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.

Profile picture for Hank @jesfactsmon

@jimhd @faithwalker007
I am a morning person and my wife is a night owl. The time I dread is when I have just gotten up from sleep and walk into the living room to see her. Many nights she has been in her worst pain of the day for most of the 6 hours I was asleep. I can usually tell how she is immediately, and usually it's not good. It's one, two or all three of her worst issues. Tonight it was her feet (heels mainly) that were the worst. Ever since we have fallen into living life day by day with her agony always there at the forefront, it has been genuinely depressing. She is a pretty unhappy camper. Her personality is now so different than it was a few short years ago. It's such a sad way to live and I am at the point where there isn't much I can do to help her. She copes, but she can barely get any enjoyment from life much of the time.

I feel very deep compassion, I seem to have a large capacity for that, but that doesn't do much in the end. It's disheartening. I will tell you one thing though, it makes those rare days where she feels fairly pain free and seems kind of happy (who wouldn't?) a real joy to live through. And they do happen occasionally.

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@jesfactsmon Hank, what a beautiful post and what a great love you and your wife must have for each other!
My husband is not so strong with expressing emotions but expresses great gratitude when I can give him a great back massage (I’m really good at it and they can last over an hour - he has a bad back) if I’m not in pain. Just because I’m agoraphobic I don’t want him to be but he always asks if he can go out on a particular day or if one day is better than another; it is so kind. If he sees I’m having a particularly bad stay, he stays home with me. He always brings a treat home for me if he does go out.
Marriage is a wonderful thing. I can only hope I pull even some of my share of the weight by the little I can do.

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Profile picture for Donald @donfeld

Thanks for asking Erika, they thought maybe I was passing a stone but after another go around cat scan with contrast they determine that it might be not the cause. I feel my disease of Arachnoititis is coming on as my pain is increasing in my lumbar area. No cure and no hope. Very sad.

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@donfeld. So sorry to hear of the experience. I pray the right doctor will
Come along and help you

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Profile picture for opi @opi

Hi
I have experience with my wife aho had suregery then pills like cymbalta and lyrica - combined. But only switching to canabis in oil mixure made a real diminution in pain.

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She can also use cannabis in cheap vodka--in a jar pour enough vodka over the crushed leaves that it's about an inch deeper than the leaves and let the leaves soak for at least 3 weeks in a warm place. I read that alcohol draws out the THC the same way oil does. I have RA and use about a teaspoon a day of the liquid when I remember. Sometimes I alternate those days with hemp extract under the tongue. Adjust frequency and amount as needed (never before driving).

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This reminded me my husband,s aunt soaked raisins in vodka for arthritis

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I've heard about that--never tried it.

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@ellens Neither did I but she swore it helped her arthritis ,hmmm

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Profile picture for Jim, Volunteer Mentor @jimhd

Thank you, @lorirenee1

I really appreciate your input in various discussions. I know that the neurologist will start me on Cymbalta, but I don't know if I can expect any more.

Constant, unrelenting ( @sunnyflower word) pain at almost any level wears a person down. I know that lots of people have way more pain than I do, but I'm the one feeling my pain. I try not to say anything about it to my wife unless she asks, but she can't miss the signs. I know I'm not the perfect companion. She doesn't understand why I still feel a need to have a therapist.

The first time we met the neurosurgeon we were delighted and impressed. I don't know what changed. She just seemed to want me to shut up and leave.

I've been moving toward getting off morphine, but I don't think I can stand the pain, especially at night. I'm going to take it tonight. And I didn't do anything outside today because of rain. I guess I should get back to the prescribed dose before I add Cymbalta to the mix. I've learned that it doesn't work to make more than one medication change at a time.

Until I was 60, I never experienced non-stop pain for very long at a time. I surely have a greater empathy for others in pain.

Gotta go take a couple of pills so they'll be kicking in when I get in bed in an hour.

Have rest tonight, Lori.

Jim

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@jimhd I am utterly exhausted right now, feet elevated so that I can manage at all. Just want to say how much I care and understand. We each feel our own pain, and it is real. No need for comparisons. I just hope you find something to help you. To not have good results from surgery is beyond disappointing and to hear your neurosurgeon not sound like she is caring, is horrific. We here at Connect are in this battle together, and really do have eachother. It is my calm in the storm. Love, Lori Renee

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Profile picture for Hank @jesfactsmon

@jimhd @faithwalker007
I am a morning person and my wife is a night owl. The time I dread is when I have just gotten up from sleep and walk into the living room to see her. Many nights she has been in her worst pain of the day for most of the 6 hours I was asleep. I can usually tell how she is immediately, and usually it's not good. It's one, two or all three of her worst issues. Tonight it was her feet (heels mainly) that were the worst. Ever since we have fallen into living life day by day with her agony always there at the forefront, it has been genuinely depressing. She is a pretty unhappy camper. Her personality is now so different than it was a few short years ago. It's such a sad way to live and I am at the point where there isn't much I can do to help her. She copes, but she can barely get any enjoyment from life much of the time.

