[free902]

I've been having problems with chronic pain in my leg for a while now.
I was on prescriptions painkillers, which worked wonderfully, but made me so spaced out, I couldn't work while on them.
A while ago, I got a prescription for medical marijuana, which has been working equally well, but it still makes working hard. Definitely better than the pills I was taking, and it's really not causing any problems at work, other than it makes my legs so tired that when I am nearing the end of my shift I am basically dragging myself around.
I'm open to anything that could help me deal with the pain without causing problems at work.

[Rhapsody]

My doctor recommended getting monthly body massages.

[(JD)]

Sorry you're in pain (((Free))) not knowing the cause of your leg pain, I have few suggestions ... ice or heat, maybe at your low back (if it's from the spine/nerves there) and stretching of the ham string and other muscles.

Feel better soon.

[oneinchrock]

Have you tried progressive relaxation and/or guided imagery? It can work wonders in reducing pain, both in the moment and more long term.

[feddy]

Deep tissue massage can be very helpful. If you can, try and find someone who practices myofascial release. It's a type of massage that can be very effective in treating pain and restricted motion. I have an old shoulder and hip injury and get treatment on a regular basis to keep my body moving properly.

Have you ever tried acupuncture? It can also be really helpful. You might also want to consider network chiropractic. It's very different from traditional chiropractic work (you don't get cracked) and the focus is your spine and nervous system. It's wondeful and you feel fabulous after. The other benefit is it's often covered by benefits.

These things have all helped me, thought I would share. Best of luck.

Feddy

[free902]

Thanks everyone. But what if you are just in pain because that's what you're body tells you is happening, even though it's not right?

[(JD)]

It doesn't matter when it comes to treatment. You might not need pain medication, there are many ways to manage pain. I have a whole page of typed listings of the way I manage my pain.

Once your body registers a message as pain, and that's a symptom, then you treat the pain.
You always pursue the reason/cause of the pain(s) to try and alleviate it that way as well.

I have no doubt that some of my pain is caused by misfired nerve messages (saying there's pain when the only reason for it is a mixed up message from the nerve.) It's still pain. And to boot, if I try to ignore the pain, the muscles begin to react and that can cause inflammation which causes more pain. Many things can occur as a reaction to the pain message.

So to trying to decide if your pain is "real" or not is a non sequitur ... dead end and moot. If you're feeling pain, then it's "real" and there's a reason for it. Even IF you think you're creating the pain for some psychological reason, it's still real pain to your body.

[StarryNight]

Have you asked your doctor about prescription pain patches? I have Lidocaine patches that I originally got for back strain, but I've been having such terrible pain in my knee that my GP told me to use them on my knee. They are wonderful; when I run out I will definintely ask for more. They make it so I don't have to take the pain pills, and I can work without being spaced out.