Just about to say "Forget it I give up"

Ok, to give you an idea of what is happening I should introduce myself...I am 26, 5'7 some 70kg on me, and suffer from chronic pain...the doctor's are pretty bad in the sense that they have no good idea as to what I can do (aside from taking really strong pain meds that make me not live or love my life very much)to help with the pain

I have always been quite active, and healthy, also my weight was ok somwhere around 60kg...but I got sick and had things happen...now I am a pain patient.

2 or so months ago I said to my husband that I will not wait around for any Doctor to tell me their pointless over-paid opinion anymore and will just try whatever I can...so here I am eating very healthy, quit smoking, working out, doing yoga....and, the pain has not gotten better.  

Actually, I just started jogging, and have been doing ok...yesterday I put on my clothes to go for a jog...and I couldn't....too much pain, I just couldn't handle it!!! I was just about to give up, throw it all down, when my husband made me sit down, take a deep breath...and maybe, just maybe, I have the energy to continue!!!

I know I am not very specific about things in this post...really just wanted to point out this

I WILL NOT GIVE UP! I will try everything that I can do from my side....it is my health and my life, and I won't let somebody tell me that it is ok or acceptable to spend 80% of every day in pain!!

It is a struggle...and if anybody has any good suggestion or wants to say a nice word, I sure appreciate them! 

Good for you! Keep on going. Even if you can't totally get rid of all your health problems they will no doubt be improved by a healthy lifestyle.

It's not ok to spend 80% of your time in pain! There is something seriously wrong there. Obviously, I don't know what's going on with you but can you look into combining holistic and complementary therapies with medical help if you need it?

I believe in You!

The pain is caused by adhesions in my abdominal cavity because I had sever internal bleeding about a year ago...I am trying to find somebody for accupuncture, or something....?!?! 

That might be a good idea. I would take to a complementary therapist, reflexology and aromatherapy might be good for pain relief

Hi mdstall, I am a registered massage therapist and have also suffered from chronic pain in the past, although it was different from yours. You should look up someone in your area who specializes in myofacial release or an osteopath who mainly deal with restrictions in the body. In the meantime you could try epsom salt baths they were a life saver for me.

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Thank you all for the advice and encouraging words...

Theragirl, I will look into those...as for the baths-don't have a bathtub!

Hi Mdstall, since you do not have a bath tub, soak two cups in hot water in the sink. Take a hand towel and soak it with the water. Place on injured or painfull area for about ten minutes. A little messy but still works. I do this to my hamstrings or quads if I don't feel like taking a bath.

Hi,

I also suffer from severe chronic abdominal pain. I've been through 2 surgeries and six other exploratory procedures, an approximately 20 nuclear medicine tests in the last two years, without result. I've tried all the eastern medicine, all the western medicine... no luck. Still pain. I think I might glow in the dark from swallowing so much barium / nuclear fluid :)

mdstall - I work with a pain specialist for long-term management. A good pain doctor will not make you stay on anything that is not working - and feeling out of it is not working for a lot of folks. There are many options, including time-released medications, that I've found help. Currently, I take time-released MS Contin and vicodin for pain. I have been on them for long enough that I no longer feel "high" or unusual on them - I'm just not in pain always. We're going to try Lyrica next week, to see if I can phase out the vicodin.

Please keep up your efforts toward better health - good food, no nicotine, exercise. You still may need to turn the corner on feeling better from not smoking - that can take months after quitting :) And you WILL have good days ahead - don't give up on that. Abdominal pain is a very strange malady - it comes and goes as it pleases. Know that tomorrow you've got an excellent chance at feeling well enough to get up and go. In the meantime, rest when you feel pain, if possible. No one will fault you for having a bad day :)

Is jogging the only exercise option available to you? It may be a bit tough on the system.

I may be the devil's advocate here, but perhaps high impact exercise is not the way to go. Exercise is good and all, but I think your priority should be to minimize pain.

But you know your own body. Sometimes, exercise doesn't make things better, but doesn't make things worse, in which case it is worth doing.

My fiance has a history of problems with his ankle, . People wouldn't believe how much pain he was in, because he would walk for miles. His attitude was that he had the pain whatever he did.

I think this is a lesson for the rest of us too. People can be young, fit-looking and still suffer from chronic pain or fatigue. You can't really tell what people live through...

Good luck, and do what makes you the least uncomfortable. I hope you find a permanent solution. Wishing all the best for you!

mel_e_mel: Do you know what those meds are based on? In the past I always was given things based on opiates....so the building resistance was quite a big problem...

Linden: No, I also do yoga (possible on the good days only), play frisbee (again only on good days) and go hiking and mountain biking....I was trying to do a bit more high-impact, so I started jogging...I did ok with it for several days but on bad days I need to just not do it, it seems....

I really thank everybody for their input and for being encouraging....it really just  is that frustrating when you really really want this, but your body seems to just continue to quit on me!!

I suffer from chronic pain from arthritis.

I agree that you should be looking to bolster your regular doctors with non-traditional alternatives like an osteopath, acupuncture, etc.

Find out if there is a yoga and meditation teacher in your area that has a class  specifically for those that are in pain or with medical issues so you can learn specific postures and modifications for you. Or find someone that will work with you individually - although a class is good because it is comforting to know you are not alone and the support of the group helps. Meditation offers a lot more than you might think!

Losing weight, Yoga, meditation, walking, and working with my rheumatologist worked for me. It did not happen fast, but it did happen.

It will happen for you too - if you do not quit. To quote Winston Churchill - "never, never, never give in!"

Peace,

MS Contin and Vicodin are both opiate based - some folks don't react well, that's true. But morphine has consistently been the only thing that dampens my pain; before they had me on the MS (morphine sulphate) contin, I went to the ER all the time is escalating states of pain.

Lyrica and Neurantin (sp on neurantin?) are non-opiate based pain medications, and they were recommended by my Neuro-Gastroenternologist. They also use some light anti-anxiety and anti-depression drugs for folks with abdominal pain. I tried them, and they don't work for me, but it's worth a shot. Amyltriptalyne was one; buspar was another.

So there are a few options for non-opiate pain relief. And honestly, most GI doctors flip out if anyone tries to give you an opiate; GI people tend to be opposed to their use for GI problems as they slow down your digestion. But that's what works for me; it took about 6 months to "clear the fog" but smooth after that.

Thanks to all of you again!

I spoke to my Mom last night, and she said I should finally consult a pain specialist, as well as, a natural practitioner ... we shall see!

I broke my back four years ago and was told I'd have to give up what I loved most. Now, I was recently accepted into an acclaimed dance program and am heading toward a professional career. It's never over. It's never too late. Never Give Up is the attitude to have most definitely. I recommend acupuncture to those who aren't needle queasy.