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What Distracts You From the Pain?

Posted by Jen, Alumna Mentor @sandytoes14, Oct 4, 2016

Hello!
We share what works (and what doesn’t) for us as far as medicines and surgeries,etc.
What works for you to give yourself a little break? I’m presently researching family history from the comfort of my recliner.

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

jmjlove | @jmjlove | Mar 18, 2019
In reply to @wsh66 "If I have to be honest about it, I really think that opioids are the ultimate..." + (show)
@wsh66

If I have to be honest about it, I really think that opioids are the ultimate pain reliever. We live in a climate where opioids are not going to be available in most circumstances no matter how much pain you're in. The fact of the matter is if you haven't lived with unbearable pain you can't appreciate how hard it is and you're not going to have the necessary Mercy to deal with people that are in that situation. I've been on really high doses of opioids I've done Physical Therapy I've done yoga I do tregon I've done every damn thing there is to eliminate your pain distract your pain or make it possible to cope with your pain. Opioids are limited in their value. I have pain in my big toes from neuropathy which is almost unbearable and what makes it unbearable is the fact that I've had so many opioids and you can develop this kind of resistance to them that can magnify little pain into giant pain. In the present environment the only way you're going to get opioids to help with your pain long-term is to have a pain pump. You can't touch the drugs you can't sell the drugs you can't steal the drugs you can't take more of the drugs than your supposed to their sealed up in a pump inside your body and everybody is comfortable with that situation. No one's going to point a finger at your doctor and save drug dealer nobody's going to point a finger at you and say drug addict. This is the horrible situation that were living with I am fortunate in that I am old and I am sick and I don't have that much longer to deal with these problems. I'm not looking forward to dying but I've lived a very wonderful gifted and blessed life and I would hate to be a young person in the situation that I'm in, I just have no idea what I would do.0p

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I fully agree. Opioids are the best for pain. Not for everyone, but for most. But, opiates need to be managed so what you describe doesn't happen. Whether that be by scheduling periodic breaks, or by pain pump, which is looking more and more attractive, thanks to you, Stephen. In the meantime, I will continue on my schedule of 20 days on, 10 days off to reset my head. Usually, by day five I am doing fairly well as far as the withdrawal goes. Yes I am dependent. No I am not addicted. These breaks are by my choice. I do not go crazy, buy off the street, or try to get a script in any other way than my normal channel. I wish gabapentin, lyrica, neurontin would help me, but after extended time on those meds, they dont. Thanks for your input, @stephen 🙂

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jmjlove | @jmjlove | Mar 18, 2019

Oh! @stephen thanks for being patient and explaining to this knucklehead things I probably should know…but dont. Get so caught up in my own little world, I don't step out and explore. But, that's why I'm here, lol. To meet people that know what they're talking about. Have a good one, that is, if your toes let you!

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Jen, Alumna Mentor | @sandytoes14 | Mar 18, 2019
In reply to @jmjlove "@sandytoes......depends on the type of pain. Sometimes I can be distracted. Lately, my headaches, migraines, which..." + (show)
@jmjlove

@sandytoes……depends on the type of pain. Sometimes I can be distracted. Lately, my headaches, migraines, which are in the area of my stroke, have been constant, every hour of everyday. My pain med helps my other issues, like type2 trigeminal neuralgia, RA, Fibro, ordinary arthritis, thoracic outlet. (Wow, I think I am now my grandma, lol.) Not perfect, of course, but helps. But very minimally the headaches!!! I use a combo of ibuprophen, aspirin, excedrin migraine, but the headaches are too bad for the meds that should help a headache. I've learned to compartmentalize my pain which is helpful, mentally. Yep, it's part of me, but just a part.

Not one of those issues is going to disappear, so along with the pain med, I keep busy and focus on others, or refinishing furniture, which I do very well. Very satisfying work. But lately, my stupid head is making anything I try to do a chore, instead of a pleasure. Hate to give in to it, but it's eating up my "creative energy". What I wouldn't give for something so awesome it could distract me from my stupid head. 🙁

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@jmjlove As you pointed out, different issues/illnesses often have pain we perceive differently. Just think how a headache vs a migraine hurt! It makes sense that activities to get your mind of the darn pain vary!
If I can toot my own horn, I'm really good at furniture refinishing. I find it rewarding.

jmjlove, I see that you have recently joined us here on Connect. Thank you for becoming an active part of our community. I like that you are willing to share with us and give support to members. When you "tag" or mention someone by name please use the @ before the members complete username– if you look at the beginning of your reply to me you omitted part of my username which is sandytoes14. To make sure your comment is directed to the correct person use @wsh66 for example, instead of his given name "Stephen" with the @ before it. Think of it as the learning process…you are not a knucklehead!

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1 reply
jmjlove | @jmjlove | Mar 18, 2019
In reply to @sandytoes14 "@jmjlove As you pointed out, different issues/illnesses often have pain we perceive differently. Just think how..." + (show)
@sandytoes14

@jmjlove As you pointed out, different issues/illnesses often have pain we perceive differently. Just think how a headache vs a migraine hurt! It makes sense that activities to get your mind of the darn pain vary!
If I can toot my own horn, I'm really good at furniture refinishing. I find it rewarding.

jmjlove, I see that you have recently joined us here on Connect. Thank you for becoming an active part of our community. I like that you are willing to share with us and give support to members. When you "tag" or mention someone by name please use the @ before the members complete username– if you look at the beginning of your reply to me you omitted part of my username which is sandytoes14. To make sure your comment is directed to the correct person use @wsh66 for example, instead of his given name "Stephen" with the @ before it. Think of it as the learning process…you are not a knucklehead!

