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27 Dec 00 - 10:03 PM (#364323) Subject: Chronic pain From: katlaughing Just wondering how any of us cope with, manage, get rid of, etc. chronic pain from repetitious movements, arthritis, poor circulation, etc. Interested in any and all rememdies, not just physical, but also psychological, etc. (Enough etc's?:-) Thanks, kat |
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27 Dec 00 - 10:40 PM (#364333) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Amergin Well, i have a chronic pain in my left nut..... |
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27 Dec 00 - 10:55 PM (#364338) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Gypsy Laughter and love is a great pain killer. Being with my beloved, and my friends, tends to drive pain away. so does music. And for worst case scenarios, hot bath with ice water, and a book. Oh, for a bottomless water heater! |
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27 Dec 00 - 11:02 PM (#364341) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: catspaw49 Say 'Gin, why is it ALWAYS the left one? You never hear anybody use that phrase or any other saying, "the right nut." Its always the left. Spaw |
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27 Dec 00 - 11:38 PM (#364359) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: wysiwyg Kat, I have two documents to e-mail you, would you e-mail or PM me your e-mail address? Not sue I have the current one. One document is all links, the other is all info. ~S~ |
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27 Dec 00 - 11:41 PM (#364361) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Amergin Actually, Spaw, i goofed.....it is the right one....think I'll have to get it checked out. |
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27 Dec 00 - 11:42 PM (#364364) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: GUEST,Dave (the ancient mariner at work) Pain Is Good.... it means yer still alive.. Aye. |
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27 Dec 00 - 11:44 PM (#364365) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Gypsy Amergin, wouldn't that be the WRONG one? ;>) |
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27 Dec 00 - 11:44 PM (#364366) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Margo My sis told me about a new (I don't know how new) gel that is supposed to help... she's tried it and found it helpful. I've ordered some to try on my aching back. It has emu oil in it. Supposedly, emu oil has the ability to penetrate the skin and sink in deep in a very short time, thus delivering whatever other ingrediants are mixed in to the area in distress, ie. joints. I just happened to be reading about essential oils for use as healing agents. The oils must be high grade (not perfume grade). My masseuse uses them and I always feel great when I leave her parlor. I also smell like a salad. But she gave me reading material about the oils. They've been used for many hundreds of years for healing. I'm going to try some for my daughter to see if I can't calm her down. Any one else used oils? Margo |
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28 Dec 00 - 12:05 AM (#364373) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: catspaw49 Yeah, but I kept sliding off and couldn't get a grip so it wasn't easy to get any real pumping action going. Not only that, but when I went to the john later, I slid off and smashed my left nut. Spaw |
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28 Dec 00 - 12:14 AM (#364380) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Margo LOL! A greased pig, eh? |
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28 Dec 00 - 12:18 AM (#364382) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: catspaw49 Well its the midwest........Now if it had happened in sheep country that would have been really scratchy, but the lanolin may have reacted with the Wesson. Spaw |
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28 Dec 00 - 01:32 AM (#364404) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: blt A few things I've tried that have been successful some of the time: acupuncture/acupressure, hot springs, essential oils (Young Living Oils is a very high quality brand but it's a pyramid-type company, ordered over the phone: 800-763-9963), avoiding caffeine, sugar, alcohol; visiting a good chiropractor who uses muscle testing, massage. A good naturopath may be able to suggest supplements that address arthritis pain/swelling. There are also breathing techniques and meditation that may help. Good luck. |
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28 Dec 00 - 01:43 AM (#364408) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Terry K Slight thread creep I know, but I seem to recall someone once posted the simple, natural and widely known cure for heartburn, but I've forgotten what it was. Anyone? Cheers, Terry |
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28 Dec 00 - 03:16 AM (#364430) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: zander (inactive) Booze is the only answer. In pain and still sober, Dave |
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28 Dec 00 - 04:22 AM (#364443) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: CarolC For chronic physical pain that does not respond to any physical remedies, I use laughter and joy whenever possible. These work best when they are spread around as much as possible. Terry K, if you take digestive enzyme tablets when you eat foods that are high in fat or protien, you will be much less likely to get heartburn in the first place. Here in the U.S., they are available at health food stores. Don't know about over where you are. For protien, get ones with ox bile extract in them. Sounds gross, I know, but they work. For fatty foods, anything with papain and other vegetable enzymes should work. |
