POLL..Everyones Opinion Please

[VICourageous]

I see this question asked a lot and I know we are all different. What works for one might not work for others. Doing a Survey to see what Non-Additive Pain meds comes up the most. I do not like to put myself out here in the front line, but I have not seen a post on this since I joined. I sure many have been done and will roll around again someday.

I also wanted to share something with you all. As some of my MH friends know, I was in real bad all over body pain the other week that was just very, very painful. I am walking in my 11 month and it was not due to detox..BUT guess what??? The Dr called it SOMATIC SYNDROME..This is physical pain due to Emotional Distress and Turmoil in the Brain. Meaning that my Transmitters are trying to balance back at it is sending signals to the body. It had nothing to do with Fibro, Arthritis, Nerves, or Muscles. Just a Brain Pain..haha.

I also wanted to share what he said about prescribing ME any pain meds. Even if I could hand them to someone to hand out he said NO. Being a Addict he said that it will just start this back up and he will see me in 3 months or so in the same condition I was in Months ago. He said once it gets going again he knows I will find places or do things to get them other then being handed out if I want more. I just Love my Dr he talks to me in Dr language about the Billions of Brain Transmitter and Receptors because he knows that I find this very interesting these days.

I sure do hope this info helps some out here that are still in early recovery and experiencing some strange pain other then there original pain that they got the pills for in the first place.

SO What do YOU ALL use that is Natural or OTC for pain?? OH! Yes Exercise is the Biggest Key to it ALL..lol
Bless
vickie

[HappyDays2Come]

Hi Vickie, to be honest I never took painkillers for pain, aside from when I had my daughter. Fortunately I don't (yet) experience pain on a daily basis but if I need something for a headache or when I injured my ankle I take Aleve and Ibuprofen. Those two usually work the best for me. If you experience pain on a daily basis you should look into acupuncture. I've heard that it REALLY works!!

[ariley13]

Hi my friend! I'm so glad that you posted this. I'm sure that someone else is having similar pain issues and they will benefit from this. I have just recently learned that cherries have great natural pain relief properties. I guess that they are a natural anti inflammatory. So eat lots and lots of cherries! For the type of injury that I have to my back, I have to resort to the stronger prescription anti inflammatory drugs when it's bad. I have a script for Toradol. It's supposed to be one of the strongest out there. My doctor told me that it's similar in strength to Morphine, but without the high. It does wonders for me, but can be very rough on your stomach, so it's not good to take for mild pain. On my mild pain days, I usually try to stay as active as possible and if I must take something, I do good old Ibuprofen. I am also a firm believer in the healing powers of massage. I think for your all over, generalized pain, getting a weekly massage (if possible) would do wonders. I hope that you can find some sort of relief. I know all to well how miserable it is being in pain all the time. Best of luck to you! Take care of yourself my friend!

[ActingBrandNew]

I like what Airley brought up with the anti-inflammatory foods. She brought of cherries but you can throw most berries in for that matter. And, I wanted to add that its not only food that has anti-inflammatory properties but we need to watch what food NOT to eat because many do have the inflammatory properties.

I do a lot of herbs that I mention a lot but one thing I want to mention today is investing in a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) machine. I have one and use it almost everyday. I used it in physical therapy for over 6 months but thought to myself I could save some money just buying my own....so I did and its great. I have soooo much more function in my knee ans back. (Degenerative disc AND autoimmune psoriatic arthritis)

_________________________________________________________
Effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Treatment of Hyperalgesia and Pain

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a nonpharmacologic treatment for pain relief. TENS has been used to treat a variety of painful conditions.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2746624/
________________________________________________________

They really aren't that expensive either.

Hope everyone has a pain free day

-`ღ´-
Always,
ABN

[ariley13]

OH I forgot about the  TENs unit! They are amazing and help so, so much. Especially with muscle knots and spasms. Thanks for bringing that up. You reminded me that I need to get another one!  :)

[nursegirl6572]

Good question vic.  The answer would depend on what KIND of chronic pain a person deals with. For example, some people suffer from musculoskeletal pain, some neurological kind of pain, etc.  Different conditions would warrant different meds.

