Topic : Living with Chronic Pain

Quote From: ricschic

Hey Amanda...sorry no one saw your first post. I'm new here as well...and I have been welcomed with open arms, as I'm sure you will be as well. I don't know what to tell you either..if over-the-counter meds don't help, and you can't afford to go to a doctor, you're kinda stuck, kwim? Maybe try different things that might help alleviate some of your symptoms, like a hot bath. I don't know...just one measly (and probably very bad) suggestion.

I don't get why someone would send back gifts from grandma to their child. I just don't get it. I understand there's animosity, but that's no reason to punish the kids for it. A grandparent's love and relationship can be one of the most important in a child's life. I'd give anything if my kids grandmother cared enough to even want to SEE them! Sounds like they're using the "return to sender" as a tactic to hurt someone. That's not the way to go......

Becca....we used to go to Rockport every summer when I was a kid. I love it down there! When people ask me where I'd like to vacation at, my response is *always* "South Padre Island, Tx." I think I'd rather go there than just about anywhere. I MISS the Gulf Coast. I still feel it pulling to me. We visited Corpus when my other kids were small...and my then 4yo son (he's 17 now) said that when he grew up, he was going to buy Corpus for me. How sweet is that? I still remember that, and am now asking him when he's going to make good on that promise, lol....I envy you, except for the humidity you put up with in the summer. Miserable stuff, that. Is it the USS Enterprise that's in mothballs down there? I can't remember the name, but the kids' dad served on that particular ship when he was in the Navy so many years ago. We took a tour, and it was really cool.

Hope everyone's feeling good today...or at least a level they can live with. We went shopping last night to finish up, and I'm paying for it today. I saw my doctor while in WalMart, and she asked me if I was doing ok. She's new to me, I've only been seeing her for a few months now. She's the one who took me off of methadone and put me on all this other stuff. She promised me on my first visit that she could get me off the methadone and still control my pain to the same level. It just takes a LOT more medicine to do it now. She saw us (my SO and I) with two buggies loaded to the hilt, and she asked if I were overdoing it. I told her "probably, but I don't have a choice. Santa Claus is coming to town"....she said if I need her, to make sure I call. I'm starting to like her more each time I see her. I always wanted a female doctor, b/c I feel they understand women's issues. And she specializes in pain management as well...so that's a bonus for me!

I've discovered I've lost 10lbs, and that's GOOD news!! I sooooo need a walking partner in my area, but people SAY they want to walk until they find out I'm serious about actually hitting the pavement, lol. Then they find out it's work...and change their minds. I so wish I could find someone. I think I'd be the happiest person if that would happen.

Thinking about Brenda this morning, and hoping that those test turn out like they need to. Thinking about ALL of you dealing with the pain....issues in life...and hope that this day brings something good and positive, and relief!! *hugs* BeckyW

Quote From: profderien

i got discharged from the ccu late yesterday -- before than i was on a ventilator from ? the 13th to the 20th.  things are *very* fuzzy but i look forward to catching up.  it was my best friend ramak who was kind enough to post for me... because i think we all appreciate having this *place* as a community...  she is helping me do *everthing.* 

 

laterf...

profderien

Quote From: ladidi100

Hello;  I am new here and this topic is of interest to me since I live with chronic pain on a daily basis. You see, I suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis (NOT AN OLD PERSONS DISEASE).  Although I am 58 years young, (diagnosed 3 years ago) some days I feel like 100.  I have never heard of any discussions on chronic pain, specifically RA on any talk shows (perhaps I missed it) but it is one of the most misunderstood diseases.  When you are diagnosed with severe RA, you are unable to work at a full-time job (I worked for nearly 40 years before being diagnosed) and most times, part-time is out of the question too.  You then become a person who is 'invisible' to most friends and some family members.  They either don't believe you are in pain all of the time, or they don't know what to say.  It's like you have gone off the radar screen or something;  it changes your life forever and it is a real shock when you find out just how others perceive you and your disability.  Not many of your friends or family visit anymore; no phone calls to see how you are doing or coping or if you might need some help or maybe perhaps a meal brought in when it's too tough to stand for very long and cook the family a meal.  My husband is great at doing housework each day after working a full day at his place of employment.  An 18 year old son does understand to some extent but still looks for that 'ride' to his friends or the show when all you want to do is scream in pain because your feet are too sore to stand on.  I just smile (grin) and bear it and put on a good front most of the time.  Maybe that's my problem, I need to grimace and be more vociferous when my pain is almost unbearable. There isn't even an Emote to describe 'pain' let alone 'severe pain'.  Oh well, I have a good outlook now after three years to appreciate the smaller things in life as they turn out to be the most important things.  Just a smile from a stranger, sitting and talking to my little puppy, or waiting for my husband to come home, or just sitting on my porch enjoying the sunshine and my beautiful flowers (my husband planted them for me).  God is good and I do not take anything for granted (most of the time :)).   Anyway, thanks for letting me vent and hope to hear from others who are living with chronic severe pain as I'm sure I'm not alone (although it feels like it sometimes)

Blessings to all.

