Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

@sro50. Sounds like You’ve been through quite a lot. So sorry that it’s not turned out for the better. Medicine is still a “practice”. What have you tried so far for your pain? Have you had any success with any of it? I wonder if some sort of detox is available for the sensitivities or if maybe hyperbaric chamber would help? Look forward to hearing more about what you’re doing to manage your pain

The area where the resurfacing was done was a total mess so I ended up with a total hip replacement. I was on so many different meds for pain including every opiate known to mankind. I required high dosages to start and they had to be continuously pushed up. I was still in agony and the meds played havoc on my mind. I voluntarily admitted myself to a detox unit and was in the hospital for 5 weeks. I will say the program at the hospital made detox a lot easier than I imagined. It was then decided to try nerve blocks at L1 & L2. I have had 4 nerve blocks in the past 8 months. The initial block did give me some relief but it was short lived (about 4 weeks). The following 3 nerve blocks were not too successful at all. My Dr. had mixed feelings on doing an ablation. He was concerned that the visibility of certain nerves would be "blocked" by the prosthetic device. He has decided to freeze the nerves (next week) as a diagnostic tool and if there is relief he will do an ablation.

In terms of the immune-mediated polyneuropathy from the cobalt, the doctor is just waiting to receive some test results back but has mentioned treating it with Acetylcysteine.

I would assume the success rates with a hip ablation or treating the polyneuropathy with Acetylcysteine vary widely but I would appreciate any info. on both.

I am the Associate Pastor at Second Baptist, Pasadena, TX. I am also a student at the College of Biblical Studies in Houston, TX. I am 58 years old, a recovering alcoholic (25 years!), and I love to write!

I am married to my wife Lynette (29 years) and we have a daughter who lives and teaches in the Dallas area (graduated from Baylor!).

My struggle has been going on for ten plus years. The most recent diagnosis is eight herniated discs, two pinched nerves, and severe arthritis. The pain has been increasing almost daily. But it's really my legs that are giving me the biggest problem. Being a Pastor, as well as a student, I am always on the move. Not so much of late. There's so much more that I want to share, it's hard to put into words. The pain gets so bad is simply overwhelms me. Stops me in my tracks.

My mantra: "I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13)

I want (must) keep a positive attitude. An attitude of gratitude.

A lot has changed over the years, the main one being I'm not able to do what I feel God has called me to do. Which really brings in a lot of questions at times, as I let the enemy whisper in my ear. My eyes are fixed, however, on the Lord.

When things get really bad I like to listen to praise music. The Bible on Audio. Play with my doggy ... Faith!

That's pretty much it in a nut-shell. A lot more I'd like to share. Things about meds and treatments and all (I've tried just about everything, or at least is seems so). It hurts to type so I'm going to stop now.

One final word ... so thankful to find this community!

Blessings to all.

That Bible verse is one of my favorites. I have had PN for many years, but I find that not wearing shoes or socks and staying off of my feet helps a lot with keeping the pain away. I can imagine what it is like not being able to do your life's work. This is where we trust in the Lord to bring to pass what we cannot do in what way He sees as best. That is not easy. I have a friend who was a pastor and now has PN. He only works part time now because of it. Also my brother has a dog named Faith.

Well said about relying on faith ((whatever it is for you) is a big coping mechanism. I love Jesus and I have feltbHim carrying me many times in my life. Perhaps others have Buddha, or another god or just rely on their own inner strength. Whatever it is that you rely on in life, lean on it to carry you through the pain, the anxiety, the unknown. We can’t do it alone, and we can’t always rely on others to do it with us. Even when we have strong supporters, ultimately it is up to us to choose to take the next step. Blessings all!

@davidstory. I truly feel for your struggles. I was an active local missionary when my cancer hit. The pain and I’m immuno-compromised state it left me with, made it impossible for me to continue my works. But I prayed to God, certainly this wasn’t all he had for me, right?

As much as we feel “called” to something, God sometimes has another plan for us. Our job is to open our minds and hearts to see what that might be given the current circumstances. I would encourage you to open your mind and your heart to other opportunities, specific ones you could be effective in given your current disabilities. Got is not disappointed in you!! Keep speaking His truth. You might also seek out other pastors who have experienced disabling pain, cancers, other health problems that have caused then to have to change their mission plans. You are in my prayers.

Hi everyone I'm Teresa I live in Az. When I was 20 I was a victim of crime and my lung was spewing out air in er when theyes turned me over to stitch my back up after finishing stitching my neck the last thing I remember was dr.running around and stuck something in my chest and the whole left side of my body raged with pain and I must of went out when I woke up i could move my left side it hurt to breathe I couldn't life my butt to even get on bed pan I had tube in for 4 days and all that time I was in so much pain and no one would listen .man I feel it no just talking about it here .anyways 17 years later they say I have nerve damage and even since then it as been on rememedy to another I'm so sick of it I could die radio-frequency.,Nerve block, spinal simulator, the only thing that help was a never clipping it lasted 4 years and no one I mean Noone will do it again because when it came back its a 100 times worse but those 4 years were the best time of my life I had still felt tightNess but I could breathe, laugh, sneeze ,cough , bend up and down ,could touch my side ,man I just wish I could get done again .if it last 4 years than do it again why not

@teress221
Hi
I am so sorry for what happened to you and all you've been through.
Have you tried a medicine pump?
I never heard of the procedure you mentioned. Would you please explain.
Thanks
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

Hello @teress221 and welcome to Mayo Connect,

I am so sorry to hear of your struggle with pain. Please share more, as you are comfortable doing so, about the types of doctors you have seen. I'm sure you have probably seen pain specialists and neurologists. Any others?

Hi I’m Karen and I’m new to all this, but ever so glad to be amongst others like me. I have rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, bulging disc, and heart failure. I have started - as you all have on the mildest of NSAID’S, and continued up the opioid path. They are just not helping. I purchased CBD oil and need some help. I also have depression, anxiety, and insomnia and don’t have any idea how much to take and when. Can anyone help me? Thanks!