Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

Hi! My name is Peggy and I've had neuropathy(not from. Diabetes) and I've decided to proceed with a spinal chord stimulation device after other treatments were ineffective. Nice to meet all of you and if you have feedback please let me know! Thanks.

You are a really strong person to manage all of that for so many years. I'm hoping for the best for you.

It appears after the usual spinal shots, gabapentin and other couple more related meds, the pain mgt docs seem to just walk away without being able to reduce the pain. Perhaps, the major problem is that perhaps chronic pain is difficult to treat. For now, I am relying on physical therapy and a device called Softwave, TRT. The Softwave device appears to be working most of the time by providing me with a couple of days of pain relief.

Hello…my name is Sharon. I’ve been in pain management off & on for a number of years.
I have fibromyalgia, Sjogren’s Syndrome, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis & chronic migraines.
I’m not taking any pain medication (except aspirin or Advil) at this point as I’m approaching another knee replacement.
I lost my partner three years ago as they died while sleeping. I then lost our pup of 14.5 years with heart problems & then cancer.
The extreme grief & stress has caused many flares from the Sjogren’s, I’ve had more migraines & my heart is having its own issues. I will be going back on pain meds when I have my knee replacement.
I struggle knowing whether to continue taking the medications living alone or being in miserable pain.
My family have all passed except for a brother who is too busy with his own life & family. I just feel extremely alone & don’t want to be accused of self-medicating when I truly use the medication due to severe pain.
Any suggestions on how best to handle the situation?

In my experience after my total knee replacement narcotics did not help with my pain so only took a few. The best pain relief for me was the anti inflamatory medication, and the ice cryo cuff machine and walking. Physical therapy continued in therapist office day after I got home. It was just so great to walk without prepain surgery. I did 6 weeks pt prior to surgery to strengthen muscles I would need to be strong. Sleeping was issue for me with pain but after almost 4 months it was ok. Remember it is hard work find a good therapist. Hopefully you find a support therapy group to help you get through your grief, it’s a lot to deal with. Best of luck to you.

Hello,

I'm new to the group here. I don't know if I will find the help I need. I moved here from Colorado last December so I could hopefully have one or two knee surgeries. What I didn't count on is Mayo and their anti opioid attitude. My pain treatment plan was working just fine for me. Now I'm being forced off one of my meds and it's greatly reduced my quality of life. I can't engage in exercise because I can't bend my right leg. I guess I would like to know if anyone has found anywhere else in the Twin Cities to go to or has anyone had any luck with edibles, either THC or CBD. I've not tried it. Also, has anyone had luck with Suboxone. Thanks in advance. Maybe I'll be helpful to someone else. I'm also a nurse so that comes in handy.

Glad to meet everyone!

Hi Sharon.

You say another knee replacement, is this the other knee or a revision? Knee replacement is partly how I ended up on pain meds. I've had 10 surgeries on my right knee and now need a left knee replacement. Who are you concerned about that will accuse you of self-medicating? If it is someone not familiar with pain the best thing you can do is educate them. Tell them what the pain is like and how it affects your life. I don't know that the same approach would work with a health care provider. My doctor didn't seem to care at all how low my quality of life was.
I understand feeling alone. Having just moved to Minnesota six months ago and not knowing anyone, it's very hard. I go online to chat with people. Any possible way you can connect with people who will be understanding. It helps lessen the loneliness I've found.
I don't know if that helps any but I wanted to let you know someone was listening and understands.
Hugs 🤗
Patti

Hello @orygun66, Welcome to Connect. Sorry to hear you are struggling with pain. I had steroid shots in my knee for several years prior to getting a knee replacement so can relate a little to what you are going through. There are members who have shared experiences with THC, CBD and Suboxone. You might find it helpful to browse through the following search results.

THC, CBD related - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/
Suboxone - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/

@artscaping may have some suggestions on THC or CBD edibles along with other alternatives.

Dearest, orygun66. You know pain. I find your words to Sharon (and the group) to be very wise and ever so encouraging. I don't think medical professionals know how to deal with the pain of others. And how could they when they have a patient like me who struggles to address pain levels from 0-10: pain levels that can change throughout a 24 hour day?!@#&* Pain levels that can change within minutes while you're engaging in a conversation with them. And if the medical professionals can't understand it, how can in-home health care workers?

What most persons don't seem to grasp is there is a definite difference between pain discomfort which can be annoying and change our moods ... to hard core pain that hurts so bad it puts a heavy strain on every muscle and nerve ending in our bodies, rendering us helpless. And also, just talking about the pain we have, while going through it, can be debilitating because not everyone around us understands it. Health care workers may feel helpless. And that's why we need to be open and honest with them. Pain, whether physical, emotional, or mental is so personal. You can't file it away in a box and place a label on it.

I really love this group. This is a place where you can vent and "let it all hang out." This is a place where you can find friends who do! understand you. Thanks, Patti, for being you. Sending agape love to everybody. Hugs, CB

Hi I'm Nuri and I've been suffering from fibro and chronic pain for the last 19 years.....I'm on a "cocktail" of lyrica, hydrocodone and belbuca...which helps me most so far....does anyone have recommendations for a different/additional cocktail to help me be able to get out of bed and stay out for more than one half hour?