Pain management

[chowmix]

Originally Posted by itsanADHDthing

I was prescribed hydrocodone/APAP (10/325) for a kidney stone.

At first, it affected me psychologically, making me dizzy, tired, and filled with euphoria like no other.

Rapidly, though, I grew tolerant to the mental effects of the drug and now it simply relieves pain for me with no psychological effects.

I say go ahead and take it, unless your extremely against it.

I agree with this assessment. I was given a low dose of codeine for lower back pain and took it for over a year. Once a bit of drowsiness/mild euphoria passed given the initial doses, the pain relieving effect continued until I stopped it. I had no difficulty weaning myself off of it at all.

I never felt that I needed an increasing dosage … it's been my experience that a sense that you want to take a larger dose is related to taking the pain killer for the psychological/relaxation/drowsiness ("high") effects. I believe the desire for larger and larger (potentially dangerous) doses relates to seeking the euphoric effects. I've seen the same pattern with Ritalin in my own ADD treatment.

I have tried to understand societal reluctance to take pain medications. I agree that taking pain medication INSTEAD of dealing with the cause of the pain may delay needed treatment. There are so many other reasons given, such as taking them is an indication that you are weak, the medications are bad in themselves, and that you will become addicted, etc.

If you ARE an addictive personality, you may have some difficulty, especially if you seek a high. We've all seen the trials and tribulations of celebrities who abuse their pain medications, and I've seen enough evidence walking the streets of my community that scream the dangers of opiate addiction..

I HAVE seen medications overused by caregivers of the elderly, and I know of one personal case where they were dispensed to help make it easier for the caregivers at the expense of the health of the patient. So YES, there are situations where pain medications are not appropriate.

[danelady]

Oh tudorose I feel for ya and I hope you at least find a quick fix to relieve some of the pain. I read this thread with interest because I am going to have to find something different to relieve my pain or I don't know how much longer I can work.

I can barely get in and out of the truck as it is. I am up to 7 ibuprofen every 4 hours. I know,I know,you don't have to tell me,I've heard it all but if I don't take anything I cannot move,period. Poor Earl,his walks are pretty short these days. And I fell over for the first time because he bumped me.

I'm able to drive,but not like I used to,and after I'm done driving,I walk Earl and throw myself in the bunk and lay there in agony. I can barely clean the truck or do laundry either.

Right now I feel like the tin man in the rain...I'm just stoved up...frozen,can't move. How did you find out what you had? Was it through a blood test? Because I should be heading back to Arizona in a week or two and I am going back to my drs office. My regular dr left that clinic and I will be seeing a new one.

When I told my other dr that I have arthritis she said to take a tylenol. Ppffft! That was all the help she offered! That's why I'm wondering how you found out what you have.

Well,hope today finds you in good spirits and with a smile on your face.

[Rebelyell]

I know how you feel dane,last JUne 2011 I went to throw abag of garbage up onto the rack truck at work and felt soemthing in my back pop.Since then I have had bouts to where I get sciatica lower back pain and Im only 37.Im like thanks alot boss to my co workers,Im like to my friend its nice so n so is gonna screw me putting me in this 5 foot high truck 3 times a week and I wont be able to work much longer and Im only 37,thanks for the support ******** like slim shady saysin his rhymes and by doing me a great injustice w the bosses power trip mind games..
They say coindroitin is good for Arthritis.

[tudorose]

Originally Posted by danelady

Oh tudorose I feel for ya and I hope you at least find a quick fix to relieve some of the pain. I read this thread with interest because I am going to have to find something different to relieve my pain or I don't know how much longer I can work.

I can barely get in and out of the truck as it is. I am up to 7 ibuprofen every 4 hours. I know,I know,you don't have to tell me,I've heard it all but if I don't take anything I cannot move,period. Poor Earl,his walks are pretty short these days. And I fell over for the first time because he bumped me.

I'm able to drive,but not like I used to,and after I'm done driving,I walk Earl and throw myself in the bunk and lay there in agony. I can barely clean the truck or do laundry either.

Right now I feel like the tin man in the rain...I'm just stoved up...frozen,can't move. How did you find out what you had? Was it through a blood test? Because I should be heading back to Arizona in a week or two and I am going back to my drs office. My regular dr left that clinic and I will be seeing a new one.

When I told my other dr that I have arthritis she said to take a tylenol. Ppffft! That was all the help she offered! That's why I'm wondering how you found out what you have.

