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Original poster

Spooning into summer - life with chronic pain & fatigue.

999 replies

Grockle · 14/07/2013 07:58

A lovely, supportive thread for those of us suffering with a range of illnesses & syndromes that cause chronic pain & fatigue, amongst many other things.

Lots of advice shared but also a place to chat & laugh with people who understand.

theory here www.butyoudontlooksick.com/wpress/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/

OP posts:
MurderOfGoths · 02/08/2013 09:52

candy Over in Herts. He also forgot to take the bins out so I've just carted them down the stairs. It's Tramadol time for me.

lissieloo · 02/08/2013 10:19

Morning all!

Latte, poor you! Has the gp called back?

Hope everyone is ok today.

I'm really struggling today. I could really do without going out, but its been planned for ages. My knees and hips are swollen, so I've had to wear a long skirt, and last night my rib popped out a bit.

lissieloo · 02/08/2013 10:27

Goths, Shock wonder why he's an ex!

MurderOfGoths · 02/08/2013 10:44

lissie Is it that obvious? Grin Actually for most of my problems he's been really good, but recently (since having DS) he's been less sympathetic and often bored of me being ill. I know he blames me for us not getting out much. I think he thinks I use my pain as an excuse. According to him I should just push through it. Hmm

Bearing in mind he has ME/CFS and an anxiety disorder you'd think he'd understand a bit more!

MurderOfGoths · 02/08/2013 10:44

lissie "last night my rib popped out a bit"

Ow!! Do you have to go out today? Is there any way you could rest instead?

CFSKate · 02/08/2013 10:50

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lissieloo · 02/08/2013 11:03

Murder, gotta love the "push through it"ers. I used to be able to do it, but when its constant, you just can't.

I can't really, my niece and nephew are coming too, along with PILs. It'll be ok, not much walking and I can take a small stool to sit on. And this weekend I can do nothing at all. DH has said he will cook, bless him. after reading about some DPs and DHs, and their lack of sympath, I have realised how lucky I am to have him.

MurderOfGoths · 02/08/2013 11:16

Bet they wouldn't tell someone with a broken leg to just walk on it and "push through" the pain. It's nonsensical isn't it? Like I'm going to make it hurt and hurt and hurt and then suddenly be cured. I'm pretty certain it'll just hurt and hurt until I'm utterly incapable of moving.

lissieloo · 02/08/2013 11:18

Yep. I "pushed though" the pain of a broken leg when I was a kid. damaged my bone and ended up with a slightly wonky leg.

candycoatedwaterdrops · 02/08/2013 14:17

Goth I'm in Herts too. If the twonk ever does that again, PM me and I'll drive over and bring some nappies to you.

BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte · 02/08/2013 16:04

I suspect that most proponents of the just-push-through-the-pain approach have never been in pain and have certainly never had a rib poking out (owwwch lissie are you OK?)

I spoke to the GP and have a prescription for amitryptyline for the pain. Given that it's a drug notorious for causing tiredness and drowsiness, I'm not convinced it's a viable option, but I'm open to trying it at least.

MurderOfGoths · 02/08/2013 16:06

candy You are a star, thank you!

fablatte Guess drowsiness is better than pain? Sucks that those are the options though

Matildathecat · 02/08/2013 16:35

Hey everyone, sorry some of you are having such crap times.xxx

Thought that instead of moaning for once I would try to be cheerful. This morning I met two friends in a gorgeous location for coffee and lovely old gossip. The armchair was quite do-able with several cushions. Sitting is majorly problematic for me so pleased.

After that I walked very slowly in beautiful Richmond Park with an old pal and our dogs. Sun came out, too.

Then had a look at my house insurance renewal and noticed I had forgotten to mention I am no longer working and called the insurance co. Unbelievably it brought the policy down by £170!!!

I am now lying on my bed, in pain, of course, but don't care.

Hope you can all find some nice times, too.xxxxxxxx

Ps Lissie, my sleepiness from amytriptiline didn't last long tho I still sleep like a log and have to drag myself awake each morning. No more long hours of pain at night, though.

BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte · 02/08/2013 16:55

Matilda... am I right in thinking you are the same cat as on our last thread? I hadn't realised where you lived... I'm nowhere near but I do love Richmond Park, which isn't too far from family.

