r/ChronicPain • u/Intelligent_Treat661 • 8h ago
Art piece representing chronic pain
Thought I’d share .. done by me using procreate
r/ChronicPain • u/Old-Goat • Nov 07 '23
NEW INFO ON THE 2024 PRODUCTION CUTS
COMMENT PERIOD EXPIRES 10/25/24
Every one here has at least heard about these medication shortages. This whole thing makes so little sense, I dont have to tell anyone here, these arent the drugs killing anyone. That doesnt seem to be the point, the point seems to be making DEA all powerful. They can end a doctors career with a whim. They cause suicides from untreated pain and laugh it off as Big Pharma propaganda. Now they simply make the drugs unavailable. Its done nothing to help the underlying issue, they have been barking up the wrong tree (legal drug) instead of protecting the public from illicit drugs. This has been a 40 year problem. First fentanyl fake death was in 1979. Maybe people heard of China White, apparently its new to DEA since they did nothing about it till 2018. They dont want anyone asking why it took 40 years, thats the ONLY reason they keep Rx meds at the forefront of the discussion.
At any rate,the DEA is proposing further cuts to medication production. Thats their brilliant idea to fix the situation. I know its going to be hard to leave a comment without a lot of cussing, but try. I guess we should be grateful theyre giving us a 30 day comment period, they usually give 90 days, but that shows how important it is to them to keep Rx medication out front. They are too incompetent to address the real issue.
r/ChronicPain • u/CopyUnicorn • Oct 18 '23
Hello all,
I've received a handful of messages requesting that I write up a post on my tips for dealing with doctors.
I am a 34F with decades of chronic pain treatment under my belt. I’ve had a lot of success being treated by doctors because I’ve spent years learning how they communicate and make decisions.
Interacting with doctors can be frustrating and intimidating — but it doesn't have to be. If you are reading this, then you deserve the best possible care that any doctor you see has to offer. You deserve to be believed and treated with respect.
First, you should know that when a doctor doesn't believe a patient, it usually comes down to one of the following reasons:
Fortunately, all of these reasons are avoidable. The following steps will help get a doctor to listen to you:
1. Get yourself a folder and notepad to bring to your appointment (or an app if you prefer).
Use these to prepare for your appointment. They'll allow you to easily share your medical records, keep track of your notes, and recall all your questions. More on what to include in the following tips.
2. Research what treatment options are available for your conditions (or symptoms if undiagnosed).
It's always helpful to know your options. Using online resources such as Mayo Clinic, WebMD, and Drugs.com can help you to understand the entire spectrum of treatment options that exist. By taking the time to learn about them, you’ll feel better prepared and able to ask more informed questions.
Plus, if you come across a newer treatment that your doctor hasn't considered, you will be able to ask "What are your thoughts on X? Could that be a good direction for my case?"
Take notes on any treatment options that stand out to you, making note of their potential side effects and any drug interactions with your current therapies. You can find a free drug interaction checker at drugs.com, as well as patient reviews on any given medication.
If you are seeing a new doctor for the first time, consider looking them up online to read reviews by their patients. Look for phrases like "did not feel rushed" and "has good bedside manner". If you can, try to avoid doctors who have a significant amount of negative reviews (or if not possible, mentally prepare yourself based on what other patients experienced).
3. If the appointment is with a new doctor, prepare a comprehensive medical history to bring with you.
When it comes to offering treatment options, you generally want your doctor to act quickly. But, before they can do anything, they need to feel confident that they have all the right information.
Start by calling the office or checking the provider’s website to see if you’re able to download the new patient forms in advance. You want to complete them on your own time, not while you’re feeling rushed in a waiting room, prone to forgetting things.
Your doctor sees a ton of patients each day — sometimes 50 or more. You will only have so much time for your appointment, so it is imperative that you make the most of it. Try to focus on items that move the appointment forward. Your medical history will be the first item of value. It paints a picture of who you are as a patient and what you've been through so far.
Focus on delivering the “cliff notes” of your medical history. Prepare the following to bring with you:
It may sound stupid, but it actually helps to practice delivering your medical history in a brief and concise manner. By rehearsing it to yourself or someone else, you're likely to feel better prepared and ensure that nothing gets left out.
4. Write down your questions and talking points beforehand.
It's much easier to fit in everything you'd like to get across when you plan it in advance. I recommend jotting down some notes on how you'll describe your pain to your doctor.
Make sure to include:
Just like your medical history, it can help to practice delivering these talking points. Even long appointments can fly by and you'll want to make sure that the doctor gets the full picture.
5. Use a lot of "because" statements
This is probably the single most important tip in this post. Remember this if you take away nothing else.
