[Biba_yu]

Hello all, I am 44 and I live with two pains now, almost daily. It gets worse during winter and generally during cold days (still don't know why), somewhat better during hot days. I have two major pains that, though probably harmless in general, still make my life miserable. First, I have chronic UTI which won't go away. I had like number and tons of antibiotics, I tried homeopathy, teas, I drink at least 2l of pure water daily, gave up coffee, seen 4 urologists, done cystoscopy and other tests, I am tired and mostly broke. It won't go away. I don't have any diagnosis, it's not even IC as one MD suspected. Not only does it hurt, but I also have urgent calls to bathroom almost whole day, I can't even sleep because of that or go to walk.
Second major pain, also seen by many, many expensive specialists, is in the back of my neck, just below the scull and on the right of spine, mostly pain radiates down towards shoulder and usually ends up as major headache. It's not severe pain but as with bladder it's constant and unpleasant like toothache, it's draining me completely. Still no diagnosis except some "degeneration" in spine and muscles. I am trying very hard, seen chiropractor, therapists, acupuncture, I exercise regularly (not overweight)... what not.
I am soooo tired, I haven't smiled for months and this lasts for two years already with some relief on summer. I lost will to do anything, I don't go out (because I always need bathroom urgently), I barely work and function because of neck pain (luckily my office is next to bathroom and commute is short), once the pain worsened into horrible migraine and they sent ER To pick me up from work. Ibuprofen stopped working months ago.
So so tired and out of money and options. I am also a single mom who works, single and without friends. I am aware my problems are not fatal (at least I hope not), but they still make my life miserable. How to cope?

[Skeezyks]

Hello Biba_yu: I'm sorry you are having such a difficult time. I also have some chronic pain issues (ruptured disc in the lumbosacral spine that impinges on the sciatic nerve thus sciatica.) I also have Meniere's disease with tinnitus which isn't painful but causes its own set of problems. Over time, I've simply learned to live with it. Fortunately, I guess, I'm an older person. So I don't have any responsibilities such as being a parent or holding down a job.

Since you have some physical / medical concerns, I wondered if you're familiar with PsychCentral's sister website: NeuroTalk? (I'm a member there as well.) There are a lot of members there who have a lot of experience with various physical / medical conditions. If you're not familiar with it, you might check out the boards over there & see if it might be helpful:

https://www.neurotalk.org/

[Biba_yu]

Thanks Skeezyks for your reply and for recommendation of neurotalk site. I will definitely check it out. I was thinking some of my problems could be due to tiredness, I feel overwhelmed daily, no free time, no social life, no friends, just work, work, work... Like my life is passing by me.
Neck pain problem seems to be about weakness and tension of my shoulder, neck and back muscles. Since I am working out now, and tried every treatment I could remember, I am getting out of options and that's scary.
As for bladder problem, it sounds like nothing but I feel like I have disability. I can't go anywhere if there is no bathroom, I can't even travel by bus or car. And it's tiresome to think about it all the time.
Thanks for support, I guess I will keep on searching.

[sanity891]

" Second major pain, also seen by many, many expensive specialists, is in the back of my neck, just below the scull and on the right of spine, mostly pain radiates down towards shoulder and usually ends up as major headache. "

I have had the same pain. However I have found when lying on my back, on a bed, or a table, I hang my head over the edge of the table as far as it can go. Before bringing your head from vertical to horizontal ..You MUST.. support your head with clasped fingers and hands and then lift. Do the exercise for 15 seconds. ONLY ONCE. Rest. Repeat if not resolved... every 6 hours.