Chronic pain

[Guest guest]

Hi FRan,

Thank You SOOOO much for this posting!!!!

While I haven't had to deal with chronic pain for over 2.5 years,

Everything in your post would have helped me so much when I was in

Chronic pain. I did actually believe and follow a lot of the advice

even though it was just stuff I thought about in my head while trying

to remain sane. It certainly would have been wonderful to read and

remind myself of that wisdom.

I am printing it out in hope that I won't ever have to refer to it,

but so that I will have it if the time comes that I do need it.

I am always amazed that just reading and remembering a few simple

things can make a world of difference.

Thank You, Thank You,

Stay Well,

[Guest guest]

wonderful (and true) post-- thank you!!

- In , " Fran Mishler " <fran@m...>

wrote:

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I know it probably seems like all I talk about is chronic pain. I

guess I

> feel like it is neglected so often by arthritis doctors when they

treat us

> and it needs to be discussed and dealt with to have any kind of

successful

> treatment. I came across a great article about just what chronic

pain is.

> I thought it might help some of the new members who are just

starting to

> deal with chronic pain. If you aren't used to pain on a regular

basis, you

> can almost think you are losing your mind. It causes so many

problems and

> just ignoring it rarely makes it go away.

>

> Anyway, I hope this helps someone out there. Love, Fran

>

> What is Chronic Pain?

>

> Chronic pain is pain that goes on longer than six months. It does

not

> respond to conventional medical treatment. In other words, chronic

pain is

> pain that may not go away. What's more, chronic pain often has no

concrete

> explanation and no tangible diagnosis. That does not mean that

chronic pain

> is not real. It simply means that, using the information available

today,

> modern medical specialists cannot define a " cause " for the pain.

Chronic

> pain is pain that many people have to " learn to live with. " The

question

> then is... HOW DO YOU DO THIS?

>

>

> Who is affected by pain? It affects you. You are the one who feels

the pain

> and suffers with it. However, it also affects everyone around you.

When your

> pain begins, others are supportive and caring. As time goes by,

you begin to

> lose your support system, your co-workers, and friends. You

withdraw from

> all activity, and the only people you see are your health care

providers and

> those you live with. What is interesting about chronic pain is the

effect

> that it has not only on you but also on your family/significant

others. Soon

> they find that large parts of their lives are controlled by your

pain.

> Unfortunately, chronic pain creates many different types of

suffering.

>

>

>

>

>

> Issues Chronic Pain Patients Must Deal With

>

> The pain that you feel in your body is only one factor that

contributes to

> your suffering. Other issues that can increase your suffering are:

>

> Isolation:

> Believing you are the only one in the world who has chronic pain

can create

> a sense of hopelessness. Your pain can cause you to withdraw from

all social

> and family support systems.

>

> Confusion:

> Chronic pain, in many cases, has no visible signs. Your level of

functioning

> changes daily. It is not surprising that those around you may

question the

> reality of your pain. It is not unusual for you to question

whether or not

> your pain is real-- you may sometimes believe it is all in your

head.

>

> Uncertainty:

> Is it all in my head? The answer is partly. You cannot separate

the mind and

> body. What you experience physically affects your emotional well-

being and

> vice a versa. The lack of a diagnosis--a reason for your pain--can

cause you

> to question the reality of your suffering. Even with a diagnosis,

you may

> find it hard to believe that modern medicine cannot " fix " you.

>

> Suffering:

> If you have chronic pain, you will suffer. If you give your

undivided

> attention to your pain, your suffering will be overwhelming. If,

however,

> you can redirect your attention to other issues, your sense of

suffering can

> be reduced.

>

> Guilt:

> Your inability to contribute at work or at home creates a sense of

guilt.

> You may believe that your value is measured by the amount of work

you

> accomplish.

>

> Anger:

> You may be angry with the medical community for not making you

better. You

> may be angry with your co-workers for not understanding. You may

be angry

> with your friends and family for not being more supportive and

> understanding. And, you may be angry at yourself for not having

the ability

> to " get better. "

>

> Attitude:

> Attitude can affect your level of suffering. A negative attitude

focuses on

> your inabilities, your suffering, and your negative emotions.

