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came here to whine and ask for help

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 4/15/2013 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
I came here this morning to whine about my pain and try to get some answers about a feeling that just makes my legs want to buckle. I try to use my wheelchair as little as possible. My new grandbaby will arive in July and when Mom goes back to school and work I am going to be primary sitter. I will get strong and do everything I can to get in better shape. I may have to have a sitter for us both together, what ever it takes to be with baby Hunter as much as possible.

I always read all I can because I do care for all of you. Upon reading, I dont want to come across as a whiner. I am so sorry for all the pain that you all live with. I just have a question and want to know if any of you have this feeling. When I stand up, take a few steps with cane or walker, this feeling starts at top of my head just goes thru me to my feet that feel like they are stuck in quick sand. It is a most unbelievable feeling, that rush that goes all the way down me. Do any of yall have this? If so is it a side affect or med. or something else. If I dont get to a place to sit quickly I would just have to fall to floor. I am so scared of breaking a hip or leg, or arm or neck. I guess I have to give in to wheelchair full time until my therapy and pool work help me. Its just that the feeling starts in my head and then just rushes down my body.

Sorry for long post. Thanks for reading. I am hoping that you all have an unusual miracle of a pain free day. regards...Cathy
Posted 4/15/2013 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
You are not a whiner-don't even think that.

I'm not sure I understand the feeling. Is it like being lightheaded and it takes to much effort to move? Can you feel your heart rate jump up?
Posted 4/15/2013 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
Could be postural hypotension - you stand up and your blood pressure drops. Can be a side effect of stronger opiates. Try drinking more.
Posted 4/15/2013 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks yall. I need to check out the blood pressure idea more. I never have a problem with BP when at doc or hosp. It does seem that would be the first place to start, along with meds I take. I try to remember to sit up straight a minute before standing. Then I have to stand for a moment to get my balance. Thanks for follow up........until later Cathy
Posted 4/15/2013 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
Can't say I have ever experienced anything like that. There are times when I get up I end up almost tripping over my own 2 feet because of diabetic neuropathy in my legs and feet causes so much numbness I don't fully know where my feet are positioned. There are also times when I am walking that I can feel my lower back around my worst disc tighten up on me increasing pain dramatically and causes my legs to try to buckle.

I do agree however that in your case it could be a blood pressure issue, but there are other things that it could be as well. Regardless it is something that you need to talk to your doctor with. In the meantime when you get up from a seated position do it slowly and try to keep your head up and your back straight.
Posted 4/15/2013 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
Cathy-

I have something called POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome).... and I get that feeling every time I change positions... usually when I stand up too quickly, etc. I agree that it really seems related to your BP.... and as the others said - until you get it figured out - make sure to take your time when standing up, etc.

Take care,

Tina
Posted 4/16/2013 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Howdy again, you would think that after 8 plus years of terrible neuropathy in feet and legs with all the horrible nerve pain and now my hands and arms the same. I am always thrown for a loop when something new, like this huge heavyness feeling. My husband said to just dont take chances anymore. I fell outside on patio. He wasnt at home. I twisted my right ankle and had no control once I started falling. I just lay there crying like a baby for about 20 minutes. My husband got home and heard me before he could see me.

I didnt break anything thank goodness. Just really sore down my left body and knee swelling as it twisted too....................Yall, I have something that I feel comfortable enough to tell people, and yall all seem so caring in the Pain forum. Because of the pain that has taken over my life, my mental illness is taking more of its time defeat me. I dont know tho about this forum, but I do know it is the pain that has made me not be able to take care of myself or my home. It, and me, have turned into a vegetable. I guess its like a confession feeling to me. Know one knows how bad it is, except for the condition of the house, which is just a disaster. Next is not taking care of monthly bills. They are always late, causing me so much stress, but still i cant seem to care enough to do them. I have a mountain of mail. I pay bills when they call me and I just pay right then with credit card. WHY have I let things pile up so bad?

My husband is unreadable. Yall, I cant stand this. Writing it is making me plumet in my stomach. I will be back....Cathy
Posted 4/16/2013 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
To me, my pain has always felt like a seperate entity from myself. It's a constant unwanted companion that I do battle with every day. As the pain has increased, so has this feeling. Some days I can conquer it, most days it gets the best of me and it's all I can do to exist beyond it and muddle through.

I can absolutely empathize with losing control over the supposedly *easy* every day tasks. Nothing is as simple as it should be with the pain monster draining every ounce of energy, willpower, and motivation you have. It's almost like you go numb from the inside out because your body and brain are on overload and shut down everything except for the basic functions needed for survival.

What medications are you taking?

When did this new symptom start happening? Have you changed anything recently? Been more/less active, adjusted/started/stopped a medication? Had any injuries? Or even changed your diet? It could be any number of things or a combination.

Are you doing anything for the pain?
Posted 4/16/2013 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
HI Lexi, thanks for writing. I take 3600mg of gabamentin daily. i have a fentanyl 25mcg pain patch, change it ever 72 hours. I think it needs to be increased as I am still hurting up to a 4-5 on pain scale. I take lorazapam, hydrocodone, elavil 300mg daily. Cymbalta 30mg daily. I also take 2 different meds for diabetes, which is doing well. I feel like I am on the edge all the time now. My husband does not even know what to look for, much less be kind when I need him. He does so much tho, all grocery shopping and takes me to all doc visits so I cant complain I know. I do appreciate him and I tell him every day that I do and that I love him, which he does too. He is just so naive about anything medical. To him, every doctor is God. Only stupid people believe that. I am not stupid. lexi, I have just got to take an elavil and lay down. I just changed my patch so I am not benefiting yet from the patch. Until later....Cathy
Posted 4/16/2013 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
One of the possible side effects of Cymbalta is ataxia. Ataxia is basically loss of coordinated muscle movement. It happened to me when I was on cymbalta.

I would try and move my arms or legs and it would feel like I was trying to go through mud or quicksand or something. It felt like I was fighting my own muscles to get them to work. My arms and legs would quiver and tremble when I tried to move and everything took so much EFFORT. But then the next minute it would feel as though my legs didnt exist at all and they would crumple from under me and I would fall.

So it could very well be a combination of things, the BP, a reaction to the Cymbalta or another med, but its definitely worth some trial and error and investigation.
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