dealing with Chronic Pain...

I have pain issues caused by a rheumatic arthiritis problem since the last few years. Althought the medication keeps it in control, there are a lot of times that the pain aggravates. In my opinion there is no point in hiding it. Most people will ask out of concern. I am honest with them and explain when the need arises. The rest of the time i try to keep myself engrossed in whatever i am doing. That helps. The frame of mind is important here and as troublesome the pain can get, we have to learn to bear it and try to get the better of it. The more we let ourselves get overwhelmed with trying to bear it, the more difficult it can get.
I do wish you all the best and hope that you continue to lead a fairly normal life.

i lost a kidney to cancer 4 years ago and since then my disc's are deteroirating at an alarming rate so its bone on bone, the v.a. has me one 6 painkillers a day which us not good for my remaining kidney so i found that letting super hot water pounding on the location is a great relief. if you have the mobility and means to get a hot tub that could be your answer, or just let the shower do its work. i got rid of the cane for awhile and thats a plus. i hate parking in those handicap spots when there's so many people worse off than me but some days i do use them.

Next month I am scheduled to be tested for arthritis and hopefully for Fibromyalgia also. I'm in pain a lot and it hurts to walk because my muscles are always hurting me. All I do now is pop Ibuprofen and other over the counter pain medication like crazy and it doesn't really help. I hope they can give me something for the pain I have daily. I get tired of the pain ruling my life and people I know can't relate or understand what I'm going threw usually.How do I deal with the pain? Not very well actually, I think because of this pain I'm often depressed and hope my doctors appointment will shed some light into why my muscles & joints hurt so much.I push myself daily to do things and usually at the end of the day I'm in terrible pain, if I go out shopping for more then an hour and come home my muscles and body hurt life crazy. Hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel for me.

I've had knee pain for years now that began while I was in the US Army. Recently the VA diagnosed me with early osteoarthritis in both knees, but I continue to have problems even with "conservative measures" like stretching, ice, using knee braces, taking motrin, naproxin, or other NSAIDs, and rest. When the pain gets really bad, my hips and back starts hurting too. For about a month or two the pain increased to the point that I was using forearm crutches constantly. I've even gotten differant pain killers off and on, from toradol shots to percocet and currently vicodin, but I hate the way the pain killers make me feel--especially the vicodin.

I was seen just yesterday at the VA after my daughter's surgery (she had some ear tags removed) and they ordered some blood drawn to look for inflamitory contidtions like rhuematoid arthritis, lyme disease, or possibly fibromyalgia, as I also get pain in my ankles and wrists occasionally. If it is something like lyme disease, the ortho doctor said they could give me an antibiotic and my pain could disappear alltogether! I'd love for this to be something easily treatable, but I'm afraid of getting my hopes up. I've had problems for almost ten years and until recently the most I heard from the VA was that I had patello-femoral (or retro-patellar) pain syndrome, which is a fancy way of saying I had generalized knee pain and they didn't know why.

The docs still seem uncertain quite what's going on or why I'm in so much pain, but they have acknowledged that my pain is real. This is somewhat reassuring--even though no one wants to have anything wrong, I've had some docs all but flat-out tell me that it's in my head or that they thought I was making it up. I even had a civilian rheumatologist basically imply that I was trying to cheat the government for benefits (he told me all these stories about people trying to do just that, but how it never worked because there was no evidence to support their case).

It has been pretty hard for me, and I finally got into mental health because of how it has affected my moods and stress levels. This is something I didn't want to do for a long time, but I realized that it isn't fair to take out my frustrations on my family. I worry that there will come a time that I will get fired or not be able to work because of pain. I worry that some day I might not be able to do things around the house, or even play with my kids. It's really frustrating and depressing sometimes, but I'm hoping that seeing the counsilors can help. The also have me trying wellbutrin, and from the sounds of it, they plan to gradually step up the dosage to help balance my moods.

