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The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 12/31/2012 5:12:58 PM

dcnovice

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Like some secret, previously silent alarm, my body chose to rouse me at the start of my 50th year with an explosion of neck and shoulder pain. It started as occasional numbness and tingling, then gave way to a "pins and needles" feeling, and then burning. Now it feels as if needles are being driven into my shoulder, and not in an erotic way.

I've been x-rayed and MRI'd, and the theory seems to be that arthritis/degeneration in my neck is throwing things out of whack, which in turn takes a toll on my shoulder. By way of treatment efforts, I've had physical therapy, anti-inflammatories, painklillers, and an epidural injection of steroids. (The last coincided with the needle feeling, which made me wonder if it was some sort of weird after-effect.)

Still, the pain persists. It greets me in the morning, revs up if I sit too long at a computer (which complicates my life as an editor). and drives me to bed early. Chronic pain of this sort is a new and unwelcome experience. (Previous encounters with acute pain, including walking on a broken foot for four days, had given me false pride in my high pain threshold. That illusion's now gone.)

I'm not asking folks to diagnose or cure me over the Internet, but I'd welcome battle stories and tips from others who've dealt with chronic pain. Some things I've been wondering about:

-- How do you get through to a doc who seems more concerned about your becoming an opiate addict than your spending the rest of your life in agony?

-- How long do you try a new medication before determining whether it works or not?

-- How do you motivate yourself to do PT exercises (which you know will help in the long term) when you hurt like hell in the short term?

-- How do you pace yourself during the day?

-- If the prescribed meds aren't up to the job, do you add any OTC remedies?

-- How do you handle yourself when a surge of pain starts at work or in a social setting? (Last night, I nearly started sobbing at a dinner party.)

-- What questions should I be asking that I'm not?

Many thanks and warmest wishes to us all for a pain-free 2013!

_____________________________

No matter how cynical you become,
it's never enough to keep up.

JANE WAGNER, THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF
INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE

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RE: The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 12/31/2012 5:18:13 PM

Spiritedsub2

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I am really sorry to hear about what you're going through. I don't have anything like this myself, but (don't laugh) both of my dogs have degenerative arthritis. They were in a lot of pain, but I didn't want to give them pain meds because the drugs are bad for them long-term. So, I tried acupuncture. And it's been freaking amazing for them. I can tell you more about it if you're interested, but within about a month of regular treatments, they were 80% better; now we do maintenance treatments and they don't need any pain meds at all. And since they're dogs, there is no question about placebo effect. Whatever you do, I hope for the best for you.

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RE: The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 12/31/2012 5:51:03 PM

ShaharThorne

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From: Somewhere in TX
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I deal with fibromyalgia on a daily basis. Sometimes I get up early, take 2 tramadol and lay back down in a different position. I had my nerves burned going to my legs. If I stand up for more than 15 minutes, my lower back starts hurting and I have to sit down. It has been pretty cold down here in TX, so the pain comes in. I am suppose to take Norco and I do at night if I am hurting. When my back spasms, I take flexirel. I stretch out my scripts where I get the opiates every 3 to 4 months.

I am also being treated for the bipolar and the drugs might interact with each other. I have to tell my p-doc that the ambien is no longer working. If I don't get sleep, the fibro acts up. I get to see her on Monday next week and since I am involved in my treatment plan, we will see what else to do (besides have Mom use my four-footed massager on my shoulders and back).

BTW, I did have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Last time I saw my neurologist, he was able to tell me it faded out...I had a chiro teach me a trick to work my wrist so it would not hurt so much.

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RE: The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 12/31/2012 5:51:15 PM

DomKen

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FR

There are pain management specialists. You should insist that your doctors either produce a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan or if the condition is incurable get you a referal to a pain managemnt doctor who can help you find a solution that lets you live as well as you can.

As to PT when the short term pain is intense, what worked for me, lower back issues a few years back, was a very hot shower or bath right before and right after the PT. The muscles relaxed and the PT was much less painful. No idea if it would work on your neck but it would be worth a try.

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RE: The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 12/31/2012 5:55:44 PM

ShaharThorne

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From: Somewhere in TX
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There is also a TENS unit...had the state pay for it when I was working for them.

