL NOT USE OPIOIDS. if i did i would be an addict now after all these years. putting any weight on the leg increases the pain. this is the fourth month now. it comes and goes taking turns with the both legs, either the foot or the knee i am suffering but not ready to go upstairs just yet. pretty sure i have not been bad enough to go downstairs. but we all could use the heat right now. Hold fast!

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peach414144 | @peach414144 | Jan 18, 2018
In reply to @baxtersmom "Thank you for your comments on those of us who find narcotics helpful. I have been..." + (show)
@baxtersmom

Thank you for your comments on those of us who find narcotics helpful. I have been taking them for many years responsibly with the care a very forward-thinking well-trained pain management doctor. He is trying his best to deal with all the regulations and does a lot to help minimize the hassle for his patients who have shown him they are responsible and trustworthy with these medications. I never feel like I am being treated like a drug-addict. Without these medications my career (I am a professor at a major University) would have ended years ago because I would not have been able to keep teaching and being on my feet for all these years. I encourage people to find a good pain management doctor who shows them the respect and trust and care that they deserve. My pain management doctor also does many different things and recognizes that pain management medicine is not a one size fits all practice. He uses injections, nutrition, spinal cord stimulation, supplements, and many new and cutting edge techniques. He also refers to other doctors and practitioners who he thinks may be helpful. He is very available to me and his office is extremely responsive. His care kept me out of a surgery that I think I would have regretted many many years ago. This is what we all deserve and while I have terrible pain almost every day which increases as I get older, I know that I can continue the search that we all are on for what works for us with the help of a caring and knowledgeable doctor. It took me a long time to find him. When I began my search, he was probably still in medical school. I guess my message is don't give up on finding good pain management people. And speak up in defense of those of us who use narcotic medications responsibly. We need to advocate for ourselves.

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Yes, someone must speak for the masses. sometimes i am so sorry that our country treats us this way. perhaps if the politicians should have our health coverages and not their superior coverage then we would be better off. LET THEM WALK THE SHOES.

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peach414144 | @peach414144 | Jan 18, 2018
In reply to @lioness "Hello Lynne I posts as Lioness.If you have fibro you need to be strong like a..." + (show)
@lioness

Hello Lynne I posts as Lioness.If you have fibro you need to be strong like a lion.I've had this for 30 yrs. What do you do for the pain?

Jump to this post

sorry to say that Tylenol does absolutely nothing for me for pain. do not know why but that is what it is. so for now with my age and illnesses i need to stick with Advil. but i do appreciate your caring and do thank you. i really want to try marajuanna in an edible form for the pain. will someone please turn up the heat. peachbarbara

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Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Jan 18, 2018
In reply to @virtuous69 "Hey everyone: Virtuous69 here, Have not been on Mayo Connect site for some time. Major Fibromyalgia..." + (show)
@virtuous69

Hey everyone: Virtuous69 here, Have not been on Mayo Connect site for some time. Major Fibromyalgia flareup,achy knees and cervical stenosis on top of all my other spinal issues. I wanted to cry when I read some recent posts, not only about Fibro, but internal scar tissue and abdominal pain which I have not posted anything about, because of the other issues. Have had one C-Section and a hysterectomy where obgyn surgerion found a web of mangled stuff and endometrious after being told I had a very healthy uterous. I scar tissue easily and I know I have massive scarring in my abdomen. Further exploratory surgery would probably add more adhesions. Some times my intestines seem to turn themselves iinside out if doing any mild abdominal exercises. Agree about magnesium helping with leg cramps. Had two hip replacements and knees are now starting to complaiin quite a bit.
And yes stress aggrevates my Fibro to the max. My husband is nearing 80 and I see his personality changing quite a bit with hearing loss and cataracs. We live from penny to penny and must move from our adult community mobile home in San Jose very soon. Had to let housekeeper and gardener go, and our charming place has gone to wrack and ruin. I also joined the :"Just want to talk group" and met IndianaScott (volunteer mentor with great sense of humor. who was very encourageing.. I
I live very near Los Gatos and think I've heard of Dr. Cook. I'm supposed to get some blood work done for my diabetes and liver function, but cannot go, as Medicare and Aarp not covering blood work. Since when. ??? I applaud all of you. We all have our version of meds, and treatments, and its hard to believe we have to suffer like this for a lifetime. I have a very strong believe in Jesus, and try to manage a grateful spiriit. I have a loving husband, who in his nervous state yells alot and seems like a different person from 2 years ago. I am not able to handle his off and on again personality changes and its my respoinsibility to get this mobile home cleaned, deflead, powerwashed,, painted, and carpet steamed with no extra money. We must move out of the Silicon Valley to another county or state. Weather is a big factor for my fibromyalgia. Dear new ones, hang in there, that is all we can do after working on diet and getting all the info we can to live healthier.lives. Mayo connect is the only support I have and so grateful I can go there and even complain about my lot when I''m overwhelmed
. P.S. I was invited to jump into a discussion about upper leg pains, and I was in such a depressed funk, I could not write on Connect. I think it was change in weather. I use a knee brace and any good arthristis cream for joint pain when needed. My PT used to help alot with Ultra Sound and massage. I've wondered if he could ultra sound my intestines to soothe them down.(??) Is that even possible??
Love you all, Dori