I don't generally get into all this, but this seems like a good outlet. I think I understand how you feel; sometimes I have to use canes or crutches to help me walk, but I get frustrated because they make it difficult to do other things and I get dirty looks at the store sometimes (even when I'm wearing my "Disabled Veterns" hat). It's not easy dealing with chronic pain sometimes, especially when everyone keeps reminding me I'm too young!

Take care, bro, and keep doing the best you can do. I hope they can find something to help you out more with your pain.

I have an S curve scoliosis that somewhat has an alarming degree of curve. Two years ago, it was only 7 degrees and 11 degrees but has now gone to 13 degrees and 24 degrees. I could not stay seated for a long period of time and finding a comfortable sleeping position is something I have to deal with every night. There are times that my back would ache for the whole evening or sometimes for the whole day. There was a time that my Physical Medicine doctor prescribed a painkiller, but only good for 10 days and it was the most wonderful 10 days of my life. But after the 10 pills she does not want me to be dependent on it, she only adviced me to put a hot compress on my back for 15 minutes. Sometimes the pain is too much there is nothing I can do but just endure it. I guess somehow I have developed great tolerance towards pain.

Dday, have you tried something called as EFT? Look it up on the internet and learn the basics of it. It is fairly simple and has known to help deal with a lot of chronic pain sufferers. Buzz me if you need more information. I'd be happy to help, as I have learnt this technique myself. Good luck, and keep mylotting!

How do I deal with it? I exercise, get enough sleep, visit the doc regularly, occasionally take medication if I really need it, keep a positive attitude, don't overdo. That's pretty much it.

Hello, Dday50627

I have systemic Lupus and I suffer from Chronic Pain everyday some days are worst than others and some days its like i have never had any pain before. so yes i am like you I try not to let my pain take control of me because if I do I know that it will make me really miserable. I also take medication for my chronic illness and if it weren't for that then i just don't know what would happen to me.

I think that I am learning to deal with the pain but sometimes it gets stronger than other days,and much worse, so I am not able to deal with the pain and I end up in the emergency room with IV's and pain medication and they fill me up with steroids. when this happens I start to feel a difference with the steroids and then in a few days I feel so much better and I keep going. but other than that I really try hard not to let the pain get to me and with the help of my wonderful husband he gives me hope and of course prayers.

I will pray for you and hope that your pain gets a lot better you take care and God-Bless you.

cg1109

I have an extremely bad back as well as neuropathy. I honestly cannot remember the last time I was not in pain. Some days are much worse than others. Those days are the days I reach for my meds. On a normal day (if you want to call it that) I take a hot bath or shower in the morning, stay as active as I can during the day, and try not to sit, stand, or lie down for very long periods of time without alternating. I sleep with a heating pad on my lower back and my legs propped up on pillows. Even then, there are times I just can't sleep. The absolute best thing I have found to help me sleep is a memory foam matress. Unfortunaltely, I haven't had the money to buy a new one for over a year now.
Yes, I hurt, all the time, but, I don't let it get me down. I tell myself everyday that I fdeel great and it is going to be a wonderful day. I approach it with a positive attitude, and don't let the pain run my life for me.

i totally understand pain..its not a four letter word anymore..when people look at you like your just a drug addict just wanting drugs well lets face it YES we want DRUGS but ones that work..and when you find that a pain pill works to dull the pain they tell you ok heres 20..you'll be ok...so you go back for a refill and he says well i cant refill it cause i dont want you to get addicted to it..heck were addicted the first time we move and it dont hurt...give me that addiction..and ssi or welfare assistance...you arent disabled if you can show up and apply for it..or you can still wipe your butt...ive un-lived with fibromyalgia for over 20yrs and yes im over weight i dont run marithons,an i do have to lay down and rest..but im still human and if it helps me live without thinking of ending my life then i say give it to me and let me decide if im addicted to it.im getting it from my doctor not off the street...but been their done that too..ive got medical bills that have been in collection longer than my 25yr old son..our hyealth care system suxs...if you get a letter from your doctor you have this pain..and your not playing..i say give them that disability...i worked ive earned my share...my illness caused me to stop working..i always say ...dont tell me im not in that much pain...live in my skin 24 hours then tell me your not in that much pain...