Young and in chronic pain, what can I do?

[Ryder_1]

Hello all, I was hoping I might be able to get some advice/ feedback. I am 33 years and have many past injuires that have resulted in me having chronic pain. I have ridden/ raced motocross since I was about 6 years old, when I was 13 I broke my hip which resulted in a total hip replacement at 27. I've shattered my ankle twice and had to have bone fragements removed and the doctor basically said it was and operation just to salvage the ankle. I barely have any movement in the ankle now and it hurts daily. About 1 1/2 years ago I was critically injured while riding and ended up with a broken back, mulitple broken ribs, broken collar bone and shoulder, 2 collasped lungs, ruptured spleen, broken sternum, and head injuries. I had to be revived right on the track and almost died again in the ICU. The injuries have literally left my upper body crooked, you notice it just looking at me. I have been treated in the past with Dulaudid, Norco, Percocet, Paxil, Neurontin, Ultram, and various NSAIDs. As of 5 months ago I've only been taking Ultram and NSAIDs. I am in pain every single day, some days its ok, other days its pretty bad......but it never goes away. The doctors seem reluctant to treat me, saying they've done pretty much what they can do and that I'm young and strong and should be able to deal with it......but thats not the case. My question is, would I be a candidate for pain management and if so, what would it be like? Thanks for listening to my story, I really appreciate it.

[Tuckamore]

I was relatively young, very early thirties, when my chronic pain began post MVA. However not near as young as you.

No one really looked for the reason for my pain. I was "too young" to have anything seriously wrong with me. Like Nick the physicians were very happy to let me take 4,000mg of IB (that didn't work) and benadryl to try and sleep, that didn't work either. My stomach lining is permanently damaged as is my esophagus. And because I went so long untreated my SIJ became so severe that it is beyond repair. So I beleive that youth is not in your favor with many physicians.  

In my opinion your best bet is to get into a good PM Clinic or see a good PMP. I have no idea if you are a candidate for PM but it is worth a shot. You have so many years ahead of you that to begin on high doses of opiates now may leave you little choices as the years pass. So though I am angry all all those physicians that poo-who'd my pain I am in a much better position with opiates. They may offer you good choices or treatments other than opiates.

Peace, Tuck



`

[nick30]

Hi,

I'm 32 and have been on a regular pain management regimen for about 5 years or so, before that was pretty horrible.
Each person is different and it's hard to give any definate answers.
Does it interfere with your work? If it interferes with your life to the extent that you are unable to work then it's a pretty good indicator of how bad things are.
I just re-read your initial post and i had to laugh, sorry. It rememded me of what happened to me. My Dr's assumed that bacause I was young and strong that that was all that was neccessary. They didn't realise that i had already completely worn myself out putting up with the pain for so many years. By the time I got over my 'i don't need your help' phase, i was well and truly screwed. I drove myself into the ground and it made my Dr's happy(because I wasn't thier problem, they didn't have to prescribe so it was easier for them).
But there does come a time when you do have to accept help, and if it isn't forthcoming then you need to demand it. Only you will know when that time is for you.
You need to keep in mind the negatives all the time that you're considering the positives.
Yes, your pain could be more under control, but it won't be perfect, there will still be problems, maybe even unforseen addiction problems, who knows. Just make sure you make an informed descision and don't rush into it.
But by the same token, don't let your life become less than it should be.
As I said at the start, there are no easy blk/wht answers.
And it's your descision and you have to live with the consequences.
I'm sure Yoda would say something very meaningful here.

Nick.

[Ryder_1]

Thanks again guys for your input. I guess the biggest question I have is, is it possible (and safe) to be put on a long term pain medication regiment at my age? I've tried to stay away from that route for a long time, but its to the point where I have more less enjoyable days than I do good ones. Its pretty hard to get opinions from "regular" people cause I really havent met anyone personally that lives with chronic pain, so I feel pretty confused on how to handle it and how to go about talking to doctors about it, they just seem to think it cant be as bad as it really is.
Thanks again.

