coping with chronic pain

[SoccerCoach88]

Hey guys. So I have chronic ha/ and migraines. I just got out of the ER about 20 minutes ago, and I lied once again to my parents about it. How do you guys cope with chronic pain (if you have it). I'm having a really hard time. My family was just hit by my cousins fiance committing suicide which opens old wounds for me, when I hit rock bottom I told my parents I didn't want to live anymore. But now I'm in a better place. My family is super supportive. But I am having trouble coping with chronic pain what should I do???

Kate

[Rapha]

I have the same question. Chronic pain has just about taken over my life the past several years. I've been through pain treatments, PT, OT, am on antidepressant and sleeping medications, but it is so energy sapping and at times mind-numbing. I also have a supportive network of people around me. What can be done?

--- Rapha

[chatterbox512]

Have either of you tried Chiropractic care. They tend to try to get to the root of the issue instead of medicating. It is usually through adjustments done on your back, but since this is the survival area of your body it is amazing what can be done to help. It is worth a try if you have tried everything else and it hasn't worked. You would be surprised what they can do to eleviate chronic pain. Just a thought. Best of luck to the both of you.

[Rapha]

I have tried it and it can help some. I think my last experience with PT was better than chiropractic simply because I had such a good therapist. Acupuncture is something else I'm considering.

The hardest part is that I've been seeking treatment from multiple caregivers for about seven years now and the finances are simply getting drained. And after all those expenses, I'm worse off than before in some ways.

I'm getting more skeptical with time, especially after the way I was treated by my last psychotherapist who was either totally inept or totally uncaring. Once you have all your degrees and a comfortable job, I suppose it's quite natural to slough off and not really put in the effort to help your patient. Keep the revolving door spinning, collect the patients' monies and enjoy a big, fat income, I guess. They've sure got the business side of things down, don't they?

[windsybarbie]

Hi There:

I just went thru a "fibro flare" of chronic pain for the last week. I get burning in my hands & feet continually. Unfortunately this symptom comes every one to two years. I tried to do long walks, guided imagery, baking and soothing self talk as lying around was not helpful.

The good thing is I had my app't with pain clinic on Tuesday. The pain went from a 7 to a 5 after the lidocaine injections. My pdoc prescribed 300mg of seroquel at night as I was not sleeping for a week etc....The pain clinic recommended 2000 units of vitamin D for a month, and then down to 1000 units.

Hang in there, as there is hope but it takes trial & error unfortunately. It also was recommended to look into getting a "SAD lamp" for the winter months.

Take care and the weather has a lot to do with our conditions.

[idied]

sometimes anti-depressants help with chronic pain. You may want to look into that.

When I've been in a lot of pain I've noticed that gaming and playing video/computer games gets my mind off of it. There's been studies that prove that gaming is beneficial for chronic pain sufferers.

[Athena]

Chronic pain and depression seem to go hand in hand. *I read a book on chronic pain by a doctor who had it. *I will try to get the name for you. *It basically had a discussion as well as survey results from many people with various types of chronic pain. *I simply looked for the fastest acting, longest lasting therapies for my situation. *My condition was diagnosed as fibromyalgia but more closely matches myofacial pain syndrome which is often confused with or is present alongside fibromyalgia.

Anyway, in my case, it appeared that I should see four specialists 1) physiatrist, 2) kinesiologist, 3) Naturopath and 4) biofeedback practitioner. **

After I discovered this, I stopped seeing chiropractor #4, as it obviously wasn't relieving my particular pain.

The physiatrist gave me trigger point injections, which have been helpful. *She also suggested I attend postural exercise classes, which were helpful too. *Her group also has an OT who I just started with. *She provides tips on daily living such as getting your kids to help out more, kitchen organization, becoming your own pain manager etc. *I'm really looking forward to the "kids helping" part as she'll even help bring them on board. * *

I've seen several kinesiologists (all personal trainers at the fitness club I joined in the spring.). They have been fabulous. *All good, many different perspectives. *One is a marathoner and got me running again 12 years and 2 kids later. *Another has a similar problem to myself and I call him "Mr. Posture". *The running got my energy level up so I don't stoop over from exhaustion and the postural exercises and stretches are now essential for me. *I have not been able to do either for the past week and I had to take a Tylenol 2 last night - so I'd have to say the kinesiologists would be hands down the top specialist for me. *

Naturopath is booked for February. *In the meantime, I have gone almost "gluten free", and have upped my protein and veggies. *I also try to avoid sugar. *This helps my digestion, which helps increase my energy levels. *(Dr. Mercola has mostly influenced these decisions - he's on the Internet with some great health articles.) * *

Biofeedback - still looking for a practitioner who uses a biofeedback machine. *The one I saw is more of a "relaxation training" guy. *Not quite enough for me.

