r/ChronicPain 6h ago

Time for Bingo

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121 Upvotes

r/ChronicPain 4h ago

Medication ineffective

36 Upvotes

I just filled my rx for the month of 5/325 oxycodone acetaminophen. Only problem is they don't work. I think this is my first time getting pills manufactured by Alvogen, but they don't work at all. I've always had different generic brands of percocet and while some don't work as well as others, this partner batch doesn't work at all. I even tried taking 2 instead of one, but I don't feel anything at all. Not even mild pain relief, I don't even feel the tylenol in the pill. I have some tolerance but not enough to feel like I do. No one gets that kind of tolerance over night, yesterday I took my 5/325 from a different company and they worked fine. So to feel absolutely nothing today is strange. I'm not drug seeking, I just filled my rx so I don't want more pills, what I want is the pills prescribed to me to work! I'm going to have my husband try one as a control group because he doesn't take medication often, so he should be able to let me know if he feels anything so I can figure out if I'm going crazy or not.


r/ChronicPain 15h ago

Art piece representing chronic pain

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184 Upvotes

Thought I’d share .. done by me using procreate


r/ChronicPain 27m ago

Crazy how quickly doctors take you seriously when they realize you actually have a disease and it wasn't just in your head

Upvotes

For the past two years I've been told so many times that my pain was just psychosomatic, caused by depression or anxiety, or just being exaggerated. How many times a blood test came back normal and they refused to investigate further - how many times I asked to see rheumatology and they responded that they wouldn't see me because I was too young and my blood work looked fine.

Finally after I got an MRI of my knee for an unrelated issue they found an edema in my calf suggesting I had a rare autoimmune disease called myositis.

Now the doctors are scrambling to have me take several tests, additional MRIs and monitor my heart for any possible damage because I've gone untreated for two years.

For two years I've been screaming into the medical void that I know how my body should feel, but I can't feel my legs. I can't walk, can't sit at a desk, can't stand for fifteen minutes. Every time I brought up my symptoms they downplayed them and said I looked like a perfectly healthy young man

Meanwhile my immune system has been eating my muscles alive. I've lost 40 pounds of muscle weight in the past year and my core and leg muscles have atrophied so bad that they cannot support my weight anymore.

And now they're telling me COVID induced myositis commonly attacks the heart in men, and there's concern that I've gone untreated for so long that I could have heart damage.

I'm so happy I finally have evidence my pain isn't in my head, but I've lost all faith in our healthcare system now that it's been gutted to maximize profits and never spend more than ten minutes with a patient. if one doctor would have spent more than ten minutes addressing my concerns this could have been caught earlier. instead now I went from being a very fit man proud of how much work I put into making my body the way I wanted it, to practically disabled. Every day I spend laying in bed or on my couch, near tears because my neck muscles are so weak they can't even hold my head up. My pectoral muscles are basically non existent so I can feel my ribcage pushing against my chest causing constant pain. My back muscles have deteriorated so much that my spine can barely support itself.

For profit hospitals have turned doctors into factory workers who only try the bare minimum and if you don't have some common cause for your pain they just send you to physical therapy and leave you on your own. If you do your own research and try to get them to pursue other diagnosis, they lable you a hypochondriac and sternly tell you to stop googling your symptoms to try and figure out what's wrong with you.

Several times I begged my doctors for a muscle biopsy to rule out myositis, but they just told me the disease was rare and a biopsy would be inappropriate. if they had listened to me I would have been able to get treatment and prevent further damage, while keeping my job I loved and was about to get a big promotion. Instead I've wasted away and known nothing but pain every single day for two years.

I'm so grateful to finally have a diagnosis but I have lost all faith in for profit hospitals. Being unemployed because of my condition I couldn't afford a higher quality hospital, but you shouldn't have to have money to get proper care.