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RE: The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 12/31/2012 6:09:22 PM

OsideGirl

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I have a neck injury. Once in awhile the muscles decide to try to pull the vertebrae back into the curve and I'll get severe muscle spasms.

I lost my temper when I asked for pain meds to handle the few occasions when I need something to relieve the pain and was declined. I threatened to report the doctor to the state board. I have no history of addiction or drug abuse, so it was merely him deciding to be God. I won that argument.

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RE: The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 12/31/2012 6:25:24 PM

ChatteParfaitt

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From: The t'aint of the Midwest -- Indiana
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Dealing with chronic pain is difficult, and the current medical system does not help.

Some basic advice for you:

You HAVE to do your physical therapy, and many doctors don't understand that you will need pain meds to get you through. b/c PT is painful and doing the exercises are painful. Educate yourself and continue to complain to your doctor. You are going to have to be strong enough (or in enough pain, which is how I think they see it) to counter his arguments.

You need good pain management, and this means going to the pain specialist, AND not letting the pain get away from you. I have had great success with tramadol.

If you have arthritis/degeneration in your neck, unfortunately, you have no choice but to resign yourself to a certain amount of pain. I know this, I have the same thing, along with disc degeneration down my spine and a car accident that left me with a pelvic torsion injury in my lower back.

Sleep is your friend. If you don't get enough sleep, you won't handle the pain well.

Activity is your friend, if you are not active, what muscle tone you have with atrophy, and your issues will just get worse.

Massage is your friend, as is a tens unit, and a moist heat heating pad.

You need to find a doctor who can deal with your issues, who understands where you are at and can give you straight talk about what you can and can not do about it. Ask for recommendations until you find someone good, it really can make all the difference.

Best, CP

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RE: The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 12/31/2012 6:44:52 PM

Rule

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Joined: 12/5/2005
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quote:

ORIGINAL: dcnovice
-- What questions should I be asking that I'm not?

I have no pain relief solutions.

Can it be that a nerve is squeezed?

You ought to ask yourself these questions:
1. What causes the arthritis.
2. Have I ever had any of the eight herpes virusses.
3. Did I ever have any other recurring or chronical medical problem that has the same direct or indirect cause. (Torn nails, or bad breadth, for examples.)

During the past months I ate a lot of chips. I got back pain the next day. I have stopped eating chips. I no longer have back pain.

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RE: The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 12/31/2012 7:06:27 PM

TheHeretic

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From: California, USA
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It never reached the levels you are describing, DC, but something happened with my shoulder last summer that damn near had me unable to use my left arm.

We went to Vegas for a mini-vacation at the end of October. I got slightly drunk*, stayed that way for about 3 days, and shortly after we got home I noticed it wasn't bothering me as much. It's been showing steady improvement since. At this point, I have to move it just the wrong way to even get the twinge that says it isn't quite back to normal yet.

All the best, whether you try the ancient redneck remedy or not.

(* Not shit-faced drunk mind you, but just buzzed enough that I wouldn't have gotten behind the wheel, and then maintained it there)

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RE: The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 12/31/2012 8:24:09 PM

WinsomeDefiance

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Here are a few tricks I've learned over the years to help manage the pain without medication.

For my neck and back, I have a basketball that I sit on the floor and lay back on. I roll my body back and forth over the basketball (up and down my spine.) I stop when the basketball is at my neck and balancing on it, put my hands behind my neck and slowly (carefully) stretch my head up, stretching the muscles.

I have a small pillowcase filled with rice (sewn up at the end) that I heat up in the microwave and curl up behind my neck and lay back on. The hot moist heat is very helpful at night time. I love my rice pack heating pad. Stays hot for a long time and I don't have to worry about falling asleep with it.

Hot showers/baths help.

At one point I did burst into tears during a doctors visit and ask the doctor to please just sit down and LISTEN, really LISTEN to me.

The very best thing I ever did for myself was to stop beating myself up and pushing myself too hard.

(in reply to TheHeretic)

Post #: 10

RE: The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 12/31/2012 9:58:43 PM

slvemike4u

Posts: 17896
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From: United States
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quote:

ORIGINAL: DomKen

FR

There are pain management specialists. You should insist that your doctors either produce a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan or if the condition is incurable get you a referal to a pain managemnt doctor who can help you find a solution that lets you live as well as you can.

