How long have you had Chronic Pain?

[Pamster]

And how long have you seen a PM doc for it? As for me, I developed CP as a result of a motorcycle accident from 87' but I never sought out PM help until it got really bad after a car accident in 98' although I waited until it was excruciating before I did anything. I waited until august of 2002 to finally get the referal. An MRI showed I had a pinched nerve from a partially herniated disk in my neck. I know a deeper MRI would show more stuff like down my back too, but the PM doc said "What's the worst of your pain? I can only treat one area...so what aches and hurts the worst?"

I told him my neck and shoulders are the worst since they were really bad off. I could hardly turn my neck without shooting pain and the arms and fingers went numb a LOT. It was the pinky and the ring finger that would go numb, and after that MRI I was in so much pain, man it's amazing how much pain you can be in even though you're NOT doing a thing, just sitting still takes a lot out of you. If you have an MRI done do you come out of it in tears from the pain of lying flat on your back?

[painiac]

dx: Fibro in 1976
Pain mgt since 1986

[Bobbi]

Chronic pain since age 22. I've seen a PM for since 2003 or 2004 (don't know without looking at reports).

For me, the past couple of MRIs haven't been terribly bad; valium helped ;).

Bone and DEXA scans feel the worst - to me :(. The pain is just so unbearable.

[Mark N]

CP since I was 14 with my knees and then my lumbar at 22. It was just part of life for me that I tried pain meds but decided I was better off without them. My sign. line tells the rest of my story but I have never used a pain management doctor but I have used pain meds with my PCP being my PM Doctor since 2002. Until then I used aspirin and Tylenol to deal with my pain along with suffering silently.

[Scar Tissue]

Hi, Pain Management since 9/05, CP probably a short while before that (Failed Back Surgery) Current Meds. Morphine, Neurontin, Klonopin, Promethyzine, Morphine IR (Breakthrough) Lactulose. Pain is Hell, but I'm trying to make my life as livable as possible, and the folks on here are sure helping!!:)

[911]

been treated for pian for 14 years

[Quahog]

I've been in PM for about 5 years now, although I have had pain for much longer.

[Kathi49]

Since 2000 and yep started with the cervical spine. I know what you mean by just sitting kills you. You don't even have to be moving; there is sometimes no escaping it at all....not even with meds. Oh, and yes, my PM will ask which side is worse. I suppose it depends on the TYPE of injections. He will do facets on both sides at one level. But the Selective Nerve Root injections he does only on one side and at one level.

Last year came the lumbar pain. And yes, lying too long in an MRI does make my lumbar hurt. But putting a pillow under my knees does help. This last cervical MRI they did not put a pillow under my knees and my back was hurting the whole time. But I lived. :)

[Pamster]

I haven't had but two MRIs and they both left me in tears, I had only soma then for pain from my PCP and he wasn't comfortable continuing to RX it for me and was glad when I asked for the referal. It made me feel better in the long run, but that entire weekend I was in tremendous pain. It's amazing how much we endure before seeking out help. I know I took motrin for years and think it caused a peptic ulcer. That has since healed and I have discovered I have a hiatal hernia, a sliding one though, so no surgery.

I feel so bad for those of you who have such increidble pain that oxycontin and diluadid are the only relief you can find. It's an honor to post with you all here, thank you for accepting me as I am, just as I accept each of you as you are. I think Brain Talk is a wonderful place and I am just so happy to be here, I used to come for the autism forum only, but after learning about Pain Management it was a no brainer to come join the conversations here. :)

I'm so glad we can all be here for one another and support each other through bouts of suffering and tests. It means a lot ot me to have this forum to come to every day to read and sometimes post in threads that are going along that I feel I could add something to. :)

[oh_snap]

Too long. Soul/Life draining. Welcome its end, however that end comes.

[curiousforever]

Actually the first time I complained about my elbows was in '98. I was pregnant - and changed how I slept due to doc's advice. Then it came back with a vengence in 2000. I spent then until 2003 in massive pain as the PM doc only allowed 2 hydros a day. When your pain is a constant 8 - 2 hydros do nothing. She saw that I had documented ulnar nerve impingement - moderate in my right elbow - mild in right.

Then we moved - first time with new doc - he said 'why haven't you had surgery?' I said 'WHAT?!?!?!?!?' My surgeon said they might as well have put a nail thru my foot - treated me with antibiotics and not bothered to remove the nail....that was his interpretation of what they did to me.

Was great for about 4 months. Then had these awful attacks - would bend me over. They found an ulcer (probably from all the excedrin I took trying to control the pain over the 3 yrs with no help). Ulcer healed - yet still had the attacks. They finally removed my gallbladder as it was full of stones.

