If Your Pain Was Gone?
 

Suddenly for even a little bit...what would you do?

Well, last month I had such an experience. I had some testing done at a hospital and they'd put me out. All went fine, all precautions were taken and results were pretty good considering possibilities.

It was out patient, and getting home, of course I was woozy and all. Slept a lot and all that. Thing is....
The next afternoon? I realized that about 30 hours after the test, that 'SOMETHING WAS MISSING!' What was it? PN PAIN!!!!!!
Pain was down to about a 2! The buzzing, burning, gripping, dullness and all that was almost totally GONE! Could almost totally FEEL my big and little toes.
I asked myself, once I realized this - what should I do? No brainer! I simply enjoyed it immensely! I moved every part of my body that always seems to hurt and it didn't! I tried to memorize all the 'new' feelings so when/if it ended I could recall what 'normal' felt like again...[it's been over 5 years now]. This 'free' feeling only lasted about 6 aware hours, but they were WONDERFUL hours!
I am going to try and find out what anasthetics were used, I don't think I will have much luck, but there might just be something useful here for the long term.
Has anyone else ever had this experience? I sure hope I'm not alone... - j

Mine was April 16 this year! My partner and I had been fighting upper respiratory viruses and I had been taking sudafed and cough gels with dextromethorphan in them in addition to my usual medications. I had just started Neurontin and was at 300mg a day. I had also had 1/2 a vicodin and three to four "medicated" cookies (I am on mmj) . . .

At 8pm I walked, barefoot, out the front door and down the sidewalk to the gate to get something. Suddenly I realized that the rough cement was not hurting my feet as I walked! Normally I would have avoided being bare-foot for the brief walk, as it would have been excruciating, and would have caused me to pick my way gingerly. So I stepped off the sidewalk to see if I could feel the grass. . . .and I could, at least more than normal!

I now wanted to test this "freedom from pain," as you say, through a series of simple tests. I did a "prick" test on my legs and feet and found some, but not all, of my feeling nearer to normal than it had been in a long time. I also decided to try a maneuver that I had been unable to tolerate for several years: getting down and then back up again from the floor. My feet usually feel as if the tendons will snap if I get them into the flexed position you use to squat, and I feel unsteady and that I can not trust them, so much so that I use a chair or other object to steady myself if I ever do need to get up from the floor. To my delight I was able to sit, indian-style, and get up from the floor with little effort and no support. I repeated this several times in disbelief! Our cat thought I was nuts, as she watched "mom" getting up and down from the floor over and over again!

I was pretty loopy, from the cold meds and the mmj, but I was able to function without hesitation and was pain free. Like you, dahlek, I enjoyed it while it lasted. I have been unable to reproduce this experience, which tells me the neurontin likely has very little to do with it. And I don't desire to live on antihistamines and decongestants . . . not really. But if this was the combination that might give me back my freedom of mobility and my comfort . . . I might see if such a concoction has ever been compounded for this use before!

I documented it all on my computer calendar so I would not forget the date or the details. . . .

Well, anyone that knows me, knows I would go walk the ocean beach, for hours!!!!:D I miss walking along the shoreline. I still can walk it, a bit, but I do suffer from it, I am a glutton for punishment though, there are days I just have to still get my toes wet!

Pain be Gone
 

Sadly - the best time I've had with no pain/almost no numbness, etc... was after spending almost a week lying flat in bed with a severe spinal headache after an LP - I got up only a couple of times a day to do "neccessities" and since I cant take anything stronger then a tylenol - my only pain relief was not moving.... I have never been so rested or felt better in the last 8 years then the week after that bed rest! Unfortunately thats no way to live - but it can happen!:eek: (I'm now starting PT to try to help all symtoms - wer're hoping its going to help - but my body is not happy with it at all - giving it my all though....)

Maybe the mega-pain killers they give during surguires help? or the anesthesia somehows quiets the nerves?

I think it's the anaesthesia that quiets the nerves. When nerves are QUIET, they can't mis-fire, hence (for a short while), no pain.

We asked Alan's neurologist "how come when he takes his alprazolam before he goes to bed, that all the pain is gone and he drifts off to sleep."

She looked puzzled and this is exactly what she said:

"Well, it might be that it calms his nerves, they all go to sleep, his mind settles down, he doesn't have to concentrate on the pain, and he can let go.....and sleep.


Too bad he can't do this all day long. But hey, he at least gets his 8 or 9 hours in.

P.S. Hi kmeb. sending you a gentle hug.:hug:

At least
 

Alan can tolerate a benzo. But does he take this regularly? If so, I'd be concerned about long-term effects...a subject for a different thread I'd believe. - j

He only takes it at night to go to sleep. Not during the day. No pain killers whatsoever. The only thing he takes (so he can sleep), is the Alprazolam. He would never be able to sleep. When he lies on his back, the PN between his toes acts up so he can't sleep. Then he takes his alprazolam, and in 15 minutes, he's out like a light.

It's much cheaper than sleep meds. Much cheaper!!!! And Dr. Fred (his primary care physician), is well aware of what he's on. So, in his case, it's a relief that he can sleep at night.