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@sandytoes14, thank you. Will use the correct way to tag. Have a good one!

My last serious project was refinishing my kitchen cabinetry. Took all summer, but sure worth the effort. Thennnn, we sold the house, lol.

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lioness | @lioness | Mar 18, 2019

@jmjlove Oh all that work hope you got a better price

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1 reply
jmjlove | @jmjlove | Mar 18, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@jmjlove Oh all that work hope you got a better price" + (show)
@lioness

@jmjlove Oh all that work hope you got a better price

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Nope, sold it to a son that had a terrible scaffolding accident, crushing the bones in one leg. They rebuilt the leg, saving it, thank God. He spent 5 months in a hospital bed. Had to delay wedding, then got married on crutches. As the business owner, he couldnt work or draw workman's comp. We flat out owned the place and sold to him landcontract, for less than we paid. Almost no interest either. No regrets. Good hardworking young man.

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1 reply
luvduv35 | @luvduv35 | Mar 18, 2019
In reply to @susanlorrie "SandyToes, I am working with a good doctor to wean me off the medication very slowly...." + (show)
@susanlorrie

SandyToes,
I am working with a good doctor to wean me off the medication very slowly. I should not have sounded as if I didn’t appreciate my doctor. Unfortunately he changed groups and they wanted him to wean me down more quickly. It is my greatest wish to get completely off.

Oh happy day! It’s my 19th anniversary today. I have the most wonderful husband. Please send positive thoughts and/or prayers for him. He an unknown lung infection. I am desperately hoping it is not cancer. The past 19 years have been the best of my life! I could not live with out him.@susanlorrie

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You are in my prayers

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lioness | @lioness | Mar 18, 2019
In reply to @jmjlove "Nope, sold it to a son that had a terrible scaffolding accident, crushing the bones in..." + (show)
@jmjlove

Nope, sold it to a son that had a terrible scaffolding accident, crushing the bones in one leg. They rebuilt the leg, saving it, thank God. He spent 5 months in a hospital bed. Had to delay wedding, then got married on crutches. As the business owner, he couldnt work or draw workman's comp. We flat out owned the place and sold to him landcontract, for less than we paid. Almost no interest either. No regrets. Good hardworking young man.

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@jmjlove Bless you for doing the right thing

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jmjlove | @jmjlove | Mar 18, 2019
In reply to @kathyec "Hi all Exercise, particularly walking helps me. I just have to encourage myself to 'get going'...." + (show)
@kathyec

Hi all
Exercise, particularly walking helps me. I just have to encourage myself to 'get going'. If my day isn't really bad, my grandchildren help as well.

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@kathyec. Yep. Grandkids. Oh my goodness! I have 14…my pride and joy! They make me feel rich. They make me laugh and bring so much joy!. Yep. Grandkids.

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Jen, Alumna Mentor | @sandytoes14 | Sep 23, 2019
In reply to @oh_suzie_q "I am a colorist on many Design teams! Working on my designs help me to relax...." + (show)
@oh_suzie_q

I am a colorist on many Design teams! Working on my designs help me to relax. There are many coloring books for adults for this exact reason! It's been proven to help with the pain! Pain helps me to be more creative when working on my designs. You put everything into the design!

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@oh_suzie_q A while ago you said that you were a colorist on Design teams and that helps you relax from having pain. How is that going? Are you still designing? I'd love to know!

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lorirenee1 | @lorirenee1 | Sep 23, 2019

I have been researching chronic pain. I tell the pain to go away, I do tapping, I visualize the part of my brain that creates pain, getting smaller. I do this when I am in pain. I see my brain part getting smaller. I visualize the part of my feet with neuropathy getting smaller. I really focus and tell myself that I do not need pain anymore, and that I am ok. After about 5 minutes or so, I find the pain goes away. All of this is based on pain research. It is the brain that gives off the pain signals, and the brain needs to change. Of course, I distract myself with anything I enjoy. I walk when I can, and push myself to walk. I love to read. I love poetry. I listen to music….could go on and on. Most importantly, I am trying to retrain my brain. Lori Renee

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Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Sep 23, 2019
In reply to @lorirenee1 "I have been researching chronic pain. I tell the pain to go away, I do tapping,..." + (show)
@lorirenee1

I have been researching chronic pain. I tell the pain to go away, I do tapping, I visualize the part of my brain that creates pain, getting smaller. I do this when I am in pain. I see my brain part getting smaller. I visualize the part of my feet with neuropathy getting smaller. I really focus and tell myself that I do not need pain anymore, and that I am ok. After about 5 minutes or so, I find the pain goes away. All of this is based on pain research. It is the brain that gives off the pain signals, and the brain needs to change. Of course, I distract myself with anything I enjoy. I walk when I can, and push myself to walk. I love to read. I love poetry. I listen to music….could go on and on. Most importantly, I am trying to retrain my brain. Lori Renee

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@lorirenee1 I have also been finding a reduction in the pain in my feet when I do some simple brain reprogramming, especially at bedtime. The brain is an amazing organ.

Jim

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