Pain relief blues

[Mytical]

Well, I am sort of SoL when it comes to pain relief. Nsaids can cause stomach bleeding (not a good thing, trying to NOT bleed as it is), and Acetaminophen can cause liver problems. Since my liver is already bad..not the best thing in the world. Anything heavier/stronger is addicting..so not many options for the constant pain I am in

[Dilorenzo]

Damn Myt. Can't even begin to imagine what you must be going through.

[BlaqueKatt]

Anything heavier/stronger is addicting..so not many options for the constant pain I am in

can be addicting, personally I could never become addicted to opiates because I can't stand the lightheaded, floating, disconnected felling they give you, which is what people that are addicted enjoy.

[AccountingDrone]

opiods are not the best option for chronic pain relief. I use an illegal substance when it gets tough enough. Not advising anybody to use illegal substances.

I frequently resort to soaking in the hot tub, or icing depending on what is hurting. I have several different configurations of ice pad or ice brace to work with different parts of my anatomy. Massage also can help, or certain repetitive movements.

Chronic pain sucks

[Food Lady]

can be addicting, personally I could never become addicted to opiates because I can't stand the lightheaded, floating, disconnected felling they give you, which is what people that are addicted enjoy.

I only get that for a minute or two with the first dose. It's not something I like or dislike. It just is. My problem is that opiates don't work well ik the case of pain that is too severe for OTC meds.

[Kittish]

opiods are not the best option for chronic pain relief. I use an illegal substance when it gets tough enough. Not advising anybody to use illegal substances.

I frequently resort to soaking in the hot tub, or icing depending on what is hurting. I have several different configurations of ice pad or ice brace to work with different parts of my anatomy. Massage also can help, or certain repetitive movements.

Chronic pain sucks

I think I probably make use of the same illegal substance (except that around here you can get a prescription for medical use). It's about the only thing I've ever found that works when I have major league cramps and still leaves me concious and functional. Far as I know, it's not physically addictive; I've never had any sort of withdrawals when I needed to stop using it for months at a time, and I've never experienced any of the tell tales for psychological addiction either.

But, I am not a medical professional, nor can I advocate anyone breaking the law...

ETA: I also know several people who have prescriptions for this material, who use it legally and with the approval of their physician specifically for relief from chronic pain.

[TheSHAD0W]

Far as I know, it's not physically addictive; I've never had any sort of withdrawals when I needed to stop using it for months at a time, and I've never experienced any of the tell tales for psychological addiction either.

You actually *can* experience physiological addition with [REDACTED], if you're a very heavy user. The symptoms are mild and last a few hours. Psychological addiction is debatable, but it's definitely nothing like the effects of other illegal drugs, or even many prescription drugs.

[AccountingDrone]

I think I probably make use of the same illegal substance (except that around here you can get a prescription for medical use). It's about the only thing I've ever found that works when I have major league cramps and still leaves me concious and functional. Far as I know, it's not physically addictive; I've never had any sort of withdrawals when I needed to stop using it for months at a time, and I've never experienced any of the tell tales for psychological addiction either.

But, I am not a medical professional, nor can I advocate anyone breaking the law...

ETA: I also know several people who have prescriptions for this material, who use it legally and with the approval of their physician specifically for relief from chronic pain.

I would love a scrip for it, however CT in it's infinite wisdom made the allowable conditions highly restricted. I would rather not fratch about it.

[Sapphire Silk]

Mytical, have you seen a pain management specialist?

There may be options for medications beyond Tylenol or NSAIDs, and there are other medications that are "adjuncts", that assist in pain control such as a tricyclic antidepressant that could be beneficial to you.

There are also a number of non-pharmacological methods including biofeedback (I've used it, it works) and acupuncture that may help you.

[blas]

I am on a generic version of some brand name of anti-depressant, the lightest dose. I may have to have it adjusted, because I'm coming up on a month of using it and still am not having any real results for these migranes.

[Mytical]

Panacea at this point, barely can afford to see the doctors I am seeing..and the medicine they prescribe is financially draining us. Still no insurance yet. So no pain management specialist for me at this time. Going wed to help the doc who is helping me with disability fill out some paperwork..so hopefully that will do something.

Not sure any of the doctors believe me about the constant pain, no rational explanation for it. Yeah Cirrhosis causes weakness and memory issues, but not full body pain..and I should have recovered from the ICU trip by now, and the surgery. *shrugs*. I have no idea why my body has aches all over (and the pain goes from mild annoyance to wanna cry like a baby). The nerve medicine pretty much stopped the needle like pain from my feet and legs though..so that is good. Now if only my legs would not threaten to buckle when I walk, or stand for too long of a time.

[dbuzman]

Have you been checked for Fibromyalgia ?

[Mytical]

No, not yet.

[csquared]

As you mentioned that you are diabetic, you should. Diabetic Neuropathy is related to Fibromyalgia.

[Seshat]

Mytical:

http://shop.abc.net.au/products/mana...in-3rd-edition was helpful to me.

I also did a pain management program at my local rehabilitation hospital: I can provide patient-to-patient advice based on my experiences there.

NOTE NOTE NOTE: this is patient-to-patient, I am NOT a doctor, occupational therapist, pain specialised psychologist or pain specialised physiotherapist. I just had the benefit of their skills.

The single most important thing I learned is that I was trying far, far too hard. Instead of gently working below the level that triggers a pain attack, I was working well past the level that causes me to be in constant pain; thus forcing me to rest, thus triggering atrophy....

Anyway. Working BELOW the level that causes forced-rest allows your muscles to strengthen gradually. It requires intense patience and persistence, but I've become much more functional for the same (or even less) pain.