Well,hope today finds you in good spirits and with a smile on your face.

Hey Danelady. I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. Constant pain sucks. I hope that some of the advice on this thread can help you too.

I went to work today but have come home early because my body's full of knots, I can feel my arms going numb and I'm totally exhausted. It's not as bad as it sounds. When I started this thread it was in the middle of a major crash / full on relapse. I haven't got back to where I was before that crash but I could feel myself sliding again. This time I think I've caught it in time. I realise I needed to stop so I have instead of doing what I did last time and pushing myself too far. I'm hoping that a couple of days of work to rest and get my head in the right place might work. Then hopefully I can continue to recover.

[danelady]

Oh my gosh,I really feel for ya! I have been on the east coast for a long time now,through all the storms,and the dampness is really doing a number on me I think. I'm heading to Texas right now,hopefully it will be drier. No wait,I'm going down by the bay...oh well.

Yes,take it easy and don't relapse! I wish they would ease up on me. If anything I'm working harder than EVER!! Making that money,but who cares! I can barely walk anymore!!

I'll be reading to see if you come up with any other good ideas for pain!! Take care!

[danelady]

Oh wow,RY,that sounds painfull!! It definitely IS hard climbing up in a truck in pain! I had to finally get myself a step stool to help me get into the back of the trailer when I have to sweep it out!

[Rebelyell]

It just keeps getting better,ive been tired for a long time so when I had my physical dr saw something in my blood 6 months later IM dxed w Anemia,lo iron and lo red blood count and of all Drs I had never wanted to see again was my moms hematologist /oncologist that Im being sent to,Sheesh Im not even 40 yet and its starting to all go sucky bleu on me.Boy I am so freaking right now

[danelady]

Oh gee,RY,that must be hard to have to see that dr again. Have they told you anything,or are they still testing?

Yeah,its hard NOT to freak out. Keep me posted,buddy.

[tudorose]

One thing I've been doing is trying to cut out any acidic foods out of my diet and anything that might case an inflammatory response.

So far I've cut out wheat (use spelt, quinoa, rice, wild rice, oats etc). I've also cut out dairy (the most acidic thing you can eat so I've discovered). I found that certain foods like cheese, milk, dark chocolate leave me unable to walk.

I haven't cut out any veggies but I'm careful about how many tomatoes I eat. Oranges are a no go for me.

What helps is spinach, quinoa, basically any green leafy vegetable, sweet potatoes, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger provided I can stay on track which is really hard as when I'm in pain I tend to just eat what I want rather than what I should.

I tried making some millet bread today - epic fail. The roasted chickpeas with morrocan seasoning worked out a but better.

I'm working on the theory that if I don't eat foods that are known to case inflammatory reactions then I might have a better chance of recovery and staying out of pain.

I did try to have discussion with SB on the science section about this. I think the thread was called "dietary causes of disorders and diseases" but we didn't arrive at any solutions. He seemed to be experiencing the same sort of pain but for different reasons.

[danelady]

Milk can cause inflammation? Ooh,I've been on a cereal kick the last few months really heavy. Its my comfort food and my company has really been crackin' that ol' whip,so I eat a lot of it...with milk. Hmm.

I've got to be better about taking my blood pressure meds. I spaced out taking them the last couple of months,but I started again the other day. I was thinking that if I go see a dr they are gonna check my bp and then yell at me if its high.

Truthfully,maybe its all in my head,but I think I'm feeling better! I mean I still have arthritis,but I don't feel like I drove over myself with my truck. So I believe I will cut out the massive amounts of cereal that I am eating.

I guess cottage cheese would be included with the dairy too,huh? Hmmm.

This is good info,though. Thanks!!

The roasted chickpeas sounds yummy!!

[tudorose]

Originally Posted by danelady

Truthfully,maybe its all in my head,but I think I'm feeling better! I mean I still have arthritis,but I don't feel like I drove over myself with my truck.

I doubt this would be all in your head. Arthritis is real. Maybe you're just managing it better at this point in time. Also I truly believe that stress makes everything hurt more.

I think that sometimes all we can do is manage it.

So I guess if it were me I'd be looking at what you have been doing so you know what to do right.

[sarahsweets]

Just thought or this and I don't know if it's been mentioned hut how about some massage therapy ? It might not be a cure all but maybe it would help to relieve your pain in the short term ?