CHRONIC PAIN- things that help.

[picklemewalnuts]

This is a 'no comment' thread, so we can list what has helped us, ask each other questions about it, but not argue or disagree about whether it's a 'valid' treatment or not.

!!Buyer beware!! We aren't medics, don't buy anything or take anything off the back of this thread, these are simply 'things that have helped'!

Me first:

1. Exercising in warm water really helps my tired stiff achey body. I joined a local health club that had a warm pool and jacuzzi, with steam rooms and saunas. I miss it so much now it's closed! It helped with relaxation, and also with flexibility. I could exercise without hurting myself.

1. Amitriptyline. This helps me sleep and is pretty good on nerve pain- the shooting pains in my limbs, and neck pain. I vary my dose up and down by 10 mg, trying to keep it as low as I can manage.

I should add, my teacher does seated classes as well- it's possible to do it for all levels of ability. If you can't move, you visualise moving. The brain is powerful, visualisation starts to wake up those muscles and nerves.

Heat pads rather than ice packs.
Compression gloves.
Cohesive bandages on fingers, a hand physio suggested this and it helps, it's cheaper to buy the veterinary version.
Warm weather.
Beware of magnesium causing diarrhoea.

magnesium malate
Vit D spray

amitriptyline
pregabalin
I had some diazepam for a smear test, and was in NO PAIN for a day or so afterwards, but not sure I'd cope on a regular basis (DD reckoned I was "good fun" until it wore off, which is a touch alarming!)

memory foam mattress
shaped memory foam pillow (got mine from IKEA) as I have neck issues
a week or so in the sun during the winter (my vit D levels are shocking, even with the spray, but a cheap week self catering in the Canaries in February is amazing! I went from walking very close to 25k steps in one day on the Costa del Sol on New Years Eve, to only just managing 2k steps a couple of weeks later back in the UK. Obviously the holiday effect will help there too.
hot tub/jacuzzi - I've loved holidays/weekends away where there's been a hot tub, and I can get a jet of water right in the exact spot of my hips/spine that seizes up - bliss.

Dealing with stress and depression - mine seems to have been situational, so leaving H and moving to my own flat has improved my mental health and happiness levels - that is a bit drastic though .

Losing weight/increasing exercise - where I live now is quite an "outdoorsey" kind of place, people walk everywhere, so I increased my number of steps without really noticing, made a definite start at losing weight (as I was in the right headspace to do that - currently 4 stone down from the 6 I need to do), and bought a rowing machine. I still hurt quite a lot, but it doesn't bother me as much because I can view it as a "good" kind of pain (in the same way as labour pains are "productive" kind of?). I can now see the early beginnings of a 6 pack .

Next steps will be looking at anti-inflammatory diets - my weight loss is currently a shakes only plan, so as I'm looking at how to reintroduce food in a positive healthy way, I also need to investigate how to make every mouthful count towards keeping my body healthy, so anti-inflammatory and promoting gut health, as well as intermittent fasting will be the way to go for me I think.

Really interesting to read what works for other people.

What constitutes an anti inflammatory diet?
I tried GF for a few months but saw no improvement.
I am a healthy weight bmi 20. Cutting out the foods I love would be so miserable I'm not sure life would be worth living.

I had some diazepam for a smear test, and was in NO PAIN for a day or so afterwards, but not sure I'd cope on a regular basis (DD reckoned I was "good fun" until it wore off, which is a touch alarming!)

Diazepam used to make me feel drunk, which was a nice distraction from the pain. Doesn't have any effect now though, not on the pain or state of mind. 😭

I used to suffer from IBS (stomach cramps etc) and took diazepam to get on a flight. It totally cleared up the cramps too.

Medication - Especially Amitriptyline and Gabapetin for the nerve pain.

Aids - Bed sitter upper, bath board, stair lift, snozzle (bed turning sheet), wheel chair, walking stick, crutches

Others stuff - Positivity card which I change daily. I have it on my bedroom table and read it whenever I lie down.

