HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

New to forum

Support Forums
>
Chronic Pain
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/9/2009 1:46 AM (GMT 0)

Hi my name is Mike.  I have been living with chronic pain since 1996. 

L4 5 discectomy in 97.  Some relief but now the disc is degenerating.

In 2008 I was in a car wreck and injured my neck. C5-6 issues.  Pain in the left trap, pain down arm, and constant headaches.

I take percocete, motrin, and midrin. 

So that's my story.

Not sure what I am looking for here.  I guess support and understanding.

Peace

Mike

Posted 9/9/2009 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Mike,
Welcome to the chronic pain forum of Healing Well. If you're looking for support and understanding, you sure have found the right place! This is the best place on the internet for that, IMHO. What we can't do is give medical advice, but that doesn't sound like what you're seeking.

Many of us have had various spine problems, and also have trouble finding friends and family who understand.

I'm sorry about your accident last year. That was certainly the last thing you needed. What have the doctors told you about treatment options? (you don't have to share if you don't want to)

Again, welcome.

PaLady
Posted 9/9/2009 3:06 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Mike,

Welcome to HW and our Family!  Sorry you have a reason to be here but glad you found us.  I have to agree with PALady when she stated that this is the best place on the internet!!  All of us live in CP from different causes, so be assured that you have found a group that will support, offer love and lots of kind words when you think you can't go on!

Look forward to reading future posts!

Patti

P.S.  I'm venturing a guess that you are from Pittsburgh, PA?   I am originally from Levittown, PA!

Posted 9/9/2009 5:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Mike!

And welcome to our oasis in the sea of pain. I know you will find support here and most likely some friends too. Without this great group of people I'm not sure how I'd survive Chronic Pain.

I'm going out on a limb with Patti...and assume you're from Pitt. Hubby was born in Allegheny Hospital and lived in McKees Rocks until he was about 7-8. Seems we have a lot of PA people here and we love having you all!

You sure have had more bad luck than anyone deserves in an entire lifetime. I'm sorry you have to be here but am glad you chose to join this family since you more than qualify for membership here. ;-) Are you able to work? What about any kind of social life...or any quality of life? Do you have a good doctor who helps you and is open to ideas and suggestions? A great medical team can make or break someone who lives with chronic pain and I sure hope you have great folks.

If you need a smile any day of the week, join our Koffee Klatch each day. It a small time each day where we only talk about things that are fun, entertaining or heartwarming...and NO talk of the 'P' word...lol We have enough pain already. Plus on Thursday nights we have a Chat Night in the Chronic Pain chat room. Watch for the notice I post on Thursday mornings announcing the chat and how to get there if you're not familiar with the site.

Hope you join our fun times as well as some great support!
Chutz
Posted 9/9/2009 6:33 AM (GMT 0)
Mike, you will hear the statement on here that we are not doctors. I hope that helps you and you realize it is to our favor. Most of us have been through the cycles of pain and doctors so much that we have seen our share of doctors who are not able to relate to pain patieand we find ourself in the seemingly eternal quest for one that cares and can do something to ease the pain. How is that for welcoming someone. We come here because we find what we don't get from the medical community, friends and at times family. That is someone who understangs and will be non-judgemental while offering support and encouragement. This is a safe place to let things out and find ways to help others as they let things out. Hope to see you around. Blessings 
Posted 9/9/2009 6:36 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome Mr. Mike.....
I am not sure what you are looking for, but what you have found is a wonderful group of very supportive people who truly understand what it is like to live with daily chronic pain.

You could not find a nicer group of diverse individuals with a wealth of knowledge about pain and life in general. So all and all, we are glad to welcome you to the chronic pain forum here at Healing Well.
Posted 9/9/2009 2:26 PM (GMT 0)

Dealing with the low back and leg pain is something I guess I got used to. 

When I was in the car wreck it really knocked me for a loop.  All of my pain tripled.  I have a hard time functioning with the headaches.  I really don't want to do anything when it is bad.  Just talking to people and being civil is hard.

I think I am getting depressed.  I was coping ok until the wreck.  I really did not need another issue.

I feel like a whiner.

Posted 9/9/2009 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mike...... welcome....

No... you are not a whiner.... this is the place to let it all out!

We all understand you here as we all are in this together.
Posted 9/9/2009 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
Mike,
I don't know what medical care you're receiving, but many of us (myself included) also take an anti-depressant. Not only can the losses we experience bring on depression, but the physiology of chronic pain in itself can also create depression. And many people see a psychologist or therapist, especially one who specializes in treating pain, to help us deal with these issues.

