Chronic pain - Let's talk

Hi @florentina99,
I take 100 mg of Pregabalin plus 100 mg. of Tramadol every 8 hours for peripheral neuropathy pain. I'm 76 and I do experience some lightheadedness but I use a cane or walker. For me, the lightheadedness is not bad enough for me to want to give up the pain meds. Without them the pain is excruciating. I know different things work for different people. I pray that you will find your solution soon.
Barb

Hi - I was really surprised to see your post - well, I should say, I was surprised to discover a similar post-operative development in the arm pain you described. I had lumbar surgery (L2 to the pelvis) in 2021 and then 2 surgeries for hip replacement after I fell - all of this took place over 4 months' time. When I started P.T in a clinic - probably 8 weeks after the last surgery, I began to have the kind of pain you describe between the shoulder and elbow, but on the right side (right hip was replaced). At first it was treated with kinesthetic tape and some kinesthetic therapy; that went on for several months. The strange thing was, sometime I could raise my arm quite high with no pain; other times, anything and everything seemed to "set it off". I would describe it as muscle pain, not joint pain. My therapist suggested that I give it as much rest as possible, which I did, and now, two years and four months after the last surgery, it seems to be back to normal (no pain!). Whether this odd development was a "normal" reaction to surgery or not, I don't know. No one ever suggested that and I guess I did not think to ask. The whole pain experience is a mystery to me. I do take Gabapentin and Tramadol every 8 hours for peripheral neuropathy pain in the feet and hands - also seemingly a result or residual effect of the surgeries. I'm 76 and a widow and otherwise in good enough health to maintain my home by myself and my dog 😊(yay!). Prayers for you on your recuperation journey. 🙏

Does anyone take Pregabalin for pain relief and how is it?
I have Conns disease and although my bp is stable I have chronic pain in my upper back,lower back and tummy,this is agonising after eating anything.I have started to reduce meal size because of this.
I do try and get by with paracetamol regularly but it's not enough.However when I took pregabalin I was sleeping all day and had no quality of life whatsoever.I can sleep OK at night.
This is on a small dose too.
The pain is much worse after any activity such as taking a shower or any exercise.
I am at a loss to know what I can do, any suggestions gratefully received.

I take 200 mg Tramadol and 900 MG of gabapentin throughout the day. for pinched nerves and arthritis pain. I also take a full aspirin every morning and stil, I cannot walk more than 2 blocks without severe back pain. I am soooo tired. Anybody else who is just fatigued from constant pain?

Hello, I was also taking the same medications for both of the same diseases & others. My doctor prescribed me 1800 MG of Gabapentin, which I thought was ridiculous. I also take Tramadol, 200MG, which only takes some of my pain away. I first started having problems after being rear-ended by a truck in 2008. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Since then, I was side-impacted by a Ford super-duty truck, then rear-ended while I was parked 10 months later. I also have SLE/Lupus, Sjogrens, Cervical/Lumbar Herniated discs, Pinched nerve/w no reflex in my right arm, DDD, Carpal Tunnel Chronic Pain Syndrome, Carpal Tunnel, Chronic Tendonitis since my accident in wrist/forearm/elbow. Cervical torn ligaments in both accidents, completely torn ligament in the left ankle, my legs swell to the point that I can't walk, Small Fiber Neuropathy, Peripheral Neuropathy, Dry Eye Syndrome, Sciatica. My neck area started swelling after the 2nd accident, and my doctor thought I had tumors. He thought I had a Clavicular fossa mass. I had an ultrasound done, Myositis. Lumps form on my chest since my second accident. No one could tell me what they were! They are muscle spasms. When I turn my neck just a little bit, my clavicular area swells into huge mountains. My neck started getting stuck. Tendons started protruding from my neck during spasms. When my Trapezius and Latissimus Dorsi spasms, I have trouble breathing. I have more problems than I can remember & it's not because I don't take care of myself, it's because of car accidents. The only good thing is, that both drivers admitted fault & their insurance paid to have my car fixed. I get Botox injections every 3 months since my second accident. My pain management doctor doesn't care. I take Tizanidine muscle relaxer, which gives me minimal relief. I literally fall out of bed every day because I'm in so much pain & so fatigued. I also have Hyperparathyroidism. The spasms had my pulse up to 121, my BP elevated, which is bad for my organs, and constant inflammation in my body from the Lupus. I always turned down medication, but I'm 52, in pain 24 hours a day & I feel like I'm going crazy. I'm still in disbelief of all the extra problems that I have since the accidents, especially the last one. My claustrophobia has gotten worse to the point that, I felt like I was shrinking during an MRI & I panicked, My head started getting smaller. I drive my disabled daughter to school 23 miles away. I just look straight ahead & pray. I wear compression sleeves from the swelling of my wrists/forearms, which was caused by banging my arms on the steering wheel, then literally falling onto the steering wheel in the 2nd accident. I'm just frustrated, tired, in pain, scared & disappointed. I'm sorry you are in pain!

