[Sam2]

I've been living with chronic pain for years now. It gets worse all the time despite a very good Dr. in a pain management clinic. It seems that everytime I turn around, I lose something else. First it was a regular job, then the abiity to bend one leg. That went on to involve my back and other leg as well, so now I walk on a cane.

The main problem is chronic, uncontrollable migraines. Despite medications, a peripheral nerve stimulator implant and biofeedback, there is very little left. I can pick one thing to do in a day. Anymore than that will cause breakthrough pain. My body is tolerant to my medications, and they are the only ones that we were ever able to find that worked. Now they no longer work. No more walking the dog, getting out to see my pony, shopping or anything else. On a good week, I may work for 12 hours. The rest of the time is spent in the dark trying to recover.

I'm not yet fifty, yet I'm stuck in a ninety year old body. I try to tell myself that there are others that are far worse off, but the pain if really doing a job on my mind. My Dr. has told me that this will most likely be for life. He has done everything he can, including referring me to neurologists, consulting with pain clinics and speaking to other pain management Dr.s at continuing education conferences. They all say the same thing. We have done everything there is to do. This is one of those days when I am beyond exhausted and another pre-aura is starting. I don't expect an answer. I just don't know what to do anymore.

Sam2

[(JD)]

(Gentle hug)

I hear you.

When you can't do anything else... don't. Be still. Rest. "Just" take care of yourself hour to hour for a bit and try not to think about all the things you cannot do!

I was injured in an industrial accident 26 years ago. Haven't worked a day since.... etc etc etc

I still go to physical therapy 3x a week (I can only get stretched out, as more causes breakthrough pain... and if I don't go, muscles atrophy... it hurts so I can't even think about going to PT or I'd never get there... it's by rote... so I do understand.... I am trying to get my home stretches done but if I did the 3 sets a day, I wouldn't be doing anything but stretching and resting from stretching...)

Okay... I keep a full page (typewritten) of things to do with managing my pain and fatigue... because AS YOU KNOW the brain just doesn't think at times... nothing works all the time... (thank GOD that my pain medicine does continue to work, but the government is going to discontinue them making it so what then????)

Anyway... from time to time write down what has worked for you at some time in the past...and use this as a resource for help in the future. Sometimes ice helps, sometimes heat, sometimes ice and heat hurt more. grrrr TENS helps with jaw, but not the back... meditation, CD brainwave changer, hypnotherapy scripts...

I went through so many migraine meds it isn't funny... but landed on zomig zmt (melts on my tongue in seconds, works in minutes.... I get migraines from 3 different causes, or is that 4... but still they are migraines....

sigh. Sorry I can't do much else but support you in your efforts... but sometimes you just need to escape yourself eh? Problem is, everywhere I go, I'm there!

[Travelinglady]

Let's hope that someone will come up with a new med to help your ailments. I don't have as much pain as some folks, but I still hurt.

[Leed]

I can certainly relate. I've been fighting this spinal pain for more than 27 years now, and I'm just so tired. Totally exhausted, ya know?

After you've had chronic pain for a long time, the pain receptors go haywire, and they send pain signals even when there isn't any pain! So you HAVE pain even when there isn't a REASON for it. My MRI shows plenty of reason for it, but the pain receptors might be adding to it -- who knows? All I know is that there are days I can barely move.

I feel so bad for the people who are in worse shape than I am, because I cannot imagine what they're going thru. My heart goes out to them. There are people in wheelchairs, etc. And I can still walk, albeit a little strange. LOL

I wish you all better days, and days of healing. God bless you all, and I hope you can find pain relief somehow. Take care! Hugs, Lee

[avlady]

I also feel bad for people who are worse off than i'am, i figure if they can do it so can i. i gives me courage to see you people in so much pain, and it gives me a clue as to where I'll be hopefully not soon. I have back problems too and can relate, sometimes it hurts so much I can't get out of bed, them when i do i have to wait for the meds to kick in.i feel for all of you if that helps and will pray for

[roads]

Have you tried acupuncture? It took five practitioners before I found the right one for me. I have arthritis in neck vertibrae inflamed & crushing spinal cord for fifteen yrs, surgical risk of paralysis more than I'm willing to take. I'd loss feeling in feet and hands. This man brought most of that back and held neck pain and resulting headache generally under 5. Without him I was between 8-10, depending of weather, etc ... me living in dark room with heat/ice doing nothing. I cannot take any painkillers.
These past few months, it's gone up to a 6--so over time this will fail me. I don't plan to live this way forever.
Best wishes ... we're all in a pickle here.
roadie