Movement can

> be difficult when you are in pain. Yet, it is important to

maintain a

> certain level of activity to maintain good muscle tone and reduce

pain

> levels. Ask your doctor to help you select several realistic

exercises that

> will help you to restore movement and tone muscles. Remember, your

activity

> level has decreased over a long period. Your exercise program

should be

> slow, realistic, and continuous.

>

> Limitations:

> Assertiveness is a necessary component of regaining your health.

Saying " no "

> is something that many of us have trouble doing. And, when you are

in pain,

> your inability to say no only increases the likelihood that you

will exceed

> your limitations. Realizing that you have the right to make

mistakes, the

> right to do less than humanly possible, and the right to be taken

seriously

> will enhance your understanding of yourself and your needs. If you

do not

> assert yourself, you will increase your level of pain and

suffering over the

> long term. Many people with chronic pain are typically

nonassertive. That

> means that they do not believe they have the same rights as

others. They are

> afraid to speak out on their own behalf. They do not get the

respect they

> deserve and are rarely satisfied with their accomplishments.

Learning to

> become assertive will allow you to regain control of your life.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES

> SET REALISTIC GOALS

> STRIVE TO REGAIN CONTROL

> SELF CONFIDENCE

> FOCUS YOUR ENERGY

> ESTABLISH PRIORITIES

> TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE

> POSITIVE SELF IMAGE

>

>

> SETTING REALISTIC GOALS

> Setting realistic for yourself will prepare you to act out your

commitment

> to regain your health while expressing confidence in your ability

to meet

> your needs, no matter what those needs are. Setting realistic

goals also

> provides a focus for your energy. When you are devoting your time

and energy

> to things you really want to do and accomplish, there is less time

to think

> about your pain. The less you think about your pain, the less you

will

> suffer.

>

> RECOGNIZING FEELINGS

> What you are feeling and experiencing each day has an effect on

the amount

> of pain you have. While your pain is of physical origin, what you

experience

> emotionally will affect the level of your pain. It is impossible

to separate

> your mind from your body. What you feel physically will have a

direct effect

> on your emotional self. This is also true of your emotions. If you

are upset

> or under a great deal of stress, your physical being is directly

affected,

> usually in the form of pain. Attempts at controlling emotions

create stress.

> Stress increases pain. You have no control over what you experience

> emotionally. You can only choose how to express those emotions.

There are no

> wrong feelings. Your feelings are as much a part of you as your

arms and

> legs. Accept them, recognize them, and learn to deal with them to

reduce

> stress and tension. Why make yourself a prisoner to your emotions

when you

> can be freed by understanding that feelings are what make you

unique?

>

> LEARN TO RELAX

> Tension causes increased pain. Relaxation techniques are effective

in

> reducing tension. Recognizing tension is the first step. Knowing

how to

> reduce tension is a learned skill. Taking some of the

responsibility for

> your own recovery involves learning how to recognize tension and

using your

> relaxation skills to reduce tension and decrease pain. Not only is

> relaxation an effective means to reduce pain but it is within your

control.

>

> ONE DAY AT A TIME

> Pain is a frightening thing. It is not unusual to be afraid of

pain, to

> avoid activity, to sit hour after hour, or to stay in bed all day.

Each day

> your level of ability changes. You need to start each day with a

sense of

> ability. Anything is possible if you take one step at a time, one

day at a

> time.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I haven't heard of anyone in this group who has desensitized and takes enteric coated aspirin for maintenance, and has any stomach problems or abdominal pain. (Or, if I have heard, I don't recall).

Desensitization + coated ASA is my suggestion.

--

Ken West

Check the library . . .

samters/links

From: " Tami Klumpyan " <tami@...>

Reply-samters

Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 13:10:24 -0600

<samters >

Subject: chronic pain

I need to know how everyone deals with chronic pain. Here's my problem. I can't take asa or non asa (as you know). I take demerol or beer in the evenings to numb the pressure and pain. Demerol works great with no side affects the next day, where beer could actually be creating more of a problem the next day. I only ask for 1 prescription a year (30 pills). I would like more but am afraid to ask for fear that my doc will think I'll become addicted. My quality of life is greatly reduced when I'm in constant pain and isn't that why they create drugs. I can't help it that I'm allergic to over the counter drugs. Am I suppose to suffer through life because of it. I wish I could do steroids too. Most everyone in this group can at least do nasal sprays with steroids. I have been taking Celebrex but as you know many things have come out about that. One 200 mg tab of celebrex doesn't take away the headaches anyway. When I take two, I usually get relief. My life is too short and I don't want to waste anymore of it feeling like sh-t. I'm at such a loss. Thought about desense but have so many stomach problems I'm afraid all I'll be doing is trading one pain for another. I have talked to my doctor about it, and he would do it for me, but he's not fond of the idea. I just want to feel normal, even if it's for a short while. I'm not depressed, just fed up. Can we sell our bodies on ebay and get a different one? I'm even willing to pay someone to take mine, Ha Ha.