I'm a big supporter of a multi-faceted approach that would include numerous different kinds of pain management, on top of anything pharmaceutical.  Like PT/OT, massage therapy, accupuncture, meditation, yoga, etc  Again, the KIND of pain would make the intervention choices change too.  Some would be appropriate for some and inappropriate for others.

I would encourage people to always continue working with their doctors to work on finding the best regimen for them, and insisting that their condition be managed by the appropriate specialist (ie neurologist, ortho, etc).  Never be closed minded or assume only one kind of modality would (or wouldn't) work.

Managing chronic pain as an addict does NOT mean there are no options.  It means a person has to think outside the box and get creative, which is why having a good doc is critical.  A doc who understands that the pain must be managed, and that nothing should be taken off the table, including narcotics.  IF indeed some kind of controlled substance is needed from time to time to help control severe pain, then one would want a doc that understands that it can be done, it just has to be done in a certain way.  What's unfortunate is that there are a lot of docs who get tunnel vision about the narcotic angle and then they struggle to help the person find a reasonable solution.  Managing pain is so important, for overall general health, both physically and mentally.

[EvolverU]

Hi Vickie,

What a great questions! I'd like to second all the above posters in the following ways:

We evolved to eat the foods that grow naturally from the ground. We run into trouble when we eat a steady diet of processed, sugary, fried, 'dead' foods & 'dead' salt (meaning heated). An alkalizing diet is important to stave off disease/pain (which always exists in an acid environment in the body.)

I also agree that meditation, Yoga, inner martial arts like Chi Gong/Tai Chi/Akito are incredible healers (thus addressing the source of the pain.) Massage & hydrotherapy can be beneficial for certain types of pain (they both increase circulation, help with detoxification & move energetic 'blockages'. I'd add juicing to the list. When I was at a Wellness Center in FL, & drank wheatgrass juice twice a day, I discovered that not only did I have more energy & my liver numbers went back to normal but I only had to take a third of my Methadone take homes.

[ActingBrandNew]

"I would encourage people to always continue working with their doctors to work on finding the best regimen for them, and insisting that their condition be managed by the appropriate specialist (ie neurologist, ortho, etc).  Never be closed minded or assume only one kind of modality would (or wouldn't) work. "

You bring up an interesting point that I wanted to comment on and wanted to add that people shouldn't be afraid to get a second...third...etc, opinion. For example, I have Degenerative Disc Disease and Spinal Stenosis. I saw a Neuro-Surgeon and he wanted to "cut" me. I saw a Neurologist who wanted to treat with Gaba or Lyrica. Saw A Physical therapist who felt he could make me better with PT. Saw a natural-path who thought he could "herb me to death" and my spine would be fixed....and so on.

I continue to work with doctors and am always open to there recommended modalities and through a "team" effort have found what helps my quality of life. Your right, there are many different types of pain which are treated differently.

[weaver71]

Glucosamine and Omega fatty acids help prevent further degeneration in joint pain, but only if refined foods and acid foods are avoided. I found quitting coffee alone helps a lot. The omegas lubricate joints, every cell in the body actually, but acid foods dissolve the fats that are a protective coating, which creates friction between cells and inflammation.

I'm just starting a Tryptophan,Tyrosine, and Phenylanine therapy to work on the brain pain you were talking about. I 'm using true tryptophan, not http 5, because htp5 can only convert to seretonin, while tryptophan can convert to serotonin and other hormones as well. I feel like I have pain everywhere and the chiro works for a few days, so I hope it's brain pain, at least the new aches and pains. I should know within a month if the amino therapy is making a difference. I'll keep you posted on my experiment.

And I'm getting a TENS, thanks for the reminder.

[EvolverU]

Great point about the EFA's, Also, EPA/DHA in the proper ratio helps to heal neurotransmitter function.

