• HEALTH & RECOVERY
    Welcome Guest
    Posting Rules Bluelight Rules Thread Directory 1 Thread Directory 2
    Mindfulness Links Addiction & Mind
    Sober Living Partner Program (SLiPP)
  • H&R Moderators: VerbalTruist

How do you deal with your pain?

RoxiPoppyGirl

RoxiPoppyGirl

Bluelighter
Joined
Jun 17, 2008
Messages
805
I thought there was a chronic pain section here but i looked and didn't find one. So, i didn't know where to put this so i put it in 'homeless', please move to the right area if i put this in the wrong place-- Thank You

For the Chronic Pain sufferers here... how do you deal with your pain (other than medications, therapy etc?)

Sometimes my pain gets so bad i just don't know what to do with myself. Most times i end up in bed curled in a ball. Sometimes i try to do things to keep my brain occupied and off of the nagging pain such as reading or light cleaning, surfing the web.. but of course, after a few minutes my brain can only focus on the pain.

Oh and i have tried breathing techniques that someone taught me a few years ago... not meditation, but something similar and it does work for a bit but after that my brain goes right back to thinking about the pain.

My medications for the most part help me deal with the pain, they take the edge off of the pain. But, as all us CP patients know... even with medications and different therapies we still have to deal with some pain and 'Flair ups'.

And yes, i have had epidurals, I've done physical therapy, Aqua-therapy, tracking, ultra sound therapy and a few other things. Just saying this because someone always comes back with "Why are you just doing medications, can't you try non-medication/non-opiates to try to help with the pain"

And my conditions are-- Spondylitis/Spondylolesthesis, fractured facet bone of L-4 (and no it isn't just simple back pain as someone smartly remarked once)...I also have severe Sciatica, Arthritis and pain in my growth plates from the years of gymnastics did as a child and pre-teen.

I just don't know how to deal with the pain sometimes. It's like, i just want someone to sock me in the face and knock me out so i don't feel anything.

Yesterday i had a mini flair up (mini meaning short-lived, no mini as in severity) and OMG i thought i was going to die. It only lasted about 3 hours but god it was a bad one.

So how do you deal with your pain? Is there anything you do to keep your mind off of it?

Thanks for your time

RPG
 
i also had a short flare yesterday....pain so bad that i felt sick to my stomach...

i often take calcium/magnesium to relax my muscles and calm my nerves when i feel like that.....maybe a little gentle stretching....really all you can do is take your meds and wait for it to pass....
 
I definitely feel for you. Pain takes over your life for sure. It's a day-to-day mental struggle to deal with it.

My condition: severely ruptured disc (spinal canal and left nerve root L4-L5), laminotomy/micro-discectomy which wasn't successful, the disc is still extruded, and I've developed DDD in that area plus a little extra arthritis for fun. I suffer from MAJOR sciatica. Like you, it's not just "back pain"; it's super-painful and it makes my leg spasm continually and sometimes give out on me while walking or driving.

This is what I do for pain: physical therapy exercises every day, breathing techniques, epidurals (which don't do shit, but I haven't give up hope), READING, as much exercise as I can do (really hard because it works short-term but aggravates the condition), ice/heat, gentle yoga, herbs/supplements, lots of fruits and veggies, GOOD SLEEP, Gabapentin, and percocet 10/325. I get 60 count/month. I'm under-medicated and I'm slowly working that out with him. I was buying OCs under the table from a friend for a few months, which was a mistake because I think the stuff is just way too prone to addiction, but it was AMAZING to finally be out of pain after 5 years.

But all he can suggest to me as a solution is a fusion surgery. Sigh. I'm still considering it. And I'm trying to get another opinion. (Damn you, HMO!) There's a good chance they'll just fuck it up again and I'll be further from my goal than ever.

All of the non-pain med stuff I do helps but it doens't get rid of the daily pain. In fact, sometimes it makes it worse. I was an exercise-junkie before my injury and it's been hard to let that go even though it aggravates the condition. I had to give up running, biking and intense yoga, which were some of the things that kept me from being too fiend-ey with drugs and booze. I swim now which is ok, but I dream of going back to being a semi-jock. That would be great.
 
artax.. thanks for your reply. My Contidion is closely related to yours. The Spondylolesthesis.. i should have explained what that meant. It's a herniated disc basicly.

I'll try some stretching in the morning, that is something I've never tried so I'll give it a go!