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28 Dec 00 - 06:34 AM (#364452) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: jaze Kat, As a pain management nurse, I can tell you there are lots of MD's who specialize in pain management. There are lots of procedures that can help relieve chronic pain. There are also many support groups that help people cope with chronic pain. I can't think of anything worse than having to live in constant pain. I also believe that whatevver works works- so if emu oil does it, go for it. Many people are having luck with magnets. Good luck |
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28 Dec 00 - 07:43 AM (#364469) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: paddymac Well, there are a lot of folks who have found relief from miscellaneous arthritic aches and pains with glucoseamine/chondritin. I've not tried it myself, but it is a bit on the pricey side. I know others burdened with arthritis who report getting great relief from small doses of garden variety pot. But, for those of us who worry about ample waistlines, it does have some draw-backs. |
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28 Dec 00 - 09:44 AM (#364507) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: kendall The magnets worked on my knee, but, failed on my wrist and shoulders |
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28 Dec 00 - 10:06 AM (#364521) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: katlaughing Thanks to all who took my request seriously. The rest of you had better look out for the left OR the right, 'cause I am going to get it!**BG** I've tried or rejected trying, for various reasons (too expensive, don't use animal products, etc.), most of the things listed above, with the exception of acupuncture, which I would love to try, but there are no practitioners in Wyoming. Susan, I was hoping for personal anecdotes, but why don't you post that stuff here, so that anyone might benefit? I was at a low point when I started this thread and I wish I had thought twice. I've been violating a lot of my own beliefs by sharing too much of what goes on with me physically. If we concentrate too much on what feels wrong, then it can consume. Likewise, I haven't been relying on my own Higher Self, so will be getting back to regular meditations and listening to my giving thanks tapes. Thanks, again. I won't be posting on this subject, again. I hope others find it helpful, too. luvyakat |
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28 Dec 00 - 10:18 AM (#364524) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: wysiwyg Kat, I have posted the first part (links) in the stress/burnout thread, but Part II has copyright problems as well as stuff that should be handled case by case-- not stuff I would want to "prescribe" without having a sense that it is the right info for what the person is dealing with. And that part also is very long. Too long to post, really. A couple of people reading this thread have already received these items. I am going more or less offline for a few days in relation to fire cleanup and a lil trip, so if one of you who has it could PM Kat to let her know, Ah'd 'ppreciate it. Or, Kat, I can send it when I get back in gear. Be well, and honor your body, which is AMAZINGLY BRILLIANT. Think about: what would you do or not do if your body was in complete charge? Consider doing and not doing just that. ~S~ |
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28 Dec 00 - 10:22 AM (#364525) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Sorcha For localized areas, my mum-in-law swears by MSM lotion---seems to help things like RMS, sprains, arthitis, etc. I just live on Ibuprophen....... |
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28 Dec 00 - 10:29 AM (#364530) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: katlaughing I wouldn't want anyone to "prescribe" for me, Susan. I know what I have to do now, thanks, anyway. |
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28 Dec 00 - 11:24 AM (#364573) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Bert Hi katmeluv, FIRST - Don't keep doing the repetitious movements that caused the problem. If you have to keep doing the job, change the way you do it, change your posture or the way you hold your work, but don't make matters worse. NEXT - lay off of the caffeine, coffee wakes you up but it also stimulates your nerve endings, which is the last thing you want if they are screaming already. AND MAYBE - some gentle exercise that can strenghten other muscles to take over from the screaming ones. AND ANOTHER THING - I've heard that releasing agression can be helpful for arthritis sufferers. One therapist had patients put a pillow in the corner and then go and kick the shit out of it. For some reason this is supposed to help arthritis. It's certainly cheap enough to try. Hope some of this helps. Bert. (Spaw, it's 'cos the left one hangs lowest.) |
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28 Dec 00 - 03:36 PM (#364705) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Diva Just recovered from a thankfully short spell of back pain,chronic while it was there,physio and a tens machine made all the difference. |