[VICourageous]

WOW, You guys are too GOOD!!! For instance, I did eat very,very healthy and was thin about 11 months ago. I got in that bad weak stages and I was just in bad shape. I was thinking so much about it being the DIET!! It felt like it was the blood or Something very Different. Since I have not been nibbling on sweets, I feel somewhat better. I do NOT have bad pain every day..Nothing I can not handle in my Shoulder because of sleeping on it or a bit of muscle knot. This is why the Dr knew it was not that bad for pills. I do believe FOR SURE that it is the Brain Healing too. The TENS unit sounds great ABN. I forgot about that myself and my Hub needs it for sure. AND I did Not notice the pain that bad when I started to eat all of my wild berrys and the berrys I grew. Now that is a very good one. I also ate a bag of cherries like Ang said. I was Berry high that week and felt good.  The Dr said Swimming is a must right now to slowly build back up. Well I do have the Rivers and Lakes, but I am going to do the gym because of the winters..Shoot I should of listen to Annie way back when she said to join the gym because I would of been in GREAT Shape by now. I want to someday Jog again like Ricart. lol
Thank You MH Friends
So Far So Good!
PS.. I have been taking lots & lots of Brain Building vit/min and herbs. Also have Amino Acids A-V Compounded in one and it says "Protein" on the Bottle. And lets not forget the good old Magnz..lol

[nursegirl6572]

Great point ABN!  You're right, no one should ever be afraid to get a second (or third, forth) opinion.  A GOOD doctor would encourage a patient to do so!

[ricart70]

Great comments here. I really have nothing to add . I have different pains but none of them even come close to warranting anything other than tylenol or other otc stuff.    Great post Vic

[Dane74]

what a great post and very informative!!!!!  For me i have bone pain in my left leg/hip region and what works best for me is a TENS machine, hot tub/baths, heat, and at times ice, I'm not an ice fan as i have really bad arthritis so i think it makes it worse.  And let me be honest here, would a pill  make me feel better, heck yeah, but for me i cannot take one or two so i had to learn a new way to deal with the pain.  Its not easy, but i believe its a part of life we need to build up a tolerance to pain, we should feel some sort of pain but not excruciating pain, i believe it's just part of life.  Learning to live  life with pain is a challenge and it takes allot of sacrifices and for me asking for help,  thats the worst part, i hate feeling old and needing help but at least i am clean and back to my old self again.  So for me living with my pain is better than being in a drug induced coma/fog.......

[VICourageous]

VERY TRUE!!!

[psychdegree]

Wow! Diggers really sent me to the right post! For me it is skeletal muscle pain & joint pain..feels like a tooth ache from my lower hip to my ankle (not to mention 2 knee surgeries already on that leg) so the worst is the nerve pain...what helps w that? Flexril..no...heat..no..pain meds..maybe for an hour & early mornings. Very little is helping (lyrica is but makes me out of it) so what can help? I can deal w the constant ache (to an extent) but the nerves pain is insane!!!!

[Dane74]

nerve pain is a female dog!!!!  And to be honest, opiates do not help either!!! I feel your pain, but nothing helps it other than stretching and yoga, try to stay flexible and be strong, hopefully it will pass.......

[psychdegree]

Yes it is!!! I work where I'm on my feet all day, bending n moving n all directions..I try to stretch b4 work but seems no matter what the siatic nerve gets irritated. I had an xray done sat. So hoping its not to do w my spine..either way I'm praying these pinched nerves from my hip go away like ASAP!! I can't rest it all the time, enough as I need to I should say

[WalkTall]

Interesting post.  I a month and 1/2 clean from a 5-year hydrocodone bender, and still feel very achy.  It comes in waves.   I'm wondering if there's some damage from the opiates, or if I'm just 5-years older now.  Neurontin did help ease the aches through detox, though.

