Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

I have had a CT scan and an MRI of my head. Everything's normal.

I have had a CT scan and and MRI of my head. Everything's normal.

@jmgndph
Hi!
I'm glad your tests showed everything to be noticed.
I know we don't want anything serious but I know I 'sort of' wished that something showed up so that finally, a plan of action could be made.
Where do you go from here?
Have a pain-free rest of the day...
Ronnie (GRANDMA r)

Hello my name is frank I am 56 57 in a few days.I have had lower back pain for many years was able to work until June of 2016 was out of work for about a year before surgery in 2017 when I had surgery fusion of L5 down.it didn't help so now dealing with more pain .I am in pain management.I know their is no magic pill so hoping just talking with people in the same boat will help.

Please don't take what I am about to say the wrong way, I am very sincere in my desire to help. You said you pray and turn your life over to God on a daily basis. If you TRULY turn your life over to God you should not have to repeat it every day. Now, having said that, the next time, try letting go and letting God handle it 100%. My granddaughter suffers from headaches, hers is caused by having a sumo tumor. Nothing works for her either except having a spinal tap to relieve the pressure. Have you been checked for this disorder? Also, have you considered your medication? It could be one or more of the medications you are taking could use a change in the dose or you could be having a reaction to one or more of your meds. Have you been tested for allergies? if not, please consider doing that. Something is obviously causing your pain, medicine is a practice of the process of elimination, it sounds like you have done a lot to find something to ease your pain but leave no stone unturned in finding the cause. It could be such a small thing that is at the root of your problem, something as small as a single food allergy can reek havoc in one's life, Or, an allergy to the dye used in foods and materials can be the culprit. And like it or not it could all boil down to being psychosomatic. Stress, depression, and anxiety are no stranger to chronic pain, making the situation worse. I see where you have tried a multitude of self-help techniques and none were successful. I personally, use help healing, prayer, and mind over matter which has helped me with my pain. Self-help is not for everyone, you need to be very dedicated and you need to be totally open about it. Believe strongly in what you are doing, pick one technique and stick with it. One that you can be completely dedicated to. Keep the faith, work your self-help program, and get tested for allergies and have your Dr. evaluate your medication. I wish you all the blessings that God brings you, and know I will remember you in my prayers.

@colleenyoung

Thanks so much for posting this discussion of Medical Marijuana! The doctors clarify most of the information others and I have posted on Connect. Since I'm not a medical professional, it's so much better to hear the information from the physicians at Mayo who have been researching the effects and use of Medical Marijuana for chronic pain, nausea and withdrawal from opiods. This is great news because it confirmed my use of CBD during my withdrawal from Tramadol, and 36 years ago when I quit smoking. I smoked some marijuana at the time when I was really struggling with quitting smoking. It really did help, but I always felt guilty that I had done something illegal. LOL now. I hope others have listened to this radio show.

How do I find the latest comments? all I see are dated in 2016

@wsh66

Tramadol is a synthetic opioid. It was first thought to be so different from opioids that it wasn't addictive or one wouldn't become dependent onit, so it was freely prescribed. However, it is now in the same class as opioids. I remember I had my first Tramadol in 2006 when I fell and broke the radial head in my left elbow. I was fortunate that they were able to set it while I was under anesthesia preparing for surgery on it. I felt great on the Tramadol for 3 months, even euphoric. Then I stopped it suddenly, and began experiencing withdrawal symptoms of paranoia and extreme anxiety. I called the orthopedic office and they helped me withdraw slowly from it, even though I still had some withdrawal symptoms.

I had been taking it for a year after my laminectomy in December 2016, and I used CBD this time to withdraw. Tramadol didn't make me want more or higher doses, but I did become dependent on it for pain reduction. And, it worked great for every pain from arthritis to TMJ. I wanted to try THC and CBD for chronic pain instead and my Pain Doctor said he couldn't prescribe Tramadol if I used marijuana, even though it is legal in California. I've been Tramadol free since about March of this year, and I'm happy to be off.

@jeanie26 to see the newest posts, scroll to the top of the page and select Newest to Oldest.

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Everyone, I wanted to let you know that I have begun Hatha Yoga again. I just had my first class for Seniors at the local Senior Center on Monday, 8/27. This group has apparently been doing this yoga class with the 73 year old leader for 2 years, with new people added occasionally. I was nervous about starting yoga after over 3 years of absence from practicing it. I didn't have my 3 yoga blankets yet, so I had to rely on my blocks only, which were at times uncomfortable. We did primarily stretching poses on the floor and it was hard for me, but I was surprised that I was able to do all the poses even with some muscle pain from stiffness and disuse. I pushed myself somewhat, but stopped the pose if it was too much for me. I had the most problem and pain from my left shoulder, which completely surprised me. I couldn't raise it straight overhead or reach behind my back very far. Even lying down and reaching straight overhead to stretch with both arms and down my spine to my feet was very painful for my shoulder. I had to not do the entire stretching with my left arm. But I did as much as I could.

I felt so good after the class! My endorphins kicked in and I felt great. I have continued to feel really good even though my newly stretched muscles in my groin, neck, and left shoulder are sore. Not badly sore, just from new use. What's great is that my muscles are just "tingling" with life and energy. I am going to continue yoga and practice at home as well as at the Senior Center for as long as my body let's me. I had forgotten how great I feel and how much less of my chronic pain I feel as long as I'm really using my muscles. This may be helpful for those who are able to do yoga poses. If you can't get up and down from the floor, you can do Chair Yoga, which uses a chair as a prop to help you do the poses. This is recommended for those with disabilities.

Remember, before you begin any program like Yoga, be sure to check with your physician, PT, or chiropractor to be sure you can do it without injury. Modification to poses to avoid certain muscles is also recommended. I hope this is helpful information. I'll keep in touch as I continue to let you know how I'm coming along. I'll be 70 in December, and I previously had done yoga for over 10 years. It's more difficult if you are overweight, so Chair Yoga is my recommendation if that's true for you. ;-))