Pain Psychologist?

I just endured the trip to the Neurological Department at the University of Utah in hopes of gaining some help for my Fibromyalgia/Polyarthralgia/Chronic Pain Disorder. (Since I have such an unusual internal history...extreme spastic sphincter and colon that has resulted in a permanent colostomy complicated further by IBS-D.....I cannot take most medications for our condition!!)

My husband and I spent almost 3 hours with the team....reviewing my entire medical history...the exam (add even more pain...of course)....I could tell by their looks that my case was challenging them. During the review at the end....that was the result.

The team agreed that my combination of conditions is very real (YEAH!).....however, there is nothing that they could provide to answer questions (too little known....as we are all TO aware of)....and any medications that might be recommended are not tolerated by my body (extreme reactions).

The only thought they could give was to check in to the possibility of seeing a "Pain Psychologist".

Has anyone ever gone this route for their constant, debilitating pain and other symptoms?

I have no relief from the pain...along with the stabbing, throbbing, burning, fatigue, burning, headaches, nausea, electric shocks, etc......

Hi, bbd, and welcome! Joy gave you some good ideas. I don't see a psychologist but I am a positive thinker and that helps me a lot...that and my faith. I've learned how to focus on other things and the pain somewhat fades in the background.

I had to have my entire colon removed so I have a permanent ileostomy due to Crohn's disease. I also have ankylosing spondylitis that causes back, shoulder and hip pain and pain in some joints and tissue. It is considered a rheumatic illness and it seems to be similar to what you have. But I don't take medications that are used for Fibro. I can take ibuprofen and Tylenol without too much of a problem and I do take a muscle relaxer called Robaxin that has made a significant difference in my pain. I was prescribed two tablets four times a day but I take one tablet two times a day...hardly anything...and it really helps me. I too can't take some medications so I back down on some.

I also take magnesium malate. Many with Fibro can be deficient in magnesium and the malate is malic acid which is found in apples. This combination has shown that it helps with Fibro pain...and it has worked for quite a few on the forum. Magnesium malate is more gentle on the intestines too. I started out very slowly and worked up to the doses I take now. A deficiency in magnesium can cause pain and fatigue. So this might help.

Also, I take vitamin D3. Again, many are deficient in this important vitamin. I live in sunny Florida and was deficient in this because I wear sunscreen when I'm outside. Low D3 can cause pain and fatigue too and one member can go into flares when her levels get low. So this is another suggestion. Both magnesium and vitamin D are needed by the body.

I walk about a half hour daily. This has helped me, too. When I started out, I could only walk four houses down before I had to turn around. But I didn't quit and my distances got further and further. By the time I get back home, I have less pain and more energy! I also pace myself when doing things, do stretching exercises, get gentle massages from a massage therapist who has studied how to massage Fibro clients, and I do trigger point therapy on myself when needed. All of these things have kept me from taking powerful medications and I've had a full and enjoyable life in spite of the illnesses I have!

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum. There are links to good info about Fibro and you will learn a lot there. I've had Fibro for nearly 29 years and am still learning more things. There are links about the magnesium malate and vitamin D3 and how they work in the body and there also is a great link about how to maintain a positive attitude when you have chronic pain. All of Fibro 101 is good so do read it.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you. Hope to hear more from you soon.

Sherrine

It's hard when you are up north but try to sit in the sun at least fifteen minutes a day...more if you have winter wear on. This should give you much of the vitamin D you need. Some foods have D added to them and eggs have vitamin D in them naturally. The same is true of magnesium so I think I would eat as many foods that contain these vitamins and nutrients. That shouldn't hurt you since it's coming from foods naturally, I think.

It's really tough when you can't take medications needed to help you. I have a short list of those so i'm not anxious to try other medications. What I do works for me. But it was trial and error before I found what did work. Doctors wanted me on Lyrica, Cymbalta, or Savella but I turned that down. I also turned down the biologic medications for AS. And we won't even discuss the medications for osteoporosis! I'd be living in an IV Suite if I did everything my doctors suggested.

But do keep moving! Sitting and laying too long will just make you stiffer and in more pain. There are some stretching exercises that you do sitting down in Fibro 101 that might offer a little help too. It's hard when you can't walk. I've been there. I needed two canes to "walk" tiny baby steps. Just lifting my foot an inch above the floor to take a step caused tears streaming down my face and I would break out in a cold sweat when I had to use the bathroom because it meant I would have to walk! The Robaxin helped me greatly with this.

There is a good supplement that I used to take called Curamin. You might check that out. It's used by people with arthritis and has tumeric, Bosweila, and a couple of other things and it rarely causes symptoms. It did help me when I was going through a time I couldn't take ibuprofen. It could possibly take the edge off your pain so you could function and move better.

I wish I could be of more help to you. I hope you have a better day today.

Sherrine

Bbd,

Hi welcome, i react to meds also..i get about 50 per cent help from low dose tramadol...and get a lot of my pain relief from topical pain relievers such as pain erase or soothenol x 2...i use heat , stretching and acupressure..acupuncture helps me , but i am waiting for the weather to break to maybe try thaat again..

We are in a damp and very cold pattern right now, which greatly in -creases my pain..

Through trial and error, we can slowly learn things that help us with pain. Do you know your d levels?

My daughter has fibro also.. And her physical therapist recommended epsom salt soaks..is this something you could try?

Lj

They do make Epsom salt lotion. I bought some at walmart recently.

Bbd, you shouldn't had to change your appliance if you soak in a bath. I have a swimming pool and live in the summer and have no problems with my appliance.

Sherrine

I've gone snorkling and to the beach and have been in the water longer. Your tub is the perfect place to "test" the appliance to give you peace of mind. Some people frame the appliance with more tape but I never have had to do that. I do wear a spandex panty to hold everything in place. I've never had a problem and I've had my ileostomy for 26 years.

Sherrine