Quote From: kkay8871

Hello,

 I too suffer from chronic pain, due to Degenerative Disc Disease. I have had 4 surgeries directly related to this, and 6 surgeries for various other problems, though none were elective. I know I need another operation on my neck, which would be the 3rd there, because the fingers in my left hand are going numb.

 I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis when I was 15 yrs old, and went through 2 1/2yrs of pain, which included getting weekly shots of Gold Salt Injections, and weekly blood & urine tests. That in itself was pain enough, but I also had to sell my horse which I'd only had for about 3 months (a childhood dream, unable to come true til then due to moving every 3 or so years as we were a military family), was in the hospital 6 times one summer, and had to travel by helicopter to Keesler Air Force Base by myself for a week of testing.

  Now as an adult I've had a total of 10 operations in the last 15yrs, and believe me there's nothing I'd like better than to be free from all this pain. I'm on a prescription plan which includes Methadone, Lortabs, and various other pills, just to maintain the pain, but it doesn't really go away, does it?!  I've applied for disability, as I'm a single parent, and haven't been able to work since last October, therefore I have no insurance for myself. I was denied the first time by the people who decide whether or not you're able to work, so I've retained an attorney to file an appeal, which takes anywhere from 12 to 14 months!!  I now have maybe 8 months to go before the appeal. I now have been diagnosed with major depression and generalized anxiety disorder, thanks to all the red tape. I am blessed enough to have a mother and an ex-husband who are helping to pay our rent and untility bills, (my mother is using her retirement savings which makes me feel guilty as hell), and we at least qualified for food stamps.  What on earth do people do if they have no one to help them?  I firmly believe that's where a lot of our homeless people come from, waiting on our government to help them.

  I've lost 2 jobs, and a 2yr scholarship, so believe me when I say I DO understand your pain.  All we can do is what we are doing, which is just getting through one day at a time. And pray alot. One of my doctors said recently that God must be preparing me for something special.  I can believe and accept that, but I'd sure like to know WHEN?!!!  Seriously, I'd like to go back to school and major in psychology, because I believe I could help other women in going through times and circumstances like ours.

 I'll remember you in my prayers,

 Karen

 

Quote From: miss_amanda006

thanks for at least saying you noticed it is underatandable that you dont know how to help. My mother got mad at me a few months back becuase i cloudnt chase my 2 year old bother and left me i am lucky my aunt is kind.  I wasnt sure i was heard I oft feel that way cuase I come from a larger family. Thank you for letting me know that someone paid attetion.

hugs

Amanda

Quote From: lisab165

I am a 40 year old with a wonderful husband, 8 year old daughter and 4 year old  son. I have had bulging discs at the L4-5 & L5-S1 since I was 21 and was usually able to control my pain with OTC's, exercise, chiropractics, and massage until January '04, when I fell roller skating. I have been through going to Primary physician, PT, 3 orthopedists, 3 MRI's (showed I haved bulges at L2 thru S1 and C4 thru C7, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis), epidurals, 1 myelogram, and lots of meds. In November '04 found out from myelogram that I had a ruptured disc at L4-5 and had a laminectomy on 12/06/04 removing a 3cm piece. I did really well until about 4 weeks post surgery when I started the walking and pt.  My back pain is close to the pain level that I had before my surgery and still have pain in my low back, buttocks (left side and sometimes the right), and into my left leg (sometimes the right), heel and foot.

My orthopedist that did the laminectomy would never listen when I brought up the neck problems and the pain and numbness in my left arm and hand.  Finally, had an EMG done which came up positive for moderate carpal tunnel (didn't rule out radiculopathy) and he gave me a cortisone shot. That got rid of the numbness in my fingers for a couple of weeks but never the pain. I have severe pain and numbness that gets worse every day, in my neck, both shoulder blades, arms and hands. I have a very hard time eating, writing, crocheting, typing, and anything that requires any grip & have muscle atrophy and scared I may have permanent nerve damage.    I was let go from my job of 10 years on March due to my health and have filed with SSD (was denied the first time and have an attorney on it and they are continuing the denial at this time).  At this point I have severe cervical and lumbar pain and am very scared I will be paralyzed and/or lose the use of my hands.

My last visit with the orthopedist on 6/02, he told me he couldn't do anything else for me (you know, no more insurance!!) and that "no one would help me for free."  He sent me back to my primary for pain meds and she sent me to a pain clinic.  That doc currently has me on Methadone 10mg 4x, Robaxin 750mg 4x, Neurotin 300mg 3x, Nortriptylin 25mg bedtime, Prozac 20mg morning, and Percocet apap 5/325 for breakthrough pain (what is breakthrough pain?--the constant pain I have regardless of all the other meds?).  Have also been on Vicadin, Valium, Darvacet, Percodan, Flexural and others.    At this time, I have no insurance and don't qualify for medical assistance and I need medical treatment very badly and am suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts.  I really don't know what to do.  I applied for disability in Feb., was denied and have an attorney on it.  Got a letter a week ago and SSD is continuing the denial for lack of info.  My orthopedist, due to not listening to me, put in my medical records that I was getting better (the actual disc that he did treatment on, not all the other problems that he wouldn't address!) and SSD says that I should be able to work full-time come 11-05.  There is no way I will be able to do this and need to at least get a consultation with a "good" doc, one that will actually listen to me.   I have called the ER close to me because I am having so much pain in my left arm I am that desperate, but we don't have a doc close to here that would be able to help me and they would only be able to give me pain meds.  Lot of good that will do.     All that I can pray for is that soon I will get in touch with someone that knows someone that knows of a program or somthing that I will qualify for and can get some help.  I am so tired of calling people to see if they will take payments for treatment, but, everyone wants full payment up front.  If I can get fixed and make payments, I will be able to go back to work to pay it off.  If I wait too long, I will be permanently disabled and no longer to even think of going back to a normal life and working.  I guess only God knows.  Thanks for listening!!    LisaB From Missouri (Misery?)

Quote From: miss_amanda006

I thought i had posted about my pain issues and how difrent pain killers do or do not affect me. Now it seems to be gone. I am in extrme pain and what can you do for it when advil, alive, tylnol do nothing, ibrofen barely helps, asprin tiggrs a migrane but helps some and things like vicoden or stonger make you loopy. Honstly this pain now has me in tears. I am use to legs hurting but not this bad and my back hurting is a new thing. I listed the reason before why i get see a doc no insurance, dont work, cant get a job anyway,and ssdi refuses to belief there is a problem. Any suggestion to stop or at least ease the pain if so please let me know.  

Quote From: mustbecrazy

I'm a little behind on my reading...only on page 2, haven't found your original post yet.  I come from a large family...#11 of 12, so I know about lack of attention...my little sister seemed to get all of the attention...my parents didn't even come to my "Star Spangled Banner" trumpet solo performance at the Oakland Raiders football game in front of 80,000 people in the stadium...that was in the days when Howard Cosell talked over the National Anthem, so it wasn't aired on TV.  It was such an important moment to me, and I was very disappointed that they didn't bother to come because they didn't like football.

 

I know about moms...my mother-in-law was really upset that we didn't follow our oldest son around with hands nearby to catch him if he fell, while learning how to walk...falling and getting up...the first of one of life's most important lessons.

 

I'll finish up on my reading, and I'm sure I will find your original post...WELCOME TO THE BOARD!!!

 

PK:  You didn't mention how you control your diabetes, and whether it is type 1 or 2.  My husband, John, has had diabetes for 47 years, all his life.  He has type 1, and he has been on insulin since the age of 13 months, when the diabetes was discovered when he went into a diabetic coma after raiding his sister's Easter basket and eating the chocolate bunny.  He has been on an insulin pump for the last 10 years, and it has totally changed his life...he can control the blood sugars so much better because he has a constant flow of insulin in small doses, plus he takes a "bolace" of insulin to accomodate the carbs that he eats...he is no longer chained to such a rigid schedule, and with frequent testing, he can keep the sugars in good control.  He has had very few complications because he has always been diligent about keeping his sugars under control, keeping up with current technology...in the old days, urine strips were the only way of monitoring the sugars...not a good way to get a current level reading.  If you are insulin dependant, I would highly recommend an insulin pump...for people having trouble controlling their sugars, it can be a life-saver.  His complications include diabetic neuropathy, plus diabetic gastroparesis. 

 

John is currently having severe anemia, which could be linked to a bleeding ulcer...the doctor is referring him back to the gastroenterologist for scoping from both ends.  He may be put on antibiotic to treat the ulcer.  The other possibility is leukimia, but the doctor says that he isn't having any of the other symptoms that go along with lwukimia, so the doctors will persue the possibility of the bleeding ulcer first.

 

I am continuing to heal well from my recent breast reconstruction surgery...I've been modeling every outfit I put on for John...he just chuckles and tells me I look good...after 25 years of marriage, he knows just the right things to say, and what NOT to say.

 

The kids have spread Legos all over the living room, building like mad...they have a 5-gallon bucket full of them.  Even the 18 year old likes legos.

 

Well, that's all for now...everybody have a good day....Becky C., the Cat Lady with the Rack.