Chronic Pain

[YourMajesty]

I had ankle sugery almost 7 months ago. Before the surgery I had the ankle injury for 16 months. This makes two years of pain. I also injured the other ankle 1 month before my surgery so it aches too. I do have pain medicine (only after the surgery) when I need it but I hate to take it everyday(it's darvocet). It's not like you can baby your ankle that much since I need to walk everyday. With young kids and just trying to get back into some exercise I'm finding it to be a bit depressing. I have these big thick permanent stiches for a ligament repair and I had some bone work done. This is my first big surgery other than the c-section I had. I'm suprised how much pain....mostly after I was off the crutches (6weeks after surgery). Just thought I would take a moment to whine a little...that always makes me feel better. I know there are people in much worse shape...I hope I can toughen a bit. We have a disney trip in 2 weeks.

 

[minkydog]

Does your doctor know you're still having this much pain? It seems like you could take an anti-inflammatory. I had chronic foot pain for about 3 years and it really took over my life for awhile. It finally took a combination of an anti-depressant(to raise the pain threshold) and a prescirption anti-inflammatory(to reduce the inflammation), in addition to slinting, casting, crutches, etc. to get the pain under control. And i had to be very diligent about the meds--no skipping meds just because it only hurt a little bit.

Call your doctor and find out what he can do for you.

 

[YourMajesty]

Does your doctor know you're still having this much pain? It seems like you could take an anti-inflammatory. I had chronic foot pain for about 3 years and it really took over my life for awhile. It finally took a combination of an anti-depressant(to raise the pain threshold) and a prescirption anti-inflammatory(to reduce the inflammation), in addition to slinting, casting, crutches, etc. to get the pain under control. And i had to be very diligent about the meds--no skipping meds just because it only hurt a little bit.

Call your doctor and find out what he can do for you.

Ok, thanks for the advice. What kind of anit-inflammatiory did you take? I'm also thinking about asking to have the permanent stiches removed as they seem to bother me. He told DH after the surgery he "could" remove them but he has never told me that (not that I have complained about them). Thanks for the advice.

 

[minkydog]

I took Voltaren for several years. It's an old (read: cheap)drug and they don't like for you to be on it for long periods, but it made all the difference for me. There may be other drugs that would be better for you. When they suggested an anti-depressant, I was puzzled, but he explained to me how our bodies respond to pain and how the anti-depressant helps your body cope with chronic pain. Anyway, it helped a lot.

Nobody should resign themselves to living with pain until they have exhausted every avenue of healing. Pain causes high levels of stress hormones in your body, which can have some pretty bad effects on your heart and immune systems. You need to make it a priority in your life to deal with this--your kids will thank you for it.

 

[YourMajesty]

I took Voltaren for several years. It's an old (read: cheap)drug and they don't like for you to be on it for long periods, but it made all the difference for me. There may be other drugs that would be better for you. When they suggested an anti-depressant, I was puzzled, but he explained to me how our bodies respond to pain and how the anti-depressant helps your body cope with chronic pain. Anyway, it helped a lot.

Nobody should resign themselves to living with pain until they have exhausted every avenue of healing. Pain causes high levels of stress hormones in your body, which can have some pretty bad effects on your heart and immune systems. You need to make it a priority in your life to deal with this--your kids will thank you for it.

Thanks again. I have some relafen that I could try. Also, pain in general is depressing so maybe meds for that would be good. I'm not really derpressed but rather irritable and do NOT want to be in pain. The worst part is every morning when I get up and walk I'm reminded that I'm goind to have pain in my ankle with every step I take...it's sooooo frustrating. Thanks for sharing your experience. I'll keep you posted. It's going to be an interesting trip because I've done light walking and exercising but nothing like the 10-12 miles you walk at Disney.

 

[Shugardrawers]

Whine all you want. You are in good company here. Besides the pain from the cancer, I'm dealing with pain in my leg. After 3 years of no one being able to figure out what the real problem is they are finally doing a nerve block a week from Thurs. I have my doubts it'll work but it's worth a shot. P&PD that you'll find the answer for yourself.

 

[MeanLaureen]

I've been dealing with chronic pain for over 5 yrs and will deal with it the rest of my life. I can totally sympathize with you.

I have heard that Vioxx will be (or already has been) brought back on the market which may work for you for the pain as an anti inflammatory. You shouldn't have any problems with it if your heart is healthy. I used to like Bextra way back when it first came out (before I advanced past the use of anti inflammatories) but I believe that one is still off the market for the same reason they took off Vioxx.

