For years I have told all sorts of doctors that I am in pain. I have always been told "its in my head", "Its part of mental illness"

Finally I went to yet another GP and this time didnt hold back, I went in the bawling and begging for help.

Got a ct scan and there were issues with disc and nerves in my back causing leg pain.

My pdoc today said I have had chronic pain for at least 5 years and that it explains a lot, and it is sad it was not picked up earlier.

She also finally acknowledged that the muscle tenseness and spasms in my legs and jaw may be med related. She is keen for me to go inpatient for rapid detox but I cant with work, so I am just going to have to put up with that bit until I can organise someone to cover for me.

I feel so relieved that someone finally believes me!

I'm happy for you.

[~Christina]

I hate that you have something that causes chronic pain , But I do understand how great it feels to have someone agree and validate your pain and suffering and working towards reducing the pain.

It is a strange relief to have it acknowledged.

Im doing my physio exercises daily and keeping up with my walking. Amazingly since it has been "proven" (2 discs in my spine) the pain is somewhat less.

Thankyou for the support, I will be looking for new coping strategies now I know its not "in my head"

[Pierro]

having someone tell you that its not all in your head is like a "cure" in a way. It is such a relief... I know. Good for you. You persisted, and did not give up !.Now you can move forward and put these measures into place and make your life better.

[BlueEyedMama]

We have to be our own advocates when it comes to any form of health. Good job for not giving up. I know that I hated being dx with SLE but part of me was relieved because now I was believed when I shared how poorly I was feeling. Having a DX also help me take charge of and have a different outlook about my condition.

I'm happy for you and hope that a solution to your pain comes quickly, or at least a way to manage it.. *Hugs*

Thanks all. I went to the chiropractor today. I've never been before. It was sore but I did get some relief. He could not believe I have put up with this for so long. He felt exactly an area of my spine that is buldging. He gave me differnt exercises as the pain was too much for the physio. I'll continue with both. Living it up today though after being told once again the pain is real and there may be help. Resting and relieved.

[Nammu]

I'm so glad you found someone to listen. I had been told for so long that it was all in my head I didn't bother to say anything any more. A GP that I saw after I got new insurance kept asking me if I was in pain and I just dismissed it as all in my head. Thankfully she didn't agree. After some intensive therapy and two surgeries later I'm pain free. I really think any doctor who tells a patient that it's all in their head needs a few good kicks in the rear.

Another huge thing for me is being able to breathe!!

Now I can take deep breathes and get relief. It is amazing. It has been years that I have struggled to breathe. It would have been 7 years. I was told it was anxiety.

It is mostly nurses who tell me it is mental, mental health nurses and nurses at the gp. The doctors generally listen if I whinge loud enough. But I do have to complain a lot for them to listen. I feel terrible having to do that.

The release of pain set me off emotionally. I am crying randomly but not ashamed and it feels like progress

Hi Supanova, I'm so glad to hear you are being helped. I'm also going back to the doctor. I didn't realize what he was actually saying all this time, is really that I'm exaggerating or making it up in my head. He keeps saying it's stress.

I'm just asking because I have been on meds too, and you said that they finally acknowledged that the pain and tenseness in your legs and jaw could be med related. Which medication do you think it is? I was on seroquel for years and I'm wondering if this is part of my stiffness and pain.

Seroquel can cause restless and painful legs so definitely dont rule it out.

The rest of my symotom have cleared or are clearing with the current treatment. It is an amazing relief.

I was able to do so much more today.

I had a pain that i didnt even tell the chiropractor about and he pinpointed it and adjusted it and now the lump and pain is less. I was told by a gp the lump was a cyst and they only cause minor pain and wasnt worth getting removed... Turns out it was my freaking spine. Chrio lessened the pain i didnt even realise was distressing.

[Nammu]

Glad to hear that. It's just my opinion but I think the stress of pain increases the Symptoms of any mental illness. That of course leads to more meds more complicated symptoms and even more unbelief I n the part of doctors.

Hit the nail on the head sidestepper!

Now I can actually take a deep breath, I can deal with minor stressors simply.

The relief is still coming in floods. I have some back pain today but it is so much better than before, its easy to deal with. And I enjoy the stretches given to me to do.

So many things are improving and clicking now. It had a huge impact on my health.