One specialist not mentioned above is psychotherapist. *I see one 4x a week. *He is wonderful. *I think this will get to the root of the depression, anyway he gives me hope.

One more key thing - you have to become a "pain specialist". *Read up on your condition, get the referrals, keep on top of your doctor. *One session I had with my CBT therapist several months ago was helpful. *My "extreme thought" was "I'll be in pain forever". *Her response was "you don't know that for sure - you haven't tried everything yet". *If you have a disability plan, consider applying for it. *It's there for a reason. *Trying "everything" is a lot of work! *Between that and kids if you have them, you won't have time for anything else.

Hope this helps! * * * **

[Guest ASchwartz]

Hi Soccercoach and All,

Yes, depression and pain can go together, especially when the pain is a result of depression. A combination of anti depressant medications and psychotherapy are used to treat this.

On a personal opinion level and not a professional level, I don't believe in alternative medicine, including naturepaths, chiropracters, etc. Now, I know many people do and, if any of you do use them, I have no problem. I just have very serious doubts and I worry about charlatans, of which there are more than a few in this world. Just thought I'd offer my personal opinion.

Allan

[Waiting]

I lived with Chronic pain for about 37 years, maybe more. Mine was from Fybromyagia and I have little experience with headaches. Recently I have been on an antidepressant that almost completely eliminates my symptoms. I had mine so far back I didn't even realize I was in pain at times. I coped for years by distraction and avoiding boredom at all costs. When I became depressed it became a lot worse as few things could distract me and they fed off each other. I avoided situation that I knew would make me worse whenever I could. It can be hard to say no, but it helps in the long run.

[SoccerCoach88]

wow-

this is the first time i'm getting to look at all the responses. i just had a one week stint in the hospital for an intractable HA that lasted too long/ into the red zones. There were also some red flags (waking me up from sleep, not being able to sleep from it and so on) so one of the workers on my house (he's the nicest guy) drove me to the local urgent care center, where they moved me to an admission at the main hospital. Oh well for doing well for a little while. I've finally gotten myself off of the narcotics for the most part, a vicodin every couple of weeks if the pain gets bad. but i was so doped up at the hospital for so long by the time i got home i was just numb and for the first two days tried to get everything back in order.

i've done the natural/ homeopathic route but it didn't work. They are now sending me to an intensive inpatient treatment program for psych. They pretty much said my head is playing games with my body. I can't control it but everything that hurts that shouldn't hurt is like a never win game for me.

Best.

Kate C.

[Guest ASchwartz]

Hi Soccercoach,

An inpatient treatment may be a huge help for you because, right now, you are in a lot of pain. Let us know how you are doing.

Also, what is "HA?"

Allan

[freefawl]

Hi Soccercoach,

I am sorry to hear you are suffering so much.

I too have chronic pain in the form of migraines and myofacial pain syndrome. What has helped me is treatment in a clinic dedicated to chronic pain. They use medicine, physical therapy, and psychology along with other treatments offered in intensive programs that also include education, movement and relaxation. As people have mentioned already, depression and chronic pain seem to go hand in hand, so the mind and body approach seems to work best.

I don't know if there is a program like this near you, but if you can find one, I highly recommend it.

My migraines were the most difficult challenge. We tried everything from botox to occipital blocks and nothing seemed to work. Finally there was a study that showed a daily dose of amerge along with a breakthrough dose seemed to be safe. We tried it and my life changed, so don't give up hope. I felt like nothing would ever work, but eventually something did.

[SoccerCoach88]

Hey there. A "HA" is a headache, I was a nursing major so I picked up all the medical non-sense. I'm actually in between pain streaks right now. I went to ortho and he was happy with the way that my leg is coming along but gave me a cortizone shot. Holy mother did it hurt, but I gotta say almost 12 hours later and I'm still not in pain although my leg is pretty swollen bruised and will probably hurt tomorrow for PT.

My doc is sending me for intense outpatient treatment right now. I am going up to see the facility Thursday with my therapist actually becuase she wants to know what its like... Well It's back to the ice packs for now so I can keep this leg in semi working shape. When it rains it pours.

Kate C.