Pain management

[spunkysmum]

Originally Posted by tudorose

Thanks for taking the time to reply Salleh (((hugs)))

I've been told it can take anything from 2 months to 2 years to go away. Some people seem to fully recover and others get relapses for years and years.

So it isn't necessarily a permanent condition? That's good to know, anyway! Although I am sure it feels that way right now, while you're waiting. Time crawls when you are waiting for pain to pass.

There was a myth about an electric fence treatment but my husband doesn't want me to try that because of the history of heart conditions in my family.

I accidentally touched an electric fence once when I had a migraine. The pain seemed to subside a bit at first but I don't remember it going away.

[Fuzzy12]

tudor that sounds so tough. I can understand you don't want to take pain killers regularly. My dad's been in chronic severe pain for the last year and if was prescribed very strong pain killers at if doesn't take them either. Body they don't always help. I'm not sure if this might help but my husband uses a mint based cream for his back ache which seems to be pretty good. Also there Is device called tens which passes a current through the affected part of your body using two electrodes. It doesn't have any side effects and you can get a home version which is very portable. Hope you'll find something that helps you soon.

[tudorose]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy12

Also there Is device called tens which passes a current through the affected part of your body using two electrodes. It doesn't have any side effects and you can get a home version which is very portable. Hope you'll find something that helps you soon.

I'm thinking this might be something to look at. Thanks Fuzzy I didn't even think about that one!

Last night I had an epson salt bath and then wore my skins compression gear to bed and put the electric blanket on. Thankfully this made it possible to sleep. Today I was still in pain all day. I get through the day mainly on distraction. One of the advantages of being ADHD I guess. But I can only distract myself for so long. By the time it gets to about 3pm I really start to struggle and by 6pm I'm usually sitting on the couch whining

[Fortune]

As a reminder to everyone, discussion of the use of illegal drugs (as defined by US Federal Law) that encourages or supports is use is forbidden on the forum. As stated in the guidelines:

http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15842

NO posts involving O.D.s, illegal or improper use of Medication are allowed

In an effort to protect all who use these forums, no posts will be allowed that encourage or support the illegal or improper use of medication of any kind. We do not condone illegal or improper use and do not wish to be a source of information for people who would use medication this way. This includes talk about overdoses or O.D.'s.

This does include discussion of medical marijuana.

[tudorose]

I'm hoping to try and keep this as natural as possible. I'm taking some herbal stuff from the naturopath, like astragalas, spirulina, a liver tonic and a multivitamin basically to boost my immunity.

There has been some really good advice here, epson salts, tens machine, the link that Sandy provided etc...

Everytime I have to take painkillers I end up feeling like I've failed. I worry about the consequences of taking them. I wish there was a way where I didn't have to take anything at all.

[avjgirsijdhtjhs]

Originally Posted by tudorose

I'm hoping to try and keep this as natural as possible. I'm taking some herbal stuff from the naturopath, like astragalas, spirulina, a liver tonic and a multivitamin basically to boost my immunity.

There has been some really good advice here, epson salts, tens machine, the link that Sandy provided etc...

Everytime I have to take painkillers I end up feeling like I've failed. I worry about the consequences of taking them. I wish there was a way where I didn't have to take anything at all.

Have you looked into D-Phenylalanine or DL-Phenylalanine? When I take half a gram of DL-Phenylalanine on a stomach that hasn't taken in any food or amino acids of any kind, I'll generally feel a little bit of the "exerciser's high" within ten minutes. Now I can't remember how long it lasts, but the effect was NOT imagined. I mean it's the same "endorphiney" effect that I get from chewing up hot peppers. Maybe it would help you, or maybe not, I don't know - I've read promising and not promising things about it, but I do know what I've felt from it on more than a few occasions. Just trying to help ...

[crystal8080]

Originally Posted by Fortune

As a reminder to everyone, discussion of the use of illegal drugs (as defined by US Federal Law) that encourages or supports is use is forbidden on the forum. As stated in the guidelines:

http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15842



This does include discussion of medical marijuana.

