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*Beth* · 11:59 AM

Of course it's relevant! Chronic pain is a serious cause of depression, and I am fed up with pain being ignored in society. I get that opiates are not an effective long-term treatment, so what is? It's my belief that pain issues can cause shortened lives. Put chronic pain together with mental illness and the whole thing can become really cruel.

I have been in general all-over pain, including severe migraines, since I was a child. Now, in my mid-50's I've had a rough and very challenging year with regard to pain. The worst pain problem I'm having this year is a miserable achilles tendonitis. I'm about over the edge from it. Then there's the arthritis in my knees. And other chonic pain issues.

Every one of the 3 MD's & 1 PT I've seen for the problem tells me something entirely different than the other ones did - except that they all agree on the achilles tendonitis aspect.

I have asked for a muscle relaxant (no), a cortisone shot (no). Was prescribed ibuprofen, which at least allows me to walk - so my PT says it's extremely threatening to my health to take the ibu.

Who am I supposed to believe?

I had my first intake appt. yesterday with the PT and he said the treatment he has to do will be extremely painful, so I need to accept that. What he described to me is pretty radical and I have no idea if he knows what he's doing.

Me to GP: "Meds have caused me to gain weight."
GP to me: "Okay, so you need to exercise."
Me: "I can't, because my ankle and knees are in excruciating pain and just walking around my apartment or down the stairs to my car is difficult. Grovcery shopping is seriously agonizing."
GP: "Hmmm. Yeah..." (shrugs).

And I leave feeling misunderstood, isolated, and discouraged.

I'm working on both at the same time, btw. At least my therapist is understanding - unlike the other medical professionals I see.