There is hope with chronic pain
 

While not diagnosed specifically with ON, my head pain was certainly in that area-let's say 25+ years! Plus sore neck, shoulders and lower back.
Brought on by work stress and too much computer usage with poor posture. So self inflicted. The things we do for money.
Retired for 5 years, but it is only in the last few years that I've found relief.

The first instance followed a suggestion from my pain Dr. to get remedial massage. BINGO!
My back muscles were knotted, pulling on my neck muscles, leading to the headaches. Not a cure but a treatment. Worked immediately, but needed fortnightly treatment.

The second thing was magnesium oil. I drink it in water. Within a week or 2 the muscle tightness had gone, and I no longer needed the frequent massages. So a cure. Been on it for 8 months. Everyone else I've suggested it to loves it as well.

The third thing I now do for pain is to take a large dose, say 2 teaspoonfuls, of Vitamin C powder every day. In water, with a bit of bi-carb soda. Been on this about 2 months.
My overall pain levels have dropped dramatically as a result of the magnesium oil and Vit C.

I have stopped taking Celebrex over long-term-use concerns, with no disadvantages.
I have stopped taking Tramadol. I was at the max dose most days, and waiting for the next dose.

All I take now is paracetamol, but not at full daily dose.

Considering the pain I have been in and the diagnosis of having a worn out neck, this is quite a remarkable achievement.
I am so pleased to be off those drugs too. To get off the Tramadol only a few days of restless legs, sneezing, nervy feeling. So I was becoming addicted, I think. Glad to be off it.

I would strongly recommend these treatments to others with chronic pain-you may be as successful (and surprised) as I have been.
Interestingly, none of these successful treatments came from the medical people!

I'm also wondering if the Tramadol was actually causing some of my pain. I've just been so much better without it.
Food for thought.
Yum!

Hi Peter B,

That's great news, and some of your suggestions won't hurt most of us to try. Did you try any PT exercises to improve posture? I know some folks with histories of heavy computer use with similar symptoms (self included) for whom exercises have worked wonders - particularly some of the chin tucks (can't find the name of the particular one I'm thinking of....)

I'm not familiar with the term "remedial" massage (though I get its meaning from context). Myofascial trigger point therapy (or massage - though it can be quite painful) achieves similar results. My wife & I have gotten some great pain relief from it, and the therapist taught us how to do it ourselves.
http://www.triggerpointbook.com/triggerp.htm

I think you mean you were becomming dependent - not addicted.

Thanks Dr. Smith.

I do an exercise and stretching routine now, including the chin tucks. I was given this to do by a clinical physiotherapist.
Remedial massage refers to the use of massage to remedy problems-also known as sports massage. Highly qualified practitioners is the key.
I agree with the dependent tag. My wife (a nurse) had suggested that this was happenening, but as I'd been varying the doses to low levels with no pronlems I thought I was OK.
I think a bit more support for the magnesium and Vit C wouldn't go astray!
There is ample evidence about their effectiveness. But because they are not patentable, and therefore not profitable, research is done only by a dedicated few with a true zeal.

I am so happy for you, Peter. Your experience here is an incentive for others to look outside "the medical box"...

Keep us informed about your progress, please.

Thanks mrsD, that is exactly why I posted.
I always like to remind doctors about their closed minds with something like this about Ignaz Sommelweis, who discovered the benefits of clean hands in surgery.
Quote:
"Semmelweis's groundbreaking idea was contrary to all established medical understanding. As a result, his ideas were rejected by the medical community. Other more subtle factors may also have played a role. Some doctors, for instance, were offended at the suggestion that they should wash their hands; they felt that their social status as gentlemen was inconsistent with the idea that their hands could be unclean."

And finally, you will love this:
"When Dr. Josephine Baker created a hygiene program for child care workers in 1910, disgruntled doctors petitioned the mayor to cease this program that was destroying their practices by making children healthy."

As the Secretary of Defense in INDEPENDENCE DAY said, "That's not entirely accurate." ;)

I've been taking Ester C (a patented form of vitamin C) for several years - ever since I had a bout/flare of IBS. There are debates about the pros & cons, but for me there is no choice - ascorbic acid rips up my insides, while Ester C doesn't, and I definitely need the supplemental C.

Doc

m glad you found a solution for your pain. I took the plinge and had my back fused I still have some pain but nothing like before I had given up on life, I quit my University professorship, I started drinking and would nt leave the house. The Fussionwas not a choice for me I would have wound up dead on my sofa with cheao wine and bad T.V. I absolutely love your mosaics amazing I taught in W. Australia in a community called Milligidee right off the Fitzroy river I started collecting the art work from the locals and lost 80% of them in a fire so to see yours was an abssolute treat thanks for sharing your story and your art... Linda

Mosaics
 

Thanks so much Linda for your post-what a thrill to read it.
My right shoulder has some sort of permanent problem and because mosaics is labour intensive I can no longer handle the tile cutting and grouting. It was fun while it lasted.
Can't do much of anything these days, just potter around.
I can understand your situation when pain just takes over. You get so ill that you can't even think.
And if you can't think, how can you emerge back into life?
What was your path back?
Does the pain still dominate or is it bearable, letting you have a life?
It is very hard to get others to understand just how much chronic pain affects you, and really they don't want to be bothered all the time making allowances.
Interestingly, my dramatic health improvement was a result of research done by my daughter, and was not from the medical profession.
Wonderful to hear from you.

I came back after I had my back Fusion. My pain was maybe a 4, I was in sheer joy to have the death pain gone. Additionally I was home one day just before surgery drinking vodka at 11 in the morning. I have a lge amoir in my great room with a mirror on one of the doors, I happened to glance up from my drink and saw myself in the mirror. My pajamas were still on, I had not showered in days , my hair was a nest and to top off this very look ,I was drunk. This is a visual that changed my life. Here I was with my doctorate,nice home and happily married to my best friend. I was throwing it all away for bad vodka and trash TV I have not had a drink since that day. I slowly began to recover from the Fusion and my bad habit. I started by readig and writing about the darkness that this pain led to, I didnt stop there I continue to write articles about chronic pain and pain management and its effects on people lives. I took a very negative exp. and transformed it into an outlet for others to learn from.Now about you and your art wow do you have a gift!! How might I purchase one ? since your shoulder injury what artistic modality do you work with? Tell me more.... Linda

PeterB, your mosaics are beautiful! They have inspired me to get back to my crafts. Thank you.

Nancy