Hi New to the Forum

Hello,

I'm new to the forum. I've been battling pain like a lot of you for a long time. I don't think some people, like my employer, take chronic pain seriously. Not as seriously as another illness. My story of pain began with ovarian pain due to cysts and scar tissue. Then in 2014 a car ran into me as I crossed the street, trying to return back to work off my lunch break. I remember the car initially making contact with me, me holding my hand out on the car as if I could stop it, then it goes black. Although I remember the sound of me hitting the hood of the car. I woke up on the street with people around me saying "hot hot" because the concrete was hot from the Texas heat in August. I lost consciousness again and woke up briefly again in the ambulance with the paramedic talking to me, blacked out again and was in and out of consciousness. I received 7 staples in the back of my head, with the hospital releasing me the same day. As I waited for my family to pick me up, I was getting woozy again in the ER waiting room because blood was still spilling from my head and thank goodness others in the ER called a nurse to tell them I was still bleeding. They rolled me to the back again and gave me another staple or two. I suffered head injury, neck, back, hip and leg. I received my first pain injection in 2015 . ere were daily migraines, back pain and trouble walking, sitting along with having TMI of my jaw.

Fastforward to Aug or Sept of last year I could feel my body starting to slip back into regular bouts of pain. After January of this year it started getting worse. The migraines, the shoulder pain, charlie horses and spasms in my legs and back. I returned to my therapy with my chiropractor but whenever he tried to work on my shoulder I would howl in pain and stop, asking him to please stop touching or moving my arm. It was awful so I applied for FMLA trying to be proactive and cover my absences. I received a back injection in June to my lower back, an injection in my neck or between my shoulders along with a localized injection to my shoulder and my last injection was in August to my lower back again. The only injection that worked was my neck and shoulder. The lower back injections did nothing, except maybe worked for a few days then returned to extreme agonizing pain whenever I stood up for more than 2 minutes or sitting for more than 30 minutes or walking more than a few feet. I would stretch all day long and no relief. It feels like labor pain in my back every day.

Then some idiot ran into the back of my car in August and took off, reigniting my pain in other areas. I am now on medical leave for the pain. I don't think my job understands the pain issues. They may give the sympathetic glance and sorrowful looks but only those who go through it can truly understand. I also still have symptoms of post traumatic head injury or post concussion. I still sometimes struggle with remembering things, I often take notes or marking my calendar to remember anything otherwise most times I forget. I still get angry and depressed about losing myself or not being able to enjoy things I used to. I love to cook but I spend less time in the kitchen because it hurts my back to stand up while cooking. Also, due to my extended use of NSAIDS it has caused gastritis and increased my reflux and made my hiatal hernia worse. I now need to have surgery to repair the hernia and I will have to get a new pain management plan to avoid NSAIDS usage. I am also avoiding flexeril for now because my reflux gets so bad if I take it at night.

I'm glad to be somewhere that I can talk to others who are experiencing the same issues I am experiencing.

Post Edited (AmethystQueen) : 10/13/2016 12:09:01 AM (GMT-6)

Hello and welcome. I can really relate to your difficulties.

I'm wondering what diagnostic tests you've had so far? Sometimes, we get so focused on the spine and spinal causes, we forget about the 'other' possibilities. Have you had your ovaries checked lately? The adhesions? These too can cause lower back pain and unsteadiness.

I'm also wondering about your shoulder pain. Have you been evaluated for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

Turmeric is a natural anti inflammatory. I'm not sure if it causes any gastric problems like the available medications tend to do. Heat, ice, warm soaks with epsom salts, etc are just some of the things I use to help manage my pain.

Keep posting. Everyone here really does 'get it' even while our pain causes are different.

I agree with Susie to keep discussion of your health (and pain) to only a few select people that you can trust - your "inner circle."

No one who has "good" health can begin to comprehend what it is to live in a body with unrelenting pain. People with "good" health can comprehend a pain experience that had a finite end (ex. a broken bone that healed). They cannot comprehend a pain experience that is infinite.

Vent and give voice to your frustrations here. You are among friends here who understand pain. Your experience will be validated.

I hope that you can find support and comfort here,
- Karen -

I had another localized injection into my shoulder joint Friday before last. The ball of my shoulder is still tender to the touch and still aches. It's the type of ache like if you were carrying something to heavy. I try to avoid swinging my arm while walking.

Today I've had sharp stabbing pain behind my left shoulder blade. It almost feels as if gas is caught there. It hurts a lot if I stretch my neck. If I move my arm or even if I don't move it hurts enough to make me catch my breath.

Those are some good tips Pitmom. It's subsided some. I don't carry any weight on my bad shoulder. However I have a desk job so constantly typing. I will definitely try using a towel under my arm and see if that helps.