Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

@htolan
It sounds like you have been through a challenging time. I'm glad you have found some pain management. When you write, "My retirement isn't much fun." I thought of that saying, These are our golden years??!! I thought when I was in my 60's I had an advantage because I know what it feels like to live with chronic pain and disabling illness. When everyone else starts feeling old age, I will know how to cope. (Ha!!) What I didn't consider is that all of my illness would intensify, and there are new problems all the time because of long illness! I hope you can find even one thing in a day to enjoy. It can be a small thing. I'm glad you joined this support group too. Thinking of you.

@pegsj3
I want you to know I hear what you are sharing about your full time challenge with all that chronic pain. I also dread going to bed most nights. I haven't heard anyone else mention that. When I read the last lines you wrote: "I don't want to stop any part of my living. I do everything and I'm extremely active. I'm just in pain almost all the time. Sorry for this rant."
I have to tell you that's an amazing account! You are still able to do everything and are extremely active!?! To me this means you've found a way to cope with your chronic pain. I've learned that my chronic illnesses are not going away, treatment is not always helpful, but I can learn to COPE. This is how we get our lives back!

I'm thinking that night time is harder because there isn't anything to keep our minds off pain in the body.

I became a poet because I'm disabled from severe fatigue, many autoimmune illnesses. I have a short biography when I'm published: jwj9 lives with chronic disabling illness that informs her life but does not define it.

I think that might be true for you; you are informed by severe chronic pain, but it doesn't define you as a person.

Most of all I want to tell you, you don't have to be "sorry" for your ranting. At least for me, in this support group, I want to hear people's honest stories. I will not judge or ask for forgiveness because we didn't ask to have these challenges. We are not defined by illness and pain.

Please write more rants soon!

@pegsj3
About opioids for pain; by "max out" maybe you mean they would stop helping? Because I know there is such a thing as tolerance, the same dose that helped, after time stops working. I go to a pain management clinic where I'm followed every month. The medications are just a small part of what I can do for pain. But this helps me cope. I wonder if you could find a doctor at a clinic like this. They are experienced in helping with long term care.
In my experience there is a stigma and I am private about taking a small dose of hydrocodone. Also, the original Rx I received is the same amount I take after several years. So I've been fortunate without tolerance, and also fortunate that I found a doctor who sees me for who I am. Not as a sick person.

Hi I’m lindee and new to the group. I have a lot of scar tissue in the lungs and is causing chronic back pain, any suggestions

Were you allowed to try a higher dose of Fentanyl? I was on the 100mcg patch x 3 days for 15 yrs and it was very helpful for the screw in my spinal nerve pain, until they took it away leaving stuck in bed and on fire. going on 6 yrs now. If you can get it, you might get more relief. Just my experienced opinion.
MEB

Hi, please call me Blue. I am 46 and I have lived with chronic pain for almost two years. It started after my hysterectomy. My pain is in my lower right abdomen. The pain was always intense burning, from the time the nurses had me up and walking after the surgery. After months of telling my doctor (who was dismissive and mostly indifferent) and no relief, she referred me to a pain management doctor. Unfortunately, the lidocaine injection or increase in Gabapentin did not help. After a year of horrific pain, I reached out to a former classmate for his advice. He referred me to his colleague who specializes in pain management. I was diagnosed with CRPS. I had an epidural, but with no relief. I qualified for a DRG trial and after eight days, of the trial, I had experienced less pain. I understood that even with the DRG implant that about 50% of my pain would remain, but I was still interested. I had my surgery in January 2025 to get my DRG implant. I definitely have more good days than bad; however, I still live with pain and the flare ups remind me of just how awful my life was prior to my implant.

My PCP suggested that I use a topical cream or lidocaine patches to provide more relief. I’m also on a clonidine patch (usually prescribed for blood pressure, but has been know to help people with CRPS). I’m here because I want to learn more and find ways to reduce my pain and have a decent quality of life.

I’m glad I am not alone, but I’m sorry you share my issues. I thought it was bad having chronic pain and then came bronchiectasis and in February a heart attack and two stents. What could be next?
Hope you can enjoy your summer.

I have been on hydrocodone for 10 years and it does seem a bit weaker now. I am sick of the side effects, so I am going to have a major back surgery soon. You get tired of living on pain killers.

I have been taking the same dose of hydrocodone for several years now. The same dose still helps with my neck pain. Maximum of 2-3 lowest dose available daily.
My main concern is my primary MD is retiring and I’m concerned newer doctors won’t prescribe anything! 😬 I cannot not use NSAIDs any longer because I got severe gastritis from them.

Hi, I'm Richard, and I've had 2 lumbar discectomies and a lumbar fusion in the last 10 years. I now have chronic lower back pain, and I'm told I now fall into the category of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, or FBSS. I'd like to hear from others with similar diagnoses and learn from their experiences!