Chronic Pain

Hi, I'm new here so this may have been discussed previously but I thought I'd throw it out there and see if anyone can relate.
I am a sufferer of Chronic Pain. By this I mean that I am medicated against pain 24 hours a day. This is because I broke my neck twice and in doing so, did injury that damaged my nerves. Although I am a dancer/gymnast/yoga instructor I still must remain medicated at all times.
Sometimes I suffer an injury which I did at my dentist recently that flares my pain and causes me to have to raise my pain medication until I is resolved.
Does anyone else suffer from Chronic Pain here on the forum?
Can anyone relate to this?
Thank you for reading in case this is an old subject. I am, as I said, new here and this is a part of my life so I wondered if I had any compadre's on this site!
dancer9

The closest I come to that is chronic migraines. 3-4 days of total hell where medication can be a complete joke, but then a bunch of time where I'm free. I am on meds every day to help control it though.

Some of the other gals here are in your situation, though, and I'm sure they'll answer when they see this post.

Hi Dancer. How did you get an injury at a dentist's office?

I have the 3 types of scoliosis and was injured in an elevator malfunction in 2004. Chronic pain, meds daily except for the occassional days when I have very little pain. I just love those days.

There are others here who can relate.

hi me too i medicated 24/7 and hate it.
i cut down a lot over last lot of weeks/mounths managed to do my stuff with minimal support from my partner (their bussie getting their own exiting stuff fixed up leaving litttle time or energie for me and child) i was on my way to eliminating them to see if i could carrie another child before biologie beets me lol but i can't do without the meds yet to conciving is out of the question.

like yourself i do to much one day or (FM) plays up and i have to incress my meds, i been reading stuff under health about fybromyalgie its in the our bodie section on the forum their you got ladies who weer realie bad and came off their meds compleatlie. i was hoping it be the same for me, so i got fm and had a car accident that twisted my spine, pelvise and rotated hip...perhaps it was the cras that coused the fm, i got nerve damage down right side and limited mobilitie from arm socket.

yea i can relate to the pain and how you eventulie learn to live with it without going fullie insane, being woken up middle of night for the pain. the whole side effects of the painkillers etc etc etc lol. i also know for me if i gave up and did nuthing i go bonkers so bad as it can be sometimes its best i keep relativlie active.
I got a frend who broke back several places and is in constant pain too, she a great help and resorces for me sometimes just the emphatie with each other helps greatlie, and also encouragment for physio tens machines etc.

well i know the other ladies prettie soar out their so i give them a chance to talk...

nice meeting you and hope to talk soon, love your picture.

I also have chronic pain from spinal stenosis and degenerative disk disease in my back. I also have fibromyalgia.

Being medicated isn't fun, but it's necessary. Living in pain can be depressing. It can cause depression. Then, there's the medication for that. Which has another whole set of side effects.

I'm glad to see you still have an active lifestyle even with the pain. It's good to keep moving and have creative outlets.

Is there any known cure for fibromyalgia and not treating just the symptoms?

How I respect all you ladies who suffer under chronic pain, but still manage to display a love of life and humour.

How do you do that?

When I have a horrible cold, I feel like dying. I am just absolutely floored that so many of you suffer daily, but still can perform your jobs, lead 'normal' everyday lives…and that with, from what I can fathom, a fantastic attitude. I'm sure you must have your days when you can't take it any more. Is it your religious beliefs that keep you strong and going?

I hate to admit this, but I'm such a wimp. I could learn a great deal on how to stay strong and accept. You're all fantastic ladies.

I have erosive arthritis and due to allergy cannot use medication so I have a TENS machine.
When I do too much I suffer and its finding out what is too much..I because keeping mobile is important .
Mountian ash

Hannelore, I also have degenerative arthritis, can cause lots of pain in addition to the migraines.

When I was going through chemo, people would constantly tell me how brave I was. I never felt brave -- I just didn't have a choice.

When I have my pain, and I'm sure the other ladies with theirs, I don't think about being brave. Sometimes it's one day at a time and sometimes one hour at a time.

To give an example -- I had a migraine this Sunday starting 8am, and I was working a craft fair. So all day I thought, "If I can just make it through the day without barfing, I'll be fine." Then when sales were over: "If I can just finish packing before I throw up, that will be good." Then "If I don't throw up in the car on the way home, this will be a good thing." Etc. You make it through whatever moment you need to go through.

To address another point -- somedays I can't function at all. To dam sick. So I lie down, take my meds, whatever. Try to think about something, anything that isn't about pain. "This too shall pass."

Religion doesn't enter into it much on my part.

Hi Ladies,

I'm so sorry that all of you are suffering from chronic pain.

The closest I've ever come to being in that state was when an elementary school boy (big boy) slammed a fire door into my right hand. I was home for a whole year after that. First meds and in a cast, then physical therapy every other day. I also had a TENS machine, because I'm allergic to most pain meds.

