Does anyone else suffer from chronic pain?

[Lady Revel]

I hurt my back playing softball (along with separating my shoulder, popping my calf muscle in half, breaking my nose, several fingers, and spraining more limbs than I thought I had). For those gentleman who are laughing, I would like to inform that competitive ladies softball is a viscious game. Luckily, the only injury that continues to play havoc in my life is my back.

I would like to point out that I have shown belated intelligence, I have graduated towards a much more gentle sport, golf

I have two herniated discs (L4-L5, L5-S1) and sciatica (along with a handful of other terms which I have no idea what they mean, stenosis being one of them).

After hurting my back, I gained a great deal of weight. Not being smart enough to figure, "gee, can't move around much, perhaps I ought to lower my food intake..." Well that thought was way beyond me, and I put on a 70 pounds, no kidding. And it seemed like it happened overnight. I think I also ate out of self pity, I had to watch my team play from the bench, which was torture for I have never sat the bench in my life, unless I had pissed my coach off by showing up late or something. Gaining weight only exacerbated the back problem, for obvious reasons.

There are a number of reasons why surgery wouldn't work out (I've bored you with enough so far, so I won't go into detail here ), so being quite heavy at the time, they told me that losing weight was the only option until another new surgical procedure became FDA approved. So, I have lost 86lbs so far, and I have mostly left the daily pain behind, but every once in a while it sneaks up on me and throws me for a loop. Today is one of those days. I hurt.

I used to be on high doses of oxycontin and the lidoderm and fentanyl (fentanyl is in the morphine family) patches, but as I lost the weight, and the pain reduced, I found I didn't need them anymore (why take something you don't really need, right?) I lowered my doses voluntarily, until now I don't take any. (I have a few lidoderm patches left, but those are not narcotics, they are local anesthetics. But since its not a narcotic, it doesn't work very well)

What I should have done was kept a supply of low dosage meds in case of emergencies. But I really didn't want to spend my life doped up and I wanted to prove to myself that I could get off of them, because I heard stories of other people who were terribly addicted and managed to die with overdosing and such. So I stopped taking the narcotic opiates about a month and a half ago. Frankly, it wasn't that hard for me, a few days of nausea, and that's it. (thank goodness, I had heard some real horror stories).

I have done something to my back. Moved wrong, slept wrong, but now I have pain, LOTS OF IT. The nerve pain goes right down the back of my leg and also over the top of my leg to the inside of my knee. I tried to get out of bed this morning and any which way I moved, I couldn't get up because the pain was excruciating. I was afraid, terrified even that I would be stuck there forever. Not a pleasant thought. Finally, I bit the bullet and rolled out of bed, but I won't be lying down again anytime soon,

To get to the point, and to stop concentrating on myself (one of my favorite subjects ), I was wondering if there are any of you out there who deal with chronic pain on a regular basis, and know what I am talking about. I would love to know how you deal with it.

To those of you without chronic pain, enjoy it! I hope that you never have a problem such as this. I know I am whining, and I am sorry, but I hurt so bad right now that I don't care! *tries to conjure a smile*

Can anyone give me any tips on how to deal with sciatica pain, and lower back pain? It would be much appreciated, indeed, very gladly received.

And if none of you have this problem, well, I would be very glad to hear that, too.

Thanks for listening to me whine, folks, you are a great bunch of people, and I am really glad I found this place.

[Worm of Despite]

I don't have any pain (unless hunger counts), but my grandfather has bad knees. The doctor said they're the worst knees he's ever seen; he doesn't know how he walks. There's no cartilage in his knees; it's just bone to bone. I suppose he wore them down from parachute landings, football, and power lifting. The karate and boxing didn't help either, I'm sure. Or fighting in two wars and being in the Special Forces, heh.

For his pain, he takes that Goody’s powder. I think.

He should have got them operated on years ago, but he seems more interested in restoring his 3-speed, 1966 Chevelle SS 396 (only 3-speed that exists, probably). Bah. Men and their extremely rare, ultra cool vehicles.

[Lady Revel]

Bless his heart!

[dlbpharmd]

Lady, I know exactly how you feel. I suffered a herniated L4-L5 playing football in my last year of pharmacy school. I was in constant pain for the better part of a year. I had very similar pain to yours; down the back of my left leg, and right about my left lateral ankle (that felt like a knife.) Also, my left foot was completely numb. Couldn't tolerate any position - standing, walking, sitting, lying down. After about 6 months of self-treating I saw a sports medicine physician who suggested an epidural (intra-spinal) injection of steroid; however, my insurance had recently changed and my new carrier refused to pay for the procedure. So, I went to physical therapy (PT) instead - and that was a miracle on my part. About 2 months after PT, I was pain free. I still have occaisional pain, but nothing like it was before. So, I wonder - have you tried PT?

