CFIDS
fibromyalgia
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Congestive Heart Failure
arthritis/osteoarthritis/psoriatic arthritis
and loads of other stuff
I had hopes that Tramadol and Meloxicam would help, as there are few medications I can take, particularly for pain. However, I began having horrendous, burning pain in my chest and down my arms that would start my heart pounding and sometimes skipping. It seems both of those drugs have this as a side effect. So, now, I'm back on Tylenol, which barely does a thing. 24/7, I hurt from head to toe. I understand that comment someone made about hair hurting.
I figure that I've been battling some of the worst symptoms since I was about 30, so I've spent half my life trying to hold down fulltime jobs that were very demanding. At my last job, it was becoming so bad that I could barely walk, even leaning against walls. Someone suggested I check out Disability, but I'd heard that it sometimes takes years. It took them only three months to decide in my favor, so I guess they decided I was pretty puny. I cried when I was told. the man at Social Security said it's a common reaction because a person is relieved that s/he doesn't have to keep pushing when it's getting impossible and because it hurts to be told, "Yes. You ARE disabled."
I keep having flareups every few years that set me back every time I think I'm making headway. I have an arsenal of pain ointments, including Theragesic and Sombra. But, there's just so much that topical analgesics can do. I've tried homeopathics but haven't had luck finding anything that helps. Maybe they keep me from backsliding more.
If I can get to where I can bear to be touched, I might try massage therapy. I had a couple of sessions years ago, and they seemed to help.
I want to be able to walk more than a few feet and to stand for more than a few minutes. I can't use a wheelchair because it stresses my arms, wrists and hands,which give me so many problems. I guess I had too many injuries to the body from falls (very bad spine), so I have countless pressure points that scream at me.
My doctor is trying to be patient, but I think she's out of suggestions for painkillers. She has never treated anyone with so many problems, so I can understand her frustration.
When I started Tramadol, I thought, "Finally! I'm going to be able to sleep!" I feel a bit like a zombie (oldtime, not brain-eating!) a lot of the time, with a foggy head and heavy eyelids.
I used to have a great chiropractic doctor who did acupuncture, but he retired many years ago. Today, nearly all chiropractors do "non-invasive" treatment, which doesn't work for me, as I learned at great expense to pocketbook and body.
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Pain / Chronic Pain
Do you suffer from chronic pain?
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Come, share stories of how you deal with every day living as well as what works for you whether it's prescriptions or other treatments