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@virtuous69

It's good to hear from you again. I've been thinking about you, wondering if you have moved.

I'm surprised that Medicare won't pay for your lab work. I have a lot of labs and never have been declined.

I think your doctor should advocate for you.

Jim

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LynneB | @lynneb2110 | Jan 18, 2018
In reply to @lioness "Hello Lynne I posts as Lioness.If you have fibro you need to be strong like a..." + (show)
@lioness

Hello Lynne I posts as Lioness.If you have fibro you need to be strong like a lion.I've had this for 30 yrs. What do you do for the pain?

Jump to this post

Well, (at the risk of being tedious) I feel I ought to mention that Tylenol never did much for me. At all. And if you wish to stick with Advil, and would simply add in the Tylenol, you’ve got nothing to lose, and everything to gain. I was only humoring my doctor and my NP friend by trying it. I couldn’t have been more surprised! Hope you might give it a whirl.

Are you in a medical marijuana state? I am, and had used a CBD tincture under the tongue, but it seemed to cause my heart to race. I have recently used higher THC products in the evening, which helps my pain (hurray!!) and sleep (also hurray!) and which has made a difference in my quality of life in the daytime.

I hope you can try something that will help.

Lynne

REPLY
lyssia | @lyssia | Jan 18, 2018
In reply to @lioness "Hello Lynne I posts as Lioness.If you have fibro you need to be strong like a..." + (show)
@lioness

Hello Lynne I posts as Lioness.If you have fibro you need to be strong like a lion.I've had this for 30 yrs. What do you do for the pain?

Jump to this post

Hi @lynneb2110 I have wondered about using marijuana products to help with pain and sleeping. Is your doctor ok with you using marijuana? My doctor does drug testing about every other visit, does your doctor do this as well? What is CBD, part of the plant? Is that what most people use for pain relief? Thanks Lyssia

REPLY
Parus | @parus | Jan 19, 2018
In reply to @baxtersmom "Thank you for your comments on those of us who find narcotics helpful. I have been..." + (show)
@baxtersmom

Thank you for your comments on those of us who find narcotics helpful. I have been taking them for many years responsibly with the care a very forward-thinking well-trained pain management doctor. He is trying his best to deal with all the regulations and does a lot to help minimize the hassle for his patients who have shown him they are responsible and trustworthy with these medications. I never feel like I am being treated like a drug-addict. Without these medications my career (I am a professor at a major University) would have ended years ago because I would not have been able to keep teaching and being on my feet for all these years. I encourage people to find a good pain management doctor who shows them the respect and trust and care that they deserve. My pain management doctor also does many different things and recognizes that pain management medicine is not a one size fits all practice. He uses injections, nutrition, spinal cord stimulation, supplements, and many new and cutting edge techniques. He also refers to other doctors and practitioners who he thinks may be helpful. He is very available to me and his office is extremely responsive. His care kept me out of a surgery that I think I would have regretted many many years ago. This is what we all deserve and while I have terrible pain almost every day which increases as I get older, I know that I can continue the search that we all are on for what works for us with the help of a caring and knowledgeable doctor. It took me a long time to find him. When I began my search, he was probably still in medical school. I guess my message is don't give up on finding good pain management people. And speak up in defense of those of us who use narcotic medications responsibly. We need to advocate for ourselves.

Jump to this post

Things do worsen with age. I also have a pain specialist. He is helpful in referrals too. No matter the age quality of life is important. I learned that advocating for myself is the route to take.
I appreciate your sharing.

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