Congratulations on your weight loss! That will help tremendously. Like you, I gained significant weight after my injury, and I still don't have it completely off.

As for the pain meds - you obviously need them now, my advice is don't be afraid of them. There is no shame in your requirement for pain meds, so don't feel that way.

[Alynna Lis Eachann]

My horse, due to what I suspect was a fall at an early age has one hip set higher than the other. This has the effect of making his right hind leg swing more powerfully than his hind left. What has this to do with my
chronic pain?

I did not realize that he had this injury for at least a year after I started to ride him. The stronger action on his right side caused me to overuse my own right side. The result was that the muscles and all connective tissue in my right hip became elongated and my leg bone did not sit correctly in the hip socket. At one point it was so bad I flat-out limped, and the pain was ridiculous. I had the worst time falling asleep some nights because I couldn't find a position win which the hip didn't hurt.

I remember once during a riding clinic, the instructor tried to pull that right leg into the correct position and the hip popped so loudly they heard it across the whole arena. One of my friends said later that I had the most g-- - awful look of pain on my face, but all I remember is that pop.

When I went to a doctor, all he had to say was that my hip was weak and that I should do exercises. He refused to take x-rays, so I still do not know exactly how bad the wear-and-tear is on my right hip is. I eventually wised up and stopped riding Busby, but the hip is taking a very long time in healing. Certain exercises, certain sitting positions and walking on pavement for long periods of time still make it flare up, and in general it always feels off.

Been dealing with it for about four years now. All I'm hoping at this point is that this won't require hip replacement surgery a few decades down the road.

[dennisrwood]

had a staph infection in my left ankle at age 16. stayed in the hospital for a month. three operations. one cut-and-bleed, two arthoscopic. stayed on bed rest for almost another month at home. the infection ate at the joint, doctor said that it's mostly scar tissue and bone on bone. hurts every day, at most times of the day. need to lose weight. am dieting and trying to get more exercise. when it gets real bad I take some pills, whatever we have on hand. need to get the scar tissue removed, but the insurance will not cover pre-existing injuries.

[matrixman]

Very sorry to hear of your troubles, Lady Revel. All I can do is cheer you on, as I personally have no advice to give on chronic pain. So far, I've led a safe life free of physical pain (for which I'm very grateful), and I have every intention of keeping it that way.

Yes, my life is boring: I don't play contact sports, engage in parachuting, or ride horses, and I've never enlisted in the armed forces. I've also never gone on dubious trips to remote mountainous regions of the world (see Cannibalism thread in the Close).

But golf: yes, that I can handle. Great game to pick up, Lady Revel! Here's wishing you a terrific round on the golf course!

[Nav]

Heh, I've had some similar injuries to you guys. I had an accident whilst sailing when I was 17 that earned me the record for 'distance flung from a sailing vessel' at that particular body of water. Unfortunately I was still tethered to the boat and the sudden jolt resulted in two herniated discs and popped my right hip. To add insult to injury my record was broken the following year by a guy who pitchpoled a catamaran. I still hold the record for distance flung from a powerboat though, an estimated 28 feet, which I achieved without serious injury (but boy did it sting).

The injuries eventually combined to inflict two years of misery. My refusal to undergo surgery, combined with my inability to rest and heal up, lead to more problems. I was playing field hockey at a decent level, and every time I got shoved in the back the discs would flare up and I'd have to be substituted. Eventually a bad tackle brought the hip out again, but this time it was much worse and I spent months on crutches and it was over a year before I could run on it. It's been long enough now that it doesn't hurt for the most part, and has just left me with an awkward gait and a foot that points about ten degrees further out than it should (which in turn strains that knee of course). Some days though, especially if it's cold, I get a continuous stabbing pain every time I move it. I can take painkillers for it, but the problem is that the ones strong enough to have any effect also make me a bit spaced out, so it's less than ideal.

My physio used to joke that I had 'Bryan Robson Syndrome' after the injury-prone former England soccer captain. Like him I used to push too hard on the pitch and not stay off it long enough to recover. I recently started playing field hockey again, and halfway through my second game I had to stop playing because I'd broken my big toe!

[Lady Revel]

dlbpharmd said:

So, I wonder - have you tried PT?

Yes, I did, but I was much heavier at the time. I am going to try it again, because I think it may be more effective now. When you have back pain, are 5'6" and weigh 255lbs (gosh, did I just admit that????), its really hard to move and do the exercises properly. Now that I am back down to a more reasonable weight, I think it might work better. I've had the intra-spinal shots, too. They didn't help at all.

