chronic pain
Tylenol rarely helps. vicodin does, but I don't want to take it every day. And I doubt my doc would prescribe enough to take it every day, either. I've tried physical therapy and tried chiropractic.
Tonight it just kind of occurred to me that this is probably going to go on forever. My back is going to hurt every day for the rest of my life. It's going to make things like taking food out of the oven, carrying groceries into the house, picking up baskets of laundry, etc difficult for the rest of my life. It's going to wake me up at night every night for the rest of my life. Minus a few weeks relief a few times a year if I get steroid injections.
So as you might imagine, I am thrilled to have realized this. Yeah, right. Anyone else have this issue? How do you deal with it day in and day out every day and every night?
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Unfortunately, my back has gotten worse over time instead of better.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
on 1/2/12 10:37 am - Toronto, Canada
Now, at 42, I live with chronic pain from osetoarthritis in my neck, both hips and lower back. I'm hoping that the wls that I have on Jan.18, 2012 makes a differencce and brings me some pain relief, but I realize there is no guarantee.
I've gone through stages of feeling sorry for myself and sometimes I feel defeated and depressed about it, but I try and focus on people that have even bigger challenges and that overcome them. There are role models out there of people who don't let these things limit them. I have found that stress makes me more likely to feel acute pain, so I am currently trying to develop a daily meditation practice to help with relaxation. I've also invested in assistive devices, for example, something to help me put the sock on my right foot because my range of motion is limited on that side that I can't do it myself anymore. Deep water aquafit and stretching, some time in the hot tub at the gym and making the most of those days when my pain is slightly less, are also part of my goal of making the most of my life even with the chronic pain.
I think developing a positive mental attitude about it and focusing on the things that you can do to help yourself manage the pain are the best way to go. Through trial and error, you can discover a self care toutine that preserve and enhances your quality of life even with the chronic pain.
Wishing you all the best!
I do Synvisc injections every 6 months (minimal help for the worst knee but really helps the other one), and the steroid injections every 3-4 months. Like you, the injection helps only for a little while (for me, it is probably about 4 weeks though). I take Tramadol 4x a day on the better days and now take Vicodin twice a day on bad days. I have an appt with my PCP next week to discuss meds and get refills, and the pain meds are at the top of the list. I, too, am concerned about continuing to take the Vicodin (I already have some tolerance after being on it for much of last year when I would have the abdominal pain). Unlike your pain, however, mine could be treated with a knee replacement. The ortho surgeon prefers to wait until a patient is at least 50 because the knees only last so long, but obviously does them earlier when necessary. I turn 50 later this year {yikes!}, but *I* have been the one delaying the surgery just because I am a chicken. When it becomes completely intolerable, I will give in and have it done... And pray that I am not one of the ones who has trouble AFTER the replacement.
I can understand how discouraging it must be to realize that you will have the pain forever. I would be distressed by it. With the restriction on NSAIDs, though, I am not sure what other options the are other than prescription meds.
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
My knees used to hurt like yours, I think. Just standing up from a sitting position made them hurt. Getting in and out of my car was really hard. It was both knees for me. Losing weight has been so great for my knees. I can't even remember the last time they hurt.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
I know my problem might be totally different from yours, but it never hurts to make a suggestion. I had never heard of this stupid walnut sized muscle before my trainer. Not one of the other health care professionals had ever mentioned it.
I really hope that it gets better for you. I know how debilitating back pain can be and how awful it can make quality of life.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Where I live they use acupuncture to treat addictions since it helps reduce the cravings. I found a place that did acupuncture for people in recovery and they took a sliding fee scale, which for me was practically nothing since I was low income. It is also supposed to help with depression and anxiety, too.
She if you can find a place that treats addicts and see if they offer acupuncture. The place I went to was a methadone clinic as well as offering other forms of treatment.
If that doesn't work out check with some acupuncturists and see if they can offer a discount. It can't hurt to ask.
WLS 10/28/2002 Revision 7/23/2010
High Weight (2002) 240 Revision Weight (2010) 220 Current Weight 115.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.