CHRONIC PAIN MANAGEMENT

[Sandym0]

Chronic Pain Management

Hi there, how are you all doing? I have a question that I suffer from chronic pain. In my entire body, specially in feet, heels, knees, lower back, as I am a amputee. I have a problem in my right hand too, doctors suspect carpal tunnel. As long as I don't do anything, it's okay. But if I do something, it's painful. For which I was on pain medication. So as I have a addiction too, is doing a opioid replacement therapy. And did nothing for pain management, as I am thinking about stopping opioid replacement therapy. I will have to deal with pain. Which was somehow numbed because of the medication I use for addiction. On top of that I have a mental illness too, if I speak to a doctor. What they say is, reasonable help. They can give me, so it's really a struggle. How you can recover if you are in agony from pain. Doctor gives you nothing for pain. And the antibiotics you use gives you a tremors and extrapyramidal side effects. The support network you have, has a different agenda. Which they are kept on hiding and kept on pursuing there motives. How to deal with all that

[David35]

Doctors should be able to test for carpal tunnel syndrome. It can fixed with day surgery too. My dad had it. It releases the sheath surrounding your nerves in your wrist giving you back the feeling in  your hands so they don't ache so much.

[Sandym0]

Hi @David35 thanks for your reply. But the only thing freaks me out is, as I am a upper limb amputee. Left hand below wrist. And I have heard so much about carpal tunnel going wrong. So if that happens I am left with nothing. If you understand what I mean. I have to be very careful how I proceed this. To others it might looks like just an excuse. But to me it is a lot more than that. I don't know really see what happens.

[Ggrand]

Hello Dear Sandym0,

A very warm and caring welcome to our forums..

I am so sorry you are in a lot of pain, The past 6 months I’ve been trying hard to manage the pain associated with BI Lateral frozen shoulders…and knees that hurt each time I take a step….I don’t think I really understood how pain can effect our daily lives until this happened to me…my heart truely does go out you you..

One thing that helped me, even though it was only for a few short weeks was cortisone injections…It gave me so much relief, that I was pain free,  that I’m willing to have another two injections on the 6/7…I will say though, that the 1st lot of cortisone has taken away around 80% of my pain with movement, I am hoping that this next lot will take away more pain ad give me more arm movement….I am on the list for an operation, but praying so much that with this lot of cortisone that my pain reduces even more…

Sorry about talking about me, I m wondering if maybe a cortisone injection might be worth trying before you go the way of an operation….Like you I am afraid that if something goes wrong, my shoulders will be permanently frozen…I can relate so much to you not wanting an operation…..maybe speak to you’re Dr about that option first….My heart goes out to you and anyone in chronic pain….❤️🤗..

My kindest thoughts Dear Sandym0, with my care..

Grandy..

[AnotherRandomUser]

Hey chronic pain certainly is rough. I have fibromyaliga and peripheral neuropathy throughout my body.

So here's some tips that may help!

Firstly, on the Pain Australia website theres a link "Find Support." You can find numbers to people who can help you with your pain or even just to talk to.

As for treatments....

• Hot packs/hot water bottle, or cold packs (you can use a bag of frozen veges). Or you can switch between the two. Wrap them in a tea towel to avoid burns.
• Pain Creams or other alternatives. Only use ONE, dont use together. They also come in patches you can stick on your body.
• Over-The-Counter Medications
• Prescription Medications. Talk to your doctor about these.
• TENS Machine
• Massage, acupuncture, physiotherapy.
• Stretches. You can look up on Youtube different stretches that help different body parts. They are often really quick and easy, some only taking seconds to do.
• Arthritis Supports. Eg. Arthritis gloves. Can be used for pain other than arthritis.
• Bedding. Supportive and wedge pillows and weighted blankets.
• Exercise. Just do what you can, even if its just a walk to the mailbox and back. Its about keeping your muscles moving so they dont weaken.
• Diet. You can talk to a dietician about an anti-inflammatory diet, and about natural supplements that help pain such as Ginger and Tumeric. See if they are right for you. You could also ask your doctor or chemist.
• PEA. A natural supplement used for pain. Ask your doctor/chemist if its okay to use.
• And in the future, CBD oil may be available.

Note: Talk to your doctor, chemist, Health Direct, or the Poisons Information Line for any drug interactions!

Well thats about all I can think of. But I know that even with the best medications and treatments pain is really tough to live with and can be draining on your mental health. So hang in there, and good luck!

[Guest_97429186]

hi there just saw your post and thought I’d reach out to you. I know how you feel. I am waiting for a right hip replacement am currently bone on bone in right hip and almost at same in left. Both knees are shot and have 5 herniated discs in my spine. Just the slightest movement causes pain that people without pain can’t even imagine. I really feel for you as I can totally relate to your pain and it can get so overwhelming at times you don’t know which way to turn or what to do well basically sometimes we can really even do anything at all because the pain doesn’t allow. I understand also with doctors and pain meds etc and all they’re worried about half the time is that they’re addictive. Never mind that you’re just about going out of our minds in pain. Anyways hopefully you might see my post and we can maybe support it other a little or at least talk to someone who understands what we’re going through. Take care of yourself talk soon hopefully