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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.

Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Apr 30, 2018
In reply to @kristacat "Hello :). First time I’m using a chat for medical reasons. I feel quite desperate and..." + (show)
@kristacat

Hello :). First time I’m using a chat for medical reasons. I feel quite desperate and thought I would see if I could tap into this community for help. I was recently diagnosed with hip bursitis. I’m only 42 and sometimes the pain is debilitating. It started on my outer thighs but months later is now more painful on the top of my pelvis bone (highest point) and the groin area which sometimes swells up. I have angioadema (my lower lip swells and I get a rash). I was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few years ago. I am fortunate that this condition flares up now and again and is not something that I suffer everyday. I do get very tired - I am finding it hard to stay awake during the day. To add to all this I have 7 uterine fibroids. And also restricted blood flow in both lower legs which can make standing still and flying very painful. Such a variety of conditions but I cannot figure out whether any of these could be related or am I just incredibly unlucky ???!!!! If anyone has any insights I would be very grateful. I am aware that I do have some IgG intolerances to certain foods and recently stopped eating dairy. tips on handling chronic pain and tiredness would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much

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Each gabapentin capsule is 300 mg, so the total dosage is 900 mg.

REPLY
Gail, Alumni Mentor | @baxtersmom | Apr 30, 2018
In reply to @gailb "I want to draw everyone's attention to a CNN Special Report by Dr. Sanjay Gupta that..." + (show)
@gailb

I want to draw everyone's attention to a CNN Special Report by Dr. Sanjay Gupta that was shown last night. It's his 4th report on the use of "Weed" or Marijuana/Cannabis. His reports have been tremendously helpful in understanding the scientific research that has shown Cannabis to be helpful and not harmful.

Last night I learned some things I didn't know about using Marijuana/Cannabis. I learned that CBD and THC are anti-inflammatory medications. Since inflammation is the culprit in many health issues, I found that a good thing. I know inflammation adds to pain, so NSAIDS are often recommended. But, for some of us, ibuprofen, aspirin and other NSAIDS have already done their damage to our stomachs. I cannot ever take them again. I also have had a gastric bypass (RnY) surgery, and cannot take NSAIDS because of that.

Another thing I learned is that there are no set amounts of Marijuana or CBD to use. Depending on the type of Marijuana you purchase, the dose will be different. It will also vary personally. As I have said, I am hyper sensitive to Marijuana when vaped. I can't use it that way. I can use about .30 ml dropper sublingual for pain relief with a light high. I don't like feeling high, and maybe I will adjust over time but since I don't need it very often anymore, I'm not worried about it.

A Very important learning was that Marijuana actually heals the brain over time from the addiction of opioids. I knew that it helped me to withdraw from the Tramadol I was taking. I have also realized that when I quit cigarette smoking on 2/2/82, and I smoked Marijuana (illegally then) for some relief when my withdrawal got terrible, it really DID help me quit smoking. The report said you cannot overdose on Marijuana and no one has ever died from Marijuana. Marijuana is NOT a "gateway drug" and is in fact the opposite of that because it actually helps people permanently withdraw from opioids without the terrible symptoms of withdrawal.

Apparently Marijuana also helps prevent Dementia and they think it MAY stop the progression of Alzheimers. It seems to destroy certain proteins in the brain. They're cautiously optimistic about that.

I highly recommend that if you have questions about "pot", "marijuana", "cannabis", "hemp", (all interchangeable names) or it's derivatives, CBD or THC, watch this CNN special report. You can probably purchase the video or can stream it on your computer.

Gail
Volunteer Mentor

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@oregongirl You are so right about Texas. Where are you in Texas? I grew up in Dallas but have been in Austin for over 40 years. I paid off my house but now my property taxes are higher than my house payment ever was if you think of it monthly. The reason property taxes are so high in Texas is that there is no state income tax. On top of this, and because of this, cities and counties have to have higher taxes in order to perform all the functions of the city or county. In a place like Austin, so much of the property is not taxed due to it being state property (it is the capital) and because of a lot of environmental restrictions on land taking it for parkland. So that leaves the rest of us to pick up the slack. I wish they would legalize medical marijuana. I also wish pain doctors would continue to prescribe pain medications while you are taking CBD products. Most of them won't let you have your pain meds if CBD shows up in your urine tests. My pain doctor is wonderful and I will follow his wishes but I was taking CBD for quite a while and it finally built up enough to show up in small amounts in my test. I had to pick one or the other and so I stopped the CBD. The CBD was not helping the pain as much as it was minimizing stress and anxiety which indirectly does help the pain. I wonder if all the pain doctors do that. Most of them I know of make their patients drug test regularly and don't want their patients using opiates if anything else shows up. Texas is unlike any other place and I imagine very unlike Oregon in many respects, not the least of which is the politics and that will play a role in the issue of bringing in marijuana for medical use. I sure do wish they would. I told someone yesterday I might just move to Colorado.