Tami in Wis.

[Guest guest]

I too can't take most meds on the market for pain. With the CSS I have

all over body/muscle/skin burning. I cannot begin to describe this to

most people. I take Ultram 50mg. every 4-6 hours and when it is really

bad I will increase to 100mg. every 6 hours which is max allowed by

law. I too felt weird getting pain meds then I went to a chronic pain

support site and learned more about how to use the meds wisely and not

feel guilty. I also see a counselor once a week to deal with chronic

illness and all that entails. She is helping me to see things clearly

and it helps a lot. I have fought the meds for so long...I finally

gave up the fight and it seems to make things so much better when I

let my body heal, rest, and use the meds as they were meant to be

used. Trudy.

> I need to know how everyone deals with chronic pain. Here's my

problem. I can't take asa or non asa (as you know). I take demerol

or beer in the evenings to numb the pressure and pain. Demerol works

great with no side affects the next day, where beer could actually be

creating more of a problem the next day. I only ask for 1

prescription a year (30 pills). I would like more but am afraid to

ask for fear that my doc will think I'll become addicted. My quality

of life is greatly reduced when I'm in constant pain and isn't that

why they create drugs. I can't help it that I'm allergic to over the

counter drugs. Am I suppose to suffer through life because of it. I

wish I could do steroids too. Most everyone in this group can at

least do nasal sprays with steroids. I have been taking Celebrex but

as you know many things have come out about that. One 200 mg tab of

celebrex doesn't take away the headaches anyway. When I take two, I

usually get relief. My life is too short and I don't want to waste

anymore of it feeling like sh-t. I'm at such a loss. Thought about

desense but have so many stomach problems I'm afraid all I'll be doing

is trading one pain for another. I have talked to my doctor about it,

and he would do it for me, but he's not fond of the idea. I just want

to feel normal, even if it's for a short while. I'm not depressed,

just fed up. Can we sell our bodies on ebay and get a different one?

I'm even willing to pay someone to take mine, Ha Ha.

> Tami in Wis.

[Guest guest]

Trudy,

I'm sure you've tried everything but have you thought of Neurontin?

The skin burning you describe sounds like neuropathic pain. I've

had it and Neurontin is a great med, very low side effects.

Lori

[Guest guest]

I read about it here and will ask when I go on the 7th, or I guess I

could call my local office and make an appt. this week. My regular

doctor is out on maternity leave and the NP that took over doesn't

really know me or my case though she seems very nice. I was up most of

the night as whatever they did when they performed the radial nerve

biopsy (1/21), really screwed up my hand and wrist. IT IS ON FIRE! I

don't mean it just feels like a burning, it is like I am being

electrocuted and burned. Very weird. Either it is the nerve ends where

they cut or just the after effects of rummaging around in there. I

don't know if this will stop soon or not. They said I would feel some

numbness which I do and that is permanent, but they didn't warn me

about me these electrical " zaps " I am getting or the constant on fire

feeling. Has anyone else had a radial nerve biopsy? Trudy.

>

> Trudy,

>

> I'm sure you've tried everything but have you thought of Neurontin?

> The skin burning you describe sounds like neuropathic pain. I've

> had it and Neurontin is a great med, very low side effects.

>

> Lori

[Guest guest]

You can try searching the Braintalk.org Spinal Disorders group for

spinal cord stimulator. There are a number of people on that board who

have or have had these implants.

http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=237

Depending on her insurance you may have to do some convincing to get

them to cover it. The results seem mixed. I think they do a test with a

differnt type of stimulator, not fully implanted. If that helps then

they will do the actual implant. I think some people are as bothered by

the tingling as the pain. Would probably depend a lot on your pain level.

Hope you find some help for her.