Was good for about another 4 months. Great actually. Then come September - the arm pain started again. They are not impinged. Every emg/ncv comes back with different results. Every blood test flip flops. By now, even the nerves in my leg are involved.

That was 1 1/2 yrs ago. I lose my balance very easily. Can't remember things after a few minutes. Pain is all the nerves in my arms....

[cindybear]

my first explosive headeache ===Jan 3, 2001, And it has contunued to this day.....I have been on some kind of narcotic from that day day forward...But have been in pain management since Nov.2002..God, he saved my live !!! And is truly my angel... Thank God for them !! Hugs, Cindy Thank you Paul !!!

[BrokenBladder]

My CP started in 1998. For two years I couldn't find a doctor who knew what was wrong with me. Finally in late 2000 I got my first diagnoses of many. Then I decided to deal with the pain because I didn't want to be on pain meds, but in 2005, I gave in. Now the pain has gotten worse and I'm glad I did start the meds.

[Kira]

I have had some day-to-day pain since mid-college, maybe 2000 or so. Before that I had shoulder problems that hurt all the time, but I don't really consider that to be the same as all the rest of this, so I'm not counting it.

I had my first documented rhabdomyolysis attack in January 2005, and things have gone downhill since then. In retrospect, my first actual rhabdomyolysis attack that I am sure of was in spring 1998, though there are some questionable experiences from high school as well (1995 or 1996, I think).

I have only been on long-acting opioids since October 2006. Before that I often took Norco/Vicodin, Tramadol, muscle relaxants, and/or NSAIDS, but it was intermittent and from my PCP, not the pain clinic (also IV opioids in the hospital/ER with attacks).

Sorry it is not a concrete answer. Things just sort of gradually progressed, although the past two years have been much worse.

[Mark N]

oh snap, I hear you when you say it is soul/life draining. I finally have accepted my day to day life and it isn't as draining as before. I hope you come to terms with it soon and that you have adequate pain control.

[GardeniaGirl]

The disease I have started in the end of 1996 with fatigue.

But I had joint pain in my knees back in 1992.

It has been a steady, slow progression since then.

My current med combo + a totally sedentary lifestyle keeps the pain down to a 3-4 most of the time.

What I really need to do is find a way for my body to tolerate more morphine. My body has completely bizarre reactions to opioids and my pain is undertreated because of it.

[buriedinbooks]

Level 3-5 CP August 1987 dx RA

Level 6 CP April 1996 after bad chiro adjustment for TMJ (which was later dxed as cervical stenosis)

Level 8-10 August 2002 post ADCF 5-6 which took eased occipital headaches, neck pain but sent pain forward into shoulders, arms, mid-back, sternum, and hands.

Was able to tolerate RA pain but from 1996 til present the added medical events sent me in a CP isolation level. I must constantly think over the pain and even sleep over the pain.

Every step into the public world is like walking onto a stage playing the character of fake/normal. I hate it...sigh.

[Pamster]

I appreciate all the replies everyone, I have to wonder, do you all expect to take pain meds for the rest of your lives? I don't know if that is the only way to cope with the pain, but it's working for me now. :)

Thank you all for sharing your pains, it's a shame we're all suffering, but having you here to relate to makes it easier somehow. Just knowing that I am not alone offers some comfort. :)

[Kathi49]

Pamster,

Seven years ago I was told by a PM, 3 Residents, an NS and a Neurologist that I would have to probably take meds for the rest of my life. I refused to believe it then. But I do now! :) It is just a fact of life now sad to say. But, I will say, there are fluctuations. Before I was on quiet a bit of them and have been able to keep it at 2 a day. But, there are times, say surgery, when I am right back up to 3 or 4 a day.

[oh_snap]

oh snap, I hear you when you say it is soul/life draining. I finally have accepted my day to day life and it isn't as draining as before. I hope you come to terms with it soon and that you have adequate pain control.

Oh, Coach Mark...
Come to terms? I don't know if I can.

Lack of sleep (bladder) and pain/neurological issues, are making me stupid. Still trying to pick up jobs here and there (cause I use to be good at what I do), and cause it would help financially (am self-employed). The wrap-around tspine pain/burning alone is "priceless". Pain, lack of sleep wipes points off of my IQ. I used to be able to manage with my "dugout" sense of humor, but that's not working anymore. Time for some kind of change.

[Joey54]

In the 3rd grade, I could barely walk home from biddy league practice, my knees and feet hurt then and throughout my life, my low back pain was present when I began to wash dishes for my grand pa when I was about 13-14 years old.

Early 20`s I tore my knee up bad and despite having good insurance I worked on it with pain meds and often on crutches, I got good relief with surgery at about 30 years of age.

Mid twenties I had undiagnosed neck pain now evident by black discs and other issues, late teen and early 20s I had low back pain when putting up hay and doing other jobs but ignored despite being covered by insurance.