REPLY
Texas Freedom | @oregongirl | Apr 30, 2018
In reply to @kristacat "Hello :). First time I’m using a chat for medical reasons. I feel quite desperate and..." + (show)
@kristacat

Hello :). First time I’m using a chat for medical reasons. I feel quite desperate and thought I would see if I could tap into this community for help. I was recently diagnosed with hip bursitis. I’m only 42 and sometimes the pain is debilitating. It started on my outer thighs but months later is now more painful on the top of my pelvis bone (highest point) and the groin area which sometimes swells up. I have angioadema (my lower lip swells and I get a rash). I was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few years ago. I am fortunate that this condition flares up now and again and is not something that I suffer everyday. I do get very tired - I am finding it hard to stay awake during the day. To add to all this I have 7 uterine fibroids. And also restricted blood flow in both lower legs which can make standing still and flying very painful. Such a variety of conditions but I cannot figure out whether any of these could be related or am I just incredibly unlucky ???!!!! If anyone has any insights I would be very grateful. I am aware that I do have some IgG intolerances to certain foods and recently stopped eating dairy. tips on handling chronic pain and tiredness would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much

Jump to this post

Oh Gail...I would not dare come off of Tramadol before I could get my Marijuana I have been trying Aleve now and then. I will have been in Texas for nearly a year soon. I think I will find the group who is working to get the marijuana legal. I went to the group in Oregon. We worked so hard for two years until we got it on the ballot and it passed big time. When we would go to the meeting, some free lance growers would bring some samples with them. We called it a pot luck. And it was. 1/2 the table was ordinary food and the 1/2 had marijuana in it. Of course it was not under the control of the state yet so many farmers brought their samples for us to try. Now that it is sold in a clinic, you have Medical and Recreational. Would you believe, the clinics had to place all the tax money into the bank to sit there until it was legal for the State to receive it. Boy what a day that much have been for the State. It is mostly seniors who use the clinic. There is one on every block. They are under strict laws. The medical is compltely closed off from the Recreational. I always used the battery (i guess you would call them cigarettes) filled with oil. I did not like smoking. Before I could get Marijuana (Medical - It is stronger and in different tastes. My doctor had to authorize it. I could have used the doctor at the clinic, but I wanted my doctor to know What I was doing. He had me on Morphine. You talk about withdrawal....I went to the hospital I was so sick. THREE times. Two times the doctors wold me to go home, I had a bad case of the flu. Third tie, I found out that my Gall Bladder needed to come out NOW..
Turns out it was completely infected. The minor surgery turned into a big one. I know it was from coming off Morphine. I still cannot believe he gave me Morphine. I came off of it all by myself. Take my word,,,,never do that.

REPLY
Texas Freedom | @oregongirl | Apr 30, 2018

Galig......Hi there. I live in San Antonio. I moved from the Coast of Oregon. My house overlooked the Ocean and the Boat Harbor. Yes, I must be out of my mind Gave up my Free and Clear House with a view, Friends that I knew, and my Marijuana. I wanted to move near by son. I stayed in their guest house as long as I could stand it and then got my own apartment. I am living in an apartment that used to be Military housing in WWII. The remodeld the entire Track inside leaving the beautiful 40's and 50's look with REAL wood floors and a beautiful kitchen. In Oregon, I lived nearly 2 hours from the REAL doctors. As my RA got worse, I knew I would need a better doctor. My doctor had MD behind his name but???? I miss the beautiful weather but I have to say, I do love San Antonio and all the trees. I turned 76 this month. I truly love it here, but I felt more alive in Oregon and my wonderful trails in the woods. My dogs certainly miss that. Try to find the group that is working on legalizing MJ.

REPLY
1 reply
Texas Freedom | @oregongirl | Apr 30, 2018
In reply to @gailb "I want to draw everyone's attention to a CNN Special Report by Dr. Sanjay Gupta that..." + (show)
@gailb

I want to draw everyone's attention to a CNN Special Report by Dr. Sanjay Gupta that was shown last night. It's his 4th report on the use of "Weed" or Marijuana/Cannabis. His reports have been tremendously helpful in understanding the scientific research that has shown Cannabis to be helpful and not harmful.

Last night I learned some things I didn't know about using Marijuana/Cannabis. I learned that CBD and THC are anti-inflammatory medications. Since inflammation is the culprit in many health issues, I found that a good thing. I know inflammation adds to pain, so NSAIDS are often recommended. But, for some of us, ibuprofen, aspirin and other NSAIDS have already done their damage to our stomachs. I cannot ever take them again. I also have had a gastric bypass (RnY) surgery, and cannot take NSAIDS because of that.

