pain

There are some posts you really hesitate making, this is definitely one of them. Today I feel like a fraud. At church this morning I really didn’t want to be there and I really didn’t want to engage with anyone. Yesterday I started to feel very unwell with debilitating chest pain. My Wife asked me if I thought it was cardiac related. Given my recent history of major heart surgery it was definitely a valid question. The truth was I wondered if it was cardiac but the thought of yet another ambulance ride and another hospital admission was more than I could handle. I thought if it is an heart issue then maybe I would get to heaven and frankly that sounded good. It’s been 8 weeks since my accident. That’s 8 weeks of constant pain and my resolve is getting low.

Today my digestive system isn’t keeping any food in. And I am crazy tired. I have been sleeping a lot lately during the day which isn’t normal but I have forgotten what normal is. No one at church realises what a state I am in. I keep carefully prepared walls around me because I know if they did know they would all want to visit, cook etc and I just don’t have the energy to entertain people. Those walls though have created an environment where I am feeling like an isolated fraud. All I can manage now is to lay in the guest bedroom bed. I am too tired to read or watch tv.

I have managed to get appointment tomorrow with a doctor. I don’t know what to tell her. I think I will try and articulate I am scared that I am behind on my recovery and I want a review of my pain medication regime because I don’t think it’s keeping up with my pain levels. I am allergic to some pain medication and OxyContin has no effect on me. I am wondering if my current pain medication is also ineffective. My surgeon is overseas for another 2 weeks, the rehabilitation program is closed until Jan 6. I have no idea what I should be expecting at this post operative point.

Here on The Mighty I am often seen as an encourager. Today I feel like nothing but a fake. I am drowning and I can’t even find myself a life preserver. The physical pain is relentless and I am worn out.

The photo is a view outside the guest bedroom I am staying in. It offers a glimmer of hope.

Like a car in wintertime, it doesn't want to turn off = tremors.

Sit down —> engine knock

Cross my legs —> engine knock

Sneeze —> engine knock

Things that have helped: Heat/warmth (a blanket, sunning yourself). Stretching or exercising the leg. Holding or pressing the knee in place. Oral baclofen.

What has finally stopped it was getting a baclofen pump. Like what has helped country star Clay Walker (search for our recent post about him), this hockey puck-sized implant feeds powerful micro-doses of baclofen (a muscle relaxant) directly to your spinal cord. If the tightness, pain and fatigue of spasticity starts taking over your life, ask your specialist about this option. I've had this for eight years and it has changed our lives. Hit me up if you have any questions.

#MultipleSclerosis #Disability #Pain #Spasticity #Caregiving

I have had pain for a long time that I haven’t been able to get help for and was wondering if someone might have any thoughts.

I have pain in one side of my body; between shoulder blade and spine, right hip, sometimes a bit in the other hip and inside right knee. I also feel tension in the right side of my head, both at the front, around the eyebrow, and at the back. And I sometimes notice when breathing deeply I breathe into my right side less.

The pain in the shoulder gets worse with exercise that put a lot of strain on the shoulder. Other than that, I can’t see anything that makes it worse.

I have tried to get help before but got to hear things like it might be because I have flat feet and I should just exercise less and another time that it’s normal that the body isn’t completely straight.

I did go to a chiropractor for pelvic distortion for some time which didn’t relive the pain, and this was before the knee and shoulder pain.

I don’t know if the problem is flat feet, tilted hip, different long legs, if it comes from the back or something else entirely.

I’m also wondering if this could have something to do with my sleep problems or at least being a contributing factor.

So if someone can tell me anything that could be helpful - what the root cause could be, if you’ve had a similar experience, some knowledge that might help if I try to get help again or some way to get help with this – I’d be very grateful.

#Pain

Glad to be here! #Bipolar #Dbtskills #Borderline #Pain

My main pain distraction is my Money. My Money ALWAYS makes me happy 😉 #Facts

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects more than just your joints. It can impact many areas of your life and comes with a wide range of symptoms—some of which are less known or rarely discussed.

In your experience with RA, which symptoms do you wish were talked about and better understood? Which ones affect your daily life the most?

📔 Need more insight, information, or personal experiences? Check out today’s Story of the Week about RA here:
10 'Hidden' Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis We Don't Talk About

#RheumatoidArthritis #Pain #PainManagement #ChronicIllness #CheckInWithMe #ChronicPain #Disability #Fibromyalgia #MentalHealth