As to PT when the short term pain is intense, what worked for me, lower back issues a few years back, was a very hot shower or bath right before and right after the PT. The muscles relaxed and the PT was much less painful. No idea if it would work on your neck but it would be worth a try.

This ...if you are suffering from chronic pain you need a specialist to deal with that issue to the exclusion of other concerns.
And I can't say enough for soaking in extremely hot water...for me it is the linchpin in my toolbox for dealing with my pain.

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RE: The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 12/31/2012 10:00:59 PM

MasterG2kTR

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From: Wisconsin
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I won't try to diagnose and I have no way to compare with personal experience of my own. I once had something very similar sounding. The problems was due to poor ergonomics. Make conscious assessment of that and adjust if needed.

Aside from that, I would see if a chiropractor can help.

As for medicines, you don't want pain killers, they just cover up the problem and do nothing to fix it. Muscle relaxers may help though.

(in reply to WinsomeDefiance)

Post #: 12

RE: The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 12/31/2012 11:09:25 PM

FelineFae

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~fr~

C-mails for DC.
*Hugs*

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RE: The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 12/31/2012 11:31:22 PM

tazzygirl

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Joined: 10/12/2007
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quote:

How do you get through to a doc who seems more concerned about your becoming an opiate addict than your spending the rest of your life in agony?

Thats a fine line. Dont like the answers you are getting? Ask for a second opinion or find another Doctor. There is no shame in that. Not all Doctors are the gods they profess to be.

quote:

How long do you try a new medication before determining whether it works or not?

In this, the Doctor, google and your pharmacist are your best options. Find out from all three. Only you know if something is truly effective. Base it upon the average and determine for yourself.

quote:

How do you motivate yourself to do PT exercises (which you know will help in the long term) when you hurt like hell in the short term?

PT is a bitch. But, the less you move, the more it will hurt. Keep active. Its really one of the few things that works with arthritis.

quote:

How do you pace yourself during the day?

Go slow... set goals for the week. Evaluate at the end. Count be you need more breaks while at the pc. Maybe all you need is stretching exercises. A physical therapist can be more help in this area.

quote:

If the prescribed meds aren't up to the job, do you add any OTC remedies?

I wont answer that for you. I add them. Ibuprofen has become my best friend. I take pain meds, then when the time is about half way between doses, I add the OTC stuff. For myself, it has a potentiating effect that I can not go without.

quote:

How do you handle yourself when a surge of pain starts at work or in a social setting? (Last night, I nearly started sobbing at a dinner party.)

Ibuprofen to the rescue for me. I never leave home without it and usually sets in within 30 - 45 minutes. If I have it on hand, I dont run the risk of the pain getting out of hand.

quote:

What questions should I be asking that I'm not?

I have no idea. I have one for you. Have you gotten a second opinion on the diagnosis?

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RE: The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 1/1/2013 1:18:15 AM

ChatteParfaitt

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From: The t'aint of the Midwest -- Indiana
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This worked for you b/c alcohol is a muscle relaxant.

Now I have meds to get me through major muscle spasms, but before I did, I used alcohol. Not the best solution I know, but it does work.

If you take certain meds, you really do have to avoid alcohol, so watch that stuff.

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RE: The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 1/1/2013 2:07:36 AM

TheHeretic

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From: California, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: ChatteParfaitt

This worked for you b/c alcohol is a muscle relaxant.

Really? I've never heard that before. It's not like I've spent decades knowing that a good stiff drink helps the back feel better, or anything...

No. I didn't have anything about sarcasm in my New Year's resolutions. Why do you ask?

_____________________________

If you lose one sense, your other senses are enhanced.
That's why people with no sense of humor have such an inflated sense of self-importance.

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RE: The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 1/1/2013 3:12:52 AM

littlewonder

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Status: offline

quote:

-- How do you get through to a doc who seems more concerned about your becoming an opiate addict than your spending the rest of your life in agony?

Good question. I wish I knew. I've been going through this myself. I'm now to the point of seeing another doctor and I feel I'm at the end of my rope. I've tried telling the docs about the pain, explaining time and again, telling them that I'm in agony every single day of my life, that it's difficult to eat anything, that I don't sleep at night because of the pain, etc...they all seem to just say "hhhmmm.....", look at me, throw out something like "sounds like you have......" and then send me home.

quote:

-- How long do you try a new medication before determining whether it works or not?