Another thing I learned is that there are no set amounts of Marijuana or CBD to use. Depending on the type of Marijuana you purchase, the dose will be different. It will also vary personally. As I have said, I am hyper sensitive to Marijuana when vaped. I can't use it that way. I can use about .30 ml dropper sublingual for pain relief with a light high. I don't like feeling high, and maybe I will adjust over time but since I don't need it very often anymore, I'm not worried about it.

A Very important learning was that Marijuana actually heals the brain over time from the addiction of opioids. I knew that it helped me to withdraw from the Tramadol I was taking. I have also realized that when I quit cigarette smoking on 2/2/82, and I smoked Marijuana (illegally then) for some relief when my withdrawal got terrible, it really DID help me quit smoking. The report said you cannot overdose on Marijuana and no one has ever died from Marijuana. Marijuana is NOT a "gateway drug" and is in fact the opposite of that because it actually helps people permanently withdraw from opioids without the terrible symptoms of withdrawal.

Apparently Marijuana also helps prevent Dementia and they think it MAY stop the progression of Alzheimers. It seems to destroy certain proteins in the brain. They're cautiously optimistic about that.

I highly recommend that if you have questions about "pot", "marijuana", "cannabis", "hemp", (all interchangeable names) or it's derivatives, CBD or THC, watch this CNN special report. You can probably purchase the video or can stream it on your computer.

Gail
Volunteer Mentor

Jump to this post

Galig...I feel so silly, but what is CBO

REPLY
Stephen | @wsh66 | Apr 30, 2018
In reply to @kristacat "Hello :). First time I’m using a chat for medical reasons. I feel quite desperate and..." + (show)
@kristacat

Hello :). First time I’m using a chat for medical reasons. I feel quite desperate and thought I would see if I could tap into this community for help. I was recently diagnosed with hip bursitis. I’m only 42 and sometimes the pain is debilitating. It started on my outer thighs but months later is now more painful on the top of my pelvis bone (highest point) and the groin area which sometimes swells up. I have angioadema (my lower lip swells and I get a rash). I was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few years ago. I am fortunate that this condition flares up now and again and is not something that I suffer everyday. I do get very tired - I am finding it hard to stay awake during the day. To add to all this I have 7 uterine fibroids. And also restricted blood flow in both lower legs which can make standing still and flying very painful. Such a variety of conditions but I cannot figure out whether any of these could be related or am I just incredibly unlucky ???!!!! If anyone has any insights I would be very grateful. I am aware that I do have some IgG intolerances to certain foods and recently stopped eating dairy. tips on handling chronic pain and tiredness would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much

Jump to this post

one of the problems being seen by a pain management group is they make you sign a contract promising not to use any other drugs or any drugs that you don't get from them. You also agree to let them drug test you anytime they want or call you in to count your pills and anytime they want so using any kind of recreational or medicinal marijuana is out of the question. I'd like to try some of the tinctures that you put in food or you put into liquid but I can't. I'd rather vaporize or smoke the dope as God intended it to be used but having lost one long already to chemotherapy and chronic pneumonia I don't think I'll be smoking much of anything. If you can't get it legally just get it and use it as you wish provided you haven't agreed to a drug test. These people have way too much control over our lives and what we put into our bodies. from what I gather most of us are senior citizens not children

REPLY
jimaem | @ginpain | Apr 30, 2018
In reply to @maycin63 "Hi Kelsey, My name I Cindy and Thank You for welcoming to the group. To tell..." + (show)
@maycin63

Hi Kelsey, My name I Cindy and Thank You for welcoming to the group. To tell you a little about myself I am a 54 yr old female who has been suffering from Adhesive Arachnoiditis for 17 years now. IN 2010 I had a Arachnoid mass removed from my thecal sac which was missed when they did a MRI on me in 2008.
I orginally am from Northeast Pa where my family doctor helped me with pain medication to keep me somewhat comfortable and also able to live my life. I have since relocated to near Richmond Va and have been without pain meds since November and am having great difficulty finding ANYONE TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME. I cannot continue to live with this pain and do not know where to turn. I completely understand all issues regarding opiod addiction and the present epidemic of overdoses , however; WHAT ARE THE PPL WHO TRULY TAKE THEIR MEDICATION AS DIRECTED AND NEED THIS MEDICATION TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF BED EVERDAY SUPPOSED TO DO??? If I do not get some relief soon I will lose my will to go on. Can anyone pls give advice? Thank u again for listening it helps immensely. God bless you all!!

