[Pierro]

Just a thought really. I was thinking about Michael Jackson and the way he passed... But to be quite honest I dont blame him for wanting to be knocked out at night. He paid the ultimate price, didn't he, but I am very empathetic toward him and the suffering that he had. I can hardly move my hands and legs with pain, how can anyone possibly sleep under these circumstances let alone try to do your daily chores.. I was just wondering how far would you go to ease the pain?

[Skeezyks]

Thanks for this thought-provoking post, Pierro. I'm aging. And as I age I seem to keep acquiring new aches, pains & physical problems of various descriptions. It's sort-of like a little collection! I guess I'm fortunate in that none of the aches, pains & problems in my collection are really serious. Still, altogether, they do add up to something. In line with my appreciation for the writings of the Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön, I try to see each ache, pain & problem as sort-of a learning opportunity. And, as such, I attempt to accept each one... with compassion.

Still there have been times, not all that long ago, when my psychological state was such that I felt I just couldn't stand it for another minute. I just wanted to find some medication that would essentially obliterate my consciousness. Of course, there isn't any such thing... at least not that I know of. But, if there were, I can imagine that I might have been sorely tempted...

[Thor0298]

Honestly. A question I struggle with more than I care to admit. Over my past few years of pain. My doc has almost had me admitted a few times. I don't know how far id go. Pretty far. Having one last day I can enjoy would be nice. Being able to sleep a whole night would be great too. It's amazing all the stupid little things I wish I was able to do and not having a passing thought about

[roads]

Like so many with chronic pain, I've thought about final solutions. Just over a month ago, I was the closest ever with the means in my hand. I picked it up and put it down, I don't know how many times.

If it weren't for PC and the support I've gotten online from my three best friends here (anywhere, at that point) plus some others here's , I'd be passed by now. One of them--the closest to me--came down with her hubby in long, overnight trips and rescued me. I've moved now, have a new doctor and my meds are straightened out. I have a sleeping meds and a pain pill available if I still cannot sleep.

I don't know how you feel about meds Pierro, Skeezyks, and Thor ... for me, it means getting a good night's sleep and that (plus ice packs) lets me deal with daytime pain.

I wish you and everyone with chronic pain great docs and pdoc, the best support system, and someone or something that gives you a bit of hope when the going gets roughest.

roads

[Thor0298]

I've been put on somewhere near 15 different scripts. I see a therapist every week. A shrink every few weeks. Currently just on remeron, Xanax and Vicodin. Most things gave me little to no relief or added so many side effects with little relief that I had to stop.

Having a rough don't know how long now. Few weeks. Usually I'm a bit more positive

[IheartHendrix]

I have lupus and been on many scripts for awhile. They seem similar to yours Thor. Being a "sickie" causes a certain amount of disillusionment. I even have a huge dislike for many physicians. They treat you like idiots. The whole process just gets ..... OLD

[Thor0298]

I agree the docs get old. It's so hard to find docs that seem to care even a little about the quality of life and being able to function.

Well, I went up to and including a leg amputation - but that wasn't just for the pain, it was also because the illness was progressive (if they didn't amputate right then and waited a couple of months, they'd have to amputate even more of my leg) and because it could turn life-threatening any moment. And I didn't have a choice - doctor told me that if I didn't agree to the amputation, he'd have a judge declare me unfit to make my own decisions and force me that way, and if my parents disagreed (I was 15 at the time) he'd have them declared unfit guardians.

[Linus VanPelt]

Hi, Pierro and all. I have a long list of physical and psychological problems and, on top of that, I just found out I'm a "ultrarapid metabolizer". This means, what few meds that work for me, don't last long. A few months ago, I made the decision to "check out". I couldn't deal with all the pain and issues anymore. I eventually changed my mind because I didn't want to leave my wife all alone. Her father died six years ago and her mother died last year. She's an only child so I'm all the family she has. But, the funny thing is, that was the only time I've been happy and content in years. I hope there's an answer for us out there but I've yet to find a doctor that has it. I've had three pain docs and have fired three pain docs for one logical reason or another. I have an appointment with a new doctor in two weeks. We'll see if he's good or not.