pain pain and more pain

[serenity402]

hi do any of you have any ideas on how to manage pain, i am in such pain that i think im going insane, also has anyone any ideas on a healthy eating plan as i gotta get my weight in controll, excersise is out as the pain is too great and im permintly tired, thanks

[LisaJF]

There's no reason to apologize to me.   You were giving sound advice.  I obviously did not express myself well at all.  Forgive me, I have been going through some tough days.

Yes, narcotics can be addicting after long term use, mentally and/or physically.  Sometimes though depending on what type of pain you're going through neuropathic or otherwise, narcotics are prescribed in addition to neurontin, lyrica, tegretol, tricyclics, etc, to control the pain.  

Sometimes you will have pain management doctors fail to explain to the patient with chronic or acute pain that they can get addicted to the narcotics.  When people decide they don't want it anymore they can't just "stop" out of the blue because their body is used to it and will go through physiological withdrawal.  That patients will need to taper themselves off the drug (if that is the course they choose) slowly.

It is a fine line to walk on -- but I do know about 24/7 neuropathic pain (after a thoracotomy) for 6 straight months.  

I just hope Serenity will find something to help her.  Most PCP's do not like to continually prescribe medication and will either ask the patient to seek the prescription through their neurologist or go to pain management.

Serenity, I am so sorry for the pain you are going through. I can empathize.

Hugs to you and Supermum

Lisa

[serenity402]

Thankyou all for your input, I will definatly speak to my neuro about it, last night woke up with pain and unbearrably hot too, so now its time toi manage it properly, hugs to all of you whi have had kind words for me.

[supermum_ms]

Sorry if there was some sort of misunderstanding, not sure how that happened?? but i never said or implied anything about pain management (clinics/centres/doctors or what ever) only prescribing narcotics.

The only thing I actually said was "So my advice is to try and stay away from the pain meds that are easily addictive and talk to your dr about neuropathic pain drugs instead." I didn't actually mention pain management anywhere in my post and am totally lost as to how you thought i was saying or implying that they only prescribe narcotics because i really didn't say that.

Sorry, I probably should let it be but I truely dont understand being corrected for something i didn't actually say LOL kiddo slap me anytime but dont slap me for something I didn't do or I really will think i've entered the twigh light zone ROFL!

Still love ya babe...............JJ

[LisaJF]

Pain management doesn't just prescribe narcotics, they also prescribe medications for neuropathic pain and tricyclics. :)

[supermum_ms]

My brother is a man of few words, so when he finally opened up and told me how much pain he was in with his feet, I knew it had to be really bad. He ended up being dx with peripheral neuropathy due to his drinking, btw he doesn't drink any more, yeah!

It was actually through this community that i was able to get through to him about the types of drugs that are RX for neuopathic pain. He was dead set against using pain drugs because of his addiction and was very uncomfortable about psychotropic drugs because of his Asperger's. He was willing to try 'endep' which is an SSRI that his neice who also has Asperger's is on and one of the more common drugs RX for phantom leg syndrome. It wasn't the right one in the end but it started the ball rolling in finding the combination of drugs that worked for him.

I wont tell you he's pain free because i think thats probably too much to expect for anyone but his pain is now under control and it has made all the difference to his quality of life. He had a lot of problems with the pain making it impossible to keep active, his weight balooned. He couldn't do much about his weight until after his pain was sorted, he's been able to change a lot of things since getting on the right combination of medications.

So my advice is to try and stay away from the pain meds that are easily addictive and talk to your dr about neuropathic pain drugs instead. Tackle one thing at a time, its a vicous cycle we know it is, pain aids weight gain and weight gain aids the pain but i'd be tackling the pain problem first and do what you can whilst thats being worked out.

HUGS............JJ

[LisaJF]

Oh yes, they are called "Pain Management" an ancillary care center outside the health care institutions.  They also exist in hospitals!  Sometimes MD's will make a referral for pain management while inpatient when all avenues are exhausted beyond their own unsuccessful management.

Ask your doctor or Neuro for a referral.  It's high time to give back some quality of life for you. No one deserves to be in pain.  How can you live like that? It's unbearable!

Do it today!!! Don't delay your comfort!

[serenity402]

Thankyou lisa I never realised that there were pain "doctors" out there that could help, I will definatly look into that

[LisaJF]

Serenity,

How unfortunate that you are suffering from the most unbearable symptom of all, regardless the cause. "PAIN".

I would ask your Neurologist or MS Specialist if he can refer you to pain management.  I realize some "pain management" specialists are quacks, but like most here, you will most likely have to go through one or two to find one who will work with you and not against you.

I know the feeling with 24/7 pain.  It can make you feel like you are going mad.  But you're not.  You're just at your wits end.  Now it is time you advocate for yourself and find someone to manage your pain.  You should live your life as pain free as possible (at least to a manageable level).

Here is a soft hug to you and hopes that you will become proactive in your pursuit to become as painfree as possible.

Lisa