Congratulations on your weight loss! That will help tremendously.

Thank you! It came out of sheer desperation. When I was told that it was the only thing that would help, I did it.

There is no shame in your requirement for pain meds, so don't feel that way.

That is what my doctor says. He told me that they were invented for a reason, and as long as they are used properly, there should be no stigma attached to them. He also said that folks who use them for pain, rarely become mentally addicted (everyone becomes physically addicted - but you know that - and everything else I'm saying, too, because you are a pharmacist ) My doctor says that the trouble with narcotics comes in when people use them for the wrong purposes, ie. to get high.

Thank you for that wonderful post dlbpharmd, you made me feel better!

Alynna Lis Eachann said:

The result was that the muscles and all connective tissue in my right hip became elongated and my leg bone did not sit correctly in the hip socket.

Oh, my! That sounds quite painful, Alynna! I can see how an injury like that would hurt all the time.

When I went to a doctor, all he had to say was that my hip was weak and that I should do exercises. He refused to take x-rays

Forgive me for butting in, but you may want to try another doctor. There may be something that can be done to at least reduce your pain. Maybe not, but maybe so. And his diagnosis may be wrong. Riding your horse may have chipped a bone that is grinding around in the socket, you never know. Doctors who refuse xrays make me nervous, it sounds to me like he is trying to get a bonus from the health insurance company. I used to work for a health insurance company, and they would pay bonuses to doctors who kept expenses down (by not sending people to specialists, ordering xrays or bloodwork). You shouldn't have to live in constant pain like that. You really shouldn't.

Dennis said:

the infection ate at the joint, doctor said that it's mostly scar tissue and bone on bone. hurts every day, at most times of the day. need to lose weight. am dieting and trying to get more exercise. when it gets real bad I take some pills, whatever we have on hand. need to get the scar tissue removed, but the insurance will not cover pre-existing injuries.

I'm so sorry to hear about that. Its hard to lose weight when you can't put a lot of strain on your ankle. Regarding the pre-existing injuries.....try checking that out again with your insurance company or your HR office at work. This may be relevant to New York State only, but I think they passed a new regulation (hippa something) that does not allow insurance companies not to cover pre-existing injuries or conditions. Well they can, but for six months only, then they have to cover. Like I said, I'm not sure if it was Federal or just NYS, but they did this to protect diabetics and the like. But please check into it Dennis, I wouldn't want you to have to deal with more pain than you already have.

Matrixman said:

I've also never gone on dubious trips to remote mountainous regions of the world (see Cannibalism thread in the Close).

But....but....I've already booked us a flight!!!! Surely you will go with me MM? Puhleeeze? I've been so looking forward to this trip with you! Its over the Andes, I know you have been anxious to visit!

Thanks for the encouraging words, MM!

Nav said:

Unfortunately I was still tethered to the boat and the sudden jolt resulted in two herniated discs and popped my right hip.

Oh baby! I think you win the pot! I hope you are feeling better, I truly do!


And thanks everyone for the encouraging words! I feel much better today, pain is almost all gone!

[dANdeLION]

I have aches & pains, but I think that's mostly associated with being 40. I have had two problems most of my life, though. Migraines and feet that kill me if I have to stand on them for more than a few minutes. I have gone to the doctors for the migraines, and they're under control, but I've never had my feet checked out.

[dlbpharmd]

Thank you for that wonderful post dlbpharmd, you made me feel better!

You're so welcome! I'm glad to hear you're giving PT another try. Let me warn you: your therapist will bend and stretch you in ways that you never thought possible, and work muscles that you didn't even know you had. At times the sessions can be uncomfortable, but I always felt so much better afterwards. Good luck!

[kevinswatch]

Sorry to hear about your hip, A. I remember you talking about it before, but I don't think I've ever heard the whole story. I didn't know it was that bad. I hope it gets better for you, somehow. You might want to do as Revel said and get a second opinion.

I guess I've been pretty lucky so far, and don't really have any ongoing physical chronic pain. Knock on wood I guess. The only chronic pain I think I have is all mental, heh. It's been hard trying to control my emotions. I think I've just been using my low self-esteem, social anxiety and obsessive compulsive tendencies as an excuse to avoid life for too long. I just need to overcome these things.

But yeah, not really a chronic pain. I'm just rambling, don't mind me. Heh. I'm probably just in a dull mood because I have to finish a project by today.-jay

[duchess of malfi]

You're so welcome! I'm glad to hear you're giving PT another try. Let me warn you: your therapist will bend and stretch you in ways that you never thought possible, and work muscles that you didn't even know you had. At times the sessions can be uncomfortable, but I always felt so much better afterwards. Good luck!