Thanks a bunch

RPG
 
I have a herniated disk in my L4 and in my neck, ive been told that stretching helps

I cant afford it anymore but I used to go to physical therapy for my pain...didnt do shit, than i tried anti inflammatories...didnt do shit...and i try patches called Lidocaine patches, they help but not entirely
i am working on actually getting epidural shots in my back but they arent guaranteed to help and I need an updated MRI which costs 375 with insurance so im fucked

so how do i deal with my pain...i cry when i have nothing and when i can get roxis i stock up for my bad days

i feel your pain girl, i was 15 when this happened 21 now, they told me im a 15 yr old with the back of a 50 yr old :\
 
I ignore it. If it gets to be a 10/10 unbearable I go to the chiropractor or use my theracane.

I have brutal pain in my right rhomboid 24 hours a day. Some days it will subside a bit and won't be too irritating. Most days its a constant dull throbbing ache in my right rhomboid.

I also have a lot of joint pain from working out - elbows, shoulders, knees, and achiles tendons are all chronically sore. Lower back flares up occasionally and I get sciatica - a burning fire pain down my legs.

I simply ignore all of this. Dwelling on it or trying to fight it is pointless.
 
You have pain in your lower back after standing a long time? Sounds like flatfeet (I have this). Get some inserts to put in your shoes and see if it helps you out. It was literally an instantaneous change for me. I used to be nearly crippled after a day on my feet. Now I don't feel anything.
 
In my opinion the body is capable of healing herniated disks with time, stretching, and proper exercise. So just keep working at it and it should heal itself.
 
Well mine hasn't healed and it's been 5 years and the pain gets worse with each year and some of my other issues can't be healed (I'm almost 37 btw). Yes surgery is in my future but I'm in a point in my life where i can have surgery-- family issues, emotional issues and a few other things.. but, it is in my future-- I hope. Some more epidurals are in my future as well but my Doctor wants to hold off on them a bit because the 2nd one i had, in my last group of 3 was very traumatic (not emotionally), but physically... something didn't quite go right. Soon as i woke up from the sleepy-time cocktail they gave me I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG!!!

As for ignoring it.. huh yea... I've learned to do that but what I'm talking about are those particular days when ignoring it just doesn't work, the days where the pain seems to take over your body like a Borg (yea.. Star Trek) and no, I'm not a trekie (sp).. but I've seen enough episodes to know what a Borg is.. I particularly liked Seven of Nine. Am i spelling 'Borg' right btw? But.. i digress..

Some days nothing cuts it, not enough ignoring in the world takes care of it. like right now.. yes I have pain.. this is a day where i can ignore it and continue on (With the help of some meds). Today is a good day, today i am fortunate! Unlike yesterday when the pain creeped up on me like 3 o'clock (pm). It came out of nowhere and it was brutal.

Those are the days i am taking about. I think most CP'rs learn how to ignore it-- WE HAVE TO! We have to put on that smile even though internally or lips are frowning.

Anyway... Those are the days i am talking about, that is the pain i was taking about.

Thanks for all the replies.. keep em' comming. I think it's kind of therapeutic to talk about it with people who can relate and understand.

Maybe there SHOUD be a CP catagory here at Bluelight. Just a thought.

RPG
 
Do you experience intense pain after your epidurals? Every time I get one, my sciatic pain is increased twofold for a week or so then subsides over a period of a couple of weeks. I'm just curious because my doctor's favorite mantra is: "You shouldn't be having pain. A lot of people experience relief from epidurals." Thanks dude.

I don't get a sedative or anything for the procedure. It's just me, the anaesthesiologist, his assistant and whatever I request on his iPod. He's got crap taste in music but I convinced him to throw some Ella Fitzgerald on that joint at least. The guy's a menace... sticking 6 inch needles in my spine while I watch it on the monitor and he's trying to play Mariah Carey. Bastard!
 
my pain seems to dictate my mood. I've forced myself to become ambidexrous just avoid writting with my bad arm. It discouraged me from writting in school and my marks suffered because of this.

I was raised to not complain, now I really dont how to, and not sound like a pillseeker at the doctor's office.

is there such thing as a cure for pain, not just temporary, thats wont have you crawling back to the chiropractor or addicted to painkilllers
 
Diche.. for some types of pain... sadly no, i don't think there are any cures. There are band aids-- Pain meds, procedures etc. I know that i will have pain the rest of my life-- either mild or strong. I've accepted it and I'm pissed off for getting dealt this hand of cards. But, i try not to be bitter. Overall i am a pleasant and kind person and try to see the positive in everything. But, it's not always easy and there are times i bend.

Artax.. I did experience mild pain after my first epidural and my doctor said that was normal and that some people's bodies just respond that way. Now.. my second epidural... that's a whole different story. I'll get to that in a second...