Distractions - four lovely children, 2 kittens, 1 old boy cat and my lovely grumpy DH (who is my absolutely helps me more than this whole list put together, I am so lucky to have him), new hobby to replace what my silly hands won't do atm.

Things I need to try - Tens machine

@Gerla alcohol works the same way on IBS. I used to head off IBS and migraine with a judicious stiff drink. Forcible relaxation, basically.

@picklmewalnuts

Interesting!

Anyone have tips for when when meds make your mouth really dry? Apart from just sipping fluids. I feel like there’s something I’m missing but so horrible when it’s hours at a time.

These ideas are great! According to Amazon my TENS machine is 4 stops away so hoping that provides some relief. I have been prescribed gabapentin for pain but worried about trying it. Have people found it helpful?

@Akire

Anyone have tips for when when meds make your mouth really dry? Apart from just sipping fluids. I feel like there’s something I’m missing but so horrible when it’s hours at a time.

I get that with pregabalin. The doctor prescribed me something a while ago, I've forgotten what it's called but basically like throat sweets. They helped a little bit.

Thanks it’s just another horrible thing to put up with so not something I would even mention to doctor. And no one else to ask.

@Orangesandlemons82

These ideas are great! According to Amazon my TENS machine is 4 stops away so hoping that provides some relief. I have been prescribed gabapentin for pain but worried about trying it. Have people found it helpful?

I was on Gabapentine years ago, it does help with pain but I found I always felt hungry on it and it made my boobs bigger , they would feel 'heavy' like when my period was due.

The thing that helps my dry mouth best is sipping Diet Coke. Not very healthy but the fizz seems to help.

Turmeric - Works wonders for inflammation throughout the body.

Turmeric - Works wonders for inflammation throughout the body.

Does it matter how you take it? My doctor suggested turmeric in powdered form and it is disgusting!

@Gerla

Turmeric - Works wonders for inflammation throughout the body.

Does it matter how you take it? My doctor suggested turmeric in powdered form and it is disgusting!

How about turmeric tea?

orangesandlemons my GP mentioned Gabapentin today. I'm in a lot of pain but I'm not keen. Currently loosing weight, which is really hard so the hungry thing is not good.

Do you think you'll take them?

@colouringindoors

orangesandlemons my GP mentioned Gabapentin today. I'm in a lot of pain but I'm not keen. Currently loosing weight, which is really hard so the hungry thing is not good.

Do you think you'll take them?

I'm day 6 on gabapentin, no extra hunger for me. I'm on a health plan anyway, lost my final baby weight this week! Dieting with chronic back pain, lockdown and a toddler with additional needs has been fun! 🙄

omg doadeer seriously!

How are you finding the gabapentin?

You ease in gradually and first few days I felt zero pain relief and just felt so drowsy. But then I upped the dosage and I'm finding it really good!

@Gerla

Turmeric - Works wonders for inflammation throughout the body.

Does it matter how you take it? My doctor suggested turmeric in powdered form and it is disgusting!

I take it in capsule form, for maximum absorbency it should be taken with Bioperine (found in black pepper) You can get it on Amazon with two ingredients already added.

I've learned the number one aim for me is to get sufficient sleep.
Amitriptlyline
headspace sleep stories
wheat bag.
K tape. My physio is a whizz with this.
Epsom salt baths.
Comedy. I've recently started rewatching Friends.
Steroid tablets. I love them! But obviously they can't happen often.

I should try turmeric again, my inflammation levels are high.

@colouringindoors that's what is stopping me from trying them too! I'm finally doing well losing weight with the aim that will help manage the pain as well. I don't want something that makes me more hungry and end up gaining weight. I guess I could try it for a couple of weeks and see what happens. If I'm not in pain I would exercise more so that might help . You can see how confused I am about it! Sorry - this is a bit of a ramble!