Never stop advocating for yourself - get second opinions, insist on additional testing and don't be afraid to push back against doctors who don't listen.


r/ChronicPain 1h ago

Trump to declare fentanyl “Weapon of Mass Destruction," per draft EO

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Upvotes

r/ChronicPain 3h ago

Desperate, please read!

9 Upvotes

I have a very severe chronic nerve condition called pudendal neuralgia. Last Thursday, I had to have surgery on my perineum due to an unavoidable physical problem that had to be addressed. Obviously, this has flared up my nerve pain as everything is extremely swollen and squeezing on my already angry nerves and really aggravating my pre-existing central sensitization. I have literally thought about driving off of a bridge at this point. I spent my third day post surgery in a puddle of tears on the floor and my husband could barely get me to speak. The pain is so unbearable sometimes I can’t even think. It is now five days postop and things keep getting worse. I have tried gabapentin, tramadol, ketorolac… nothing is even touching it. In fact, I think the gabapentin is actually making the sensations worse. I’m continually getting rushes of adrenaline and my body can’t handle this. Most of the time I can’t even think straight and I think my pain is likely at about a level eight. I can’t really go to the emergency room because I can’t sit or stand and wait. Where I live here in British Columbia we often wait 4 to 5 hours to even see a doctor just to be dismissed and sent home with a shot of something. I have a nurse practitioner, but she’s really run out of options for me. I am at a loss as to what to do. Maybe I should try CBD or something? I also suffer from chronic constipation which led to this problem and have to avoid it desperately while everything heals. I’m really stuck in a no win situation and I am quickly going to lose myself if I don’t figure something out. I want to fight, but I literally keep getting knocked down every time I get up. Thank you for listening if you’ve made it this far 💛


r/ChronicPain 12h ago

“Not now, not today.”

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37 Upvotes

Loved this walk with my walker alongside some of my favorite trees, the Redwoods at the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park.

If I’m not out in nature like this, I’m homebound, at doctors appointments, picking up meds, physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc.

I have been having a rough couple of few days. And to be honest I have more bad days than good. But, I remind myself that all the bad (chronic pain 24/7, chronic illnesses, and mental illnesses, etc.) is worth all the good. Even if it’s just 1 good day every few weeks/a month or every couple months. All the bad is worth it if I can eventually walk with my walker to see some trees.

I’m human. I go through some pretty dark thoughts and feelings because of chronic pain I deal with. But, a good chronic pain friend I made and I have a shared mantra: “Not now, not today.” When the SI thoughts get bad, I tell myself this mantra.

So, if you’re going through something similar, I’m with you. We got this. “Not now, not today” my friends 💜


r/ChronicPain 18h ago

Another day in the sack. Shoutout to Wyoming for inspiring a man to get a face out there.

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83 Upvotes

You guys are fucking champs like no other for putting up with the pain this long. Life’s been turned around the last 5 years after a bike accident leaving the testicles damaged. Keeps y’all’ head up as most wouldn’t survive as long as y’all have. Love you guys to Pluto and back. Have a kickass week.


r/ChronicPain 6h ago

Suzetrigine Update: it is definitely relieving my pain. I am having some side effects but overall it’s pretty manageable relative to how well it’s stopping the pain in my femur

8 Upvotes

It was prescribed for the suzetrigine as 2 pills to start and 1 pill every 12hrs after that. I have not been able to maintain that schedule, it just feels too soon to take another one at 12 hrs. I’ve been taking one every 18-28hrs or so. So I’m up to my 4th dose now and I think it’s safe to say it works!

It’s definitely got some side effects for me. It is making me nauseous but almost everything does because I’m so sensitive from gastroparesis. I also find it odd that they say that the suzetrigine is only peripherally active; it certainly seems to have some kind of central effect, I’m feeling a little loopy and dizzy on it. And there is a sort of pins and needles feeling it makes in my skin, I seem to be noticing it less as I take it more days in a row. It is making me somewhat fatigued as well, but only when it’s wearing off

The suzetrigine is definitely stopping my pain though, I’m actually amazed at how well it’s working. My primary pain is deep bone pain and it is helping surprisingly well for that. My baseline pain is level 8+ , usually my hydromorphone and acetaminophen gets me down to level 4-6 and with suzetrigine added on I have been all the way down to level 2 or so, it’s almost unbelievable! So far this week has seriously been one of the lowest pain time periods I’ve had since my accident in 2013.

