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Chronic Pain
I don't know what happened to my other post so I'll try again. I don't want to go back to pain pills but I don't know any other way. The doctors ask me why I quit taking the hydrocodone. I'm trying the Gabapentin 100mg again twice a day instead of 3 times. Maybe I won't get the side effects. I just pray I get by without the pain pills. What do y'all do for chronic pain?
I'm sorry you are struggling Tooter. The pain can be so agonizing. My ortho doc has me taking two Aleve in the morning and two at night...of course this means I'm taking prevacid cuz it tears up my stomach. I also exercise and ice. I've tried the Gabapentin but it made me too tired with little results for me. For me, the otc meds help...not perfectly but doable. I hope you find the relief you are looking for. Best wishes!
I feel you on the pain issues.I have back,neck problems.tendonitis,carpel tunnel and need surgery on both knees.I took lortab for 8 years and now almost tapered off methadone to get off pain meds.I am in so much pain daily that I have actually made appts with old dr but canceled them.I dont want to go back so I live with the pain.I didnt think I could and some days want to just not wake up.That is when I can go to sleep.I alternate now aleve and moltrin.I am taking all the stuff on the thomas menu below.Just going one day at a time here.You can do it.It is hard but,you will get through.We all do.As soon as I get my medicare I will be having surgery on both knees.I had it on one in 1987 and the bolt in there has broke and is killing me everytime I move.The right one I hurt in a fall 4 years ago.I have no cartlige in it now from walking on it.So,I have to use a cane,but, as I said before we will get through this too.I take it one day at a time,always.Come back and let us know how u are doing.
Yikes I know, I am in the same boat. I detoxed 821 days ago. Up until 6 months ago my pain was totally manageable. Then my severe endometriosis came back. 2-3 weeks out of the month I am in unbearable pain. I have Crohn's disease too so the NSAIDS I have been taking are wreaking havoc on my system and causing me more pain. I am trying to just hang on through it. Hoping I can get pregnant soon and the pain will be a thing of the past. I have some pain pills on hand that I can take if I am desperate. In 6 months I have taken one at night when I really needed to sleep. Otherwise, it's yoga, deep breathing, and distraction distraction distraction. It's really hard and I feel for everyone going through this because the quality of life is not great. That being said- it sure as H*&* beats the fog of depression of living off of opiates, which really isn't living at all. Kudos and Big Love to my fellow chronic pain sufferers out there. Be strong and be kind to yourselves.
Hi there, I am in the same boat with pain. Lots of back issues, but pain pills get out of control (rather I get out of control)
I also do a set of dedicated exercises and after 2 1/2 years of them, much of it while doing pain meds, my core is pretty strong. No spasm pain.
However I have a deep chronic burning that is 24/7. At the end of a day I am tired from constantly fighting it. But my 8 months clean is so precious! I dont want to go back. One ortho surgeon said my back was too messed up for him to try surgery, another wanted to do a 3-level fusion and laminectomy. I said no, did not want to risk "failed back surgery syndrome"
My worst time is right when I wake up. Advil have worn off, my back is screaming, and anxiety and selfpity hit me in the face full force.
But somehow after a couple cups of coffee and a few stretches I start another day. Slowly the pain monster and my addict beast are losing their hold over me. I actually have pain free moments, because I think, my mind is tuning it out.
Yeah I feel like I am walking a tightrope, but I push on. My wife needs me functioning, and I am finding purpose at work. Someone above commented on the cancer patients. I am nowhere near their league and am thankful that somehow I am managing the pain without pain pills.
So Tooter I dont know if this helps or not. I have not gotten rid of the pain, but it does not intimidate me anymore. I think we can face it head on if we're not complicating the issue with opiates. So I soak in Jacuzzis, put Tens on, swim and walk as much as I can. Just enjoy life clean and not make my "pain" the central issue of the day. (I also love those wonderful days that I forget for a little while that I am an addict in recovery)
I also do a set of dedicated exercises and after 2 1/2 years of them, much of it while doing pain meds, my core is pretty strong. No spasm pain.
