BS: obvious pain control methods

Subject: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Jun 23 - 07:20 AM

There are several ways to dial down pain a degree or two.
If you accept the cost/risk of medicinal means to lower pain you will probably do that but remember all N-SAIDS are hard on the kidneys and carry a small risk of strokes,
Anxiety reduction is the next best thing. Sleep if you can.
Distraction be it a powerful sour flavor or cold water to the face.
Overwhelming the senses by shock sensations is helpful.
An exercise of moving the focus away from a painful site is done by actively noticing how your ear or neck is neutral of pain or an opposite limb is free of pain. Some people are very good at this.
Lidocaine is a short lived means to dull pain but can get your mental focus off pain and last pain free longer.
Migraine pain of 9 or 10 responds to intentional vomiting and pain may drop to 4 or 5.
Of course mortal pain requires medical attention.
Progressive relaxation moving from one area to another slowly into a deep relaxation is very helpful.
Some medicinal painkillers work differently in different people.
If you are a drinker by all means avoid Acetaminophen. Some people are helped by Naproxin. The old willow bark relief of aspirin has side effects but can be worth it.

I am curious what others have found helpful

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Jun 23 - 07:44 AM

In the Western world, Acupuncture is exotic but in China, it is normal even for veterinary use. For muscular-skeletal problems, Chiropractic care deals with causal issues.
Some Cancer pain still relies on opiates and Morphine.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Jun 23 - 07:47 AM

You don't have to avoid paracetamol (acetaminophen) if you drink alcohol. You do need to avoid excess alcohol. The only NSAID you can get here without prescription (if you discount aspirin) is ibuprofen. I've been banned from all of them for life due to the threat to my kidneys. I had a terrible time with Tramadol a few years ago, an experience I've recounted here before, but who am I to advise?   I don't think that these generalised internet forums are the best place to be doling out medical advice. I speak as a long-term chronic pain victim. But I can keep moving, and a good psychological boost is to tell myself that I'm a damn sight luckier than millions of other people of my age round the world.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Jun 23 - 07:52 AM

Your body has the ability to create its own version of Morphine in extreme circumstances. Sometimes a placebo has the capability to stimulate that effect. Perhaps the most common help comes from ice.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Jun 23 - 08:03 AM

A decade ago The US released dangerous NSAIDs like Celebrex and its variations that caused heart problems. The scourge of opiates was nefariously reintroduced with the unfortunate results of death and addiction.
Knowing the best thing to do when discomfort turns into distracting pain is something for doctors to help you sort out the dangers.
Anyone afflicted can be helped by degrees. If pain eliminates sleep get help immediately.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jun 23 - 10:52 AM

Tramadol may help with pain but it is also a pain to get off of if you take it for a week or two, as I did after the first knee replacement. Here I was thinking that getting off of the Oxycodone onto something "less" was a good step but I had to taper off of the Tramadol over a couple of days. After the second knee replacement last year I took the Oxy for a little longer then stepped down to an Rx-strength Tylenol. (I think the other medications I was on put Motrin out of reach until they were finished.)

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Jun 23 - 11:00 AM

I took Tramadol for just three weeks and became physically dependent in it (which I didn't know until I missed two doses one day). It made me woozy and I felt unsafe drivjng and walking downstairs (which is why I skipped the doses on a day out). I spent three sleepless nights thrashing around on the sofa to get off it. I was so incensed that I went back to the doctor and berated him for prescribing it. I won't take any opioids. This is not advice. It's just me.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jun 23 - 11:54 AM

Celebrex (via a generic version) was one of the meds I had to take for 30 days, so nothing except Tylenol during that time.

I've heard too many stories about mistakes by chiropractors; you'll never see me in one of their offices. That said, physicians trained in Osteopathic medical schools learn a number of "manipulation" techniques. 30 years ago I injured my back by popping something out of place and had to crawl to the phone to call my spouse to take me to the doctor. As we headed out I commented that it was too bad we didn't have a local doctor and the ER would end up giving muscle relaxants and I'd have to have help with our daughter. So we decided to go to a nearby minor emergency practice to see what they suggested.

It turned out they were DOs and the doctor I saw said he didn't get much opportunity to use the hands on stuff. While lying on my side, he pushed my shoulder one direction and my hip the other, and there was a "pop!" - repeat on the other side, another "pop!" and it felt so much better! My lower back was tender for a while and I sometimes feel a twinge there all of these years later, but so much better than taking drugs till everything gradually shifted back into place.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Charmion
Date: 04 Jun 23 - 08:17 PM

When I smashed my left ankle, I spent a week in hospital and came home with a no-weight-bearing cast and a prescription for Demerol. I had enough practice with the crutches to laps around the fracture clinic and figured I was good to go. The next day, I was too weak and groggy to crutch myself downstairs, or hoist myself out of the bathtub.

