coping with pain

[tresa47]

I've noticed alot of people have been dealing with their chronic pain,some for a long time. I have been struggling on trying to cope with my chronic pain (rsd-both hands),and trying to comprehend on how I will be able to cope with this for what will most likely be a lifetime, unless it goes into remission. How do you cope with pain?

[HawktheSlayer]

Hi, sorry to hear that you are in pain but then again thats what this board is for. I am happy to hear that you are having surgery ( not that its a good thing ) to help with your pain. I have an SCS for leg and back pain, for me it does help, 50-60% pain reduction, but I like most here still have to take some meds to get through the day. I do hope that the surgery will help you as much or more than mine helps me. I know that sometimes it can be rough to get through the day, I many times feel that it would just be better to end it all, but then my wife is there and so are my kids, without them I do know that I would never have gotten this far. As for most of us here on this discussion board pain is a daily thing that for the most part will never go away. We all keep going and that in its self is a great thing. I have had many times gone through this board and read how ppl are trying to deal with their pain, and just knowing that there are ppl out there that know what your going through and are going through it themselves and are not only trying to make their lives better but are also trying to help and support others is one of the greatest things that i have ever found. Hope all goes well with your surgery and you get some reduction of pain.

R/
Adam

[tresa47]

I really appreciate all the advice. Medication wise I'm on percocet 7.5-350.4xdaily...as needed...neurontin1200 day..cymbalta...I guess that's enough...I'm having surgery Friday am for a permanent scs system.Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.I'll try to post as I can.(depending on how my hands are) I'll keep you all in my prayers...til later..Tresa

[Storm007]

  I am so sorry you have to deal with so much pain.
As asked earlier,are you on any pain meds? If not it could be an excellant idea.
I suffer from severe pain also.When it reaches 8/9 on a scale of 1-10..Well back up.First of all I take pain meds 3 x's a day the if pain breaks through (BTP)when around level 5 I take a different pan med and posssibly also a muscle relaxer.When in pain we auto matically tense up. Anyway..I try my best to get my brain to focus on something else.No matter how severe the pain. I will turn on the TV.If I can not watch it I try my best to listen to it. At other times i will have a friend over and be held..I will meditate on different Bible verses that I find comforting,I also pray to be able to endure the pain and pray the meds will help lower it.
   Besides the meds..getting your mind to zone in on anything else is a huge help.
If the pain meds are not enough,talk to your Dr about it.If She/He is reluctant ask to be sent to a pain Dr or clinic.They are fantastic.They know pain meds better than anyone.
  write me anytime........Storm007

[jollyman069]

i have been dealing with chronic back and leg pain ince 1992..it isnt fun thts for sure, the best thing i did was finding a good pain management dr. he has found the right cocktail of pain meds to help control my pain the best it can be..there are times when i do get flair ups, just got through one of those, i will take long very hot baths..be carefull not to burn yourself..heating pads.. i know its maybe not the best solaution but pain meds have been the best thing for me.. dont like to take them but i dont have any choice.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Tresa,

Thank you for your kind words. I would be looking forward to a pain relief surgery. I am glad there is some light at the end of the tunnel for you. Don't be afraid to request different or more pain medications. We have to be assertive when it comes to our care.

The majority of my pain is in my SI Joint, which is near my coccyx. It causes sciatic pain and pain shooting and throbbing down the outside and inside of my leg. I also have severe pelvic pain and low back pain and spasms. I am probably under medicated but it is by choice, not by my physicians choice. I don't want to be 60 years old and nothing works for me any more. There is nothing that can be done for my pain. Long term SIJ injuries/dysfunction cannot be treated successfully. I have tried it all. So I can relate and pain any where is far from fun.

But I do not have pain in my hands, thank goodness. So I am able to use my laptop and so some crafts (I'm not super crafty) without any difficultly. Except sitting very long or when I am in much pain is difficult. I do best in a supine position but I try to avoid that as much as possible. It is important to remain active as much as possible or you lose your agility. It's easy to say but sometimes hard to do.

Please let us know how successful your SCS is in reducing your pain. Someone just posted today asking about it. I don't have a lot of experience or first hand knowledge with SCS. I have heard both good and bad. I'll be looking forward to your updates. Feel free to PM me if you just want to chat or vent. And as always, Take Care, Tuck

[tresa47]

Thank you for replying, it does help to know there are others dealing with chronic pain too. Right now my pain seems to keep increasing, so , no it isn't very well controlled. I'm scheduled for surgery next Friday for a permanent spinal cord stim system.It seems odd to say that i can't wait for surgery. I'm scared and nervous, it's not my first procedure. Yet at the same time, I'm looking forward to it.
   It is hard to have the hand pain, anything else and I could still use my hands, on bad days like today, even typing is very painful.Let alone doing any hobbies. i love to quilt, garden and most things that require handuse!  Thanks again for your help... you are a blessing to all of us out here! Take care Tuck...Tresa

[Tuckamore]

Hi Tersa,

I am sorry you are struggling with your pain. Hand pain must be very frustrating because you do so much with your them. If it makes you feel any better we have all had those moments that we struggle with our pain also.

I can't speak for others but I have difficulty sometimes too. Is your pain controlled? Meaning are you as comfortable as you can be with pain medications and non-medication approaches?  If you require more pain medication or different medications or regime you should discuss this with your physician. Another source that can be helpful in teaching you to cope is a pain management therapist. I have never used one but I have heard they are helpful.

Some times I just take one day at a time, much like a recovering individuals must do. I get through this day to face the next day. But as a general rules I have a routine I go through as my pain increases. I have different meds and tool that help me cope. I have muscle relaxants that I do not take everyday but that are there when I need them. I also have a much stronger medication that I take as a "last resort."  In between those two I have a massage chair, heating pad, jacuzzi and sometimes yogi-like positions ease some of my pain. I have been dealing with this for many years to one degree or another. It's just been the last 7-8 that it has been so severe. Sometimes no matter what I do I just have a bad pain day and that's when I look forward to the next day with the hope that it will be better.

Others will post with their ideas and offer there opinions. Today is a weekend and it can be a slower day on the board. So hang in. I am glad you posted and look forward to hearing from you again. Take Care, Tuck