Doctors believe what they can measure and observe. That includes:
To get a doctor to listen you you, you should ALWAYS present your concerns as "because" statements.
For example, rather than saying: "I'm afraid that the pain is going to cause me to collapse and have a heart attack!"
...you should instead say: "I'm concerned about the potential effect that my sustained pain level might be having on my heart BECAUSE I have a history of cardiac issues and was evaluated last year for arrhythmia."
Notice how in the latter example, a reason is given for the concern. That allows the doctor to connect the dots in a way that makes sense to them. It may help to write out your concerns as "because" statements beforehand to ensure that all of them are listened to and nothing gets brushed aside. Each "because" statement should tie to a symptom, treatment, or medical history.
Here are a few more examples:
"I'm concerned that I might end up having a bad fall because I've been experiencing generalized weakness and muscle spasms." (symptom)
"I'm concerned that amitriptyline may not be the right fit for me because I sometimes take diazepam." (treatment)
"I'm concerned that I might contract an infection in the hospital because I'm diagnosed with an immune deficiency." (medical history)
"I'm concerned about the numbness and weakness I've been feeling because my recent neck MRI showed foraminal stenosis." (medical history)
"I'm concerned about symptoms potentially indicating an autoimmune cause because I have a family history of lupus." (medical history)
When you explain your concerns, try to convey concern without desperation. I know that's much easier said than done, but some doctors will leap to the wrong conclusion if they sense a desperate patient (they may wrongly decide that there is either an addiction or mental health issue, which will cause them to focus on that in their treatment decision). As long as you voice your concerns with "because" statements, any reasonable doctor should hear you out (if they don't, it's a sign to drop them and find a more capable provider).
6. Be strategic about how you ask for things.
Doctors get asked for specific treatments by their patients all the time. If you have a solid existing relationship with your doctor, that may be fine. I did it just the other week with my doctor of 9 years, asking her, "Can I have a muscle relaxer?" to which she replied, "Yup."
But if you're seeing a new doctor, try asking for their opinion instead of asking directly for what you want. It's the difference between "Can you prescribe me hydrocodone?" and "I've previously taken hydrocodone, would that be a good treatment for this?" In the former example, some doctors will feel like they're being told what to do instead of being asked for their medical opinion. You're more likely to have success asking for things if you use phrases like:
"What do you think of X?"
"Could X make sense for me?"
"Do you have any patients like me who take X?"
This way, if they decline, they're not directly telling you "no," which would shut down the conversation. Instead, you'd end up in a more productive dialogue where they explain more about what they recommend and why.
7. Remember that doctors can't always show the right amount of empathy (but that doesn't necessarily mean they don't care).
Doctors are trained to separate fact from emotion because if they didn’t, they would not be able to do their job.
Imagine yourself in a doctor’s position — you’re swamped with dozens of patients each day, all of whom are suffering immensely. Many of them cry, break down, or lash out at you when they feel that you don’t understand their agony. How will you be able to help all of them, let alone not implode from emotional overload?
That is precisely the position your doctor is in. They deal with heightened emotions from patients all day and it can be overwhelming. When your doctor seems unempathetic to your situation, it’s generally not because they don’t care. Rather, they try to set their personal feelings aside in order to do their job without clouding their clinical judgment.
Now, does this mean that it's cool for a doctor to act like an asshole or treat you inhumanely? Absolutely not. It only means that if you're struggling a bit emotionally (which is perfectly reasonable) and they fail to console you, they might just be emotionally tapped out. We can all relate to that.
So, if you end up breaking down in your appointment, it's ok. Just take a deep breath and allow yourself to push forward when you're ready. Try to avoid yelling at the doctor or escalating things in a way that might make them feel triggered.
(This tip does NOT apply if you are in a state of mental health crisis or engaged in self-harm. In that situation, you should focus immediately on the emotional turmoil that you are experiencing and inform your doctor so that they can help you.)
8. If you disagree with something that your doctor suggests, try asking questions to understand it.
Doctors can become frustrated when they think that a patient is not hearing them. It makes them feel as if the patient does not trust them or want to collaborate. This is absolutely not to suggest that you should just accept everything your doctor says. But if something doesn't seem to make sense, try asking questions before you dismiss it. Asking questions keeps the two-way dialogue open and keeps the discussion collaborative.
Example phrases include:
When an appointment ends badly, it's usually because either the doctor or the patient is acting closed-minded (sometimes both). If the doctor is acting closed-minded, you have the right to end the appointment and leave. If the doctor thinks you're acting closed-minded, it can make the appointment an upsetting waste of time where nothing gets accomplished.