--- " bubbawisdom " <bubbawisdom@...> wrote

> My mother has Scoliosis, Spinal Stenosis, Herniated Dis, and

> Fibromyalgia. She has been through 4 back surgeries. She never goes

> without pain. A doctor mentioned a device Jerry uses made by

> medtonic. It is an implanted stimulator. Instead of feeling the pain a

> person feels a tingle. Informtion on this device can be found on

> medtronic.com or tame the pain.com. Have any of you heard of this

> device? Do any of you use this device? Any suggestion to help my mother.

>

> thank you,

> bubbawisdom is stumped

[Guest guest]

Hi I had to answer this one. People can be in pain and not be

in chronic pain such as we are. Even people who have back problems,

that get surgery and relief are NOT considered in chronic pain. So

next time people tell you they just suck up the pain, ignore them. I

was told all this by my reg. dr long ago when I had the samething

happening to me. So its not just you have a low pain tolerance, its

you suffer from chronic pain, which they probably do not know the

first thing about. hang in there. Sharon Group Owner

>

> I have friends and family who believe I'm an addict, or will

become one, and they worry about the long term effects of my pain

meds. I have a couple friends who say they also have pain, but they

say they suck it up, and I feel guilty because I have a low pain

tolerance.

>

> well Dave, I hope I've covered some of the questions you've

asked, and thanks for letting me vent. This all helps-

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am curious if you have ever had MRI's performed on your thoracic spine.

You get lots of referred pain from this area and it can affect anything from

your chest to your legs.

If you PM doc is ready to throw in the towel find another one. I have become

almost a case study for my PM doc but he is willing to try anything and

everything in an attempt to control my pain. One important thing is to

insist on a stronger pain medication. Ultram is useless as a pain reliever.

You said you've been on Fentanyl, percocet, did they not work? One drug you

haven't list that is used quite often is Methadone. It's a great drug and

made a huge difference for the few days I took it but I had a very bad

reaction making me very ill and requiring a overnight visit to the hospital.

Insist on Methadone, not the generic Methadose. Methadose has made lots of

people sick, many of whom have been able to take methadone later with no

problems. I believe problems at T1 and T2 could cause some of the symptoms

you are describing. What ever you do, insist on adequate pain relief, If you

have been on these drugs a long time, get your testosterone levels checked.

It seems that long term use of narcotic medication will cause your

testosterone levels to drop very low. Mine was almost a factor of 10 low.

If you have any questions, I help best I can.

chronic pain

Hi

I am new to the group. I have been in pain for 2 years. Ihave had

about 15 MRIs in 2 years. Ihave seen 5 nuerologists. We still don.t

have a diagnois. Ihave 3 bulging discs in my neck,but according to all

the nuerologists not enoug to cause all this pain.Here are my

symptons:left side numbness shoulder arm and hand;left leg and foot

burning,tingling,stabbing pain,weakness. On a pain scale of 1-10 I am a

7 to 10 24/7. They have suspected small s trokes. transverse

myelitis,nuerophy.I have taken nuerotin,lyrica.baclofen,perocet,fental

patch.I am currently talin trilepetal ,cymbalta,ultram, and ambien.The

ambien lets me sleep at least 6 hrs.That is the olny time I am pain

free.I am also in pain mangement.I think the Dr is about to throw in

the towel on me. I also have been tested for ms but my mris are not

conclusive. I also have had the nerve conduction studies . anyone have

any new ideas or suggestions for me

[Guest guest]

I thought some of you might be inerested in the OTC treatment for chronic pain.

Sorry, when I investigated the Webinar, it had already been held, but you may

want to reaseach this further by Googling Nutra Pharma.

Nutra Pharma Announces Upcoming Webinar To Discuss The Company's

Over-the-Counter (OTC) And Prescription Treatments For Chronic Pain

Over the past few months, we have been gaining traction in the pain market

through the launch of our over-the-counter pain reliever, Cobroxin, and our

recently introduced prescription pain reliever, Nyloxin Rx, " explained Rik J

Deitsch, Chairman and CEO of Nutra Pharma Corporation. " We would like to invite

all of our shareholders and other interested parties to join us on this webinar

so that we may explain our current progress and our short-term and long-term

goals, " he added.

Source

Nutra Pharma Corp.

FYI,

Lottie Duthu