[bebop]

I hate the constant pain! I hate not being able to clean my house! I hate not being able to take a slow walk anywhere! I hate that I am useless!

[(JD)]

gentle hugs

Who is going to see your home? It's fine the way it is while you cope with the pain flare.

You'll be able to talk slow walks again, just not while the pain flare is attacking you.

Useless? Well, yes maybe right now ... pain can make us feel that way anyway, whether it's true or not. No, you can't do all the stuff you've added back into your life since the last flare ... but not useless.

Be more gentle with yourself. The anger you feed with such thoughts only make your pain worse (I know you know this, just reminding you.)

Breathe. Allow yourself to cope.

[lynn P.]

So sorry you're in pain ((bebop)). Have you exhausted all the pain relief options? Don't blame yourself -all you can do, is what you're capable of. Can you do water aerobics...how about meditation? Pardon me if I don't know the full extent of your disability.

[bebop]

jd. it isn't a flare hon. it is all the time now. when I get up to try to do the cleaning or heck anything. meds don't really help either.

[bebop]

lynn I wish there was a place close by that I could do that! the only time I have ever been pain free was in a pool. til I get out! lol. I have 3 torn disks in the lumbar region. thanks hon

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by bebop

lynn I wish there was a place close by that I could do that! the only time I have ever been pain free was in a pool. til I get out! lol. I have 3 torn disks in the lumbar region. thanks hon

((Bebop)) -ouch .....sounds so painful. Is there any surgical option available?

[bebop]

lynn when I was injured no options really. unless the disks completely blow out and even then it normally don't work. I am going to start looking into it again to see what might have come up since then.

[lynn P.]

I saw on the news a few weeks ago, about a new kind of traction for disc problems - it's better than the old fashioned traction. I saw it on The Doctors Show as well. Here's a link explaining it. I don't know if this would suit your situation, but wouldn't it be great if it could help you.

http://fitness-equipment-solutions.c...eatment-option

[bebop]

thank you hon for the link. I don't think traction would help the tears though. good idea for sure. there was only one procedure that was even remotely offered but only had a 2% success rate. ugh!

[pooh_ac]

Originally Posted by bebop

thank you hon for the link. I don't think traction would help the tears though. good idea for sure. there was only one procedure that was even remotely offered but only had a 2% success rate. ugh!

z from an old friend who is rarely here

[(JD)]

I'm sorry to hear you're in constant pain. It took me many years to learn how to decrease my chronic pain to where it's manageable.

First, you have to put yourself first.

Until you do that, nothing you try will work very well or for very long.
Most ppl (myself included) felt that was selfish, but it isn't.

If you need to keep a book as you go through this for yourself, do so.

Taking care of yourself is not selfish, it's good, and good for you.
If you can't or don't take care of your needs first, then you aren't able to do anything or be there (really) for anyone else, nor can you enjoy them.

I know you have been on this road quite a while, and you aren't stupid nor dumb (((hugs))) so don't take anything I say in that manner, okay?

I know when I was in high constant pain it was difficult to think "straight" in any fashion, and needed to be told and reminded of truths often.

In that book, or on a paper, computer whatever, list your needs. List first your true basic needs of: food (eating properly is very important to pain management...) water intake (ditto), restorative sleep, and rest.

Address those issues, and work at finding a routine that suits you, that helps you etc. (REGARDLESS of what anyone else in the world may think or say, you must focus on yourself.)

Once you have the routine set in your mind and you are working on that ... begin adding in one at a time, things that you think may help (this might include alternative health such as herbs, meditation, etc) but for those basic needs.... focusing on eating healthy, restorative sleep.

Make a list or such that tells you how you can facilitate those goals (setting alarms to remind you, posting notes around to remind you (or tel others? taking baths, and yes, going to the pool!) etc.

The above took me years, but hopefully you can begin to get things under better control sooner. There's more to add ... and you probably already have a list of things that help you now. Be sure to write them down, even though you "know" you won't forget them.

Mind over matter hon. A bit of self-hypnosis can even help to not feel the pain so severely etc.

Adding such things into one's life when in pain seems overwhelming, I know. Have to have faith in the end result.