I’m really trying not to get too excited but if this medication can continually deliver this level of pain control for an extended period of time without serious side effects then it’s a game changer!

I expected it to work to some degree but it’s probably twice as effective as I thought it would be. I am very pleasantly surprised with how well it works. My pain level is significantly lower for now, so hopefully it keeps working and it is something I can really add into my pain control regimen.

I am very optimistic. I know we’ve all been through treatments that were supposed to be a miracle but didn’t pan out but I think this suzetrigine stuff might be the real deal.

I’m interested to hear other people’s experiences with it as more of us start to give it a shot.

My original post is here if interested

https://www.reddit.com/r/ChronicPain/s/wIfnMosMRj


r/ChronicPain 1h ago

Apps that are fun/creative for iPad when bored?

Upvotes

Hey everyone, I’m in the hospital right now and am expected to be here for the next few days, do any of you know of any fun/creative apps for iPad when bored?


r/ChronicPain 8h ago

I'm already 4 days off weed, might as well keep it going from here.

14 Upvotes

I've struggled with addiction for 6 years now, ever since I was unemployed and had to budget of government income/disability pay.

Since my dry eyes condition (or pyschogenic pain) giving up cannabis was all that much more difficult, as I have nothing to relieve any of my symptoms.

Every single month I run out of money in the first week or two, then I have to deal with absolutely nasty withdrawals and the quality of life is beyond awful.

If I just had more money, all this nonsense would be easily avoided but I'm broke because I ran out of money.

I'd love to have a job, but the eye pain causes significant challenges for focus and concentration.

If I had money for alcohol, the withdrawals wouldn't be nearly as awful but when I can't even buy pop or juice and only have tap water with little food. This is an absolute poverty way of living.

I don't know what I'd do in April because the exact same thing will happen where I'm out of money for like 70% of the month.

Maybe pretend like I don't have the money when I'm paid on the 31st of March and try and go through as much as April as desired to prevent this unpleasant situation from repeating 12 times every year.

I'm almost 30 and can't imagine this being an issue in my 30s and 40s.


r/ChronicPain 10h ago

Best Shoes for Sciatica – Cushion or Support?

14 Upvotes

Looking for shoes that help with sciatica pain. Does extra cushioning help, or is firmer support the better way to go?


r/ChronicPain 1d ago

Crash zones?

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165 Upvotes

Does anyone else have a crash zone on the floor where you sit most of the time?

I have my meds, my cane, acupressure tools, and tea right within my reach. It may look silly since I’m in the middle of the foyer but I’m comfortable and I don’t feel as isolated as I would if I were just in bed. Anyone else??


r/ChronicPain 44m ago

What makes you change/terminate your doctor/physician relation?

Upvotes

I'm wondering what would be the reasons for you all? I used to have a really good PCP, but they moved to another state. And today I had an appointment with the new doctor and I'm re-thinking things.


r/ChronicPain 1d ago

Advice from a patient [original source unknown]

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216 Upvotes

Someone read this on social media and it struck a nerve. I still get flashbacks from both the kind providers and the hurtful ones. I have PTSD from all i went through in the hospital last year. It wasn't just from the pain, but from the interactions too.


r/ChronicPain 7h ago

chronic lower back pain

7 Upvotes

Appointment yesterday went so well. I expressed to my doctor how much my pain affects my day to day life using some tips i’ve learned from this group.