So I decided to tough it out without the Demerol — house arrest is bad enough; I couldn’t face being confined to my room. It was unpleasant, but a hell of a lot safer.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Jun 23 - 10:57 PM

Judging by the Demerol that was a long time ago

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Charmion
Date: 05 Jun 23 - 08:26 AM

1990, to be precise.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: gillymor
Date: 05 Jun 23 - 12:45 PM

20 years ago I had rotator cuff surgery and was prescribed oxycontin to help me get through the very painful post-op physical therapy. For the first week there were 2 a day sessions and I kicked up the oxycontin with oxycodone 45 minutes beforehand and it was still a painful affair. After the course of PT ended I found myself physically dependent on the stuff. It took 6 weeks to gradually wean myself off it and I still remember the happy moment when I realized I didn't need to take another maintenance dose. The opioids were necessary to get through all that but I decided I never wanted to be in that place again except in extreme circumstances.
Since then I've had a knee and a hip replacement, foot surgery, 2 hand surgeries, a bowel resection (done laparoscopically) and several cardiac catherizations and once away from hospital care I've only relied on extra strength Tylenol and meditation to deal with pain, with the exception of the Meloxicam I started taking recently for the arthritis in my other hand which makes it possible to play my musical instruments without much discomfort.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Rapparee
Date: 10 Jun 23 - 08:58 PM

I have used both hydrocodone and OxyContin post surgery. I take them as directed or a little less. When I don’t need them I quit. If I need something more powerful than acetomeniphine after a surgery, but nothing as potent as the ones mentioned above I ask for T3 or T4. I do not like opioids but I’ll use them if needed.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Donuel
Date: 11 Jun 23 - 07:02 AM

Holy cow gillymor you are practically bionic.

Lashing out is a pain control method but not a constructive one.
It took me 16 days to overcome a dependancy to the lowest 5mg prescription opioid available. It is extremely addictive.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 11 Jun 23 - 07:01 PM

We all react differently to medicines. I've had cellulitis seven times in three years and I have to take huge doses of an antibiotic every time for a week or more. It doesn't mess me up at all, luckily, but I hear of different experiences from other people. Work with your doctor and don't listen to Mudcat volunteers about medicines.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: gillymor
Date: 11 Jun 23 - 07:15 PM

"you are practically bionic"
Funny you should say that, Don, my wife calls me The 6 Hundred Dollar Man. Jokingly, I hope.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Mr Red
Date: 12 Jun 23 - 07:41 AM

Donuel
There is a non medicinal method - adrenaline.

How you invoke the adrenaline is up to you. Shouting will notch it up a little. One of the reasons we shout when in pain, the automatic reflex produces yet more adrenaline, yea, yea, it attracts help too.

I well remember in a festival w/e singaround with an absess under a tooth with no recourse to a dentist, being in pain waiting for my turn to sing. Which when it came, after 3 minutes I realised there had been no pin for the last 2"59'. If that is not adrenaline then what? yea, yea distraction, but to a lesser extent.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 12 Jun 23 - 11:42 AM

> There is a non medicinal method - adrenaline.

Internally administered only, I do profoundly hope. In the 1950s, before better drugs were available for treating asthma, little green spray bottles of adrenaline were handed out to severe-case patients. (My case was deemed minor enough to not need that.) This proved in practice to yield two side-effects: an absolutely raging hair-trigger temper, and a complete adoration of the little green bottle. Nowadays, adrenaline is reserved for use in hospitals in last-ditch treatments.

I experienced this at close quarters in the 1970s, when less dangerous treatments had become available. The victim point-blank refused to give up the little green bottle, despite being told it was harming him; only the doctors at the hospital could get through to him.

.... Come to think, even internally-administered adrenaline can be addictive: many obnoxious politicians come to mind as possible adrenaline junkies.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Mrrzy
Date: 12 Jun 23 - 05:37 PM

I can't get high from eating pot, but boy do edibles work on pain.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Donuel
Date: 12 Jun 23 - 06:04 PM

C9H13NO3 I learned somthing. The doctors looked puzzled when I laughed loudly when setting my broken leg.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: leeneia
Date: 13 Jun 23 - 11:44 PM

Tomorrow I have the last radiation treatment (don't worry, I'm okay), a treatment that requires I lie on my stomach with my face in a hole in a table, so I can breathe. Resting my face on that for 30 minutes was miserable. Most of the 11-pound weight of my head was borne by a thin ridge of bone above my eyebrows, and that thin line really ached.

