Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

Hello, I have Foresters Disease which has created alot of pain for me. I have had 2 hips and 1 knee replaced because of this. My spine is slowly fusing itself together which is extremely painful most of the time. I went to the Mayo Pain Clinic for help which has taught me how to live with the pain without the use of drugs and alcohol. Living with pain every day can be very difficult.
Every day day is a new day and I just remind myself that there are alway people worse off than me. Be positive!

Hi there,@frankenstein. What a positive attitude you have! I commend you for being able to look at life in that way.

Many of us face pain every day. Those who don't have a difficult time comprehending how someone could possibly live and deal with the stress of it.

Yet, here we are. I encourage you in your journey, and wish you all the best life has to offer! We are better together!

Mamacita

@frankenstein. Be happy ,be positive you have the right idea on how to live pain or no pain .

Hi, my name la erika im 20 years old, i live in Canada and i got severe fibromyalgia, scoliosis ans hypercyphosis. I stop working a year ago because I was too sick. I'm just getting worst... I have a lot of memories problems, sometimes I can't even write somme easy words, I have urinary rétention, difficulty with my intestines, big headaches and my hole body hurt 24h/24h. I tough that my doctor doesnt take it seriously.. I am fallowed by a pain clinic but honestly tey dont do nothing... I wish I have money To see doctors who realy care of patients... in Canada tey dont even want me To see an orthopedist for my back problems... I was suposed To see a rhumatologist but the waiting list is too long so tey canceled the référence... sorry for my english, I'm speaking french 🙂

Good afternoon my name is Kristine and I suffer with excruciating chronic pain

@nannysmom3 welcome to this group of wonderful people Can you give us some more information about where the pain is in your body Do you have back,neck.or other problems ? If we have some more information We will know how to respond

Hello @nannysmom3

I would also like to welcome you to Mayo Connect. I am sorry to hear of your chronic pain. Is your pain related to another health problem?
Do you have a diagnosis? What helps you deal with the pain?

Hi everyone,

It’s time to open a new group dedicated to joint replacements.

All discussions related to joint replacements, such as replacement of knees, hips, shoulders, wrists and elbows as well as preparing for surgery and recovery can now be found in the Joint Replacements group here, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/joint-replacements/.

+Follow the Joint Replacements group and continue to connect with others and share your experiences, ask questions and encourage each other in your rehab.

Hi! - not sure I'm in the right space...but had MRI and appt with pain mgmt dr who said I have one of worst cases of spinal stenosis he has seen - so he immediately called in spine surgeon (who agrees) and now want to do rods, pins, 3 1/2 hour surgery. I am nearly 81 years old - do I want such extreme surgery and recovery?? Plus, I have yet to see anyone who has had back surgery that they would consider themselves cured 5 years post-op. On the other hand, I am threatened with paralysis if I do not have the surgery. Much pain, back and down one leg, do I care if I have an opiod addiction at this age? (I don't yet - but it is becoming harder to sleep as pain wakes me in about 3 hours). Definitely need 2nd opinion. Close to Vail, Colorado where there is a good orthopedic clinic. Or I could get to Mayo's in AZ. any advice - much appreciated.

@barbarn
Welcome to this group! You are in the write place.
I am 63. I had cervical and lumbar stenosis with pain that put me with a walker and heading to a point of not walking at all.
So, I do feel your pain!
At the end of February, I had 2 discs removed and replaced with artificial discs (C2/3),
The recovery was quick and the pain did not last long at all!!!!!!!
About 4 weeks ago, I had a procedure called EXTREME LIFT (L4/5).
This is a form of a disc fusion. I do not know the difference.
Truth is, this has been a HORRIBLE recovery!!!!
I still wobble and the pain is mildly better.
For some reason, I now have pain in my left knee.
I have weight loss surgery and lost 80 lbs. and my knees, which were very painful, no longer had pain.
So, I don't know what happened???????
Anyway, between the lumbar and cervical surgeries, I don't know what caused my knees to act up.
My left knee is almost bone on bone and my right knee is just a bit better.

Have you discussed with the surgeon if there is another, less dranatic surgery is available.
If not, I would go for another opinion.
Back surgery, at any age is difficult but for someone your age (no offense) that is ridiculous.
Can they do RADIO FREQUENCY OR STEROID INJECTIONS? HOW ABOUT STEM CELL TREATMENTS?

I don't mean to be 'Debbie Downer', but I feel you need to know what to expect.
One of the bad things for me, is that no one explained what to expect and after having such a great experience with my upper neck, the second surgery was a shocker!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Good luck!!!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)