Chronic pain sufferers.....

Hello -- I know we've done this in the past, but I've spent the last week feeling very sorry for myself, which doesn't help my depression!, with pain that's flared up really badly, and is just exhausting. Commiserating does help, so I hope no one minds I'm doing this again...

I've been ticking along ok, haven't had to rely on pain meds much for a few weeks, and then STRESS happens, and pain flares up. I've definitely noticed the correlation between stress/anxiety and pain flares. The pain makes me tired and worsens my depression (for which I take meds, but am now thinking I may need them upped!), and just plain tired. I slept for a total of 5 hours during the day yesterday, and didn't do anything about the meeting I'm chairing this afternoon. Normally I have everything prepared 1-2 days in advance and all printed out, ready to hand out. I've done NOTHING except go over it in my head, and I'm sitting here procrastinating because I can't believe I've left it this late. I know more or less what we're discussing today, but since we have a couple of guests at the meeting today, I wanted to be more 'formal' than we usually are at our quarterly committee meetings. Sigh.......

Stress was in the form of PILs with us for 2.5 weeks (they didn't even stay here, but we were with them all day, every day).... they are definitely aging, some senility has crept in (or maybe just old-age forgetfulness??), some belligerence that wasn't there before (it's been 2 years since we've last seen them), maybe just old age crankiness???? They've both in their 70s, travel lots, but carry their xenophobic bubble with them, and it's become larger and more grating as I and DH get older... anyway, was a stressful visit. I slept for about 2 days after they went home.

Great sympathy is flowing your way!

(I was a long-term back-pain sufferer, but am very fortunate that it has, on the whole, resolved.)

It has interested me that pain is often connected very strongly to one's emotional state, and vice versa. There were "issues" which I've gradually resolved, which no longer sit as knots in my back and twist me into chronic pain. Some of my pain was also due to physical injury, but the two seemed very much connected. A good physio who showed me the right ways to excercise to restrengthen muscles which had stopped supporting the hurt areas was also critical to my recovery.

Are you in contact with any chronic pain support organisations or groups?

Can you walk or cycle or swim (those low-impact activities) for excercise and to release all those marvellous endorphins which make both brain and body feel better?

I was talking with a visitor a couple of days ago, whom I've not seen for a few years and realised I'm feeling better now than I have for a couple of years. There have been times when I've felt quite hopeless about the seeming inexorable decline of physical comfort and ability, but here I am again feeling fit and able and keen to get out and do whatever I need to.

It can be a long haul, but I hope your causes are also resolveable. Good luck with the meeting. As my mother-out-law always said, "write dead beside your name ..." I don't recall the rest of it, although there must be more.

As I mentioned before my husband also suffers from chronic pain - has done for more than 20 years arising from injury arising from participation in a speedboat race - 2+ hours of constant up/down bashing on waves (afterwards the organisers admitted they should have called off the race due to weather conditions), he got thrown to the back of the boat early on and dislocated a shoulder (should've quit then but boys will be boys when there's an outboard motor as first prize!) - after the fall, he had to hang on with one arm. Anyway...

He takes Naproxen 500mg tabs - usually one a day after exertion when he feels the pain coming on. Has for years taken a nap in the afternoon - used to be one hour - now more on two (and sometimes more depending on what he's been doing earlier in the day or the day before). And more recently a neurologist prescribed Amitrip 25mg one before bedtime to ensure he gets a good nights sleep.

I know he hates taking pharmaceuticals - but the alternate for chronic pain sufferers is often depression - and definitely I think that's worse. He hates being idle even more than the pain! If the pain holds you back, you get frustrated, stressed, and then depressed - it's a vicious cycle.

Got to admit being referred to a neurologist was wonderful - they understand chronic pain is a physiological condition - whereas many other medical practitioners I believe are held back in seeking the right drugs for physical remedy - and instead opt to treat psychological (it's all in your mind) type effects.

In summary - rest is GOOD for you - listen to your body, if it wants to sleep - sleep and don't beat yourself up about it!!! And if you haven't yet seen a neurologist - get a referral. Even if you are taking pain meds - they might not be the ideal one(s) for you.

Aria;409373 wrote:

Got to admit being referred to a neurologist was wonderful - they understand chronic pain is a physiological condition - whereas many other medical practitioners I believe are held back in seeking the right drugs for physical remedy - and instead opt to treat psychological (it's all in your mind) type effects.

It's depressing that medics are still looking at pain in that "either/or" framework, when the the reality is that body and mind work together and on each other in ways that are very complicated and personal. It's never "all in your mind", but how we think and feel can set up all sorts of feedback loops, both good and bad. Pain clinics are supposed to be good like that, but I have my doubts...

Andrea I do feel for you. I get a lot of hand and elbow pain, a legacy from years of officework and I find this time of year and the muggyness really gets it going.

Interesting what you were saying about the stress related discomfort.

When my son passed away late last year I came down with a rotton sore throat, and it revisits me every couple of weeks, usually when i'm feeling a bit lost and down and missing him. It seems to have become my 'weak point' if i'm dtired or upset. The doctors can't find a virus or infection, its almost like at muscle tighness ache sort of thing, and when it sets in I know I have to ease off and be a bit kinder to myself.

Hey, thanks, I really appreciate your comments and feedback and sympathy!

I'm really sorry to hear about your son, TKP, that is very sad.

Managed to get ready for my meeting ok, with help of family, of course (don't know what I'd do without them!)... but I don't really want to give up any of the things I'm doing... I'll probably have to choose, though.....

