The pain is at an all time high. I can't take it anymore and don''t know what to do. The pain killers don't do anything... the burning and tingling is back... life just really stinks right now. I am so disapointed right now. I can't believe that I am not better. I'm a young guy with no positive outlook toward my future. I don't think I ever want kids or a wife because of this, I can't subject anyone else to this life of misery and pain. I am holding on just hoping that one day they will be able to fix this... if there is a God he sure doesn't care about me !

J
Sometimes when the pain is the worst we feel that everything comes crashing down. Staying in control of the pain is the hardest. If your pain meds are not working you should talk with the Dr and maybe they can change something to help you get control of the pain. I know I get frustrated with the whole thing and get determined to not take any pills and then I get out of control pain that takes a few days to get control again. The most important thing is to remember that our back problems are just that back problems we can not let them rule our lives even though our lives are impacted greatly we just have to adjust things but the back problem is secondary to our life. I am praying and wishing you a more comfortable night and call your Dr first thing in the morning and ask them to help you gain that control over your pain.:)

I'm so sorry you're having so much pain. I know it can get you down, and depression is something we're all at risk for when dealing with chronic pain. Are you on any antidepressants? My psychiatrist has me on Cymbalta, which helps with pain AND depression. Let us know what treatment you're receiving - the folks on this board are great about sharing what works for them. And who knows, maybe there's something out there that worked for somebody else that will work for you!

Hang in there -

Mary
:wave:

Hey Bravo,:wave:
I'm so sorry your in such pain, I wish I could help you more than just typing can do. Your not alone, I was here last night suffering the same way and I am still the same tonight too. I am on an anti-depressant to help me sleep and to help me from staying depressed. I couldn't see the down mood I was ALWAYS in but my family sure could, they were all for the new script, lol. If your not on something perhaps that can help, it helped me so much more than I thought it would.

Are you on any nerve meds? it sounds like that may help if your not, burning & tingling is nerve pain usually, if you are perhaps your doc can increase the dose. I take neurontin and I'm up to 2700 mg a day, up until the past week or so it has been doing wonderful. Now I feel something moving around in there and have had increased pain too. I'm 14 months post op so I've had great success with it.

If your pain is that out of control maybe you should make a trip to the ER, there is nothing wrong with that if your in that much pain.

I wish I could help more, I will be praying, He does care it might not seem that way right now but he does. He did lead you here so you can get support when you need it.

Good Luck

God Bless

Please keep us updated?

Carol

my pain management dr doesn't want to give me Cymbalta because he says Elavil is better. I don't know if I believe him...

I just took 2 percocets so I hope they kick in soon. I wonder if the pain is bad because I did 30 minutes on the stationary bike after work... and yesterday I was on the treadmill for about 1.5 miles on a 3% incline.

Thanks Carol. I am just feel so lost right now. I hide the pain as best I can at work but deep down inside I know I am a broken man. My life isn't the same. My friends and family don't understand.

I just want to live without pain... I don't understand because I've done everything I can...

Bravo:

I definitely think the bike may have had something to do with it. I'm ok with the treadmill, even with an incline occasionally. But put me on a bike and that's too much hip action and stress and it lays me out. Elavil is an older antidepressant, and there are so many more things out there that would help you (Cymbalta, Lyrica, etc.). I take Wellbutrin for my depression in addition to my other meds, and it has made a world of difference without the awful side effects (including sexual side effects) that a lot of the antidepressants have. It wouldn't hurt to see a psychiatrist who is up on the latest, and who can work in conjunction with your pain management dr. to get you on something that will work.

Yes, you've done everything you can up to this point, and you shouldn't look at yourself as a failure simply because your pain hasn't gone away. It's not your fault - it just is what it is. Don't make pain your identity - it isn't the man you are or the friend you are to others. Chronic pain can be so overwhelming that we let it define us, but you can't let yourself fall into that trap. Continue to post here and we will all help you as much as we can.

Hang in there - you're in my prayers tonight -

Mary
:wave:

thanks mary. My "other doc" gave me some cymbalta samples and I am going to try them. I have also been taking lyrica for the last week or so. I have to start the cymbalta tomorrow... I will call PM and demand cymbalta. how long did it take to kick in?

I'm glad you've got those Cymbalta samples. I think it took a week or so for me to really feel a difference, although others I know had a faster reaction to it (I guess it's different for everybody). And I definitely agree with calling your PM and demanding a different med - what I still don't understand is why some doctors are so reticent to switch if something not working.

Keep us posted and let us know how you're doing.

Mary
:wave:

Bravo,
I know how hard it is to go thru everyday in pain, I dont' want to be pittied or treated like I'm gonna break I just want "normal" whatever that is. I have been there trust me. The best thing you can do is get yourself involved in doing something that might distract your mind from some of the pain, no it won't make it stop hurting but you CAN let your mind wonder off of the pain, it really does work. I make greeting cards, it's something I can stop in the middle of if I need to and when I'm done I have a wonderful card to brighten someones day. Now I know guys dont' make cards, but maybe a puzzle, crossword, solitare, computer games, anything. I didn't think I could be distracted from my pain when it was suggested to me but I tried it and it does help a lil.

It's not the life we choose or want for that matter, but it is what we have and you can change it. Don't ever give up looking for answers, your worth
way more than that! Find another dr., get the best dr. you can find by you or make a trip if you have to, I go 3 hrs one way to my dr. and he's worth every minute of it. There is no way your a broken man unless you want to be.

Your worth way more than you give your self credit for. Being in pain is not ALL that your about, dont' let this pain take over your life like that. The fact that you can go to work is great, focus on the good right now. You know stress can elevate your pain levels big time.

Hang in there! it will get better.

God Bless (he didn't forget about you)

Carol