So I asked myself what's really squishy and resilient, and I showed up for treatment with 3 fat rolls of non-slip shelf stuff, the rubbery thing that's supposed to stop things from sliding. One roll was for my forehead, the other two were for my cheekbones. Pieces of new cotton fabric from the stash covered the rolls to make a pleasant surface texture. The techs think I'm a pain, but they've probably not had chronic inflammation in their sinuses. Come to think of it, they've probably never been on the machine.

So that's my latest pain control method. It's a real help.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Senoufou
Date: 14 Jun 23 - 02:53 AM

Just wanted to say how sorry I am for posters on her who are in severe pain. I hope you all find effective relief - best wishes to you all.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Donuel
Date: 14 Jun 23 - 05:12 PM

I am happy to only have phantom limb pain and to have outlived Migraine which often goes away by age 60.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 Jun 23 - 09:07 AM

I went to the doctors yesterday and asked for something to help with pain. He hit me with a cricket bat.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 15 Jun 23 - 09:41 AM

I broke my leg and it was in plaster. My mate came round and said, "Can I write something on your plaster?"

"Sure," I said, "Here, use this felt-tip."

He wrote, "Why don't you sod off, you useless piece of shite."

I said, "Oi, what do you think you're doing!"

He said, "I'm adding insult to injury..."

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 Jun 23 - 04:54 PM

Just got back from A&E and the doctor says I'll be all right after a couple of days on pain relief.

But I just thought I'd warn you that the ball cleaner on our local golf course is really misleadingly named.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Donuel
Date: 15 Jun 23 - 07:32 PM

Guess who would add insult to his jury.

Guy goes to the doctor for a pain in his ass
Tells the doctor "doc I've got some pain right by the entrance of my asshole"
Doc replies: "As long as you call it an entrance it's gonna hurt"


Apparently, there is bi-partisan agreement in Congress that medicinal marijuana should be allowed for the purpose of relieving arthritis pain...
In other words, there is joint support for joint support of joint support...

I called my wife at work and asked, "Do you ever get a shooting pain across your body, like someone's got a voodoo doll of you and they're stabbing it?" Sounding concerned, she said, "No."
I responded, "How about now?"

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 15 Jun 23 - 08:05 PM

Progress. You didn't post any of that lot in the joke thread. Well done.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Donuel
Date: 18 Jun 23 - 07:58 AM

An idea is like a virus. Resilient. Highly contagious. And the smallest seed of an idea can grow. It can grow to define or destroy. All pain and all achievement are outgrowths of the human mind. The joke of dealing with it is on us.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 18 Jun 23 - 10:05 AM

> An idea is like a virus.

Remind me: was it Richard Dawkins who invented the term meme for this? Data is much the same, except it can't die, but has to explicitly be killed.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 Jun 23 - 10:14 AM

Data as in Star Trek TNG?

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Donuel
Date: 18 Jun 23 - 11:06 AM

Data is what religion doesn't have except for its financial bottom line.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Donuel
Date: 21 Jun 23 - 01:23 PM

I was on Gabapentin which is for pain control but gave me a slight dizziness. After hitting a curb in my car I am stopping the medication.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Bill D
Date: 25 Jun 23 - 06:26 PM

The thing is, acetaminophen & ibuprofen work differently and on different problems. I am weary of ads which tout THEIR product as "better on **pain**"
=https://health.clevelandclinic.org/acetaminophen-vs-ibuprofen-which-works-better

   I had Hydrocodone for awhile for nerve pain due to a bone spur in the neck, but gradually learned to simply be very careful how I twisted or rested my neck & back. Gave it up a couple of years ago.

My most profound experience was in the emergency room with a kidney stone. Once they had confirmed that's all it was, they turned a valve on the pre-installed IV and...whoosh.. I was happily counting ceiling tiles! Dilaudid! Never needed it again!

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Donuel
Date: 26 Jun 23 - 05:20 AM

Worth mentioning is expert acupuncture, chiropractic, and yoga.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: Mrrzy
Date: 27 Jun 23 - 09:48 AM

I think meme was Dennett's. Not looking it up, though.

Subject: RE: BS: obvious pain control methods
From: robomatic
Date: 27 Jun 23 - 07:28 PM

If you stub your toe, bang your head.