1. < Chronic Pain

How do you cope with multiple chronic problems?

Posted by ashby1947 @ashby1947, Apr 18, 2022

Anyone have suggestions for how to cope with multiple chronic problems? It's hard enough to deal with any chronic pain, but what about when you have 3 or 4 different things going on most/all of the time I'm working on the various issues with the appropriate medical specialists, including a fine pain management doctor. Usually, I handle the pain well enough. However, with 3 or 4 on-going problems for days and weeks on end, I'm just exhausted dealing with the pain. I think we all agree that dealing with chronic pain (after whatever physical treatment can help) is mostly a mental focus. Any suggestions would be appreciated! I hope this is a good day for you, Sue

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

ksml88 | @ksml88 | May 6, 2022
In reply to @anne4u "Hi Karen, I can recommend a few books. I have a book called The Diet Cure,..." + (show)
@anne4u

Hi Karen, I can recommend a few books. I have a book called The Diet Cure, written by Julia Ross, M.A. I’m not a dieter, but the book has good information about nutrition and what foods do to our bodies. I also have The Fibro Manual. It has a small chapter on Rapair: Digestion. But a companion book, The Fibro Food Formula is a more inclusive and practical guide to foods for fibromyalgia. Both of those books are by Ginevra Lipton, MD. Dr Lipton was diagnosed with FMS during medical school. You can find her books and other info on http://www.fridacenter.com. I think a $5.00 digital book is available on http://www.fridabotanicals.com, or Amazon.com.
I have other books, let me try to find them. I’ve also read a lot of info about nutrition and foods for health online. I have smoothie books, natural foods cookbooks, etc. with good info and recipes. I can provide titles but I think any book that is top rated or best seller, like The Diet Cure will provide valuable information.
I’m often too fatigued or in pain to make big meals. But I’m also not cooking for family or kids! I have found ways to keep it simple and get decent value in food. I’m a smoothie person. I use strawberries, bananas, blueberry yogurt, almond milk and protein powder and ice for one of my favorite smoothies. And I use Stevia as sugar if I want a touch of sweetness. There are great smoothie recipes online.
I hope this info helps! If I come across my other books or websites of interest, I’ll share more!

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thank you so much Anne ! Fatigue is my main symptom along with insomnia.
I am able to work one day a week, but have to really try to exercise so I can keep up with my 2 year old grandson! I think smoothies might be a great thing to try 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to answer, I'll definitely look for a couple of the books you suggested:)

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1 reply
anne4u | @anne4u | May 6, 2022
In reply to @theai "hi. i suffer from chronic pain in multiple areas and for multiple reasons. i have muscle,..." + (show)
@theai

hi. i suffer from chronic pain in multiple areas and for multiple reasons. i have muscle, joint, and other pains throughout my body, everyday almost all of the time. i think you are right that meditation is one of the big helpers for this. pain medication (opiods) are fine now and then, but they are not what i want to use long term. any suggestions would be helpful.

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Have you tried massage or acupuncture? It’s such an individual thing, depending on what your body can handle and what’s going on with it. Whether or not your dealing with arthritis, myofascial pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, etc.
I’m stretching a lot lately. I just went off an opioid pain med about 35 days ago and am being tapered off another. My pain is on high alert right now so I’m using everything I can for relief. Heating pad, pillows, stretching (McKenzie Method), short walks, food, distraction, meditation, resting, inversion table, more stretching!
What has worked for you? Has anything you’ve tried helped?

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budo7 | @budo7 | May 7, 2022

Sometimes you just have to slow down. I deal with a couple issues as well and it can get to be to much. When that happens I force myself to just take a time out from life for myself. Sometimes my Wife will see it before me.
I do see a counsoler to help clear my mind.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | May 7, 2022
In reply to @anne4u "You’re absolutely right about our combination of conditions and how different these conditions can be for..." + (show)
@anne4u

You’re absolutely right about our combination of conditions and how different these conditions can be for each of us. Living with pain especially, has made me feel alone in my struggle and isolated. My activity level changed and I stopped being able to do things with friends and family. As much as I’ve learned about self care, etc. I still have difficult days. After a hysterectomy in 97, my hormones went crazy and I was diagnosed with hypothyroid and depression. I had a couple back injuries prior, after working in the (plant) nursery business for many years. Then fibromyalgia in 03 after a head on automobile accident, but I had symptoms before the accident I just didn’t know what was going on. I was diagnosed with ddd. As my back has deteriorated, I’ve had a lot of pain but couldn’t always distinguish where my pain was coming from with fibro. After a back X-ray, I found out what’s going on there. Now a pain doc wants to do facet joint injections in my lumbar spine for nerve compression. I had a colonoscopy on Thursday, I have tortuous colon. After not being able to go for 11 days, I ended up at the emergency dept. I’ve spent the last 2 months waiting for an appointment with my gastroenterologist. Now this diagnosis!
I educate myself on what to do and how to best handle these different diagnosis. Obviously you have too, I commend you for that! Are you able to get out for walks or any exercise? That can be a big challenge with pain.

