Hi,

I had surgery in July 2005 and had six months of medication free life and no pain. I then moved on to physio which completely ruined the entire operation. I am now over a year passed the surgery living in pain again and having to watch every exercise and move that I do so they do not cause more pain.

I am now taking lyrica, Zanaflex, diazepam, baclofen, amitriptyline, tramacet, axert for migraines, the diazepam is prn but I usually take it a couple of times a day or more if I'm out.

So there goes the pain free life and the med free life. But that's the way it goes.

I am reading an amazing book that my chronic pain doctor prescribed me to read. It is called managing pain before it manages you. As a nurse I have to say I am really getting a lot out of this book. I'm a chronic pain specialist nurse I worked with cancer patients for over seven years before getting injured at work.

The book has explained things that I already know but it reinforces how to relax and how to get rid of anxiety. It gives you control of your life again. It explains that you are in control of your life and the pain is not. So perhaps many of you should look this book out and read it have to say I would let everybody read it if I could. That way the whole world would know the pain we go through and how we have to deal with it. The things they say to us that make us feel worse would not be said.

I guess my point here is the we all have to make sacrifices and that perhaps the pain never goes away. But don't be afraid to take medications. And don't be afraid to modify your day which is what the book teaches which is what most of you have said for solutions to coping with the pain. We all learn these things but the book reinforces them!!!!!

I hope this helps. Feel free to pm me if you have a questions about the book or want to know more! More than happy to help you.

Take care to all,

Hugs, Victoria