About being put under.. i don't know why some doctors don't offer it. Mine offered to be awake or to be in what they called a 'Twilight sleep' It's not regular anesthesia but it knocks you completely out. They told me it wasn't regular anesthesia. I don't know how to explain that because they didn't really explain it to me but i think the cocktail they gave me was fentanyl and i think something that started with a 'V'. I could be totally off. I vaguely remember what they told me it was. I guess i could Google 'Twilight sleep'

They hooked up an IV like 10 minutes before i went into the procedure room and it was hooked up to a bag. The bag i am told was just regular old fluids. Then they wheeled me into the procedure room.. got me situated and than added a medication to the IV. About 10 seconds later i was in HEAVEN, what a beautiful feeling that stuff gave me. It's sad I only got to enjoy it long enough till which time the anesthesiologist added another medication. I watched him push it in and that's the last thing i remember. But damn, those 10-15 seconds before he added the second med was a beautiful ass feeling, my god LOL.

The Doctor told me after the first med was given to me that i said "I want MacDonalds" But, i don't remember that. She said the whole crew cracked up.

Ok.. the second epidural. I don't know...I knew something was wrong right away.... soon as i woke up i had this horrible pain and it was totally different than the first experience. I knew something wasn't right. I told the doctor and she told me something but i don't remember what. Something along the lines... "it will go away" IT DIDN'T and i was stuck in bed the whole week after with awful pain.

I didn't want the 3rd one after all that crap but i did it anyway. I think it was like 2 weeks later. The first two were a week apart i believe. The 3rd one was fine, only mild pain afterwords. But, after that 2nd epidural my back didn't feel right for like 4 months. Isn't that odd?

My new Doc said that my other doc probably got to close to a nerve. I WOULD Say so.

Ok... enough of that. Lets make this the 'Official Chronic Pain thread' !?!?! Since there isn't a section for it or us. Sound good? he he

Anyone else had any shity epidural experiences ?

RPG
 
My dad has had shitty epidural experiences. he has gone through many sessions and they still havent helped fully

aanallein said:
In my opinion the body is capable of healing herniated disks with time, stretching, and proper exercise. So just keep working at it and it should heal itself.
Click to expand...

stretching and proper exercise may temporarily get rid of the pain but it will not heal the herniation.
Ive done it all, with professional help and I am still in pain. Next step is surgery, which i will have when i become rich and famous lol
 
chronic pain must be horrible :p my sympathies go out to all of you.

a relative of mine suffers from cluster headaches (im not sure if it should be branded as chronic pain) and it pains me to see a grown man cry, and be completely debilitated from them. i've been looking up medications and it seems like absolutely nothing helps him.
 
I have severe thoracic nerve damage in my back. I have taken pain killers for about 2 years. I can differently relate to you. I am currently on Oxy and Percocet for my pain. I have started to do Tai-Chi.
I find that it helps me a lot. The movements are very fluent and slow, so it does not put a lot of stress and strain on your back and other body parts. Tai Chi is also about centering mind and body and centering your chi which is like your life force. I have found that I can focus on something other them the pain and it relaxes my mind and body. I used to do yoga but when my back got really bad I was unable to get in the positions required to do it. I would give it a try I think that you might benefit from it greatly..

Also there is a new pain killer out call Opana ER that is supposed to be really good for stopping pain it is a synthetic opioid. It is supposed to be better for you them Oxy. I am still doing research on it.
I like you will probably be on pain killers for the rest of my life.
 
Last edited:
ladyinthesky said:
My dad has had shitty epidural experiences. he has gone through many sessions and they still havent helped fully



stretching and proper exercise may temporarily get rid of the pain but it will not heal the herniation.
Ive done it all, with professional help and I am still in pain. Next step is surgery, which i will have when i become rich and famous lol
Click to expand...

The body can heal the herniation. Trust me. Bodybuilders frequently herniate their disks and overtime they recuperate from the injuries.


My father herniated every disk in the Lumbar region. He had 5 or 6 operations and wound up getting fused along the entire length of the lumbar. He was immobilized from this procedure. Doing something like getting up to go to the bathroom was so painful he almost couldn't do it. He wound up killing himself because the pain and being paralyzed was making life unbearable.

Do not get surgery.

I mean that with everything I have in me. There is more than a 50% chance that the surgery will leave you in a worse condition then you are in now and once you begin the downward spiral it can seriously ruin your entire life.

The body can heal itself naturally. A herniated disk is a bulging disk. It isn't permanently damaged - it can be repaired.
 
Oh and if you MUST resort to surgery then put a lot of thought into Laser Back Surgery (google it). My uncle had this done recently and it changed his life. Its new though so a lot of people don't know about it. Still risky though..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top