Back Pain

Hi, my name is andrea85_newyork. I'm here because I’ve been battling chronic fatigue for 3 years. I have recurring anemia, IBS, food allergies, insomnia, back pain and rosacea. I’m trying to find people who’d be willing to chat about what’s worked or hasn’t worked for them —- and general just speak to someone who understands what I’m going through :)

#MightyTogether

You know the Red Wedding episode of Game of Thrones? My innards are the Starks, #Endometriosis is the massacre.

Thinking back, I was plagued by mystery abdominal pains during my teens and the cause was never diagnosed. I remember when I first saw my gynaecologist back in 2016 and she asked me how long I had been having my problems. I estimated a couple of years but she very sagely suggested that I had probably been experiencing them a lot longer than that. There were tears.

I had external and internal ultrasounds that didn’t show anything but I was told that #Endometriosis doesn’t usually show up in them. I suppose they were ruling out other things, because the fun thing about diagnosing #Endometriosis , it can only be properly diagnosed by Laparoscopy.

Anyway, the symptoms of #Endometriosis are…many, and like a lot of symptoms, they can be for lots of conditions making diagnosis a long and pesky process.

My symptoms include:

Severe pelvic pain

Migraines

Lower #BackPain

Chronic fatigue/brain fog

Digestive problems

Painful sexy time

I was diagnosed via laparoscopy. You may know it by the term key hole surgery. A small telescope is inserted to have a close up look at the internal tissue.

When my gynaecologist found traces of #Endometriosis , she lasered the offending tissue. This doesn’t stop #Endometriosis from coming back though. It’s a treatment but it’s not a cure.

During my second laparoscopy a couple of years later, my PVCS was diagnosed. They also found polyps (often benign tissue growths) in my uterus which resulted in a D&C (Dilation and Curettage). Basically, they were scraped out with a spoon.

During my second procedure I also had a Mirena Coil inserted into my uterus. This little hammerhead shark looking device releases a hormone called Progestogen and this is supposed to help make my #Endometriosis symptoms less angry. Again, it’s not a cure.

Other drugs in my arsenal include Amitriptyline, Codeine and oral Morphine for pain management.

I used to take Mefenamic Acid which is a powerful anti-inflammatory but even with a stomach protecting medicine (Lansoprazole) my digestive system would not be fooled and would engage washing machine spin mode immediately in protest and I decided it wasn’t worth the hassle.

Thanks for reading!

Hi, I'm new and I find peace of mind to be a rare commodity.

My brain has no "off" switch. It's always thinking 20 things at a time, strategizing, worrying, debating. Almost never do I find myself in a state of actual calm or peace. Either thinking 20 things in a day is keeping me functional or overwhelms me.

I have generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and insomnia. I also have struggled with sensory and memory issues, trichotillomania, psychosis, panic attacks, and PTSD. I'm also waiting on results for testing for another possible diagnosis.

I have fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, and chronic lower back pain. I also have photosensitivity, asthma, and joints that dislocate/subluxate. So when I'm thinking my 20 thoughts at once, it's also me trying to account for and take care of myself on a constant basis. I've learned to think those 20 thoughts because no one else will advocate for me, and when I don't it means I don't get the medical care I need.

However, part of the reason I joined The Mighty is because as my conditions have become more severe it's increasingly hard to see the road ahead. I can barely handle day-to-day, that merely thinking of making plans or the future sends me into a panic attack or deep depression. I've been struggling and so isolated that social skills which were once easy, are now a significant fear of mine. I struggle to string together thoughts, remember words, read facial expressions with those closest to me.

There is no cheesy pamphlet in the hallway for the struggles we go through. Questions about how to handle situations or how to plan a future that you want with the conditions you have. I found The Mighty because I am ready to move forward with my life to a place where I am happy, but doing that right now feels...incomprehensible. I'm here because even the small steps, I don't know how to do or even what they are. I can't find resources that even echo an understanding of my needs and how to accommodate for them.

I'm here because the best things I've learned are from my friends and people who have gone through similar experiences. Because the thoughts aren't so loud when they are shared with others.

#ChronicIllness #MentalHealth

Hi, my name is Essie. I'm here because I’ve had life changing, chronic back pain & issues for several years. I’ve done so many things in my search for help, hope & relief. Every day the pain, limitations & emotions seem to get heavier & harder to bare. So, I’m here, trying this, hoping to gain some strength & support.

#MightyTogether

I’m going to start this out with gratitude. I’m thankful for the ability to walk, and for the fact that my back pain has been *mostly* in remission for the past several years, with a few minor exceptions. I know how lucky I am for both of these things.

However, my Fibro pain has been getting worse, lately, and today was back to the point that changing positions ranges from painful to excruciating, and walking through the store, today, was SO much more exhausting than usual, because of the pain. Even sitting and lying down is uncomfortable, at best.

A couple of days ago, it was my knee that wouldn’t let me walk normally up the stairs.

It’s frustrating because I know if I went to the doctor, they’d just say to lose weight, but while I know that can reduce a lot of the stress on my body, I also know that I felt these same pains at size 8, as I do now, at size 20, so I know it’s not 100% size-related. I’m also only 34, and have dealt with back pain since I was a teen.

I also am very wary of prescription pain medication, for a variety of reasons, and OTC versions aren’t helping. I’m about to look into some essential oils, but I also have to be careful because I have cats.

Anyway, I just needed to vent for a moment, because I’m trying so hard *not* to complain to my family, except when they specifically ask what’s wrong. I’m just realizing, again, how exhausting pain can be.