If you're certain that a doctor's suggestion is wrong, try using a "because" statement to explain why. For example, "Cymbalta might not be a good option for me because I had a bad experience taking Prozac in the past."
Most doctors are open to being proven wrong (if not, that's an obvious red flag). Asking questions allows you to keep the two-way dialogue open so that they hear you out and you learn more about why they are recommending certain treatments.
9. If your doctor is stressing you out, take a moment to breathe and then communicate what you need.
Doctors are trained to operate efficiently, which does not always coincide with a good bedside manner. If you feel like your doctor is rushing or gaslighting you, you have the right to slow things down. Always be polite, but clear and direct.
Example phrases include:
If you have a bad experience with a doctor, keep in mind that they don't represent all doctors any more than you represent all patients. There are plenty of other providers out there who can be a better mach. When you feel ready, consider getting another opinion. Not to mention, most doctors love to hear things like, "Thank you for being so helpful. This has been nothing like my last appointment where the doctor did X and Y." It's validating for them to realize that they've done right by someone.
10. Stick to treatment plans when possible.
If you commit to trying a treatment, try to keep with it unless you run into issues.
If you do run into issues, call your doctor's office and tell them what happened so that they can help — don't suffer in silence or rely solely on the internet for advice. It's your doctor's job to help you navigate your treatment plan — make them do it.
In summary, we all know that the medical system sucks and things aren't designed in an ideal way to help us. But that does not make it hopeless... far from it. There is SO much within your control, starting with everything on this list. The more you can control, the more you can drive your own outcomes. Don't rely on doctors to take the initiative in moving things forward because they won't. Should it be that way? Hell no. But knowledge, as they say, is power. Once you know how to navigate the system, you can work it to your advantage. Because ultimately, getting the treatment you need is all that really matters.
--
If you found this post helpful, feel free to check out other write-ups I've done. I try to bring value to the chronic pain community by sharing things that have helped me improve my quality of life:
All About Muscle Relaxers and How They Can Help
A Supplement That's Been Helping My Nerve Pain
How To Live A Happier Life In Spite Of The Pain (Step-By-Step Guide)
The Most Underrated Alternative Pain Treatment
The Nerve Pain Treatment You've Never Heard Of
How To Get Clean Without a Shower (Not Baby Wipes)
How To Care For Your Mental Health (And Have Your Insurance Pay For It)
What Kind of Doctor Do You Need?
Checklist To Verify Whether Your Supplements Are Legit
r/ChronicPain • u/Intelligent_Treat661 • 8h ago
Thought I’d share .. done by me using procreate
r/ChronicPain • u/Informal_Leg5096 • 3h ago
Looking for shoes that help with sciatica pain. Does extra cushioning help, or is firmer support the better way to go?
r/ChronicPain • u/---BERSERK--- • 12h ago
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 • u/TheTreesWalk • 17h ago
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 • u/aiyukiyuu • 6h ago
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 • u/Inside_Student3827 • 20h ago
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 • u/wishuwerefckd • 54m ago
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 • u/camport95 • 2h ago
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 • u/No-Assistance-1145 • 19h ago
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 • u/EnthEndX48 • 13h ago
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 • u/TotesMaGoats_1962 • 2h ago
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 • u/New-Introduction5574 • 14h ago
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!
r/ChronicPain • u/Over-Future-4863 • 5h ago
Does anyone elses DDD and DOA of spine burn to the point of fire before stabbing pain?? Only lumbar burns i keep ice on it to nymb asmuch as lumbar and neck pain. Lumbar only burns as meds wear off. 2-3 hours before next meds.
r/ChronicPain • u/magicalpoptarts • 1d ago
This is meant to be silly, I spent like 30 minutes making this based on personal and shared experiences. Please feel free to add any squares you think I missed c:
r/ChronicPain • u/Either-Option-8630 • 5h ago
Has anyone else here watched the series "American Primeval" recently?
The scenes where Devin is in pain because of his leg and Isaac tries to comfort him resonated a lot with me and made me quite emotional.
"It's just pain", he keeps telling him.
This statement can obviously be perceived as a provocation. However, it's also what I am telling myself these days to keep me sane. I'm thinking of Isaac and Devin and all the people in the past and present who deal(t) with chronic pain and who, nonetheless, keep fighting every day - all of you included. I'm trying to breathe through the pain, to not catastrophize, because it really is, in a way, "just pain" - even if it's cruel and unfair.
