Introduction -- New Member

Hi Everyone,

I have been looking for an active chronic pain forum for a while and was most glad to come across this forum.

I have had some form of chronic pain since I was about 30, so a bit over 20 years now. My primary issue is with my neck. I had a ruptured disc at c5-c6 for a year before it was diagnosed! I had a fusion, used my own bone, and no hardware.

Everything was great until about 10 years post fusion when my disc below the fused area began to bulge from carried the weight of 2 vertebrae's instead of one, as it was built to do.

So far I have managed my pain with all sorts of various therapies, such as chiropractic (must have an excellent one!), massage, TENS, dry-needling, and topical solutions.

I am no stranger to pain medicines either but do consider them only one tool, in the tool box.

I have also had issues with clenching and have 8 crowns (all molars) and one dental implant.

Had a year of pain due to what turned out to be a pulled psoas tendon (?) which pulled my lower spine out of alignment.

Not to mention horrifically painful female issues, finally resolved with a partial hyster at the age of 50.

So I think that's it. I am doing ok and am here to share with like minded folks, help however I can, and learn some new tricks and tips to both stay positive and help with pain.

I have read the rules and will do my best to be a helpful contributing member.

Sincerely,

Claire

Hello Claire.Welcome to HW.Glad to have you aboard.

Take care.

Rick

Hi Claire and Welcome to Healing Well Chronic Pain forum! One thing allot of surgeons don't seem talk about or tell their patients is that once they have a fusion that usually the disc above or below the fused area will usually go bad with in a ten year period! I was luckily as I got close to twenty five years with mine! As I had C6/7 ACDF done in 1985 And then had to have a C5/6 ACDF Done in 2009!

The first one was like yours they used my own bone ( took the bone graft from my pelvis) no hardware or anything except I had to wear a cervical collar for over four months! The second one was done with donnor cadaver bone with titanium hardware and screws. only had to wear the soft cervical collar two weeks!

Your in good company when your here on this forum! We all know what living with Chronic Pain is like so we cannot only sympathize with you but more importantly we can also empathize with you! So again I We come you to the forum!

White Beard

Hello Claire, It is wonderful to meet you. I hope that you find this forum as helpful and as lovely as I have. It is such a relief to be able to share without someone thinking you are nuts or making things up lol. There are so many lovely people here who are willing to share, listen and advise. I hope you have some wonderful conversations.

Hello Claire and WELCOME to HW=)

I think you'll find that you fit in well here.  You will find much support and shared experience.  I didn't see your signature, so I'm curious about your hyst/female issues.  I have suffered with stage 4 endometriosis (diagnosed) 21 years post-radical surgery.  I also have a mixed bag of GI and spine/joint issues.  I am one year into pain management, but sadly haven't found an acceptable protocol.

We use the tool box analogy quite often here.  I refer to my pain based on "hand tools" vs. "power tools".  I've coped for most of my life with GI meds, tumor suppressing meds and Darvocet.  In 2005 I sought PM and familiarized myself with TENS system. I also have a close relationship with moist/dry alternating heat.  I keep a microwavable flaxseed bag heated for both my tummy and my neck at the end of a tough day.  I keep a heating pad (3rd one from WalGreens) in my recliner.  I'm not one who finds relief from ice...ever.  I certainly am not opposed to whatever works for YOU. My "power tools" are the Synvisc shots in both knees.  I need TKR of both, but I'm dealing with far too many spinning plates to go there now.  I need a med that soothes just some of the pain, so that I can obtain some QOL.

In 2005 I tried PM opiate therapy along with the afforementioned modalities.  My body just seems to reject them, whether causing sedation or GI issues.  I gave up on the "big guns" and went back to my old faithful, Darvocet.(I had hoped the Easter Bunny would fill a basket full of Darvocet--YAY--but no such luck. I SO WISH it had not been taken off market.  NO, it didn't relieve ALL of my pain...nothing will...but it allowed me to function with clarity. 

I try to push through my pain until it pushes back.  Some days I can't do my stretching and light Yoga.  I find that myofascial release massage is ever so helpful with my abdominal adhesions, which specialists "claim" are the culprit.  It's expensive, so I've learned my own ways to stretch those muscles and strengthen my core...though I would fare much better if I could afford the professional.  She can get much deeper than I can.

Ten years later, I'm lost in the maze of PM. I've just agonized through a 6 week trial of Fentanyl, which was not the ANSWER we'd hoped for.  My mind is so much clearer without it, but my body remains in relentless pain.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you.  We have several newer members that I have missed out on during my Fentanyl sebatical.  Hopefully, I can be here more=)

~~Dixie

Welcome Claire,
So glad you found us. You are already busy helping others, so that's great! You fit in very well!

Late, dangit, but I still wanted to extend a welcome to you as well.

I'm here cuz my leg hurts. LOL. True--seems it developed after ORIF surgery on a broken femur. I had that "geeze, THAT was fun" EMG done, so we know it's really whacked out nerves and not whacked out Mel! LOL
I've learned a lot from listening--and I've grown already from sharing and just being "present" for others. And everyone's been incredibly kind, I must say.
So....welcome, welcome, welcome!
~~~~~~~

And welcome back Dixie!!!