Sounds like a massage therapist. I once threw my back out and ended up in the ER (I did something to it while I was bending over putting a small carton of yogurt away in the refrigerator ). My husband treated me to a few sessions with a massage therapist who went to our church. He twisted my back in ways I did not know my back could even move -- but it felt so much better when he was done!

My long time curse is bad periods. I won't go into details, so as to spare the men. It's amazing that a human body can lose that much blood for a week every month and still be able to function. But one of the biggest problems with them is my back aching so badly during those days. The muscles tighten up so much I have even been known to have my sons punch my lower back as hard as they can a few times, because that is one of the few things that will make the muscles loosen up.

[Alynna Lis Eachann]

Thanks for the kinds words, Lady Revel. My mom and I both dropped that doctor after he kept sending her for multiple tests but never gave her an answer as to what he suspected was wrong with her health. I wish I could go get a second opinion, but I won't be able to sign up for health insurance at work until October, and I have a feeling they will treat it as a pre-existing condition like dennis' company does. Without insurance, I'm not really in a financial position to have the kind of work-ups done that will really tell me what's going on.

Well, hopefully we'll all fall into some money, good insurance, and honest, professional doctors. Here's to all of us getting better and living pain-free lives!

[dennisrwood]

duchess: my wife had fibroids. almost killed her, she lost some 3 quarters of her blood. so you have my sympathies.

Revel: have lost some weight, keeping it off though is different. my wife and i are dieting/exercising together. she has high blood pressure and diabetes. new developments since her hysterectomy.

[Nav]

I wish I could go get a second opinion, but I won't be able to sign up for health insurance at work until October, and I have a feeling they will treat it as a pre-existing condition like dennis' company does. Without insurance, I'm not really in a financial position to have the kind of work-ups done that will really tell me what's going on.

Ugh, for all of its faults things like this really make me appreciate the NHS.

[Lady Revel]

Alynna - When insurance is available to you, and if there is a pre-existing clause, check to make sure it isn't for six months only. Sometimes it is, but they never tell you, because they want to save money. As I said earlier, I worked for a health insurance company, and I was ashamed by what a huckster they turned me into. Many, many things I could not say unless I had been asked a direct question relating to it. So I couldn't just tell you the pre existing clause was six months, unless you asked if there was a time frame. I only had that job a year. The girl in the cubicle next to me had a picture of the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz hanging up, with his heart latch open and no heart inside. She was very proud of it.

Its awful that you have to endure this, I feel terrible, because I know how bad chronic pain is.....with narcotics. I could not imagine having to deal with it using aspirin and naproxen. You are brave, very brave. I wish you the best of luck and hope that your pain stops.

Dennis - you are right, keeping the weight off is unbelievably hard. In comparison, losing the weight was easy. Last May, I had lost 95% of the total, and in the past year have lost only a few more pounds. But it is a bitter fight the entire way. The minute I turn my head.....BAM....ten pounds are back on. Thank goodness I didn't lose the weight just to look good, because I'd be fat again. The ONLY reason I lost the weight was to lessen my pain, and when I weigh (hehe) the choices, eat less or have serious pain, the answer is pretty easy for me. Vigilance. And it really sucks. Why couldn't I have been born with a small frame? Or...hate Hostess foods say, and LOVE broccoli?

On a sadder note, I am sorry to hear about your wife's troubles. Since you know about my weight problem, it won't surprise you to hear both of my parents have diabetes (neither of them being sylphs), and my mother has gone blind from it (retinopathy). Of course, fibroids are never any fun either, and can be extremely dangerous, as you have found out. Please know my thoughts are with you and your wife. I know my thoughts are not as good as prayers, but its the best I can do. I look at it as the power of positive thinking.

[duchess of malfi]

My heart really goes out to all of you with constant pain. Just the few days I go through each month gives me enough of a taste of how truly horrible it must be. Those of you who feel it daily must have great strength of character just to be able to make it through your days and have normal lives.

[Lady Revel]

Duchess,

I'm so sorry to hear about your monthly disaster. Pain is pain, and no matter what, it hurts, and its not fun for anyone who suffers from it. I was wondering whether you just have really bad periods or perhaps have PCOS or even perhaps (I really hope not) endometriosis.

I have a few problems in that area myself, but the pain isn't so bad for me, luckily. If you would like to talk about it, but not here due to the tender issue , please mail me, I would be happy to talk to you.

And while chronic pain is annoying, its not the end of the world for most of us. I am lucky enough to have treatment for it. Its Alynna and the others who have no access to treatment whatsoever who have real strength of character to carry on every day.

Take care, everybody!

[dennisrwood]

the ankle only bothers me when i think about. the nice thing of constant dull pain is that you can ignore it after a while.