Since the beginning of 2006 I have survived cancer of the kidney, which was removed. I had diverticulitis which part of my colon was removed. They removed the kidney and part of the colon in 1 surgery. I took a fall down some stairs which I got a skull fracture. I had my gall bladder removed, hernia surgery and had a mild heart attack. Pluse a bleeding ulcer. This all happened within a year. During that year I also developed rib pain which moves around in different places of both sides of the ribs (left and right side). I've been to the Mayo clinic which they couldn't find out the cause and diagnosed with chronic pain. In Dec of 2009, 2 days before Christmas I was in a major car accident, which I'm thankful just to be alive. I ended up breaking all but one of my ribs and a punctured lung. Had some complications from the accident such as pneunomnia and a hematoma in my back. I have since recovered from the accident and the chronic pain I was having returned. I'm in physical therapy. I've been through a few doctors which none has been able to help relieve the pain. I've accepted the fact that we may never find out the cause. I've tried many types of pain medications which none has really helped. I'm currently on hydrocodone/APAP 10/325, effexor, welbutrin, lyrica and etodolac. The hydrocodone does help some. My doctors want to take me off them which I in one way I agree. I'm currently on disability retirement. My world has been turned upside down since 2006 and am starting to learn how to live with this but it's far from easy. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of other options. I would appreciate any feedback. Thank you.
Phil
Q: Suggestions or feedback to my chronic pain problems.
Hi,
I am sorry to hear about all of your misfortune, sometimes it seems to come in droves and is one thing after another.
As far a pain medications for chronic pain are concerned, there are many good ones that can be very helpful. The medication you are on is more on the lower list of pain medications as far as strength and it goes up from there to very powerful pain medications.
It is such an individual thing, each person is different so what might work for you if you are thinking of changing pain medications takes some time and effort to see just what might work the best. I always recommend that people with chronic pain will be much better served if they seek the advice of a board certified pain management specialist who is hopefully also a board certified anesthesiologist at a large hospital, the very best ones tend to practice at hospitals and since that is their specialty area, they are the best at helping you decide upon the best treatment plan for you. Personally, I would go to no one else and I have been seeing the same pain management specialist for almost 3 years now and he helps so much.
They say if you have chronic pain if you can get 70% relief, you are doing good so it may not be possible to have no pain but you certainly may be able to have less pain and make it manageable.
There is also spinal cord stimulation but that does have some risks involved with it but it is something else that you could discuss with a pain managment specialist. This device is implanted near your spine and by using radio type waves it interrupts the pain signal, that is the short version of what it does but you really need to study this method and discuss it with a competent pain management specialist if you are considering doing this.
I know chronic pain is awful and I do understand what you must be going through and how it changes your whole life.
I hope this helps a little, these are things that I would recommend you checking into and see just what can be done to help alleviate your chronic pain, it isn't any fun at all.
Good luck and I hope you can get your chronic pain under control soon.
Randy.
Gosh Phil,
I could not imagine how you could still maintain a positive attitude after what you say you have gone through.
I am not a physician so my suggestions are purely some of the devises that help me with my pain.
1. Try breathing pure oxygen (about 1 l/min) for a few hours each day. I believe this has been shown to be helpful in speeding up healing.
2. Get a TENS unit and learn to use the electrodes and the pulse settings that makes you feel most comfortable.
3. Lidoderm Patches. Cut a 4x4 patch into 1" strips and then cut those in half. Place a small patch on the areas of your body that hurt most and leave them in place for up to 10 hours.
4. Find a heated pool near you or at the Physical Therapy department. The water should be warmer than 88 degrees F. Just do as much movement as is comfortable . You do not need to swim if that is painful. Just be in the water for up to one hour and then take a nap.
Continue to take the meds and PT and stretches that your physician has prescribed and if you can, under your doctor's supervision, try reducing them as you can.
Try to stay out of any more accidents and be gentle with yourself.
Best wishes,
Sid
You've sure been through some nasty stuff. From personal experience I know tht it can take years for a body to reciver from these of insults, and 'twon't be fun or pretty, but yo're doing well just to be writing a letter!
The secret here is to stay in touch with your doctors and if you have a bum, find a good one to replace him/her. Communication is key, especially after all the stuff you've been through. You have to work toward being active and healthy over the long haul; nothing will come quickly. Very frustrating indeed! I have found meditation and self hypnosis helpful for my post-concussion issues (I've had three which resulted in unconsciousness; guess my skull was too thick to break); it helps me to think more clearly. Also, medication for ADHD has helped too (though the last thing you want is more meds). You may want to find a good psychiatrist and see if some of this is being worsened by mild traumatic Brain injury. There are techniques of therapy that can help a great deal if this is the case.
I admire your attitude and your willingness to take on the challenges. Heck, that's half the battle right there! Prayers for you and your loved ones, and be mindful of how you take on these challenges and learn from them, or it's wasted time.
Bless you all.
I too have been blessed with numerous medical problems. I have survived a TBI since the age of 13 and a severe gunshot wound of both arms at the age of 15. At the age of 29 I developed stomach ulcers resulting in two GI bleeds. I saw the beautiful lights associated with Near Death experiences with the gunshot wound and with both of the GI bleeds. The transfusions required to save my life during the GI bleeds resulted in my acquiring non A-B hepatitis. Newer tests have revealed that I actualy have Hepatitis C. Involved in an accident with a drunk driver in 1999 I now have severe pain in my neck, back and legs.
I could go on but I guess you get the point. We are in somwhat of the same boat. I mentioned earlier that I saw the glorious lights associated with death. I am thnkful for this. If it were not for the Lord and his precious love I honestly don't think I could go on. I have days that are hard to get through but I do get through them. A major change that has been helpful to me is the conception that I have learned to live as well as I can, to do as much as I can, and to help others as much as I possibly can. I volunteer as much of my time as my body permits to elders who live in the same apartment building that I reside in.
Life may seem to have little purpose or meaning when pain and illness are constant companions but the more we are able to live outside ourselves the more we are able to live. I hope that my answer helps and don't think that I am a religious radical for I am not. I have learned that God and his son Jesus can bring much comfort when we are feeling bad and the world has forgotten that we exist. May the Lord bless and keep you. 
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try ice and heat, I feel for you and I understand what your going through ,good luck!