Living With Pain

[SandraL]

I am surprised I have never seen a post about this. As I sit here having difficulty sleeping once again (pain and freaking out over MRI results tomorrow) I was reflecting that my life over the past number of months, and it has gradually gotten worse, is getting through each day constantly chasing and trying to manage my pain. I am sure many others suffer from pain as well.

Now don't get me wrong. I am not laying around moaning and groaning. I am trying to carry on my normal life and short of working only part time (chemo treatments and appts do get in the way), I am doing just that and am a very busy person. I just finished redoing my 2 kids rooms from top to bottom. I have learned very recently to stop and rest if I need to....but I don't really like to do that.

But tonight I just simply realized that I am chasing my pain all day every day and even worse at night. Back pain and now pain in my leg. I don't really even sleep in my own bed as a sitting position is much more comfortable. Drugs help but they really don't relieve it. And quite frankly, I am getting a bit tired of all this. Enough is enough and there must be something I can be doing differently.

I am sure there are other ways to manage pain other than drugs or maybe some combination of drugs and other strategies that have worked for people. Any thoughts you can share would be much appreciated.

Sandra

[recce101]

Because of our large Oriental population, acupuncture/acupressure is for all practical purposes a mainstream treatment in Hawaii. I've never used it myself, but I know a number of people who have, and most of them say it was helpful. Several on this board have mentioned it as well.

Aloha,

Ned

[Patti B]

Sandra-

I agree with Ned. Lots of people I know use acupuncture and swear by it. Of course, you probably should check with your doc first. I am actually trying to convince my mom to try it - she has sever spinal stenosis and NOTHING helps her - she is in constant pain 24/7. She is being difficult about trying it but I have really been pushing her lately.

Has your doc ever prescribed those pain patches for you??? Some people say they work, others say they did nothing for them.

Thinking of you and hoping for a fix for your pain. And, of course, good luck with your MRI results today - let us know ASAP, please!!!

Patti B.

[MsC1210]

Sandra

I am one of those who have been using acupuncture for some time now. Although I do not have cancer, I do have asthma, allergies and migraines. Since beginning my acupuncture therapy my asthma has been almost non existant, my allergies are MUCH improved and my migraines have decreased in number as well as in severity.

I will say that my acupuncturist is working on a thesis type paper at the moment that deals with the use of acupuncture and cancer. She currently treats several people who are struggling with chemo and radiation issues and they have had major relief of their symptoms. I have had some interesting conversations with her about this as my website includes some links and information I wanted to verify before I included them.

Please let me now if I can help..

Christine

[Connie B]

Hey Sandra,

I know we have had many talks here about pain, be it in the back, or legs, head, or where-ever. I just had a thread going not to long ago about back & joint pain. Ned has one going too! None the less, many people here made some wonderful suggestions.

1. Of Course Acupuncture

2. Chiropractor

3. Message Therapy

4. Physical Therapy

5. Yoga

6. Body & Mind Therapy

Those are a few things that come to my mind, maybe others will add to the list.

Like you, I pretty much live with pain everyday, some days are worse then others, but it does get frustrating to say the least. I have the dreaded back pain, and joint pain, and chest pain, and lung pain and headaches, and, and, and, I'm only 56 years YOUNG! I feel most of the time like I am 96, but that's just the way I feel.

Then we always here: Oh You Look So Good!

I WISH I felt HALF as good as I appear to look! hehhee!

I've learned to live with all this uncomfortable/pain in the..... life style, but I do have some good/great days too, and when that happens I go full steam ahead and get out of my way I'm on a mission. hehehehe!

I too have pain meds that if and when it gets that bad I take them. It's all part of my new life style. But, it works!

I hope your not having much pain today, and I am saying extra prayers that your MRI will be A-O-K-A-Y!

Which reminds me, I have to call about my MRI tomorrow regarding my (possible) blocked vessels!!! It's always something, isn't it??

DAMNNNNN!!!!! ((((((((((((SANDRA)))))))))))))))

Hang in there, and I'll be looking for you GOOD NEWS Post in the GOOD NEWS Forum about your MRI!