[psychdegree]

Hi...well from the studies I got to be apart of in college for my psych degree say there is no actual "damage" from the opiates, after you stop taking them (we may have forgetfulness etc. but that's from the off balance of the brain chemicals not damage etc.)  but just like VICourageous there is "SOMATIC SYNDROME"...that takes a while for your brain to adjust back to normal balance after being on these meds.Which means its really your brain sending signals that you are in pain when physically, (lets say a person who was never on pain meds & had fibro.) you truly are not. Your mind is trying to trick yourself into believing you again need the pill to stop it, bc for a long time that's what your brain was use to relying on, for so long your brain did not rely on its natural defenses for pain or the antioxidants to relieve the pain..thats why they all are saying to try these suppliments and diets. So anyway just explaining...since its been a month im sure most would agree the re balancing of your brain is still going on.

[VICourageous]

Yes Very Good psychdegree!!!!! I HONESTLY do believe this about the Transmitters. I did 3 drugs that hit 3 Different transmitter not including the Dopamine. I was told in my 3rd month that it could take a Year or Two to balance back or Heal. My clarity is good but I know there is something to this that is going to take TIME. I do believe what the Dr said. I will give it time and do some swimming and other things. Then I will know for sure..TIME IS THE GREATEST HEALER...lol

Bless U ALL!

[psychdegree]

I meant to ask..not sure if it was you I spoke w on this, but what will help the nerve pain & the nagging stabbing pain? I know nerve pain, like also w a tooth, not much helps except to get the tooth out & im not taking my hip &/or leg off anytime soon!

[marycarmel]

Great post.  I'm dependent (at the moment) versus addicted but I've been through the wringer of withdrawals from many different meds when I decided the meds were not helping my pain.  I have had fibro for almost 14 years and managed it mostly with ibuprofen and exercise.  I had some flare ups that were difficult to tolerate but overall it wasn't too bad.  I also have very bad osteoarthritis in most bones.  This gets to me.  I had a joint replacement in my thumb that didn't work and somewhere during 9 surgeries developed RSD.  Nothing really helps the RSD pain.  I went back on a lower dose of narcotics this past winter when my blood pressure was dangerously high and wasn't being brought down by BP meds.  I had thought I would have weaned off for the summer (usually my better time of year) but I think the humidity we had affected me (which rules out moving to FL I guess.)

Exercise does help and I could kick myself for letting myself get out of shape this past year.  I start with swimming and work up and even though it's hard as I'm doing it, it helps in the long run and also helps me mentally.  I use a compounding cream and Voltaren gel and sometimes Lidoderm patches.

I get very anxious being on narcotics because I feel like it can be a very slippery slope from dependence to addiction.  This forum was such a huge help to me when I was trying to come off high doses of Fentanyl, oxycontin, oxycodone, Ativan and more.  I tried Lyrica and it helped a bit but I gained 16 pounds in two weeks.  Neurontin made me slur my words and people sometimes thought I was drinking (though I don't drink.)

I would love to try acupuncture but my WC denied it.  (Funny they didn't mind spending $3000 on narcotics every month.)  Dane, I relate so much to what you said about feeling old and asking for help.  Some days I feel like my 85-year old dad moves better than me.

I don't post much here because I don't have the experience of being addicted but occasionally I'll comment if I feel like I can add something or support someone.  I will be eternally grateful to this forum (and a few people who really went out of their way to help me ... they know who they are :)

[psychdegree]

I can totally relate w u about the slippery slope anxiety for pain meds..bc now I'm having to take them for 2 weeks till I find out if somethings wrong w my spine..went in for horrific hip pain (27 yrs old..but its from sports) I've been tryin to come off them but I can hardly manage w my body in the mornings unless I take one. I also take neurontin but I've been on that since I was 16 for bipolar..back then they didn't have many good mood stablizers. So I dont have thos side effects anymore. I also use the voltaren gel for my knee..which helps some. But anyway saw how much we had in common so wonna to say hello & its awesome how strong u r to get off of all those meds! Like super woman..I have very low pain tolerance n very high med tolerance, I'm just hoping whatever is wrong w my body can b fixed w out narcotics! Be blessed & nice hearing your story