When I first started taking my anti-depressents I had to go back every two weeks so I could tell her of the side effects, if they were working at all, how they were making me feel, etc...so she could readjust the doses, try something new, etc....it's been extremely annoying. Then it went from every two weeks to every month to now every 3 months but I'm now at a point where I've been taking the meds now for over a year and I'm starting to feel like they are no longer working as well as they once did.

But I also don't want to go back. I'm tired of going through the whole mix and match and try and try again stuff. I'm exhausted.

quote:

-- How do you motivate yourself to do PT exercises (which you know will help in the long term) when you hurt like hell in the short term?

Oh man! This is the hardest part for me! I'm supposed to exercise at least an hour a day. My doctor would rather see me at the gym for at least that long if not longer but I can't motivate myself to do so. I'm tired, it's hard for me to get out of bed in the day but I can't sleep at night. My body is exhausted but my head is wide awake. I want to exercise but I just can't bring myself to do anything. My motivation is usually Master kicking my ass and the consequences from him being worse sometimes. But even then it can be incredibly difficult for me. I'm always trying to find new ways to motivate myself but I've yet to find something that works all the time or even half the time.

quote:

-- How do you pace yourself during the day?

Not sure what you mean by this. I just do what I can and if I start to feel too exhausted or in too much pain, I stop and rest. I'm not working right now so my situatio is a little different. I admit when I start working, I'm a little concerned on how it's going to affect me.

quote:

-- If the prescribed meds aren't up to the job, do you add any OTC remedies?

Yes. Most times they don't help though. But I continue to take them thinking maybe one day they'll magically kick in lol.

Lately I've decided to try once again to change my diet to see if it will help. Time shall see.

quote:

-- How do you handle yourself when a surge of pain starts at work or in a social setting? (Last night, I nearly started sobbing at a dinner party.)

When I was working, I would either work through it but working at a slower pace or go on a bathroom break and just sit in a stall for a few minutes until it passed. If I was out somewhere by myself, I would excuse myself and go home.

quote:

-- What questions should I be asking that I'm not?

Can't really think of any right now. I do hope though that you start to find something that works for you. If you feel your doctor is not helping you, try someone else until you find someone that you are comfortable with and you feel is listening to you. I know how hard this is. I feel like I've been from one to another to another over and over again.

I hope eventually you find one that will help you and you can get through the pain you are suffering. My sympathies.

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RE: The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 1/1/2013 3:38:32 AM

ChatteParfaitt

Posts: 6562
Joined: 3/22/2011
From: The t'aint of the Midwest -- Indiana
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-- How do you get through to a doc who seems more concerned about your becoming an opiate addict than your spending the rest of your life in agony?

Ask your primary doctor or rheumotologist for an appointment with Pain Management. It's rare for any doctor not affiliated with PM to give out pain meds on a long term basis.

-- How do you handle yourself when a surge of pain starts at work or in a social setting? (Last night, I nearly started sobbing at a dinner party.)

You stick to your pain med regime and don't let the pain get away from you; you don't let yourself get overly tired; you travel with some pain meds and take something as soon as you notice symptoms -- don't try to 'tough it out.' I used to do that, Himself no longer lets me.

Tylenol with boost your pain killer.

< Message edited by ChatteParfaitt -- 1/1/2013 3:39:24 AM >

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Post #: 18

RE: The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 1/1/2013 10:17:36 AM

dcnovice

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Joined: 8/2/2006
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FR

One thing I forgot to ask: Does pain make you incredibly tired? Or maybe it's some combination of pain and meds?

_____________________________

No matter how cynical you become,
it's never enough to keep up.

JANE WAGNER, THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF
INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE

(in reply to ChatteParfaitt)

Post #: 19

RE: The Problem of (non-BDSM) Pain - 1/1/2013 10:21:24 AM

dcnovice

Posts: 37282
Joined: 8/2/2006
Status: offline

FR

Thanks to all of you for your insights and advice! I appreciate it more than I can say.

May 2013 be a happy and healthy year for us all!

_____________________________

No matter how cynical you become,
it's never enough to keep up.

JANE WAGNER, THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF
INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE

(in reply to dcnovice)

Post #: 20

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