Goths I'm keeping an open mind. But I'm going away for a few days next week and will want the odd drink so will wait until I'm back before I start the amytryptyline..

Matildathecat · 02/08/2013 17:03

No, I'm a brand new cat! Only just recently found mumsnet. Sorry the last bit of my last post was for you re the amytriptiline. Don't tell anyone but I haven't stopped drinking wine. It does enhance the effects of the drug which is prob why I haven't got up beyond 20 mgs. Life's too short...

Btw I am not recommending you do the same!(wink)

lissieloo · 02/08/2013 17:07

Latte, it bloody hurts, tbh. My ribcage is all wonky anyway and I have several boney lumps where the bone is permenantly warped. Teitzes normally affects one rib, but lucky me has it in all at both end. So one will pop at the spine (stops me walking) and one'll go at the sternum which feels like I can't breathe. One time one literally dislocated and popped my shoulder at the same time. Vomited onto the kitchen floor and fainted. Ended up rushing to a+e.

I love my ami. It means I can sleep at night and reduces my anxiety. My gp raised it to 30mg during my last flare up and its helped so much!

emmelinelucas · 02/08/2013 17:25

Hello , everyone, please can I hobble in and join you ?
I have two bulging discs, and have been in varying degrees of pain for 3 years now.
I live with it, but I couldn't manage without gabapentin and naproxen.
When I am beside myself, and crying with the pain - which is in my buttock and leg on the left side, I have been known to drink on top of the meds...
I will do anything to help myself, and I defy anyone who wouldn't do exactly that if they felt as I do sometimes.
So no, Matilda I wouldn't reccommend doing as we do ...but heck !
Amytriptilline gave me nightmares.
This is a lovely thread btw Smile

belleshell · 02/08/2013 17:35

hello and welcome to our newcomers, fablatte, I take amitriptyline about 7 pm (im usually in bed by 9) so the effects have worn off by next morning.if I take it later, im a bit groggy!!

today I have cried (sobbed in fact) I haven't done this for a few years, but I stopped my happy pill (duloxetine) last week, because I have put 2 stone on and I wondered if it was that...........anyway im wondering If it really did improve my mood as well as pain relief.....(I have had a shit day, so maybe its just that!!)

spoons for u all xx

BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte · 02/08/2013 17:48

Hi emmie and welcome

matilda Ahhh that explains it. I didn't think the cat I thought you were was a midwife... sorry: it must be really annoying to have people confuse you with others. But hi there, and nice to meet you.

BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte · 02/08/2013 17:49

bellshells Thanks for tip. I'll try that!

emmelinelucas · 02/08/2013 18:13

One of the worst things about all this is that I can't exercise, I mean properly and have put 2 stones on . I not only feel badly , but I am fat and I hate it.

MurderOfGoths · 02/08/2013 18:41

emmeline Oh yes :( Know that one. And of course now people look at my weight and think that it's the reason for my back pain, not a symptom of it. If only I were to lose weight I'd feel sooo much better, nevermind that I was a slim size 8 when it started.

lissieloo · 02/08/2013 18:57

One of the worst things about all this is that I can't exercise, I mean properly and have put 2 stones on . I not only feel badly , but I am fat and I hate it.

Yes to this! I am a recovering anorexic, and while I maintain a good weight I hate the fact that I can't control it like I used to. My tablets have made me bloat too, I hate it.

Sorry to everyone who's struggling today.

emmelinelucas · 02/08/2013 19:51

It's not so bad in the winter, is it ? I wear baggy jumpers and heavy coats.
Now that it's summer and it's lovely weather I can't wear Tshirts and I am hot.
8 pm is tablet time, shower and bed.
Murder - I used to be slim too. I only wish that I actually knew it and enjoyed it all. I had no idea that actually I was a beautiful young woman, but I think a lot of people think that.

lissieloo · 02/08/2013 22:18

Yep, I have to plan my wardrobe around my joints. Slim fitting tops are for non-poppy days. Jeans are for days when my hips are ok. Heels are only for glorious days. I read the spoons theory for the first time today, and its all so familliar.