How do you deal with high levels of pain

Hello @pinkpain51, great post about asking others how they deal with their pain. This reminded me of another conversation taking place on Mayo Clinic Connect you may may be interested in checking out. It is called, "What Distracts You From the Pain?" You may want to read through what some of the other members discussed that helps them take their mind off of high levels of pain, http://mayocl.in/2dzZdD9.

Seeking good outcomes found for chronic pain????

@dotty Hello Dot Ann, Welcome to Connect. Did you happen to look at the conversation that Justin refers to above? I am always looking for different ways to help me cope with the chronic pain in my neck. Would you share about yourself so we can get to know you? Where is your pain and what does it stem from?
Jen

Hi, sorry to hear abot what you are enduring. I know you said you tried alternative therapies. I have found taking 2 meditation courses at my pain clinic has helped me. I know how frustrating it can be. Meditation for me seems to be a like a muscle the more I do the stronger the positive results I get. I amnot advocating any particular spiritual type. My classes were bcalled Mindfulness. I believe Mayo has these available. I know this may not seem like much help, but I find any positive input and recognition of pain and incorporating positive thoughts focusing something other than the pain helps . I try to avoid opiates but sometimes go there. I was prescribed heavy doses for a couple years and voluntarily went through withdraw at the pain clinic to get off them. I too have had fusion following a c3 c4 corpectomy. I also have been dealing with achalesia ,a rare painful esophogus disorder. I have had 2 surgeries at Mayo Clinic and continue to deal with the problem. I know this is not a novel suggestion, if you have tried it and it didnt work perhaps classes could help .

I applaud your participation in mindfulness and meditation. These learned skills can reduce pain and replace it with positive and enlightening energy.

Hi. Am here for the same reasons as everyone else. Tried not reading posts because they made me cry. Have done TM for 50 years. Helps calm me. Does nothing for the pain. Hope to learn strategies. Thank you. Michael

If you have ruled out things like broken bones, diabetes, cancer, etc. and you are still in pain 24 hours a day you will likely need opioid medication. Don't be frightened since intractable pain patients have a lower rate of addiction than the general population. When pain is under control you can then try physical therapy, exercise, improving diet. Getting the pain under control is the first and most important step. Uncontrolled pain can cause stroke, heart attacks, depression, and many other serious illnesses. If you truly have intractable pain demand treatment. You can actually file complaints against doctors who don't abide by their oath to do no harm. Good Luck!!!

Thanks I do have opioids. Try to avoid them. Was mostly off them for a couple months but very concerned because need to use them and pain is worsening.

I was taking Tramadol every night, not to get me to sleep but to allow me to sleep and stay asleep for 5-6 hrs. The dehydration and constipation were major issues. I backed off as much as I could and then specifically took the med. an hour before I began a more demanding psychical therapy exercises and stationary bike exercise. I kept that up till I did not need to take the med. in order to do the PT and exercise. I rarely take any now as my PT and exercising has sustained me. There are flares that last from a minute or two to some 3 days in a row but I mostly stay away from the opiate for all the reasons most of us already know. I am not concerned about addiction in my case but others might need to be more concerned given their personal history and family history about addictions or propensity for addictions.

Wow! I have same pains and have tried same as you. Nothing has helped. I'm still trying to find something else??!