And like Draka said, you're not a whiner, and you're definitely not alone in this!

I know Pittsburgh has a lot of great medical resources with UPMC and AGH. Searching for a therapist is a little trickier, but you can get on the telephone and start calling - depending on your insurance. You can get some names from them.

And feel free to vent here anytime. We all do!

PaLady
Posted 9/9/2009 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
Mike,
getting good doctors can be hard, but so well worth the search, and most of us here
see therapist, I see a psychologist that handles chronic pain issues and that is something to look into
and if your not seeing a pain management doctor then maybe look into that, so you can get
better pain control, but don't expect miracles...all my pain issues stem from a car wreck
that really hurt me in December 1997...
lots of soft hugz for now and never think your whining, as we all get those days...
((((((((((((((((((((((((((Mike))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
please keep posting this is a nice forum..
hugz
Posted 9/10/2009 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
My main doctor is a Physiatrist. I trust him. He has been with me for a long time. He does a lot of work with chronic pain. I think I am getting good care. I am going to see a surgeon soon. I want to see if my neck can be fixed. The Physiatrist thinks it would involve fusing 3 vertebrae. I want to see what the neuro surg. says. I don’t think I would have much range if it was 3.

I went thru a pain program in 97 it helped a lot. I wish they had a refresher course.

My medical care is complicated due to the low back being a work injury and the neck being a car injury. Multiple insurers and lawyers etc.

I have been on anti depressants before. I guess they helped but I did not like the flat feeling. No highs and no lows just flat.

Thanks for listening. Thanks for the welcome.
Posted 9/10/2009 5:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mike,

I totally understand what you and other people on the forum are going through. It's tough! But let me tell you one thing that I believe in, nothing in our lives happens without a reason or a plan. Please don't get me wrong, I went through a hell of a time with chronic back pain for four years and that pain was not something that you could go on with your life with. The pain was there 24 by 7, it was sharp and stabbing and even slightest air/humidity made it a lot worse. My life was on a complete halt. The career, the family, everything... I really don't want to go into the details. No painkillers made any difference, only making me sleep was the only option, so I was on tramadol drips. Long story short, by God's grace, I am out of that phase now.
The point is - I learnt ten times more about life, its events and myself in that period than in my whole life put together. I am a much better and wiser person today. And I strongly believe pain is more of a wake up call than a disease. I know, easier said than done, I've been there. But really, this is the universe's way of telling you that something is not right with the way you are living. Please introspect. Be friends with yourself and your body. Stop. Look what's happening in and around you. There's something you need to straighten out. Even the science believes now that everything is made up of energy, even ourselves. Be in touch with your own self. Do you accept yourself as you are? I don't want to sound preachy but exploring spirituality goes a long way to understand the bodily problems we have. At least it did for me. And you know what, in a way, I am thankful to that (really horrible) pain for letting me know who I am.
Do it your own way. You will get there.

Good wishes,
Angel.
Posted 9/10/2009 5:37 AM (GMT 0)
Angel,
Welcome to the chronic pain forum of Healing Well.

I just wanted to say that I'm glad you found a path that worked for you. I do believe spirituality is an important part of life for me, but isn't for everyone. And while pain can be worsened by stress, I think it can lay a heavy load of guilt on people to say that the pain is the universe's way of telling someone that there's something not right with the way they are living. That it's more of a wake up call than a disease.

I do believe we can learn from any experience we have to manage or even endure, and sometimes can grow enormously from that process, but I think some of the way you worded things can lead to people feeling guilty if they can't get rid of their pain. And that doesn't help, IMHO.

This isn't meant to offend, just to point out what I think is the downside of that approach.

At any rate, welcome to the site! You might want to start a new thread and introduce yourself to the group.

PaLady
Posted 9/10/2009 6:11 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks a lot, PaLady, I totally get what you are saying. In fact, I was afraid that I could be misunderstood. When people used to tell me something like that back then, I felt the same. But please, let me clarify once again, I am here to understand and offer help. I genuinely believe that everybody is basically good. When we say something is wrong with our lives, it doesn't mean we are bad people or we should feel guilty. Things go wrong sometimes. With everyone. That is the whole idea of our existence - learning. If a person feels guilty for any situation in his life, that means he doesn't understand himself completely and could use a little chat with himself. You know what, guilt can be the cause of the pain too! Our mind is the generator of health or disease (sounds too cliche, but, well, true).

Thanks for accepting me as a member of your forum. I am going to start a thread of introduction.

Angel.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply