How do you deal with chronic pain?

1. 91

   peeplesposted 10 years ago

   How do you deal with chronic pain?
   
   I have degenerative disk disease that causes an insane amount of pain. I am told I need to go onto "pain management" (nice way for docs to say permanently on heavy pain killers). So I ask all of you, do you have any ways of dealing with chronic pain, are there ways to deal with it without meds, do the meds even really help? What tips can you offer people dealing with chronic pain?

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2. 37

   ChristinSposted 10 years ago

   My dad has it and eventually had surgery which gave him a great deal of relief, but didn't take the pain away completely.  I would maybe consider working with alternative or integrative therapies for pain management.  A chiropractor or acupuncture could bring a lot of pain relief.  My dad went to a chiropractor and enjoyed it, but he wouldn't bring himself to try acupuncture, which is unfortunate, because I think it could have helped.  Swimming I've heard helps immensely too because it gives you exercise while taking the pressure off.
   
   My dad only ever took motrin despite being prescribed pain killers.  He didn't want to become dependent.

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   1. 91

      peeplesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I don't want to become dependent either. I have given acupuncture some thought, but it scares me. The surgery they suggest scares me more though so I might have to over come my fear and give acupuncture a try! Thanks!

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3. 81

   mdscogginsposted 10 years ago

   Possibly looking into alternative pain management such as meditation or mindfulness.  Those techniques are widely used in therapeutic settings with evidence of efficacy.  Simply, mindfulness teaches in some ways acceptance of the pain and also how to psychologically manage the pain.  So mostly it teaches tolerance rather than relief which painkillers only do momentarily but are highly addictive and destructive.  If this sounds interesting try looking on YouTube, Google, or search for a local therapist that is trained to provide such techniques.  Good luck in your search

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4. 94

   LongTimeMotherposted 10 years ago

   Hi peeples.
   Take a look at this page http://www.mobicosa.com/caps.html
   I wrote a hub about how this alternative remedy fixed my arthritis if you want to take a look. Degenerative disk disease is also linked to inflammation and cartilage problems so I suspect it would be just as effective for you.
   You'll know if it works by the time you finish the first bottle, and you don't have to take them forever. Once they've done their job you can stop taking them. I stopped taking them 10 years ago and still haven't had arthritis return.
   You know where to find me if you have any questions.

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5. 0

   Sri Tposted 10 years ago

   There are ways. Alternative ways, but it takes a little courage to break from the normal path or the AMA approval, who bans things that work because they don't want cures for people. First there is Emile Coue who healed thousand of people with a simple method. A type of mind over matter autosuggestion. His book is cheap at Amazon. Next there is Louise Hay, her best seller, Heal Yourself has sold millions of copies. She did indeed heal herself of a major disease. Next there is P.P. Quimby, Federick Bailes and Thomas J. Husdon all who healed thousands of people of every kind of problem. They also have books with easy instructions. There are other methods and even outrageous healers who get fantastic results with strange methods like chanting or singing, triggering advanced mental/emotional states that can heal almost anything. They have best sellers on NY Times and their stuff works too. Eastern methods are not about surgery. So the question always is, how badly does a person really want to be healed. I have used a lot of their methods and in some cases I was healed overnight or in just a few weeks. But I was desperate. To be healthy, I will almost try anything that works. If it has worked for others, it may work for me is my philosophy. I read about it first. It's better to do that than to suffer for a lifetime.

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6. 77

   Express10posted 10 years ago

   I hope that you find relief, you sound like a very strong woman going through this. I have no chronic pain but when I have had very bad back pain I used a jetted tub to relieve it. Within 15 - 20 minutes I felt very good. Medications never have done what they are proclaimed to for me and I am very allergic to NSAIDs so if I can't get into a jetted tub or a spa, I curl up into the fetal position and ride it out. Some people find temporary relief with meditation, heating pads and acupuncture.

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7. 0

   Daveadams36posted 10 years ago

   I have had a lot of pain over the years mate, & it can wear a person down..So never be too hard on yourself if you have bad days emotionally, but do try to get some fun hobbies/passions/interests etc....I like mdscoggins says learned how to mindfully meditate, & to mindfully do stuff which isn't pain relief rather it's pain distraction using mind distraction....I can honestly say one thing about learning & mastering emotions & feelings & thoughts control, which came over a good few months of practice/training & understanding/realising....It is "the" most fascinating thing there is to discover for yourself & then practice, & you have to discover it yourself because you have to do the practice/training/realising....I learned the hard way after i got my bad back to really start looking after my back, so sit well lift properly eat healthily etc until they all become good habits that you do religiously. :-)

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8. 79

   Sed-meposted 10 years ago

   Grit my teeth, then o/d on advil.
   
   HPs said my answer was too short, but now it's not.

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9. 81

   JackieBlockposted 10 years ago

   I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome(EDS), and have had to deal with some pretty bad pain since I was a child. After a lifetime of learning what works for me, I find that the best approach to dealing with my pain is by using several different strategies to help. One of the top EDS specialists in the world, Dr. Clair Francomano encourages what she calls a 5% plan for pain. I, for example, might take some pain medicine which relieves 20% of my pain, take a epsom salt bath for another 5%, use my TENS unit for 10%, talk on the phone with a friend for 5%, Use my heating pad for 10% have my husband massage some tiger balm into my sore spots for 10% and distract myself with a good comedy on DVD for another 10%. Add it all up and 70% of my pain is managed. My life is significantly better and I can do much more with this much less pain. If you find something that works to make you feel better, keep it and use it, even if that something needs to be medicine. It is much easier to keep ahead of pain than try to break out of a bad pain cycle. And don't feel guilty if you need to take pain killers, just think of them as one more weapon against the enemy(pain) in your arsenal.
   I hope this helps you a bit. I wouldn't wish chronic pain on anyone.
   
   Gentle Hugs,
   Jackie

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10. 44

    Greg Standlerposted 8 years ago

    My personal suggestion would be to try out a chiropractor, or something along those lines. You put it nicely yourself, ""pain management" (nice way for docs to say permanently on heavy pain killers)". Although pain killers help, they create a dependency which is often harder to deal with than the pain itself! If you are interested in seeing a Chiropractor, check out https://about.me/LupoChiro . They are based in Michigan (not too sure where you are). Hope you get this fixed!

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11. 48

    Devleyposted 7 years ago

    BFST has helped me with so many aches and pains.  It works like ultra sound and promotes the blood flow to the specific area needed (you buy the specific wrap for the body part).  As long as you keep inflammation down, by keeping optimal circulation, over time that inflammation and pain does not build up as much.  Take a look.  Worth a shot, they do have a 30 day money back guarantee, if it works it works, if not send it back.
    http://kingbrand.com/BFST-Home.php?REF=34PV370.1420

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12. 79

    jimmyglaughlinposted 7 years ago

    2 steps, first is CBD, Cannabidiol. This will help with the pain. It is a natural pain reliever. There are 2 main chemicals in marijuana, THC and CBD. THC gets you high, CBD does not. It has very minimal side effects. Talk to your doctor about it, oh, and its inexpensive. After the pain is dealt with, start with light yoga, and work your way up. Of course, check with a doctor first.
    Dump any doctor that wants you on opiods, that is lazy medical advice. Opiods are very short term.
    
    I swear to you, the CBD is worth looking into, do your research. Be your own strongest medical advocate, remember, your doctor works for you.

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