[SandraL]

thank you all. I found out today that is a nerve being irritated by my back that is causing me all the grief in my back. Apparently morphine doesn't touch nerve pain...well I could have told the doctor that. I have now been prescribed "Gabapentin" to help with nerve pain and have been referred to the pain specialist at the clinic yet again. Doc said he may prescribe something else as well. Will also be going to say a physio therapist later this week for anything that can be done to help strengthen my back and help with pain. Back surgery is still an option being explored for me. I hope this thread helps others as well.

Sandra

[Ellen in PA]

Hi Sandra.

When I read you're taking Gabapentin, I was going to post this advice not to drive but figured 'Nah, she probably obeys those warnings on medicine bottles, unlike me.' But then I saw your thread on the 'drive' and came back here. Please do not drive while taking Gabapentin (aka Neurontin)! I was taking it after back surgery 8 yrs ago and thought it had no effect -- until I fell asleep while passing in the left lane of I-95 just south of Philadelphia at 2:30 in the afternoon!!! It was the only time in my life I've ever fallen asleep at the wheel. Luckily, my clever Toyota aimed for the left and I was awakened by the scraping noise of my hubcaps rubbing against the concrete median barrier. Had it veered to the right, I'd be history -- as no doubt would be the poor folks I'd have crashed into. (It's a very busy stretch of highway.) I had not felt sleepy and had no inkling that I was about to doze off. Never took another Neurontin, which was no loss since it wasn't helping the pain at all. If yours is, please find someone to drive you! Good luck.

[Connie B]

Sandra, if it's a pinched nerve then why not try a Chiroprator or Physical Therapy rather then drugs. Get that nerve unpinched! My hubby and I have had the same problems pinched nerve in the lower lumbar, and the Chiro has helped me 95% of the time. My hubby, well......, he looks for a quick fix and it might take a few treatments with a chiro and he's not willing to do a few weeks or so. (but that's another story)

I have been told by many that even a deep tissue massage can help with pinched nerves. I'm not one to medicate unless I can't fix the problem, I try to fix the problem first. But that's me!

Glad to hear it's not cancer though!

[jaminkw]

Sandra, Please remember that any pain is exacerbated by stress and stress is ANYTHING GOOD OR BAD that requires the organism to change and adapt. When we think of stress, we always think it's something bad and usually something emotional. But physical stress is just as taxing on our being. Our cancer creates emotional and physical stress so we have to work double-time to try to minimize it. Look at all the stress-reducing activities you can find and try til you find one that works for you.

I struggled with pain that the doctors weren't able to definitively diagnose since I was 20. The advice of two people still stick in my mind at age 64. A male acquaintence who'd had back surgery said as long as you can still walk, don't let them cut your back. Several other people through the years who'd had back surgery agreed.

The second person is my dear sister-cousin who nearly died from phlebitis (sp?) when she had six young children. I asked her how she handled the pain. She said you learn to sit down and put your feet up when you are tired. Not easy but I still often do it. When I don't is when I suffer the most come nightfall. I do believe with the right doctor or physiotherapist they can successfully remedy a nerve issue without surgery. But Sandra dear, I don't think it's going to happen without your FULL cooperation.

Have done accupuncture sometimes successfully sometimes not so but it is really expensive here.

Hang in there girl.

Judy in Key West

[recce101]

Gabapentin (Neurontin) is what I took for peripheral neuropathy. Some people don't get much help from it, but it was very effective for me. I was still on it when I got the shingles last year, and my family physician told me that's why I had so little discomfort from that episode. I was on a very light dosage -- at the peak, just three 100mg capsules over the course of each day, then stabilizing at two capsules. Good luck with it! Aloha,

Ned

[CaroleHammett]

Sandra:

Even if it is nerve pain, I'd certainly consider acupuncture if I were you--and not just for pain, but also as an anti-stress measure.

I began acupuncture in 10/07 due to insomnia problems (which were exacerbated almost immediately), but then continued having sessions due to the fact that I continue to be "inexplicably" relatively pain- and fatigue-free.

In the meantime, I sure hope the Gabapentin (Neurontin) helps you!

Affectionately,

Carole