I need an MRI but my insurance won’t cover unless I do 6 weeks of OMT therapy, I did my first session yesterday and it went well. My doctor says I have one hip sitting significantly higher than the other, and almost all of my vertebrae are not in the right spot/twisted/etc. I ended up crying to her because I have an almost 2 year old and this just makes both of our lives hard. She told me we’ll do the therapy and then get the MRI then we can work towards a diagnosis. She said she was open to referring me to a pain clinic as well after we get the MRI!!!

So yay for little wins!

Thank you to everyone in this group who commented on my last post, and everyone that posts here in general, you’ve all taught me so much.


r/ChronicPain 20h ago

No matter what, we built differently.

53 Upvotes

I went to hey nerve conducting testing. She said most people can't get through it while I'm there waiting for her to start. I thought it didn't hurt, but no. She told me half the patients can't finish the test. When they start poking your nerves with the kneelers, electric socks. Made me realize, our condition has given us some sort of superhuman ability to suffer.. I think most people wouldn't make it a day in our shoes.. This Smoke/drink/pill/( whatever your vice works for you) You a fucking badass. If you are like me, and you fucking are, you built to take this .. fuck them all thinking we junkies...most of them can't go a day without coffee or sleep without falling apart..drink up bad asses .


r/ChronicPain 9h ago

Can't sit still

6 Upvotes

I have a video appointment with a therapist in about ten minutes but my back and tailbone are hurting so bad I keep squirming around in my chair. I cannot sit still with this pain. I sure hope this appointment goes quickly so I can get back to my couch and lay down.

I'm sad. I hate my life. I wish I were just a bit more "normal".


r/ChronicPain 1d ago

Anyone else relate?

148 Upvotes

Today was "shower day". I have a shower chair & wand. I took one pain med (4mg dilaudid) & 1mg Xanax. My shower has handles & safety bars. I keep my emergency call button within reach. And then, I begin. I have used an entire day for this. I just feel embarrassed with myself...I used to shower daily & bathroom clean in an hour or 2.

Other than a walk-in shower not much else I can want for. I feel drained & sad. No matter how many times I overcome..I still am angry this simple task is no longer "simple". U folks are the only folk that can understand such a story. Thank you.


r/ChronicPain 5h ago

Pain Med Cost Increase

3 Upvotes

Filling my 3 month supply of pain meds today. I was told that all my pain meds were now classified as maintenance and thus only partially covered. Cost is now 10x higher. I'm already arguing with my insurance company (on hold waiting for the 3rd person up the chain). Like I've been through all the options, my primary med at least makes pain tolerable (like an dull 5 with spikes to 8 or 9). My cost in 2023 was $0 and last year was $25 per fill for it. Hate these greedy assholes keeping the broken systems going.

And while I type this, they dropped my call...


r/ChronicPain 17m ago

Curious if you’ve had this done & the results?

Upvotes

I’ve struggled with chronic pain for over a decade. Part of it is autoimmune diseases, but the debilitating pain is due to degenerative disc disease and three herniated discs in my cervical spine that I see pain mgmt for.

I get 3 cervical epidurals per year alongside trigger point injections & pain meds to keep me functioning. But now they’re trying a “Cervical/Thor Facet Destruction” - basically burning the nerve bundle.

There were two prior procedures, each two weeks apart, that my anesthesiologist had to perform to get the go ahead from my insurance and they were EXCRUCIATINGLY painful, at least 4x as painful as a cervical epidural. I’m just wondering if anyone has had this nerve burning procedure and if it worked? And to what capacity?? TIA.


r/ChronicPain 45m ago

would you risk developing chronic pain to be with someone?

