Living with pain

For those of you who live in chronic pain my heart goes out to you. I know what its like to wake up at 2am hurting so bad you have to get up and either take meds or use a heating or ice pack. I have degenerative disc disease. I have had fusion surgery. I was hoping having the fusion would give me relief yet it was just not meant to be.

Both my shoulder blades hurt and ache every day. It a broad achy type pain across the upper one third of my back. The greatest pain is over both shoulder blades. I was wondering if anyone here has this problem? Also my hip joints are hurting more each day along with my fingers and toes to a lesser degree. I have been tested for RA and OA both. RA is negative but OA is positive. I don't have horrible OA yet the meds generally given for it don't help. After surgery I became a full time pain management patient. I take opiates, muscle relaxers and Gabapentin each day. I do get some relief yet my meds only keep me comfortable about 12 hours each day. Because of the opiate crisis drs are reluctant to give out adequate pain meds. All of us talk about this problem in the waiting room each month.

Lastly I have a problem with sitting down for longer than thirty minutes at a time. I have to get up and move due to being stiff and painful. I also get cold really easily. After sitting I have to get up and walk. This usually restores my body to a comfortable temp and then I sit down for thirty minutes or maybe an hour and have to do the same thing over again. I have been to plenty of drs and been given thyroid tests and a few other things. Nothing ever shows up. In the meantime I am just dealing with all this. I am in my mid sixties and honestly am not looking to my seventies.

Thanks for reading and any help would be appreciated.

I agree with Susie voltaren gel is helpful, pain patches too. I also have the pain you suggest. Message is very helpful and lots of Heat packs very nice . A nice hot bath or shower helps to relax the areas .

Have you tried tens machine which has also helped. There is a new battery operated tens out with no wires to deal with. I haven’t tried that new type yet but worth a try.

Sometimes the tissue between the rib and shoulder blade bone becomes inflamed and antibiotics really help clear it up. Thats when the shoulder blade pain can restrict breathing .

I have a brace to hold shoulder blades still in correct position that is the Best option for me. After a couple of days it’s as good as new. Caution not to wear brace more than a few days at a time . That seems to be the best treatment in my case. I just try and remember not to push pull or strain area seems to help. Becoming mindful of movements also has helped. Letting leverage do the job in some cases mostly daily chores, rather than lifting pushing or pulling. Sometimes just lifting a gallon of milk can set it off. During that time I purchase half gallons. In most cases it’s adjusting to and knowing my limitations while working with it not against it.

Some days it’s just a matter of waiting it out and pain meds do offer relief but the side effects is a vicious circle for me.

Sending healing blessings your way.

OF, yes I do know what causes the tennis ball feeling under my shoulder blades, severe muscle spasms. I take a muscle relaxer 3 times a day, however, just recently my dr added a 2nd one when things really go off the rails. In the past I could keep it under good control with a massage therapist. Another option that helped was ablation of the nerve endings by radio frequency. It's a temporary fix but I got good relief with that procedure.My current PM does not do this procedure. Having my husband use the hand held massager on me helps too.

Take care.

Testing negative does not mean you do not have covid. Unfortunately, these tests are not 100% accurate.

I hope you feel better soon.

HT, I love your signature....sometimes I am me, sometimes I am still me. Great saying. I can see you have neck issues also. Since surgery I have morphed into a totally different person. I take my pain meds as soon as I get up and I do ok for about six hours. I get so much pain in my shoulder blades and across my back it makes me shake or tremble. I also always feel as if I am cold all the time. Needless to say I hate winter.

Say hi to everyone in Australia. lol