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Hello @anne4u

I agree with you. Living with multiple health issues does complicate things when you want to live a productive life. I've found that exercising is great. Even if you aren't mobile right now and able to walk there are numerous exercise videos on YouTube that you can watch without charge. The great thing about these exercises is that you can do them at your own pace, even for 5 minutes at a time if needed, and modify the moves as they are comfortable for you. As I also have DDD in my back, here is one example of a stretching video that I use every morning to help loosen up the joints. It does make a difference, both in how I feel and in my mood. (Of course, it's always good to check with your doctor first).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNRE5DDgeyw&t=261s

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martyk | @martyk | May 7, 2022
In reply to @ksml88 "thank you so much Anne ! Fatigue is my main symptom along with insomnia. I am..." + (show)
@ksml88

thank you so much Anne ! Fatigue is my main symptom along with insomnia.
I am able to work one day a week, but have to really try to exercise so I can keep up with my 2 year old grandson! I think smoothies might be a great thing to try 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to answer, I'll definitely look for a couple of the books you suggested:)

Jump to this post

Hi, what type or what ingredients are you suggesting when you mention smoothies?

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1 reply
anne4u | @anne4u | May 7, 2022
In reply to @martyk "Hi, what type or what ingredients are you suggesting when you mention smoothies?" + (show)
@martyk

Hi, what type or what ingredients are you suggesting when you mention smoothies?

Jump to this post

I purchased a nutribullet blender years ago. It’s a good size for me to make a single smoothie. A smoothie cookbook came with it that has a lot of recipes. Other recipes I’ve found online. I’ve taken what I like from different ideas to find what I enjoy most. I’ve used protein powders and powered calcium, etc. and blend them right in. There are ‘green’ recipes or fruit recipes for starters. I looked online a lot, it’s a great place to find good options depending on the nutrition you need. I like fruit smoothies best but I try to keep sugar content in mind. Some fruit packs a fair serving of fructose/glucose. I blend in almond milk or vanilla protein drinks plus yogurt, fruit, powders, ice, etc. It’s good to mix it up!
You can check out YouTube, or type ‘smoothie recipes’ into your browser. Amazon’s website has a good selection of cook books, new and used.
Hope this helped!

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martyk | @martyk | May 7, 2022

Great. Thanks for all the information. Will try some.

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kenc | @kenc | May 7, 2022
In reply to @anne4u "I would appreciate hearing how you do with this procedure and how it helps you. Please..." + (show)
@anne4u

I would appreciate hearing how you do with this procedure and how it helps you. Please let us know! I wish you the best and hope this treatment helps!

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Will do.

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 7, 2022

@martyk, @anne4u and @ksml88, There is another discussion for all us smoothie types that you might find interesting.

A question for all you Smoothie experts: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/a-question-for-all-you-smoothie-experts/

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kjs1964 | @kjs1964 | May 8, 2022
In reply to @anne4u "You’re absolutely right about our combination of conditions and how different these conditions can be for..." + (show)
@anne4u

You’re absolutely right about our combination of conditions and how different these conditions can be for each of us. Living with pain especially, has made me feel alone in my struggle and isolated. My activity level changed and I stopped being able to do things with friends and family. As much as I’ve learned about self care, etc. I still have difficult days. After a hysterectomy in 97, my hormones went crazy and I was diagnosed with hypothyroid and depression. I had a couple back injuries prior, after working in the (plant) nursery business for many years. Then fibromyalgia in 03 after a head on automobile accident, but I had symptoms before the accident I just didn’t know what was going on. I was diagnosed with ddd. As my back has deteriorated, I’ve had a lot of pain but couldn’t always distinguish where my pain was coming from with fibro. After a back X-ray, I found out what’s going on there. Now a pain doc wants to do facet joint injections in my lumbar spine for nerve compression. I had a colonoscopy on Thursday, I have tortuous colon. After not being able to go for 11 days, I ended up at the emergency dept. I’ve spent the last 2 months waiting for an appointment with my gastroenterologist. Now this diagnosis!
I educate myself on what to do and how to best handle these different diagnosis. Obviously you have too, I commend you for that! Are you able to get out for walks or any exercise? That can be a big challenge with pain.

Jump to this post

@kjs1964 I am so sorry for all that you are going through. I have had chronic constipation for years.
I have finally found a product, Prebiotic Acacia Senegal Fiber, and eating more green vegetables has helped. I go to physical therapy called Counterstrain, which can help with constipation. I don't know where you live, but you can look it up on the internet. Sometimes, it is called strain-counterstrain therapy. My insurance covers it, and I am blessed. Also, I walk every day, weather permitting. Winters are more challenging, so I go to a soccer field. Also, I am getting back into Qigong and Tai Chi active movements. They have a lot on YouTube - I used to do Yoga a long time ago, but motor vehicles stopped that. Then I started Qigong and Tai Chi, and I do the gentle movements; it helps and helps your whole being. Thanks for sharing

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