That's a very good point - having to give up some of the things which cause general stress, even though some of that stress would feel good under ordinary circumstances. (I'm in the process of giving up my vet club board membership because dealing with my mother's decline is pushing things over the top. There are other things I definitely don't want to give up, but something has to go amongst the things I can change. So far the physical symptoms of the stress are blood-pressure movements, but I suspect that has effects on all sorts of other things I don't want to begin to notice!)

Aria;409373 wrote: As I mentioned before my husband also suffers from chronic pain - has done for more than 20 years arising from injury arising from participation in a speedboat race - 2+ hours of constant up/down bashing on waves (afterwards the organisers admitted they should have called off the race due to weather conditions), he got thrown to the back of the boat early on and dislocated a shoulder (should've quit then but boys will be boys when there's an outboard motor as first prize!) - after the fall, he had to hang on with one arm. Anyway...

He takes Naproxen 500mg tabs - usually one a day after exertion when he feels the pain coming on. Has for years taken a nap in the afternoon - used to be one hour - now more on two (and sometimes more depending on what he's been doing earlier in the day or the day before). And more recently a neurologist prescribed Amitrip 25mg one before bedtime to ensure he gets a good nights sleep.

I know he hates taking pharmaceuticals - but the alternate for chronic pain sufferers is often depression - and definitely I think that's worse. He hates being idle even more than the pain! If the pain holds you back, you get frustrated, stressed, and then depressed - it's a vicious cycle.

Got to admit being referred to a neurologist was wonderful - they understand chronic pain is a physiological condition - whereas many other medical practitioners I believe are held back in seeking the right drugs for physical remedy - and instead opt to treat psychological (it's all in your mind) type effects.

In summary - rest is GOOD for you - listen to your body, if it wants to sleep - sleep and don't beat yourself up about it!!! And if you haven't yet seen a neurologist - get a referral. Even if you are taking pain meds - they might not be the ideal one(s) for you.

Aria just wondering, with my very painful hip & foot, I was told by 2 doctors to take my medication 1 hour before any planned extra exertion like work!!!
It works for me, I also take it before bowls and I can get thru fine. Change in weather also has a big effect.

It's a bugger getting older isn't it and finding you can't do things once taken for granted.

Ruth I know what the family stress is like. We've had 10 years of it one way or another, with elderly parents. When whatever you do to assist is never good enough (in their eyes) the insidious stress that builds up certainly takes a toll on health. We've both had the onset of things never dreamed as possible and it's all stress related. Mine's turned to grieving and OH partially so, but his mother is still alive and almost 98. She has held the whip hand for far too long and so the stress goes on. I wish parents would have the sense to make reasonable provision for when they are older and can no longer make those decisions......epoa for instance. It would make the life of their kids so much easier, and maybe save the deterioration in health from overtaking the very people upon whom they depend. It's so hugely selfish and unfair of parents to not take reasonable steps, and rob their kids of a nice retirement when their turn comes.

We've had Stroke, Aphasia, dis-ambulation, dementia to cope with. Thankfully my parents did do the right thing and set out some procedures, but OH's didn't and they have effectively stopped us from any sort of normal family stuff like being able to get away for a few days for instance. Any holiday time he has had, has been taken up with running after them, so he has no holiday time left. The loss of FIL just before Christmas, has only exacerbated the problem as now we are living on high alert all the time incase the MIL should have problems. She's still living on her own at 97.11.

There are always some arguments for involuntary euthanasia. [}]

I found a product called Phiten last weekend. 4 small dots of adhesive tape across my back removed all discomfort and my back was pain free for 4.5 days.

I woke up several times the 1st night because it should have hurt and didn't[]

I had these dots on at the Wairarapa get together, and others there noticed that I had freer movement, which I attribute to the Phiten product. I don't think it solves the problem but having some relief from the pain is worth its weight in Titanium. [][][]

I now have to state that I have no business interest in this organisation, and am merely sharing my experience...[]

Interesting Xartap - and there's a free sample pack available from the website as well - so will get OH to give it a go!

Yes, Arnie I often asked, why not take them before exertion? For years his response would be that he was trying to see if he could get on without them - more lately I think commonsense (with age!) has kicked in and he does take them prior to the physically demanding jobs - like fencing/splitting firewood etc. The funny thing is he has little pain while working - his seems to come on later.

Stikkibeek;409430 wrote: The loss of FIL just before Christmas, has only exacerbated the problem as now we are living on high alert all the time incase the MIL should have problems. She's still living on her own at 97.11.

And today, she flooded the house, effectively emptying the hot water cylinder and half the house water supply. Grrrr.

Stikkibeek;409462 wrote: And today, she flooded the house, effectively emptying the hot water cylinder and half the house water supply. Grrrr.

How far from you does she live? Travel time/cost really wears.

I too think that pain is sent through the roof as a result of personal issues. Thank you Ruth for your point of view and Stikkibeek as I doubt many realise the real emotional and physical toll being the primary carer (not domestic in my case) for elderly single parents. When you are talking about non-resuscitation orders, lunching with the priest who will conduct the service despite your parent still being alive - it takes a huge toll. YOU want to shut the whole thing down and pretend it is not happening. At least I have not lost a child TPK and that I am so grateful for. Heartfelt sympathy to you.

Two things I have learnt as a chronic lower back pain sufferer is that manipulation without massage at the same time is a waste of time and anti inflamatories work better after physio than before treatment. I am pain free in my lower back for the first time in years after seeing an AMAZING South African trained physio over a few weeks and then two weeks of Voltaren. Finished the pills and zero pain in my back since. I totally put it down to her getting everything back where it should be and then inflams to allow it to settle. Bit back to front on usual treatments I know but worked for me.