I'm sorry. I did not think it I would be violating forum rules by discussing something that is accepted as medicine in my country - and criminally exempt for those who apply and qualify for use. It most certainly will not happen again.

[Fortune]

I think there's a kind of cultural attitude of "shame" around the idea of taking painkillers. Like we should all have to grit our teeth and push through the pain. And it really sucks, because oftentimes, people really need that pain relief.

I've spent years with chronic pain, headaches, etc. and did everything I could to avoid taking painkillers for anything but acute conditions (like migraines or toothaches) but didn't bother with the pain that was there all the time. I still don't have any prescription painkillers, myself. I did try Ultram for a bit, but that caused a conflict with my other medications, so I dropped it.

I don't know, I'm not saying that taking painkillers is necessary, just sort of wishing that the idea of treating problems that need treatment wasn't laden with cultural judgment.

[purpleToes]

Hope you're doing well, or at least better, Tudorose. Curious what has been working for you, if anything.

[tudorose]

Originally Posted by purpleToes

Hope you're doing well, or at least better, Tudorose. Curious what has been working for you, if anything.

Thanks for asking I'm doing a lot better now. Not totally out of the woods yet but doing heaps better. I've been getting to work every day which is good and I haven't caught any of the nasty flu bugs doing the rounds.

What's helping? Time, taking it easy, electric blanket, compression gear, Epsom salt baths, aloe vera juice, just started trying coconut oil, plus the concoction of stuff from the naturopath. Also been putting lots of things into dinners like ginger, turmeric & cinnamon. Keeping warm is a big thing too. It's been so cold here (for Perth) with some 0 degrees C mornings. The only saving grace is that it heats up to about 20 deg C so it's warm if you stand in the sun. I try to get as much sun as possible. I wear gloves at work (thin enough to type with) and a beanie too if I need to.

Main thing I need to get through my head is to stop when I need to stop and not keep trying to work to everyone else's schedule.

[alphadeltadelta]

Tudorose, this may be delayed information but I hope it helps.. if youve gained ground since posting I'm glad for you. I'd like to follow up w/ more info in a pm if you're open to discussion, for now I will urge you to seek comprehensive care in the form of alternative medicine. As an LMP for 12 yrs and (mostly pain free) survivor of 10 car accidents, I can offer specifics on modalities & how best to seek the ideal therapist & applications. For a start: bodywork, including Shiatsu &/or acupuncture, combined w/ naturopathic/homeopathic remedy & macrobiotic diet are each pivotal when clients are proactiv & resolved to connect w/ the right practitioner to begin treatment. In other words.. the spectrum of alt medicine varies in scope & range of quality, and don't lose hope..keep trying on different therapies as you make progress. I'm in Alaska, and well, I'm amazing but the commute would likely be impractical! If you have any questions, please msg me here, and I wish you wellness. Take care.

[Lunacie]

My daughter and I have both found accupuncture helpful.

I had it done for chronic daily migraines after a fall broke my arm near the shoulder.

She has it done when she can afford it to relieve pain caused by a car crash 10 years ago.

Neither of us have health insurance and it probably wouldn't cover accupuncture anyway.

We have a wonderful College of Chinese Medicine not too far from us, and

they have a clinic there where the students can practice on real patients,

so it's not terribly expensive. Still took a big chunk of my savings but it was worth it!


I hope you continue to improve. (((hugs)))

[MX2012]

Have you considered acupuncture? I tried it once for stress and after three treatments I found relief unfortunately it was pricey for me, so I could not continue. But, I would try it again when I can afford it.

[tudorose]

Originally Posted by MX2012

Have you considered acupuncture? I tried it once for stress and after three treatments I found relief unfortunately it was pricey for me, so I could not continue. But, I would try it again when I can afford it.

Yep. Get acupuncture from both the physio and the naturopath.

[sarahsweets]

Vitamin d helps too, in addition sto sunshine.