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Long Term Chronic Pain

1964dodge

Has a monkey as a friend
Safety & Support
SF Supporter
#41
this is invalidating of my pain, just because I choose other options than drugs doesn't mean my pain is somehow less. Because its not, and who are you or anyone really to decide that?
i am so sorry that you feel that. it was not my intention. i just meant there may be a time in the future that meds may become neccessary. i have always said that pain is pain and we can't compare our pain to others. i think it's great that you can use other options. if they work and leave you mostly in an acceptable range then your way is best. i hate taking opioid meds and hope they finally make an effective non-opioid med. your pain is just as valid as mine or anyone elses pain. again i'm sorry that you took it that way, maybe i should have worded it differently. pain management usually takes a lot of different things to keep it under control i have a lot of things i do and opioids are a small but neccessary part of my pain management. i again apologize and if you want to talk more please feel free to use my inbox.

mike...*hug*shake
 

Winslow

My Toughest Problem Has Been Solved.
SF Supporter
#45
my pain is very low today. i'm actually around a 4 today which is great. i seem to be having more 4s lately. even if it doesn't last long it's a welcome relief.

mike
Even when you suffer spikes, realize that they are only temporary. That is proven by the fact that you are enjoying relief at the moment. :)
 

1964dodge

Has a monkey as a friend
Safety & Support
SF Supporter
#46
Even when you suffer spikes, realize that they are only temporary. That is proven by the fact that you are enjoying relief at the moment. :)
i generally go through cycles. i'll go weeks with higher pain i have to treat aggressively, sometimes i'll go weeks with lower pain levels, but most of the time average. right now i'm in a low cycle. and you are right about the spikes. i get them every night, some mild some severe but i know i will get through the spike eventually. same thing when i'm in a high pain cycle, i know it will end eventually. a persons frame of mind makes a huge difference with chronic pain.

mike...*hug*shake
 

Astrid78

Spoonful of sugar will help the medicine go down
#48
i am so sorry that you feel that. it was not my intention. i just meant there may be a time in the future that meds may become neccessary. i have always said that pain is pain and we can't compare our pain to others. i think it's great that you can use other options. if they work and leave you mostly in an acceptable range then your way is best. i hate taking opioid meds and hope they finally make an effective non-opioid med. your pain is just as valid as mine or anyone elses pain. again i'm sorry that you took it that way, maybe i should have worded it differently. pain management usually takes a lot of different things to keep it under control i have a lot of things i do and opioids are a small but neccessary part of my pain management. i again apologize and if you want to talk more please feel free to use my inbox.

mike...*hug*shake
Thanks, I don't really know what to say, people never apologize without finding a way to blame me as well, ya know the whole "I'm sorry but you blah, blah, blah" anything to make me the pos.
 

1964dodge

Has a monkey as a friend
Safety & Support
SF Supporter
#49
Thanks, I don't really know what to say, people never apologize without finding a way to blame me as well, ya know the whole "I'm sorry but you blah, blah, blah" anything to make me the pos.
you deserve no blame at all. i should have worded it better. i only meant there may come a time that you may have no choice but to take pain meds and it's no stigma if it becomes neccessary. but you are doing the right thing by making pain meds a last resort. you are brave to suffer through the pain. i think opioid pain meds should always be a last resort. i never meant to offend you. and as i said earlier your pain is just as valid as mine or anyone esle. again i'm sorry and i take all of the blame for the misunderstanding

mike...*hug*shake:(
 

Astrid78

Spoonful of sugar will help the medicine go down
#50
you deserve no blame at all. i should have worded it better. i only meant there may come a time that you may have no choice but to take pain meds and it's no stigma if it becomes neccessary. but you are doing the right thing by making pain meds a last resort. you are brave to suffer through the pain. i think opioid pain meds should always be a last resort. i never meant to offend you. and as i said earlier your pain is just as valid as mine or anyone esle. again i'm sorry and i take all of the blame for the misunderstanding

mike...*hug*shake:(
*hug
 

Astrid78

Spoonful of sugar will help the medicine go down
#51
A little stiff this morning but not too bad. Missing taking hot scalding showers as thats always a good way to loosen up.
 

Holding my breath

SF Pro
SF Supporter
#52
Saw the spinal consultant today. He wants another mri but says there might not be much he can do other than nerve blocks again, but they only last a short while as pain relief. He did mention spinal fusion but that would be fairly major surgery. IF he is willing to offer it, I would have to decide if I wanted to go through surgery or just put up with the chronic pain. Guess I’ll just have to wait and see.
 
#53
A little stiff this morning but not too bad. Missing taking hot scalding showers as thats always a good way to loosen up.
and @1964dodge

Just wondering if you've tried aspercreme? It's a topical analgesic similar to Aspirin but absorbed through the skin so it is more targeted and you need less of it to have the same effect. I use it for my hand arthritis pain (apply about a tablespoon to my hands and wrists). It doesn't upset your stomach like Aspirin can. Other topical analgesics include menthol, capsaicin and camphor. My sister-in-law taught classes for the Arthritis Society in pain self-management and often recommended these. Most dollar stores have pain relief gel that includes menthol and camphor. My cats hate the smell which is why I use aspercreme.

I use a heated pad with vibration for my IBS. My husband uses it for back pain.
 
#54
I have chronic pain from IBS and also arthritis. I get arthritis in my knees, ankles, hands, wrists and elbows mostly. I don't like taking aspirin-type painkillers because my doctor advised me not to as they are processed through your liver and kidneys, and my kidney function is not great probably from taking lithium and years of NSAIDs for severe period pain.

I take enteric-coated peppermint oil for IBS and it is quite effective, however I'm not as diligent about taking it as I should be. Right now I should be taking it every day. My IBS has been very bad the last few years, and seems to be exacerbated by stress. Although I also discovered from following the Fodmap diet that I have a sensitivity to onions. Great - they are in everything, especially food I like. So I'm hoping the IBS subsides now that I'm off work since June.

Also Buscopan works. It's sold over the counter here as it's generally pretty safe. I don't like taking it just because I already take a few meds for depression, although they apparently don't interact.
 
#57
Found the breakdown of ingredients in cryoderm. The only ingredient listed as medicinal is menthol, so if you can't afford cryoderm, dollar-store menthol is an alternative.

Medicinal Ingredients: d-Menthol USP (Mentha arvensis, leaf) …. 10.0% w/w

Non-Medicinal Ingredients: Acrylates, Arnica, Boswellia, Citric Acid, Denatured Alcohol, Dimethyl Sulfone (MSM), Eucalyptus Oil, Glycerin, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Peppermint Oil, water, Triethanolamine.
 

1964dodge

Has a monkey as a friend
Safety & Support
SF Supporter
#60
Saw the spinal consultant today. He wants another mri but says there might not be much he can do other than nerve blocks again, but they only last a short while as pain relief. He did mention spinal fusion but that would be fairly major surgery. IF he is willing to offer it, I would have to decide if I wanted to go through surgery or just put up with the chronic pain. Guess I’ll just have to wait and see.
*hug*console*shake
 

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