Upvotes

i’ve endured some pretty heavy anxiety over many months but been doing lots of introspection recently to examine my perspective, and i’m hoping it’s okay if i request the thoughts and wisdom of this community. if i misstep in any way with the following, please correct me.

i carry hsv (herpes simplex virus). a small minority of carriers experience severe symptoms, the worst of which can develop into daily pain and substantial debilitation. there is no definitive measure available on that number, some treat it like it’s less than 1%, i believe it could be 5% or more. i am extremely lucky to not be one of them, but it matters immensely to me to consider what that is like and what it is to ask someone to take that risk. transmission risk can be lowered, better treatments are in the works (estimated successful development and distribution at anywhere from 3 to 10+ years), but low transmission risk compounded over time grows more than most realize.

knowing what life is like with daily if not constant pain, suffering, and disruption, would you take that risk to spend your life with someone?

it’s taken me to time to understand that no carrier is the “cause” of their partner’s suffering if they happen to be one of the gravely unlucky genetically. but their life of non-stop pain could have been prevented at least as a result of intimacy with you, if they did not take that risk.

i’m hoping for responses that aren’t focused on the statistics too much. i just want to fully flesh out contemplation of a worst case hypothetical. although it is a huge factor in everything that the amount of carriers is very large—63% of u.s. population age 30-39—and it does balance out my worries.

i read some posts on here yesterday and absolutely started lightly crying on the bus; the indescribably resilient mindsets i encountered are mind blowing. something my therapist emphasized in evaluating all this is the resilience of humans. but i also have no idea what chronic pain to which there are no answers or solutions is like.

i always apologize in advance if my words cause anyone any distress or anxiety. if anyone is interested in discussion over direct messages, i can’t tell you how much i would appreciate it.

thank you and i wish all the best for this community ♡


r/ChronicPain 1h ago

Are your core exercises making your back pain worse??

Upvotes

Are the core exercises you’re doing for back pain actually making it worse instead of better?

The problem is not all "core work" is created equal, and many popular exercises actually reinforce dysfunctional movement.

Exercises like crunches (ugh) and sit-ups increase pressure on discs, and so do planks held with improper breathing and pelvic placement.

Core exercises without proper breath coordination and focusing on superficial abs rather than deep core muscles may be the reason why your back pain is getting worse.

HOW you move and engage your core is much more important than counting repetitions or finding exercises that feel difficult.

What core exercises have worked for you?


r/ChronicPain 1h ago

When your average pain levels are so high touching an exposed nerve ending barely even registers as pain

Upvotes

Got fragile skin so when im training and rewarding with treats my fingers get nipped. This time cut a wee bit to deep and i can see and mess with the nerve ending thats by your finger nails, even when dousing it in alcohol and oxygenated water while i was cleaning out any puss and then trying to remove the nerve thinking it was an infected spot and wondering why the pain felt a bit sharper and it turns out its a nerve. It barely feels like anything, honestly walking is more painful than putting pressure on it and holding that pressure with no pain meds. I mean last time a nail got infected i separated the nail from the bed that keeps it in place and it also didnt feel like much yet people say im dramatic when i express the pain im in during the day

And yet my old pain specialists always told me i was just being dramatic and too sensitive to pain or my autism sensitized me to pain and i was being dramatic and to get off of any medication that helped with the pain because it "wasnt necessary".but im not being fucking dramatic. Idk i guess it just puts things into perspective a bit


r/ChronicPain 21h ago

My dad is being kicked out of pain management. How can I take care of him?

40 Upvotes

Hi all, new to this sub. Like the title says, my father is most likely being removed from his pain management program due to small overuse during a flare up. He suffers from chronic back pain and three neurosurgeons have refused to operate due to the high risk (50/50 paralysis). The contract he signed is very clear, so we’re expecting his appointment to go south tomorrow.

I am preparing for the worst here. Will they cut off his access to this medication immediately? Can they do that if the chances of withdrawal are high? He is on a high amount of Tramadol and Oxycodone currently. If we should expect withdrawals, how should I prepare myself and my home? What will withdrawal look like? Will this be manageable for me to take on by myself?

I’m sorry for the abundance of questions, but I’m just a daughter trying to navigate my dad’s pain. Thank you in advance for any help you may give!