That was only for one year. I'm good now. No pain ever.

It must take a great deal of courage to tolerate pain daily and continue to take part in life - living and giving.

Love,
Emily

Ah, I see I have located a few of you who are suffering from Chronic pain as I am! It's lovely to hear others because it's so sad to feel alone in the 24/7 pain relief catagory.
I broke my neck and in the process, injured my spinal cord and some nerves. I also have stenosis and had surgery to correct it.
I'm dealing with the pain today, actually, and I have been medicated for years! I decided to take a short trip and was a passenger in a car for a bit and WHAM, it's back! So, it's break through medication today and yesterday as well because that was my first day back.
The depression is a factor because the pain reminds us constantly that we are disabled by it. When the pain returns and it does even if you are medicated, it is the great truth and it rings every bell in our body! I'm tired of it but cannot cure it so it does not matter!
I do take an antidepressant and am thinking of increasing it for a bit more help.
But, it was help to see some of my compadre's here to speak out and let me know I'm not alone. Thank you!
dancer 9

Dancer, I too have chronic pain. Like Meredith, I had chronic, intense, and frequent migraines. However, menopause helped reduce the hormonal cycle which was contributing to the migraines. I have fibromyalgia, and I had 5 surgeries in relation to cancer. Last night, for example, I just laid in bed and could feel my body throb with pain, especially the chest muscles behind the mastectomys. I do take pain meds and anti depressant and a sleep aid. But sometimes, there is no cure for the pain. I think yoga is much gentler on the body than other forms of movement.

Princess, I'm sorry for your pain! It seems you know how it is too! Are you medicated enough? Quality of life is important and if you need more pain medicine to improve your quality of life then you deserve it and should have it!
I do practice yoga. I am a ballet and jazz dance master with gymnastics, yoga and modern ability. I am a movement specialist you might say by my education. Yoga IS masterful for so many things! Taking down stress, exercise, meditation, stretch, etc...! I practice it daily as well as dance. My injuries are such that I am able to dance although not as I used to. Because I have been an international choreographer for so long, I doubt I will ever say good bye to my discipline. I live on it, to be truthful.
Let me say I'm sorry for your pain and I'd like to understand it. Are you presently fighting cancer? If so, I'm so sorry for that! If you care to elaborate, I would be interested in your case.

Warmest regards,
dancer9

Ladies,

I didn't know so many of the ladies on this site suffer from chronic pain.

I have a best friend who landed on her knees while working on a playground. This happened at the same school where the child slammed my right hand with a firedoor.

My friend is caught in the workman's compensation web and has not been able to get the help she needs.

This was six years ago!

She is still being sent to one doctor after another. Workman's Comp. did pay for one surgery on one knee, but will not approve the knee replacements she so badly needs.

Anyway, she has been seeing a "pain therapist."

My friend thinks this helps, but still is in constant pain which fluctuates in intensity.

By the way, the TENS machine that Hannelore and me referred to in previous posts was invaluable to me during the year following my surgery.

Afraid I'll time out.

Be gentle to yourselves,

Emily

Emjay,
It sounds like your friend needs a pain specialist. A pain specialist will offer everything from re-hab to narcotics depending on the case. There are some in pain that need narcotics just to get out of bed! Others respond to things such as Neurontin or other medications that are helping pain patients get some relief. Everyone is different and damage to your body is what you are dealing with. If your friend is in so much pain I hope she will try another doctor who will medicate her properly.
Chronic pain causes all sorts of problems with your health. It can wear your body down. Things like high blood pressure and heart problems can come from pain untreated! It is a real problem that doctors can now treat as a disease, and not have to fix it when it cannot be fixed! Like those with MS etc., there are people with permanent damage that need to be relieved to live a whole and productive life.

I hope you and your friend feel better and that your pain is treated seriously as it deserves to be treated!
Thanks for posting about this awful problem many have.

Dancer9

dancer, good to see you back, but sorry it's because you are sitting around in pain. Have any ofyou tried acupuncture?

Also, I'd like to mention the issue of bowel problems while using pain medication. I know a woman who created tremendous bowel issues due to heavy doses of pain medication which in turn caused her to have bowel surgery. I know this sounds ridiculous, but make sure you are moving your bowels while taking those meds.

Dianne asked if Fibromyalgia can be cured. Not currently. There are meds to help with some of the symptoms, but nothing to cure it.

Over the winter and Spring I was nearly pain free. Now that summer and the rainy season has started, the pain has returned. The doctor says that including the congenital spinal stenosis, I now have arthritis in my back.

I'm a big supporter for pain management. Take what you need and make sure you have quality of life.

Dotsie, yes. Pain medications tend to cause constipation. If you're on pain meds add extra fiber to your diet. Also, include a stool softener with your regular daily meds.

I know it's not a particularly pleasant topic, but an important one all the same.

I don't understand the time out feature here.
Can anyone explain?
dancer [color]