In my 30`s I cleaned carpet (moved almost all furniture) in 2-3 homes a day … alone … when I worked for others and had a helper I was to do 6 homes a day.

After Ankle surgery at 42 and return to work, I did the splits to make any teen cheerleader proud and never recovered.

At 46 I was only able to work for Temp Agencies a couple of days a week and was forced to return to In, in bad shape I had a Lumbar Sympathetic Block for a diagnosis of RSD after an ankle FX then resulting surgery, Workers Comp forced me to work for 18 months on an ankle with 2 fractures.

This is brief but at 40 year of age I was either injured or in an undiagnosed but treatable condition to the point of being disabled for 10 years …

Misdiagnosis, lack of basic and downright laziness had cost me 10 of my first 40 years.

All Drs should be required to … touch their patients … where have the Drs gone to school at … there was no reason for many of the problems I went thru … except … no Dr would put their hands on my back, knee and press … there is no excuse for this and for this reason I do not trust any Dr until I know them … I could go on but will not …

I know life can be worse therefore I am content and seek to be happy with the way things are ... it could take years to achieve this feeling but there is no other option ...

Joey

[BrokenBladder]

Joey I'm so sorry that the doctors were that way with you. I found them to be the same though. It took me several specialists in urology to find ONE that I trust and then the same thing happened with the Rheumy.
Now I'm just happy to have good doctors that are willing to work with me.:)

[Mark N]

Pamster, I expect to take my meds for life.


oh_snap, you may not be able to accept your CP life but it will be a fight you will lose and too many decent days will be wasted. I thought I would never accept this life but once I did I have had a better quality of life and that is the real goal when you can't get rid of the pain.

[Kathi49]

Agree Mark,

I was thinking about this last night. I can tell you that 7 years ago, when this all started, one PM and his Residents told me then and there that I would probably have to quit my job. I was really angry and I said, "No way! I can't give up my career (too much time in already)!" But they said, it was either that or find another job. Then I fought with them about the meds, again, I told them "There is no way I will take these for the rest of my life!" But, see that is when it all first hit and I was in big time denial.

As it turns out they were right. I did have to give up my job and I probably will be on meds for the rest of my life of one kind or another.

So, I believe it when you say once you accept what is going on and learn to cope, then things change. Speaking for myself, life is too short and I am going to try to enjoy what I can, when I can.

I read something last night that might convey how I really feel about it and it goes something like this...

"Once you EMBRACE your chronic pain and know that it can be MANAGED, then you become a doer, a starter and not a victim."

Yes, I know...tough to do but I firmly believe it CAN be done. There are people much worse off than I am and I realize that. But pain is pain is pain. It is either cope, seak treatment in whatever form or just curl up and hope it all goes away.

I had to laugh at my own PM yesterday. Here he is with two cervical fusions and a very bad back. Yet, he cannot take anything for pain other than Tylenol because they are screened. And he flat out told me that he would walk 5 miles every day before he would even consider having a desk job! I could soooooo relate! He also told me the only reason he is continuing to work is because he has kids that he HAS to get through college. I can't blame him and I do admire him because I KNOW he is in some serious pain. So, I did ask him how he dealt with it. And he said he just takes the Tylenol ignores it all for the most part, and then just goes home and passes out practically.

[Pamster]

Pamster,

Seven years ago I was told by a PM, 3 Residents, an NS and a Neurologist that I would have to probably take meds for the rest of my life. I refused to believe it then. But I do now! :) It is just a fact of life now sad to say. But, I will say, there are fluctuations. Before I was on quiet a bit of them and have been able to keep it at 2 a day. But, there are times, say surgery, when I am right back up to 3 or 4 a day.

I can relate, I haven't been to a neurologist, but my PM doc helped me more then any other dr. so far, not counting the team of Dr's who saved my life in 87' after the motorcycle accident of course, without them I wouldn't be here at all. But I understand it's just a fact of life now to hurt and I think it's a wonderful thing that we have PM docs around to help people like us. Thanks for your reply Kathi! :)

Pamster, I expect to take my meds for life.


oh_snap, you may not be able to accept your CP life but it will be a fight you will lose and too many decent days will be wasted. I thought I would never accept this life but once I did I have had a better quality of life and that is the real goal when you can't get rid of the pain.