[nick30]

I had a suzuki RM125 but as i couldn't work i couldn't keep it running, dang 2-stroke

[Tuckamore]

Hi Ryder,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am sorry that you are in so much pain. I'm going to join the all "male" post. LOL

It seems to me that your current PCP may not be as empathic as he could be. I'd love to let these physician "walk a mile in my shoes." Or in my case walk the 50 feet I can make it. I realize your insurance plan has changed but there must be additional PCP that you can select from.

As Nick said PM Clinic's  have a team of speciality physicians that usually conduct a thorough medical and psychological evaluation. The "team" than develops a POC (plan of care) or treatment approach to your pain. In my state they do not prescribe narcotics, in other states they do and you can be followed by a PMP.  

In my state our PCP follows their CP patients. I have blessed to have a kind and compassionate physician. I encourage you to find one that will be the same for you. Life is much too short to live in constant, chronic untreated pain. I hope you will keep us posted on how you are doing. We are here to support you.

BTW I rode a pink "Big Wheel"...once. LOL

[nick30]

Hi again,

I see that you've already been on several strong painkillers so i know that you know what they will do for you. They aren't everything though.
It sounds like a proper pain clinic might be a good idea for you.
They teach you cognitive behavioural therapy and tailor excercise programs for you as well as other things. they usually have several different kinds of dr's involved in the programs including Psychiatrists and Physical Therapists etc.
You could do a search and see if any are in your area.
Your dr could give you a referral if he thinks it might benefit you.
They(at the clinic) will arrange an interview to see if they think you are suited to the program.
I'm not sure about the costs where you are, it was free for me where i am.
Maybe you could also see a pain specialist in the meantime. If you're lucky he/she may be able to help you enough that the clinic won't be neccessary.
If you have any specific questions about the clinics or anything else, just yell.

Nick.

[Ryder_1]

Hi Nick,
Thank you for reply as well.
I really dont know, I've heard a little bit about both......specific pain management dr's and pain clinics that offer multi programs. Honestly, I'm willing to try anything that would help. I do excercise at home as well as stretch and all that good stuff, but I havent been to a specific physical therapy class. I try not to take meds, that is why I got off everything except the Ultram and ibuprofen and those dont really help much anyway. It just seems that family doctors (the ones I've seen anyway) dont have much experience dealing with something like this and that I keep going in one big circle with them.

[Ryder_1]

Red,

Thanks for the reply and input, I really do appreciate it. BTW, I've been a Yamaha guy myself for most of my life.

I did finally find a doctor that was great, he listened to everything I had to say and seemed concerned with what I was going through. He asked me what helped, what didnt help and basically just let me decide what I wanted to try whether it be types of therapy or medications....etc. But of course my work changed insurance companies and he wasnt under the new plan. Then I had to start all over again with a new doctor, it just gets really frustrating as I'm sure everyone here knows and has had to deal with.

[nick30]

Hi Ryder,
I'm 32, have lots of pain probs too.
By pain management do you mean a dr trained specially in pain management, or do you mean a pain clinic with multi-disciplinary type programs?
I've done both.
I'm a bit tired now, but i'll get back later and see if you updated,

Nick.

[Red931]

Ryder,

I am sorry to hear this has happened to you. I raced also until I was seventeen and came out with a broken ankle and three broken ribs. I joined the police department at the age of 20 and have sustained injuries since then that lists almost as long as your does so I know how you feel.

I don't use pain management doctors but there are others here that do. The only reason I don't is because my current team of doctors have my pain under control to my satisfaction with extended release pain medication as well as quick acting pain medication for breakthrough pain. I am also very involved in my own recovery and don't rely on Physical Therapy alone like most people do. In the end you know and have to do what is best for you.

I do understand the approach your doctors are taking due to your age but you have been through quite a bit. Pain Management may be the best way for you to go if your current doctors will not participate in making you more comfortable.

Stick around and some of the other members that are dealing with pain management doctors will give you some advice. It really isn't much different than what I am doing except I am just lucky to have doctors that work with me in the same fashion that pain management would. This is in part because they have been treating me for my injuries for over 25 years so they have been with me every step of the way.

Good Luck to you and stay around the forum. There is always someone else here that is going through the same things that you are experiencing and will shoot it out with you whenever you feel like taking about it.

BTW: I rode a 1982 YZ125 and 1983 YZ250. I still have them, but I just look at them now. LOL