Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

@liz223 Welcome liz its nice to have you in this group. We all care for each other and give out tips as to what helps us . I too have a bulging disc and waiting to see a new neurosurgeon the last one was lousy he he just said yep you have a bulging disc so hope this new one is better to talk with . Right now I'm just living with it till things get better from this virus . I live in a Senior building independent but have a lot of Sr that should be in nursing home but have caretakers here . I have bad arthritis in my R. hip and in the future if it gets worse I want to stay here fortunately my son took out a Long Term insurance for me that will provide this . I have other problems also 2 back fractures with pinched nerve , fibromyalgia and a triple by pass I had in 1996 SO I give God all the credit for me being here still. Nice to meet you and take care . Come back and post again . We also have a Just want to talk group that is nice .

Hi Betty @liz223, you may also be interested in following these groups:
- Parkinson's Disease https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/spine-health/
- Spine Health https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/spine-health/

What area in your spine are the discs bulging? What are the issues you're having with your arm, hand and fingers?

Thanks for your response, Colleen. The most troublesome bulging disc is in my lower right side. I did see a spine surgeon after tests, MRI, etc. he said considering my age, the complicated surgery and recuperation time, it would be too risky for someone of my age. He recommended a pain management clinic which has been wonderful. They gave me injections and so far after months I am still able to walk.
My shoulder started hurting after I tried raking my yard. It has gone down my arm and now there is numbness in part of lower arm and thumb and two fingers. They are weak. I have an appointment this week with a diagnostic clinic to check out for me. There is pain, but not all the time

@liz223

Hi, Betty. I hope you're keeping safe from the corona virus. It sounds like Florida is being hit pretty hard.

I'm turning 70 in August, and I already have heard doctors tell me that "because of your age, you should..." I don't feel any older than I did at 60. I might even feel better.

Did you flex your shoulder in some way to make it hurt, and then start radiating down your arm? I'm no stranger to chronic pain. I have peripheral polyneuropathy, with bad pain in my feet and ankles, and last week I saw a neurospecialist who was going to talk with me about the next step in my treatment. But she had ordered an MRI of my lower back, and she showed me what my spinal column looks like. One disc is just gone, and the spine is squeezing the cluster of nerves that runs inside the spine, which could be what's causing at least some of the pain. It explains, as well, why I can't stand straight. My wife took a picture of me playing the piano at church a few months ago, and I look hunched over. I didn't realize I wasn't sitting up straight. The doctor said that opening up the space for the nerves could improve my posture. I'm surely hopeful that surgery will relieve some of my pain.

Pain specialists and management makes a huge difference for a lot of people. I haven't gone to a pain clinic yet. We live in the center of Oregon, a long way from any management clinics, but I've been seeing a pain specialist for a couple of years, and he has worked hard to find a treatment plan. I've heard lots of people tell how much their work with a management clinic has benefitted them. I'm glad you're one of their success stories.

I hope that you'll get the help you need on Thursday. I'll be interested in knowing what's going on with your shoulder.

Jim

Hello, Everyone...my name is Lori, 53 years old, moderate arthritis in lower back and in cervical spine. Cervical spine is also showing moderate stenosis. I have a couple herniated discs too. There is nothing between my L4 and L5, bone on bone. I'm in constant pain. Recently diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome and possibly have small fiber neuropathy. (I have really painful onsets of burning and itching with no visible rash. Nothing seems to help and it's getting worse. Waiting on results of a skin biopsy to confirm small fiber neuropathy. ) I have mild to moderate arthritis in both hips and an SI joint that likes to wreak havoc on occasion. I have a small amount of the protein present in multiple myeloma, but it's a low amount so no treatment I also have migraines, major Depressive disorder, adult Separation anxiety and generalized anxiety. Other than that, I'm good!😁 I have 5 beautiful grandkids, love to read, and do repurposing and upcycling on all kinds of furniture or whatever I find. Looking forward to finding ways to alleviate pain.

You should try CANABIS. You have to find a doctor specialised in medical use of canabis drops.

I went to a Pain Specialist Doctor. We tried several medicines and found that for me, gabapentin and lyrica work well, they calm my nervous system so that it relaxes and stops sending false pain messages like 'your legs on fire' and 'a swarm of wasps is attacking your arms and legs'.

Before this virus drove us all into isolation, my pain specialist doctor was holding classes for people with chronic pain. There were lessons in meditation, yoga, and other things we could do at home that alleviate pain for some people. It seems that we all have to try everything, starting with the most conservative, until we find things that work. I see my pain doctor about every other month now so he can increase the doses of my prescriptions if necessary. Best of luck to you! It's a journey that we're all on, separately but together. I have found this group to be very helpful and open about sharing news of anything that might help any of us. Peggy

I have had a lot of pain lately and I wondered if my neuropathy has progressed to the point where I need drugs (I never want to take drugs) ... I'm happy to report that I read the label on one of my bottles of medicine and found out that I've been taking 1 tablet - I'm supposed to take 2. I took 2 yesterday and I hope to feel better soon. Sometimes it takes a couple of days before my nervous system reacts to new prescriptions. Peggy

@notime4pain Welcome to Mayo Connect. We are not medical professionals here, but we do share our experiences and support with the hope of helping each other on their journeys.

As you can see, there are several responses to your questions. We are each different, and what works for one may not be the answer for someone else. As @pfbacon commented, it is often an elimination process to find the best combination of medications/exercises/lifestyle to help us. That is what is so great here. We share!

You listed several things that impact your life right now. What have you tried in the past to give you relief?
Ginger