I am a clinical psychologist who sees a variety of people who live with chronic pain and disablities. I as often as I can offer assistance, I also recieve their wisdom. I hope to do a little of both in joining this site. I am familiar with anxiety, depression, and PTSD as related to chronic pain. My interests include alternative therapies and healing techniques. I am quite busy, but will check this site as often as possible.
dr. greg
12/23/08 8:18pm
Dr. Greg
I stumbled onto your sharepost today and wanted to just stop by to say Welcome to the Chronic Pain Connection. I really look forward to any alternative therapies you'd like to share with us. I too am very interested in trying alternatives as I learn to live with my own Chronic Spinal Pain & FM/CFS. We can always learn from others who come up with newer idea's or possibly something we've not tried yet.
I've discussed Craniel Sacral (sp) therapy with my message specialist, but not actually tried it yet.
I'm pretty much interested into trying most alternatives that don't interfere with my own spiritual beliefs and have been through quite a long list of different alternatives to help relieve some of the pain and keep my pain med intake to a minimum Dosage.
Thank you for joining us and I look forward to your further participation
Happy Holidays
Betty
9/ 1/09 7:42pm
here is a question i gave my life to college football and a very short pro carear i have had an anterior and posterior spinal fusion and i just had shoulder surgery a couple months ago im only 30 and when i get home from a hard day of work i feel like i need some time to rest to let all the pain calm down i wish i could just keep moving like i was before but the pain seems to have taken over im still fighting but why does it seem like every pain doc doesnt care about anything but charging the insurance and getting my co pay copping w chronic pain is very hard i cant do as much as i was used to but i want to be more involved w my wife but the pain is so bad i have to rest i wish i could do more for her but i also think she doesnt realize what chronic pain is like to deal with
9/ 9/09 7:10pm
I AM GLAD TO MEET YOU. I AM HOPING FOR A LITTLE DIRECTION IF ANY IS POSSIBLE FOR ME. I AM A FEMALE, MARRIED 48. I SUFFER FROM FIBROMYALGIA, CHRONIC BACK PAIN, 9 BULGING DISCS, 2 DISCS IN LOWER BACK BONE ON BONE, NO GEL LEFT. OSEO ARTHITIS IN MY SPINE AND ALSO BONE SPURS IN LEFT SHOULDER BLADE. I AM IN AGONY. I CURRENTLY AM SEEING A PAIN MANAGMENT DOCTOR AND SHE HAS DONE THE EPIDURAL, STEROID INJECTIONS, NOTHING HAS HELPED. I AM ALOWED 4 PERCOCET A DAY, 5/325 MGS, THAT DONT EVEN WORK ANYMORE, MAYBE ONLY FOR AN HOUR. 2 IN MORNING AND 2 IN AFTERNOON. FIRST I AM DISCUSTED THAT I HAVE TO BE ON PAIN MEDICATION AND THE FACT I AM IN HORRIBLE PAIN.
SECOND I GO BACK AND FOURTH ON MAYBE EITHER INCRESING THE MEDICATION OR TRYING SOMETHING STRONGER. I HATE TO DO THAT. THE OTHER REASON IS I FEEL LIKE THE DOCTORS OFFICE MAKES ME FEEL LIKE A DRUGGIE. IT MAKES ME DEPRESSED. FINDING ANOTHER DOCTOR IS IMPOSSIBLE AS ALL PAIN MANAGEMENT DOCTORS JUST WANT TO STICK YOU WITH INJECTIONS AND NOT GIVE MAINTENECE DRUGS. I WAS LUCKY TO FIND THE ONE I HAVE. SHE WAS THE THIRD ONE I WENT TO. I LIVE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK WESCHESTER AREA. SO THIS IS MY PROBLEM. HOPE YOU CAN GIVE ME SOME ADVICE BECAUSE I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO. THANK YOU FOR READING MY LETTER, TAMMY MICHAEL ^j^
9/ 9/09 8:01pm
As a psychologist who frequently works with people who suffer for chronic pain, I have heard many descriptions about how difficult it is to get a handle on the medical issues. And especially who hard it is to realize that one's identity has become "chronic pain patient" - as opposed to, say, musician, friend, or lover. As you have undoubtedly heard on TV, depression hurts. It makes everything feel worse. It's true. I have witnesses it repeatedly. I would suggest seriously looking into a support group for chronic pain, a good therapist, and/or something like Cymbalta (for pain and depression). The pain and depression can take over your life. Try to take it back as much as possible. You are not just a patient. Find the reasons that can make your life something to value and focus on those as defining you. Not the number of MD visits you go to weekly. Good Luck, Greg
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Dear Dr. Greg,
I have had FMS and RA for over 20 years, and have found personally that Massage Therapy, along with RXs for severe pain, have been extremely beneficial for relief. Have tried acupuncture to no avail. Have often wondered about hypnosis as an alternative.
Personally, I'm not really big on surrending my will to someone else - in hypnotherapy - but I have heard of some success. For the FMS you may want to check out craniosacral therapy, but only from someone who has done the complete training (several years) - not just a seminar course. Accupuncture is like any other discipline - some practitioners are better than others. Also it may take a while.