Chronic Pain/RSD/Depression

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This is my first post t this site and anywhere else. It has taken me quite a while to read through so many posts that are so strikingly similar to my scenario. I had a diagnosed ulnar nerve issue, had surgery in 1995. It did not help a great deal. I was a senior in college and was imature. Other things were more important. Fast forward to 2007 (having changed career paths due to pain) I began to seek help for the elbow and hand pain. Many thoughts, many tests and many doctors. In 2009 I finally met the first hand specialist that really saw the pain. I had a submscular transposition of the ulnar nerve. From surgery no 1 there was tremendous scar tissue and the nerve was kinked in muultiple locations. Surgery was an easy recovery.......but 6 months out the pain was back. Fast forward again, met a PT who is amazing who made no promises and said he would try to identify the root cause. 10 months later and a few emgs later, no relief. As a type a over achiever I was doing as best I could to modify my behavior. Work less than 50 hours per week and work at Pt. Ultimately my work product was suffering and I was at risk of losing my job. I took short term disability to work at finding a diagnosis. 10 weeks in to a 12 week window we are calling it crps. Still no pain relief or plan other than PT, taping the shoulder up (more later) and acupuncture. So, do I go back to the office and try again while on 50 micro oof fentanyl path and antidepressants......or do I take long term and lose my career and possibly sanity. Really could use help from other pain sufferers...some folks just cannot read me and I really want to work to maintain independence. Thanks for reading and more so thanks for all of the posts. First time I do not feel crazy about what I am experienc

hello and welcome to HW,

sorry you have a need to be here, but after reading your story, you definitely belong here, to a group of people that will understand your pain issues.

sounds like you have done so many things to get to the root cause, unfortunately, with CP, there isn't always a clear diagnosis in every case.

toughing out the pain is not the answer, if that is what you meant. that is counterproductive, and will cause other issues further down the line, both physically with your body, and also mentally and emotionally.

are you able to work while medicated with the fentanyl patches? what kind of work do you do? is it more physical or mental or perhaps both? that's a decision only you can make for yourself, as you know what your pain levels are like, and how much physical ability you have at this point in your life.

i know its not polite to ask, but what age range are you at? just so many factors in your situation to consider.

you don't need to feel like you are crazy ro going crazy, chronic pain is a real thing, all of us here know that as a first hand fact. it doesn't matter if others around you believe you or not, let them live 24 hours in your body, they might just get a notion of how bad pain can be around the clock. wish that could happen to our critics, it would make believers out of most of them.

hope you stick around here, its easy to make friends, and you will be among those that understand and appreciate your situation and condition. please keep us posted of how you are doing, and i close with my standard but sincere line, no matter what, never, ever, give up hope. there is always tommorow to bring hope for what seems impossible today.

david in S.C.

I was actually also going to suggest trying a nerve medication. Like for me I'd reccomended a gabapentin since I found that it works way better than cymbalta for my pain. Also cymbalta made me very ill

I am overwhelmed by the responses. In a good way to learn I have a support system of like people. To answer a few questions, I am one month shy of 40. I am currently a sales support manager as well as a tradeshow manager for a medical device manufacturing company. Been with the organization 20 years and have busted my but to earn my place to have respect of my piers. As a woman in my mantown world it has been a bit of a push on me to be the best. I am an overachiever by nature and always think I should or could do more. I am certain this adds to my inability to accept this pain condition. I have worked hard over the last 2 years to modify my behavior. I have followed the surgeons suggestions, met the pain psychologist and found myself more frustrated because of the appointment schedule and work. With an underlying depression issue it made it more difficult. Therapy is hard if you take full advantage and recognize what needs to change. Tried Nuerontin, worst medication ever, DUI incident. More later. I take Nortrypyiline 100 mg, ambien 20 mg, ritalin 30 mg daily, Fentanyl Patch 50 micro every 48 hours, last for last 10 months PT 2x week to identify what might not be functioning well. My shoulder blades were not doing any work and the muscles in the brachial plexus area were in spasm and limited in range. Add to that my shoulder was loose and possibly not situated right in the socket. Deep tissue work by PT then heat, then pully machine. This led to an experiment. Kinesiology tape to pull up the shoulder to drop it in place, then hold it there w the tape. JACKPOT! This was the first time ever I had relief of the stinging elbow and some hand pain. Within an hour I was amazed by the reaction. Have been going to get taped 2x each week since March, tracking progress in my daytimer, noting any change, how long it improved, etc. When the tape comes off it is unreal how the pain to elbow and hand returns. All MRIs are normal, so we cannot nail down why this helps. Investigating Thoracic Outlet Syndrome...on exam not a real candidate but having an experimental catscan with dye Monday at MGH in Boston. Path 2, yesterday it was advised I seek out Brigham &Womans pain service to be interviewed for a peripheral nerve stimulator program.......I do not want anyone to touch my elbow nevermind cut it open to stick an electrode onto the nerve. 2 nerve surgeries that left me in this pain...not confident a third incision is going to help.
So....this is where I am approacing the big 40. Safely say depressed, mis my job and my team and keep second guessing myself and thinking it is made up and is just an excuse for not excelling more at work, tennis, golf, relationships, etc. Did I mention I think too much? Why is it I cannot get this pain out of the front of my thoughts to move on? Trying acupuntuure right now, if not for pain for mood improvement.