Getting help - Pain Management Message Board

kim32 · 01-07-2003, 09:22 PM

My pain is 24/7 I don't get any seconds of relief, my upperstomach and chest and back burns like it's on fire all the time, sometimes it just is pain not burning, but it's mostly burning. So i don't know about trying to talk myself out of the pain (self-hypnois) is going to work when i'm in pain 24/7 :-(
I'm just glad tho that now i can talk to someone about it (besides my primary doctor and the gastro doctor) maybe the mental health worker can help me (along with the pain clinic)deal with it better, if this pain is a lifelong thing (which i'm hoping ofcourse isn't, like we all are) It's just so frustrating to tell the doctors that your in so much pain and then they look at you like "well the tests doesn't show anything so you must not be in pain". But i have heard of a few people that have gone thru the same thing as i am after having there gallbladder removed,and they had there GB removed years ago and there still suffering. :-(
I think, thinking about that makes my anxiety run even higher. My doctor says that i won't have this pain every day for the rest of my life, but how does she know? she doesn't even know why i'm in pain.
All we do know is that it pertains from my Gallbladder. I was healthy before all of this started in July. I know that i have got to be strong, but it's so hard when your in constant pain and everyone acts like they don't believe you! It really hurts my feelings! :-( I told her that I don't want to end up taking medicine for the rest of my life to end the pain, I even asked her if there's surgery that could fix this pain, but she said no. I feel for everyone who has been in pain for years. I just hate having to wait so long until i see the mental health worker, or until i get a biofeedback before i can even go to the pain clinic. Has anyone had that done before, talked to someone (biofeedback) before they could go to a pain clinic? I'm just so nervous that they won't accept me and then i will be like tossed out in the street alone and in pain, with no one to turn too. :-( Ever since the surgery the doctor's have given me the cold shoulder just because the test's don't show anything. I have even told them to do surgery again to look in there to see what's wrong but they said that it wouldn't do any good. But the gastro doctor did tell me tonight when he called that if the 24/hr ph comes back negative then he could refer me to another gastro doctor who's highly trained in with the bile ducts, etc... I am going to keep demanding tests until someone finds out what's going on. Atleast some of you know what's causing your pain, i don't, and i wish that i did so i can come to terms with it more. Ok i think that i read a long enough book now! :-) Just that i need some support from you guys! Kim

HunterSThompson · 01-07-2003, 10:22 PM

LIsten you can "pretend" the pain is going to go away or you can do something that works. YOu need to get some morphine. trust me you'll feel no pain.

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Open your eyes! The doors of perception must be opened.

01-08-2003, 01:19 AM

I went to a pain clinic near where I live. They tried to teach me biofeedback. I have a hard time getting there and staying there but its possible. Then when all of their other medical methods of controling my pain didn't work they bacically told me don't come back. So now I'm at another pain clinic and all they do for me is meds. So chose your clinic wisely. More than likely you will also have to enter into agreement that no wacky weed, etc will be used as you might be subject to testing for it. I know from experience that the DRs will try to say its all in your head. Just be careful out there. Take someone with you to check out these clinics or DRs. Being in alot of pain is hard to sometimes make a good decision for long term care not just a quick fix. I hope for the best for you. Take care.

jane2 · 01-08-2003, 09:07 AM

Biofeeback works best for tension related pain, which can be very severe and real. However, you talk about gastro pains. I think getting at the cause seems like the way to go. Gastro pain can be sign of something serious or can lead to complications down the road.

Hunter S Thompson - that comment worries. I agree, the pain will not just go away. However, getting high isn't the answer if that is what you were saying. That could mask a very serious problem.

On the same hand, the learn to live idea with it seems harsh. I agree opiates my be conter productive with gastro pain and make some problems worse, cause of constipation. Best idea is to pursue a solution. You dont' always gets one. I don't know much about gall bladders. I know where there are. Maybe opiates could help your pain. Not sure. Think you need more of a diagnosis. Hope they are taking your symptoms seriously. A cure is the best pain reliever, but you don't always get one.

I see the biofeedback as a waste of time unless your pain is tension related. Not a waste, cause pain creates more tension and pain. However, it won't make your gallbladder less painful. You can't will pain away. We all need coping skills. Seeing a shrink is often part of the screening process for pain clinics. It is also helpful for learning to live with a chronic condition and chronic pain, if that is the case. So I don't know that it means you won't be given pain treatment. It can give you some much needed coping skills.

You speak of burning pain? Do you think it is nerve pain or gastro pain. They are different types of burning. Any other gastro symptoms. Neuro pain includes burining, throbbing, shooting and numbness. Any thing like that would point you in that direction. Neurontin is good for buring nerve pain.

I just hope they haven't dismissed your complaints as "emotional", as often happens to women. Think they need to get to the bottom of it and take your pain seriously.

[This message has been edited by jane2 (edited 01-08-2003).]