You sure said it perfectly Mark, I too expect to need meds for life, that is unless I get in good physical shape and lose fourty pounds and find that that relieved the agony I suffer regularly in my back and leg and foot. You're so right when you say that it's about Quality of Life...I know meds have given a higher quality of life to me and I am very thankful for that. :)

Thank you all for the thoughtful replies, I know talking about it makes me feel better and my hubby just doesn't understand it like all of you do. Thanks for sharing so much abou t your suffering, I really appreciate your honesty everyone. :)

[Kathi49]

Pamster,

PM's are gold in my opinion! :) At least the one I have now is. The other PM was great personality wise but I really wasn't getting anywhere. Anyway, I wonder sometimes how they can take it all on. I mean they must see and hear everything. I don't know for sure but I bet there are many people that go in every day just crying their eyes out and in severe pain. So, to me, it takes a special person to become a PM. But, I will say without a doubt, the two I have had are big cut-ups...always joking. So...maybe that is how they deal with it or deal with patients. I just don't know but it has to be tough I would think. But I would be at complete loss without mine. If he ever retires, I WILL be depressed.

And yep, the hubby's don't always understand. I can tell ya, my husband was very aggravated with me when it first began. Now, though, he completely understands it. And not to be mean, but since he now has a herniated disc in his back he REALLY understands it. So, we kind of laugh at each other sometimes. And/or when it gets REAL bad, are supportive of each other.

[Stetson]

Since April 2001 my journey started.

[ErinENj]

I've been in pain since November 2002, Thanksgiving specifically. Two spinal surgeries put me here. Both of them were mistakes, but I didn't know any better. The second was to fix another herniation I had managed to get from lying in bed recovering from my first surgery to fix the first 2 herniations. After the second surgery did nothing more than increase my pain, the surgeon who had opened my back up twice (the full incision instead of doing that easy, small incision arthroscopic surgery to do the same thing) and had made all that money off of my misery had the guts to say to me, "I can't figure out where your pain is coming from, so it must all be in your head. You're too young to have this kind of pain. Here's the name of a psychiatrist I work with." I thanked him, walked out of his office, and never returned. I will never let him touch my back again, no matter how desperate I might get. All he did was MRIs. No other testing at all. The amazing doc I finally found and am still treated by, performed a discogram (something I am really not happy about having to repeat! Next time, my mom isn't going to be in the waiting room, simply because she hates hearing me screaming from down the hall.) and found that I had torn both discs.

Thanks to that first quack, I will be in pain for the rest of my life. There is nothing that can fix me, as much as I want something to. I used to think that the artificial disk would fix me, until last year. My doc finally told me, when I herniated my disks again, that the artificial disks will only reduce my pain. I'll never be okay. I will never get my life back. I've been in this broken body for 4 years. And yeah, that's a real short time compared to almost everyone else here. I have another 75 years of pain staring me in the face, and my surgeon told me that my last hope at getting my life back is not something that will do that. All I can do now is hope that someday, there might be some fantastic surgery that'll fix me. For right now, I'm a 25 year old woman who's grandmother functions better than she does, and I'm hoping that I might get a few of the things I want in my life. Maybe. Who knows. The only thing I am guaranteed right now is pain, pain, and more pain. No, I'm not bitter about it. Not at all. :rolleyes:

[SillyPutty]

I got my very first migraine on Jan. 6, 1972. It lasted four and a half months.
It was only relieved by meds in the hospital while they were running test to find out what was wrong. Of course they didn't find anything so I got the dx
of migraine due to chemical imbalance. I have tried all these years to find something to take the pain of the h/a away and only in this past year have I found relief. My neurologist has been giving me Botox injections and they are working at last.

At 12:09 am Feb. 19, 1986, I was driving a Chevette on the highway when a car topped the hill in front of me and blinded me with their bright lights. In that split second, a deer ran out on my left side and I hit it with the headlight. It then flipped back around and hit right in the drivers side door.
I thought I was okay, even when I woke up the next with a crick in my neck that went down my back. It stayed with me for two weeks. By Feb. I had to admit something was wrong. I had been on the job when I was hurt and as soon as the boss found out all he** broke out. He got rid of the car. I was called in to sign a paper saying that I quit due to undisclosed reasons. I told him where he could file that paper. (I ask to take it home to think about it but he knew I would take it to a lawyer) They even had the other workers sign papers saying I was a troublemaker. The ones that didn't were threatened with loss of their jobs. Anyway, it was about June 20th before I
finally had my first surgery. By then I could barely walk and the doctor discovered I had developed gangrene in the exploded disc of my back. I had two surgeries in one week and spent 23 days in the hospital.

I just had my ninth spinal surgery on the 5th of March. My neorosurgeon told me after my first surgery that I would never work again. I applied for SSDI. I was turned down the first two times, then I got an attorney and I got it.

I finally settled out of court with the company I worked for. I had to much on my mind with my pain and all to mess their BS. Sure I would have loved to have stuck it to them for more, but it wasn't anybodies fault that I hit the deer. Heck, I didn't even see her until I hit her. The company did treat me wrong by trying to say I didn't even work there and trying to cover up the accident, but jerks will be jerks.

Linda

[OriAl]

25.75 years, since one month after I broke my neck and smashed my cord 6/11/81.