He can't worry about any future effects because, as he puts it, "at least I can sleep at night".

Can't fault him for this.

ALAN is soo lucky
 

He can sleep at night and it only affects his feet!
He is truly BLESSED! - j

I don't know if HE thinks he's blessed, but compared to what I read on these boards, with all the various meds that many of you have to take just to survive, believe me, I know he's blessed.

And he has ME.

So he's truly BLESSED!!! lol

we are all truly blessed in some way or ways though at times its hard to see that clearly.

if the pain was gone and if the tree trunk heavy feelings in my legs whenever i exert took a break and i could breath that day i would run and run and run and run over the 59 st bridge, around central park, back over the triborough then a gyro and grape drink in astoria park. ( i am the member formerly known as hey joe)

Yes! Joe, sounds delightful
 

I seriously thought about going 'out and about' but I was still recovering from the 'procedure' I'd had the day before and even if I'd decided to go out, I knew I'd be in possible trouble in short order...Sigh?
That's why I decided to simply chill out and enjoy it as best I could.

NOW TELL ME! What happened to your moniker and all? I was getting ready to call out a 'red alert' on you too! Folks are missing lately and I wonder why. It's folks like you that keep us all on track - we need you!

:hug::hug:'s - j

If my Pain was gone??......
 

I'd do all the traveling and see family that is far away. Then I'd visit all Mom's old friends at the nursing home. I'd meet an old friend at I-Hop for strawberry pancakes. And I'd try to do something good for someone everyday. I'd take my three little dogs for walks on their leashes. I'd go to the Dallas/Ft. Worth Ballet. The list is unending. I guess the most important thing would be to try to help someone every day in some way.

Billye

I would jump, skip, hop, play ...
 

I'd call up my grandchildren and tell them it's time to learn to play Double Dutch. I would take off my shoes and walk on the grass again. I would put my feet in the river and walk on the sand.

I would wear out all the other muscles in my body until they all hurt as much as my feet do all the time! Then I would rest, and when I woke up, pray it wasn't a dream. If it wasn't, I would do it all again!

No Stymtoms
 

I know I posted earlier on this thread - but didnt mention what I'd do symtom free (cause the nausea is really worse then the pain for me) --- but - I've this planned for years.....

Get in a little red convertible like I used to have and drive up the gorgeous coast of California along highway 1 from Ventura to San Franciso - which is right along the ocean - beautiful ocean, cliffs, breathtaking views, trees so windblown they reach out over the ocean - redwoods (would have to hug a big one in Big Sur), a trek along 17 Mile Drive in Carmel and maybe swing by Laguna Seca Raceway--- while at the same time eating all the foods I've been dreaming about having again for years.... a great japanese meal, pizza, some real Mexican food, a big old greasy burger and fries, cheetohs (essential) - nibbles of off the favs - desserts - etc.... and end the day just in time to cross the Golden Gate Bridge and watch the sun set over Stinson Beach in Marin Country - and a couple of friends to share it with.....

Can you tell I've thought about this for a long time??????:)

The best I ever felt, was when I died. It was the most peaceful I have ever felt in my life. I was born w/Turret's and then you add all the all the other injurie's I have from being a firefighter,including PN,COPD, Hyper-coagulation, and on and on. The noise in my head stopped. The pain relieved, the loss of my career ,over. My only concern was my kid's. I just knew they weren't ready for life. When that hit me the Peace left.
It's funny too, have you noticed that several of the post's mention that they felt better in the hospital. I feel that way too. It's like everyone leave's you alone. The pressure of "feeling better" goes away. No responsibilities, no trying to be unselfish in love. Just you and your meds. Just something to think about. Sometime's I feel like I could just move to Wyoming or something like that and just chill. BUt, I really do like people.

Since Spring...
 

I have been just dying to ride my road bicycle!:)

If pain subsided, feeling and strength returned, even briefly... it is very likley I would climb onto one of my bikes and go for a ride!:D

If the relief lasted longer, I'd think even more deeply about all of this.
I'd take a trip to go to visit some family and some old friends, as well!:grouphug:

On an even longer term basis...awh...that would just be far too much fun!:trampoline: (I'd love to be working!):D

It was the first Morphine pill and my feet in the dirty Mis River oh my what a joy ,until I tried to jump up and catch a cat fish. My older said he never saw me smiling so hard. Until I went face first into the river,trying to catch something that wasn't there, hmm how's he know. Blessing I would love to sleep and lay down on my bed,any bed.

Hey stich you look great and I would love to play double dautch with your grandaughter and my grandson how many giggles could we have.

We should all get togeter when J get's it figured out how to get us high.
:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:Sue Your all so perfect

If my pain was gone and health issues I would not go back to the person who took things and life for granted and complained about needless stuff. I would try new things and enjoy the little things like going to the mall or even being able to sit in comfort with no worries of health issues. I would also like to go back to work and finish college. Really at this point I would just take such pleasure in feeling better,no more pain,health issues,or doctors.