I wish I could remember all of the medicines I have been through.. my gosh, I literally have been through just about everything known to man..lol If you did want to give the antidepressant route a try, I would suggest Cymbalta. It is an antidepressant that actually has been found to have some pain killing properties.

If you don't want to go the narcotic route, I have tried Neurontin (which recently went generic which equals cheap drug..lol). It was an old epilepsy drug that they has found has great pain relief properties.

I would definately talk to you doctor though. He would know best as to what type of pain killer or anti inflammatory would work in your situation.

I wish you the best

 

[YourMajesty]

Whine all you want. You are in good company here. Besides the pain from the cancer, I'm dealing with pain in my leg. After 3 years of no one being able to figure out what the real problem is they are finally doing a nerve block a week from Thurs. I have my doubts it'll work but it's worth a shot. P&PD that you'll find the answer for yourself.

I just wanted to wish you P&PD for your procedure this Thurs and I hope it is sucessfull. Thanks for the encouragement. Life never seems to have simple answers for us.

 

[YourMajesty]

I've been dealing with chronic pain for over 5 yrs and will deal with it the rest of my life. I can totally sympathize with you.

I have heard that Vioxx will be (or already has been) brought back on the market which may work for you for the pain as an anti inflammatory. You shouldn't have any problems with it if your heart is healthy. I used to like Bextra way back when it first came out (before I advanced past the use of anti inflammatories) but I believe that one is still off the market for the same reason they took off Vioxx.

I wish I could remember all of the medicines I have been through.. my gosh, I literally have been through just about everything known to man..lol If you did want to give the antidepressant route a try, I would suggest Cymbalta. It is an antidepressant that actually has been found to have some pain killing properties.

If you don't want to go the narcotic route, I have tried Neurontin (which recently went generic which equals cheap drug..lol). It was an old epilepsy drug that they has found has great pain relief properties.

I would definately talk to you doctor though. He would know best as to what type of pain killer or anti inflammatory would work in your situation.

I wish you the best

Thanks MeanLarueen,

I'm not sure about your screen name....that was a sweet and thoughtful post. I'm sorry to hear you will have pain the rest of you life. I'm also writing down all the suggestions that you and others have shared. I can get more here than from many 90 second visits with the surgeon. I'm really suprised he has not suggested the the neurontin as some of the pain I have is from nerves (asuming there is a connection by name)? And yes....I'm always interested in generic...it's so much cheaper. I'm also going to look up the Cymbalta...I've never heard of it. Please take care and I will be thinking about you.

 

[eclectics]

I've taken Darvocet everyday for about 5 years now (with Doc's knowledge). Probably be on it the rest of my life. It's not toxic taken everyday as long as you don't abuse it and your liver is in good shape. Hope you feel better!

 

[Divamomto3]

Thanks again. I have some relafen that I could try. Also, pain in general is depressing so maybe meds for that would be good. I'm not really derpressed but rather irritable and do NOT want to be in pain. The worst part is every morning when I get up and walk I'm reminded that I'm goind to have pain in my ankle with every step I take...it's sooooo frustrating. Thanks for sharing your experience. I'll keep you posted. It's going to be an interesting trip because I've done light walking and exercising but nothing like the 10-12 miles you walk at Disney.

I went to WDW this summer after I tore the ACL in my right knee, but before I had it surgically fixed. I could never have done the walking at Disney World and would have had to cancel my trip if it weren't for the motorized scooter I rented from Walker Mobility. They dropped it off at my hotel and it was there before I was. It saved my life and made my trip somewhat enjoyable. I'm 6 weeks post op and I'm doing OK....not great, but OK. I'm going to Disney in December for the weekend and I hope I can walk on my own power without too much distress. Good luck to you and definitely get some advice from your doctor. There is a lot they can do for chronic pain that works a lot better than Darvocet.

 

[YourMajesty]

I've taken Darvocet everyday for about 5 years now (with Doc's knowledge). Probably be on it the rest of my life. It's not toxic taken everyday as long as you don't abuse it and your liver is in good shape. Hope you feel better!

I do skip a day here and there but usually I take one or two a day. My Dr said that was fine. It's really not as helpful as the hydrocodone but it made me sick(nausea) and moody. I think my liver is healthy but I hope all this tylenol is not making it unhealthy. There is 650mg in every darvocet...the script says 1-2 but I've never taken 2 (together). Thanks for the well wishes...same to you.