I HAVE A MEDTRONIC PAIN PUMP, IT HELPS.
WONDERING IF "ANYONE" WHO HAS PROCEDURES DONE ON THEIR SPINE THAT FAILS??COULD IT BE BECAUSE OF MY IMMUNE SYSTEM??? L 3 4 AND 5, I HAVE A PAIN MANAGEMENT DR., PEOPLE SEE HIM FROM OTHER STATES HE'S THAT GOOD!! GREAT SENCE OF HUMOR! BIG HELP FOR A PATIENT!

@penn I’ve had a Medtronic spinal stimulator for 10 cysts on my spinal nerves for almost 3 years now. I don’t know how I would live without it. I went almost 15 years without a diagnosis because doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong or thought I was “drug seeking.” I was and, without the pump, still am, in pain. It’s all the time, the cysts squeeze my nerves and then I have severe arthritis on top of that. Now a new diagnosis of ITP, an autoimmune disorder of low platelets. I can’t take things like ibuprofen. Medtronic pump has been a lifesaver for me.

I started 600 MG gabapentin Nov. 15, 2022. I'm just this past week figured out side affects
Nov. 30th, 2022. Started having friction blisters bottom of toes.
Nov." 2022 Diagnosed with Diabetes...had out of control sugars Jan. 2022 til Jan. 2023.
Because of diabetes..And friction blisters occurring. Seen podiatrist 3 times in the last year. Whom had no answer about friction blisters.
Seen Urgent care Nurse Practioner twice...about toes.
No answer. Seen Dr. Urgent care twice..she ignored 2nd time about blisters and wanted to increase gabapentin.
Mayo clinic...goes in-depth of possible side affects of gabapentin.. mine were...
Unsteadiness
Loosening if skin (toe friction blisters.
A month ago...Leg swelling n Severe Leg Pain. And other side affects. All along..
Doctors couldn't find a cause.
In 10-months time...5 trips to emergency room. 4 trips to Urgent care...Dr.... Neurologist.
Podiatrist..
NO IDEA...NO ANSWER..
2 weeks ago...Urgent care Dr. Decided to increase Gabapentin And increase Cybalta. When I went home I made a decision to Ween myself off Gabapentin.
It's been nearly 2 weeks now. N..Body feeling better n better every day. And at this time Neuropathy Symptons are at a very minimum.
Group? Always do your research on medication side affects...especially IF changes in pain have been occurring.
This posting is "For your information.
I have been off the Gabapentin completely. 1 1/2weeks now.
Unbelievable!@

@penn I’ve had a Medtronic spinal stimulator for 10 cysts on my spinal nerves for almost 3 years now. I don’t know how I would live without it. I went almost 15 years without a diagnosis because doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong or thought I was “drug seeking.” I was and, without the pump, still am, in pain. It’s all the time, the cysts squeeze my nerves and then I have severe arthritis on top of that. Now a new diagnosis of ITP, an autoimmune disorder of low platelets. I can’t take things like ibuprofen. Medtronic pump has been a lifesaver for me.