Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

Hello to Colleen and to all who share with me the frustration of dealing with chronic pain. If all I get is a bit of support from this forum, I will be happy. I HAVE gotten a bit more than that already by reading some of the stories on here. I am 64 years old and getting ready, on top of everything else, to deal with signing up for Medicare. I need to find someone to help me navigate that because of my healthcare needs. I live with chronic back, neck and knee pain that has gotten worse in the last few years. I also have rheumatoid arthritis and osteopenia. I have a wonderfully supportive husband but really worry that all of my ailments and lack of enthusiasm for doing things that we enjoy, are going to take a toll on our relationship. I have had to all but give up on things that I personally enjoy. Now with Covid complicating things, it seems like there is no end in sight. I still work full time and have a somewhat physically demanding job. But I need the exercise it provides as well as the income and great medical benefits. I got through laryngeal cancer in 2016 and this year I am 5 yrs clear of cancer! I am a fighter but I am getting older and tired. I am sick of treading to the pain specialists office monthly for my meds and hate needing those meds. I feel like one of the cattle in the paddock when I go there. I don’t feel that I have any control over that part of my life and am at their mercy. Waiting for hours to be seen for 5 minutes just to get a piece of paper feels degrading! Have had three back surgeries, one of which was a fusion. The levels above the fusion are causing issues so I am trying nerve ablation to ease the pain. Had my numbing trial today and it went well so I hope that it will give me some relief. My next steps in the future are either another fusion or trying nerve stim device in my back. I just want to be able to put it off until retirement. My hubby and I want to retire and go cruising on a sailboat until we can’t do it anymore. I worry that I may not realize our dream. That breaks my heart. If the pain issues get under control, then I can be free to sail off into the sunset! I can’t do that if I need to check in for scripts every month. So, sorry this is long, but my story, like so many others I feel sure, is long and complicated. Just being able to talk about it feels good. Thank you for having a venue where people like me can talk, get help finding answers and where we can all support each other.

Hello to Colleen and to all who share with me the frustration of dealing with chronic pain. If all I get is a bit of support from this forum, I will be happy. I HAVE gotten a bit more than that already by reading some of the stories on here. I am 64 years old and getting ready, on top of everything else, to deal with signing up for Medicare. I need to find someone to help me navigate that because of my healthcare needs. I live with chronic back, neck and knee pain that has gotten worse in the last few years. I also have rheumatoid arthritis and osteopenia. I have a wonderfully supportive husband but really worry that all of my ailments and lack of enthusiasm for doing things that we enjoy, are going to take a toll on our relationship. I have had to all but give up on things that I personally enjoy. Now with Covid complicating things, it seems like there is no end in sight. I still work full time and have a somewhat physically demanding job. But I need the exercise it provides as well as the income and great medical benefits. I got through laryngeal cancer in 2016 and this year I am 5 yrs clear of cancer! I am a fighter but I am getting older and tired. I am sick of treading to the pain specialists office monthly for my meds and hate needing those meds. I feel like one of the cattle in the paddock when I go there. I don’t feel that I have any control over that part of my life and am at their mercy. Waiting for hours to be seen for 5 minutes just to get a piece of paper feels degrading! Have had three back surgeries, one of which was a fusion. The levels above the fusion are causing issues so I am trying nerve ablation to ease the pain. Had my numbing trial today and it went well so I hope that it will give me some relief. My next steps in the future are either another fusion or trying nerve stim device in my back. I just want to be able to put it off until retirement. My hubby and I want to retire and go cruising on a sailboat until we can’t do it anymore. I worry that I may not realize our dream. That breaks my heart. If the pain issues get under control, then I can be free to sail off into the sunset! I can’t do that if I need to check in for scripts every month. So, sorry this is long, but my story, like so many others I feel sure, is long and complicated. Just being able to talk about it feels good. Thank you for having a venue where people like me can talk, get help finding answers and where we can all support each other.

Hello, I am Anne. I suffer from pain that wakes me up at night. Pain mostly in my right hip and right leg. Years ago I had an attack of bursitis in this same hip. Just reading through a lot of posts and people that take Gabapentin. My Vet always prescribes Gaba for my dogs. To me it is an excuse to not give you real pain meds. Not that they would anyway. I am surprised to see how many have chronic pain. I hesitate to go to the doctor. It seems like they are not interested or just want to refer you out. Anyway good to be here and share.

Hello, I am Anne. I suffer from pain that wakes me up at night. Pain mostly in my right hip and right leg. Years ago I had an attack of bursitis in this same hip. Just reading through a lot of posts and people that take Gabapentin. My Vet always prescribes Gaba for my dogs. To me it is an excuse to not give you real pain meds. Not that they would anyway. I am surprised to see how many have chronic pain. I hesitate to go to the doctor. It seems like they are not interested or just want to refer you out. Anyway good to be here and share.

Hi
My name is Hannah. I have autoimmune issues and also CFS. I try and mediatate for chronic pain, as well as heat and CBD...Nice meeting everyone!

@annec2525 Id like to add my welcome Anne . I am going for a MRI tomorrow for rt hip pain and going into my leg . My rheumatologist ordered it . I hope it is only brusitis and nothing more . I use to use gaba but it did nothing for me . I was given it for neuropathy in my thighs as I have had 2 back fractures and my nerve are impacted by this. A friend just had a injection by a pain Dr and feels better this is not a cure but at least relieves you of pain. Have you given this a thought ? I see my pain Dr in March and will take my MRI to him . We are all pain warriors on here pain is so different for everyone. Take care

@annec2525 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. As you can see, we share our journeys and experiences in the effort to support each other and show what has worked for us! May I ask you, what are you doing for your bursitis now? I am having the same problem in my left side, and dr is getting approval for an MRI. Getting decent sleep at night is something to hope for, isn't it?

Chronic pain is different for so many people. This is a safe place to share, and not be criticized [I hope!] for our choices.

How did you find Mayo Connect?
Ginger

Hi Hannah! Welcome to our group! I have a variety of chronic pain issues and try many different things. I try to walk daily(even with the freezing temps, although for awhile I’m going to have to walk inside because I get frostbite when it’s below zero); at home physical therapy exercises; stationary recumbent bike riding; gluten free diet; ice; heat; only sitting about an hour at a time-alternating between slow walking around the house or laying-dependent on my level of fatigue; reading; keeping in contact with others (phone, zoom, or messaging); and good, quality sleep (medication assisted-due to a sleep disorder). Nice meeting you😊