However I have a deep chronic burning that is 24/7. At the end of a day I am tired from constantly fighting it. But my 8 months clean is so precious! I dont want to go back. One ortho surgeon said my back was too messed up for him to try surgery, another wanted to do a 3-level fusion and laminectomy. I said no, did not want to risk "failed back surgery syndrome"
My worst time is right when I wake up. Advil have worn off, my back is screaming, and anxiety and selfpity hit me in the face full force.
But somehow after a couple cups of coffee and a few stretches I start another day. Slowly the pain monster and my addict beast are losing their hold over me. I actually have pain free moments, because I think, my mind is tuning it out.
Yeah I feel like I am walking a tightrope, but I push on. My wife needs me functioning, and I am finding purpose at work. Someone above commented on the cancer patients. I am nowhere near their league and am thankful that somehow I am managing the pain without pain pills.
So Tooter I dont know if this helps or not. I have not gotten rid of the pain, but it does not intimidate me anymore. I think we can face it head on if we're not complicating the issue with opiates. So I soak in Jacuzzis, put Tens on, swim and walk as much as I can. Just enjoy life clean and not make my "pain" the central issue of the day. (I also love those wonderful days that I forget for a little while that I am an addict in recovery)
My pain is in my lumbar region (degenerative disc disease with bulges and hernias), also my right hip abductor, and a real bad sacrum pelvis misalignment that can't be fixed. I take 1 Advil in the morning with breakfast. I can't take to much NSAID anymore. I went through 3 PT sessions over two years and learned a long physical therapy routine that I do after breakfast, every day without fail. Then I walk the dogs a couple miles. If there's too much ice on the outside, I walk indoors on a treadmill or at the mall. Some days I hurt bad, but I always feel better after a long walk. Nothing helps my sacrum pelvis misalignment. I could blow $30 co-pay at the Chiro, and it slips back out in a couple hours. It's a real honest to goodness pain in the A$$! Two days ago I limped along on my walk. The cold weather really elevates my pain levels.
Using for me isn't an option. Sure, a 90 Vicodin script looks good sometimes. But I think my way through them, past the relief benefits and into the addiction part. If I think real strong about it I make contact with another recovering addict. I've been through 3 detoxes. I'm all done with those / one day at a time.
Using for me isn't an option. Sure, a 90 Vicodin script looks good sometimes. But I think my way through them, past the relief benefits and into the addiction part. If I think real strong about it I make contact with another recovering addict. I've been through 3 detoxes. I'm all done with those / one day at a time.
Great question Tooter...i'll be interested to hear some responses. I'm in your boat...bad back issues. Although i did not like the hydro 'fog" i never abused the hydro taking only the rx but man this past 45 days has been rough. The back is a constant pain. I exercise, lift, heat, ice, stretch...you name i've done it. I got a shot last week with a rx for Prednisone and it worked but as soon as they wore off...it was game on again. Surgery may help my issue...but also might make worse. I'm not taking that chance....again!
I know its selfish but i sometimes envy those that were on pain meds for reasons..other than pain. I however, also realize those people sometimes have bigger mental issues they deal with on a daily basis. The depression during the first 3 weeks of detox were brutal. I couldn't imagine dealing with that everyday.
BTW - I have a friend just diagnosed with stage III cancer so i was looking at the cancer forum. No matter how much pain im in it doesn't compare to some of the issues over there.
I know its selfish but i sometimes envy those that were on pain meds for reasons..other than pain. I however, also realize those people sometimes have bigger mental issues they deal with on a daily basis. The depression during the first 3 weeks of detox were brutal. I couldn't imagine dealing with that everyday.
BTW - I have a friend just diagnosed with stage III cancer so i was looking at the cancer forum. No matter how much pain im in it doesn't compare to some of the issues over there.
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