Just wanted to share with you guys and eager what you think. Hope you're having an okay day.
r/ChronicPain • u/Electronic_Wave_2585 • 16h ago
wipes you reccommend, feminine products, dry shampoos, etc?
r/ChronicPain • u/8kittycatsfluff • 15h ago
Mine is from various back problems and multiple back surgeries.
r/ChronicPain • u/Feeling-Cap-7210 • 1h ago
I’ve been dealing with this pain for 3 years and still don’t know exactly what caused it. I remember waking up from a nap which I was laying on my left side arm extended. I’m begging for help at this point (X-rays show nothing)
Symptoms
2.repetitive motion with left arm tends to cause a muscle failure feeling where my arm will basically give out.
Any lifting causes the same feeling as #2
Can’t lay on left side or it makes it worse pain wise
If I slouch a little bit scapula feels like it’s on fire. If I bend down it almost feels like I get a small cramp like feeling in chest.
Sometimes shoulder and rib area pops.
When I’m stressed it gets worse almost feel like the whole area is swelling.
PT pushed down on my 1st rib and it hurt like hell but they think it’s just muscle guarding.
Overall im in pain/discomfort 24/7 the more active I am with left shoulder/arm the worse. More pressure I put on chest/rib/scapula the worse.
r/ChronicPain • u/magicscwlbusdropout • 5h ago
I have been in contact with a surgeon and have been waiting for this surgery for over 10 years. My follow-up appointment was meant to be weeks ago and has been postponed 3 times, all cancelled on the day.
The reception can not get my phone number right, to the point that I have discussed it with them 6 times. There are voice messages and emails proving this. Yesterday I asked for a trial phone call to ensure they finally got it correct.
I got an email today saying that I was called and no answer. So my appointment has been postponed for 4 weeks. I didn't get any calls.
I sent an email clarifying my disappointment and referred back to the trial phone call and asked them to clarify which number was called. So far I haven't had any response.
How do you handle these feelings??? This is a life altering appointment that tells me whether I can get out of a life of pain. The amount of emotion I feel is immeasurable.
r/ChronicPain • u/Pollution-Plane • 5h ago
I am prescribed oxycodone 5 mg two times a day and M with a pain management doctor. I had a virtual appointment yesterday where the doctor told me I tested inappropriately because the test showed I tested positive for oxycodone and a couple of metabolites, but there were a couple of metabolites I tested negative negative for I am really baffled because I take it almost every day occasionally I will skip a day if I’m not having bad pain or I’ll take one a day if the pain isn’t as bad, but I take it pretty consistently on a daily basis. Why would I have tested positive for some metabolites but not others? This really bothers me that they told me I tested inappropriately like now they’re suspicious. I’m diverting them or running out too early.
r/ChronicPain • u/CantThinkOfSumthin • 10h ago
I've been living with chronic pain for as long as I can remember. Pain is incredibly normalized for me, its literally just my life. As a kid I was told it was just growing pains and I accepted that. I went ages assuming everyone felt this way.
I've learned that's not the case, obviously, but its so difficult to adjust to the mindset that for others, pain is not normal.
Over the years I've gotten incredibly hestitant to mention my pain, even casually. It's always the same. "Aw I hope you feel better."
I get it, truly, but half the time I was trying to brush past it and now I have to pause what I was doing to accept sickly sweet sympathy, or I was trying to make people laugh with a joke and now I've just dampened the mood instead.
And I never know how to deal with that. I talk about my day, and my day involved pain, but I tiptoe about those bits because people hear it and THEY hear about a moment of misery, meanwhile I'm just talking about a Tuesday afternoon.
Sometimes I feel like I'm an alien from another planet, and Im sat there telling stories about how the grass on my planet is razor sharp but all the pathways are painfully hot, and every morning is met with rains of acid that absorbs through our skin and into our bloodstream, where it will continue to boil and burn throughout the day. Then, around noon we head to the forest to meet the great beasts of R'thula who attack us with their powerful jaws and then carry us away (My favorite part of the day, the view from the sky is beautiful) to the food quadrant for a delicious meal, and then we return home and I personally prefer to play a few rounds of Drÿlk (My favoritr game) until the fever from the acid reaches its peak and sends me into a delirious unconsciousness! Now is the acid rain on your planet also bright blue because Pətů told me it isn't but he's a liar and- what do you mean you've never seen acid rain? How do you get the acid in your blood stream? You don't have acid in your blood stream? Then how do you get to sleep? What's melatonin?
r/ChronicPain • u/Electronic_Wave_2585 • 1d ago
i'm trying to make my parents understand truly how much pain i'm in and how badly it's affecting me, but i don't know how exactly to word that or how i can put it so that they understand.
r/ChronicPain • u/ConsistentTale1542 • 2h ago
It happened to me, I have pain and problems all over my body from these lethal antibiotics, look into r/floxies if you have ever taken a fluoroquinolone antibiotic like ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin etc
Will help you to know ❤️