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hi Cindy! I totally understand your pain. I am 40 yrs old and I'm desperate to find relief because I can't continue like this

REPLY
lioness | @lioness | Apr 30, 2018
In reply to @maycin63 "Hi Kelsey, My name I Cindy and Thank You for welcoming to the group. To tell..." + (show)
@maycin63

Hi Kelsey, My name I Cindy and Thank You for welcoming to the group. To tell you a little about myself I am a 54 yr old female who has been suffering from Adhesive Arachnoiditis for 17 years now. IN 2010 I had a Arachnoid mass removed from my thecal sac which was missed when they did a MRI on me in 2008.
I orginally am from Northeast Pa where my family doctor helped me with pain medication to keep me somewhat comfortable and also able to live my life. I have since relocated to near Richmond Va and have been without pain meds since November and am having great difficulty finding ANYONE TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME. I cannot continue to live with this pain and do not know where to turn. I completely understand all issues regarding opiod addiction and the present epidemic of overdoses , however; WHAT ARE THE PPL WHO TRULY TAKE THEIR MEDICATION AS DIRECTED AND NEED THIS MEDICATION TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF BED EVERDAY SUPPOSED TO DO??? If I do not get some relief soon I will lose my will to go on. Can anyone pls give advice? Thank u again for listening it helps immensely. God bless you all!!

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Hello Ciindy I too want to welcome you.This group is awesome.Great ideas from people Most here have chronic pain ,RA ,fibromyalgia.I for one have fibro for last 30 years,L2fracture,bulging disc .I have found Tramadol50mg plus Myloxicam together help Dr., rheumatologist told me take together 1-2times a day as needed.I know exercise hurts but there is great relieve even doing what you can.Hot showers,Epsom salt soak that's a few things ,others have ideas also

REPLY
peach414144 | @peach414144 | Apr 30, 2018
In reply to @kristacat "Hello :). First time I’m using a chat for medical reasons. I feel quite desperate and..." + (show)
@kristacat

Hello :). First time I’m using a chat for medical reasons. I feel quite desperate and thought I would see if I could tap into this community for help. I was recently diagnosed with hip bursitis. I’m only 42 and sometimes the pain is debilitating. It started on my outer thighs but months later is now more painful on the top of my pelvis bone (highest point) and the groin area which sometimes swells up. I have angioadema (my lower lip swells and I get a rash). I was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few years ago. I am fortunate that this condition flares up now and again and is not something that I suffer everyday. I do get very tired - I am finding it hard to stay awake during the day. To add to all this I have 7 uterine fibroids. And also restricted blood flow in both lower legs which can make standing still and flying very painful. Such a variety of conditions but I cannot figure out whether any of these could be related or am I just incredibly unlucky ???!!!! If anyone has any insights I would be very grateful. I am aware that I do have some IgG intolerances to certain foods and recently stopped eating dairy. tips on handling chronic pain and tiredness would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much

Jump to this post

@ Yes, you are correct. I am on Gabapenten. I take 600mgs at suppertime and again 600mgs at bedtime or a little bit sooner. When I wake up in the morning I do not have the foggy brain. This medication does about 85 percent og the job for the pain. I have only been on this for about 2 months. Hope it continues. Peach414144

REPLY
GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Apr 30, 2018
In reply to @kristacat "Hello :). First time I’m using a chat for medical reasons. I feel quite desperate and..." + (show)
@kristacat

Hello :). First time I’m using a chat for medical reasons. I feel quite desperate and thought I would see if I could tap into this community for help. I was recently diagnosed with hip bursitis. I’m only 42 and sometimes the pain is debilitating. It started on my outer thighs but months later is now more painful on the top of my pelvis bone (highest point) and the groin area which sometimes swells up. I have angioadema (my lower lip swells and I get a rash). I was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few years ago. I am fortunate that this condition flares up now and again and is not something that I suffer everyday. I do get very tired - I am finding it hard to stay awake during the day. To add to all this I have 7 uterine fibroids. And also restricted blood flow in both lower legs which can make standing still and flying very painful. Such a variety of conditions but I cannot figure out whether any of these could be related or am I just incredibly unlucky ???!!!! If anyone has any insights I would be very grateful. I am aware that I do have some IgG intolerances to certain foods and recently stopped eating dairy. tips on handling chronic pain and tiredness would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much

Jump to this post

@artscaping

Since you're taking 900 mg of Gabapentin all at once, I'm wondering if you are having any side effects? I was taking 300 mg twice a day, but I began losing my memory and couldn't think straight. I thought I was getting alzheimers at first. In fact, I volunteered to participate in a research study at UC IRVINE for alzheimers prevention. I didn't qualify because I didn't have the brain plaques they were looking for in the subjects. I was really worried for a while. It wasn't until I withdrew from the Gabapentin that I felt like a regular, thinking person again.

I hope the Gabapentin is working for you as it didn't work for my pain. Thanks Chris

Gail
Volunteer Mentor

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