I feel very deep compassion, I seem to have a large capacity for that, but that doesn't do much in the end. It's disheartening. I will tell you one thing though, it makes those rare days where she feels fairly pain free and seems kind of happy (who wouldn't?) a real joy to live through. And they do happen occasionally.

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@jesfactsmon Hank, you are the one person on this whole Earth who deserves everything good in life. As I read about you and your wife, I am crying because you guys have such respect and love for one another. Such a solid marriage. I know how it pains you to have your wife this way, and I am so grieved by this. There is no real explanation for why rotten things happen to such good people, although we philosophize, and try to make sense out of senselessness. I just care. I don't know what to say. I don't know what to do. Just know that there is a curly old red head here that cares so much. Lori

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Profile picture for bustrbrwn22 @bustrbrwn22

@jesfactsmon Hank, what a beautiful post and what a great love you and your wife must have for each other!
My husband is not so strong with expressing emotions but expresses great gratitude when I can give him a great back massage (I’m really good at it and they can last over an hour - he has a bad back) if I’m not in pain. Just because I’m agoraphobic I don’t want him to be but he always asks if he can go out on a particular day or if one day is better than another; it is so kind. If he sees I’m having a particularly bad stay, he stays home with me. He always brings a treat home for me if he does go out.
Marriage is a wonderful thing. I can only hope I pull even some of my share of the weight by the little I can do.

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@bustrbrwn22 Jen, it sounds like your husband is like many men in not expressing too much emotion. Mine doesn't either, and never has. However, like your husband, his actions are usually kind and helpful as I become less able to do things for myself. I think it is wonderful that you want your husband to be able to get out of the house, but that he clears it with you, and even returns with treats. My marriage can be very lonely at times, as my husband truly does not emote. My attitude is that each of us can only give what we have. It is not easy always, but it helps me to live with such a quiet, contained man. This life's journey of ours is a complex one. What can I say? Lori Renee

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Profile picture for Jim, Volunteer Mentor @jimhd

Thank you, @lorirenee1

I really appreciate your input in various discussions. I know that the neurologist will start me on Cymbalta, but I don't know if I can expect any more.

Constant, unrelenting ( @sunnyflower word) pain at almost any level wears a person down. I know that lots of people have way more pain than I do, but I'm the one feeling my pain. I try not to say anything about it to my wife unless she asks, but she can't miss the signs. I know I'm not the perfect companion. She doesn't understand why I still feel a need to have a therapist.

The first time we met the neurosurgeon we were delighted and impressed. I don't know what changed. She just seemed to want me to shut up and leave.

I've been moving toward getting off morphine, but I don't think I can stand the pain, especially at night. I'm going to take it tonight. And I didn't do anything outside today because of rain. I guess I should get back to the prescribed dose before I add Cymbalta to the mix. I've learned that it doesn't work to make more than one medication change at a time.

Until I was 60, I never experienced non-stop pain for very long at a time. I surely have a greater empathy for others in pain.

Gotta go take a couple of pills so they'll be kicking in when I get in bed in an hour.

Have rest tonight, Lori.

Jim

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Hi Jim and @lorirenee1, hope today brings some relief and blessings for both of you beautiful people. Jim, I too am on Morphine. I 'm allowed to have more than I'm taking but have done several tapers, 5mg at a time, over the years only bc I've had such brutal post-op recoveries and I know I am facing more surgeries. They are too afraid of respiratory suppression so ehen patients are already taking morphine or other opiates they can't give as much as they would and what the patients really need for that specific post-op pain. I have textbook PTSD Sxs from being in the recovery room for up to 5.5 hours crying out and begging for relief. I am so afraid of having to go through that again. I cry thinking about it. There's so much opiophobia out there now that there is some degree of substandard care going on. Now that Gabapentin is being used in hospitals for pain relief, I think that will help me.

I can't even imagine what it feels like not to hurt. I study people on TV and everywhere trying to comprehend how they can be moving about doing all kinds of physical activities with smiles on their faces.

Jim I hope the Cymbalta works for you you. They say to give these type of drugs about 3 weeks to see how they work. Often doses must be adjusted. I'm sure you know this.

Ooops I forgot to see what the topic of this discussion is. Hope I didn't go off too much.

Take care and warmest wishes for you both, Sunnyflower

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