I drink lots of tea, chamomile and tension tamer. That seems to help. I do lots of breathing techniques, and heat! I have to stay warm. I have found out that if I am cold I get worse. I always carry a blanket everywhere! I am starting to learn little tricks here and there to help me get through the day, but some days I just can't take it. As long as I had my pain meds (the dose I was taking) I could actually live somewhat, but now I have a hard time doing anything. I hate taking narcotics but if they can help me take care of myself and my daughter and help me live a somewhat life, then I will do what I have to.

I don't know. I am doing some research to figure it out.

Great to hear at least a few things are working. I too get much worse if I am cold and I live in the mountains so that doesn't help :/

Here are a few things that have worked some for me:
Epsom salt soaks... LOVE LOVE LOVE I sometimes take 2-3 warm baths a day. During my soaks I try to desensitize by using several different textured cloths and moisturizing soaps on my leg. When my husband is home I ask him to gently touch my leg (as I look away) and even just hold it there for as long as I can take it. This has been helping with the sensitivity. The epsom salt really helps with the swelling and warms me :)

Compression pants (like running capris or compression wraps) this also helps with the swelling. I also have found that it is better to wear things that apply constant pressure like tights, because with loose fitted clothing the occasional touch of clothing to the skin escalates the pain dramatically as the day goes on. So even though at first putting on things that are form fitted is uncomfortable/painful once it on and there is a constant even pressure that is much better.

I constantly use all types of distraction techniques. At the worst of times a great comedy often works wonders. lol.. the movie "Dumb and Dumber" or even Nat. Lampoons Christmas Vacation :)

My recumbent bike has been a true blessing.. I use it 3 times a day to help manage pain and keep my hip/thigh moving which helps the blood flow and lifts my spirits immensely. lol.. it's parked right in my living room!!

Medications:
Gabapentin 3000mg daily
Celebrex 200mg twice daily
Tylenol as needed
Voltaren gel
Specially formulated compound cream

My fav.. lidoderm patches I wear 2 patches 12 hours per day. Usually 6PM - 6AM when pain for me is at its worst. If I want to enjoy family/friends I will wear them during the day instead so that I can hide the pain more easily.

I do hope maybe something on my list will help you if you haven't already tried them. Like you I hate narcs so I only take them when nothing else is helping me cope. I keep the doses low and only take enough to get some sleep which makes it easier to handle pain during the day.

Anyways.. take good care and God Bless,
Tessa

Yeah, um......that's not how pain medication/effective pain management works. Ask him how many terminally ill cancer patients he knows of who still have pain, but have their docs decrease their pain meds.

One of the reasons that doesn't happen is because it would be CRUEL and unethical. It's the same for him to treat you that way. Another reason is because when the pain seems worse, as yours does now, you can't tell if the condition is getting worse or if it's just that the pain med was decreased. Doh !

If you have post op pain which is managed with meds, it is reasonable to decrease the dosing awhile after the surgery BECAUSE THE PAIN SHOULD BE LESS. Decreasing the dose when it is KNOWN the pain is ongoing at the same SEVERE level is not okay.

Please tell your doc someone needs a pain management refresher course......and it's NOT me.

I'm sorry that he's all you have to work with right now, Angelina :(

I talked to my doctor and he put me back on my original meds. I am not back to where I was yet. I think I need to get 'caught up' then my pain will calm down. This crazy weather we have been having is NOT helping! Storms and temp change is sooooo not good for pain. But at least I have my pain meds back and that is helping. :) Tomorrow I will be talking to my Family doctor. I am nervous. I don't really know what to tell him, or where I need to go from here.

Oh I am so happy to hear you were able to talk to your doctor and get your meds back on track; that must be such a huge stress relief.

Were you able to disguss anything else like maybe a referral to another doctor?

Be blessed,
Tessa

You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.
 

After I read your post, this quote came to mind.

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)

I can relate in every way to what you are going through. You do sometimes feel as though you’re being punished and that your body is like a torture chamber. You want to be your former self. I believe there is a grieving process while becoming this new version of you.

IMO you MUST find a doctor who will treat you, and work to get your pain under some kind of control. Even if that means that it will be a hike to do so. Hopefully you will find someone who can help.

I know it feels like no one gets it, but anyone on this forum with this condition knows exactly where you are at. I promise you that I have had days where I have had thoughts of checking out. I always come back to how awful that would be for those who love me. I have children who still need me, to the point of my exhaustion sometimes, but they really do still need their mom even if I’m not the same person I used to be. My point is, you can do this, but it’s going to be work (and that sucks, but it is true).

I feel for your situation and how hard things are for you right now. PLEASE remember that every ounce of stress is causing you more pain. I say this and yet I too am still trying to learn the art of Zen. Try to do something like take a bath. Something that will relax your body. Try and distract yourself. Perhaps that will help. Look around at the stressors in your life and start to figure out what can be eliminated.

Your relationships, all of them probably, will change and evolve. Those who are true to you, will recognize that you can only do what you can do, and will be as accommodating as possible. Many times I have felt the frustration of trying to enjoy a “good time” only for it to be cut short because my body was screaming. I think there is a fair amount of work to learn acceptance. I am not even sure that is possible for me. No doubt that I get angry and sad from time to time. Hell yeah, it’s frustrating, and not one person that I know personally could ever possibly comprehend what I have been through, or what I’m going through now, or my fears about what is to come.

All this to say, hang in there Angelina! You CAN do this, and somehow, someway, perhaps it will all be okay.
:hug:

Hooray! That is a step forward :)

SloRian is right, this is good news! I had not read the update when I posted earlier. So glad that you are getting some help!

Whoop!! :D

You go girl!

Hope the pain retreats quickly for you :)

Bram.