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28 Dec 00 - 05:47 PM (#364806) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Allan C. Physicians I have known have learned not to laugh at the broad spectrum of home remedies that their patients claim to relieve pain. Physicians have learned that if something works and if it does no other harm, then why not continue using it? I am not now nor have I ever been a doctor, but I worked in hospitals long enough to hear this remedy many, many times: Rub WD40 into the skin over a painful joint. Before the invention of WD40, country folks would rub the areas with potato slices. |
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28 Dec 00 - 05:57 PM (#364814) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Sorcha LOL, Oh Allan...! That makes me remember something about my Mom. She asked me once to rub some 2-4 D into her joints, said a friend told her it really helped. I just went and got the WD40 and used it. She could never, ever remember the difference between the two. Asked us every spring to put WD40 on her lawn........ |
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28 Dec 00 - 06:37 PM (#364834) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Ribbit Kat, My wife ,who has MS has found a great deal of relief in being treated with Reiki. It's an oriental energy healing therapy. It has helped her immensely. Maybe there is a practionor in Wyoming. Hope this is of some help. Thom M. |
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28 Dec 00 - 08:03 PM (#364886) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Mary in Kentucky kat, I was in a graduate school education class where we learned about visualization and progressive relaxation. One lady in the class had severe arthritis, and she said the exercises helped her immensely. She did them every night to go to sleep. My only personal experiences are with Lamaze childbirth exercises and meditation to get my blood pressure down. My husband and a good friend have used chondroitin for knee pain, and it has been wonderful. (both had surgery, and the combination worked wonders)
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28 Dec 00 - 08:25 PM (#364895) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: GUEST Agree with Thom M. Reiki Info |
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28 Dec 00 - 08:30 PM (#364898) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: katlaughing Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your imput. |
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28 Dec 00 - 08:38 PM (#364908) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Amergin All imput is good imput.....even smart ass imput.... |
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28 Dec 00 - 08:43 PM (#364913) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: katlaughing Yeah, if it makes one smile, it is that!:-) |
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28 Dec 00 - 09:21 PM (#364929) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Jeri Best thing is to get rid of whatever's causing the pain. Most of us can't do that - that's why it's chronic. Strengthening excercises do help. People told me they would help my knees and I didn't quite believe how that could be so, but I did the excercises anyway, and got rid of most of the pain. Heat helps circulation, and a lot of other things. (It will also increase swelling, so you must be careful.) As for psychological methods, distraction does wonders for me when it comes to minor or moderate pain. I look for something that will take my attention away from dwelling on the pain. This doesn't work when you're trying to sleep. A lot of people recommend meditation, and I would think it would be very effective. It won't make the pain stop, but it can help you deal with it. I've had intense pain at times, and sometimes felt like I, myself, was separate from my body. Sounds weird, but I think someone may understand this. It still hurt, but I didn't care about it as much. As for heartburn, one of the silliest sounding things I've discovered helps is chewing gum. I have gasto-esophageal reflux, and chewing gum after a meal really does help. Stomach is acidic, saliva is alkaline... (Of course not eating huge meals and watching the fat content makes more sense.) |
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28 Dec 00 - 09:26 PM (#364933) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Sorcha Well, "day dreaming", ie, making up stories to yourself, when you are trying to get to sleep sometimes helps, except that you get caught up in the story line...... |
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28 Dec 00 - 10:42 PM (#364961) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Margaret V I know several people who use the Alexander Technique because it helps them manage pain. Apparently a lot of musicians use it to learn to avoid doing weird (and unnecessary)things with their bodies in relation to their instrument. Here's a link: Alexander Technique Margaret |
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28 Dec 00 - 10:49 PM (#364964) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Sorcha I do know about weird and un necessary things with the instrument.........(don't say it, spaw......) |
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28 Dec 00 - 11:38 PM (#364978) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Gypsy MacKenzie stretches for all things spinal, really makes a difference. Book is cheap can get at any PT around. Works for me, and lots of patients at the office! |
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29 Dec 00 - 12:31 AM (#364998) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Ebbie Sorcha, this is the first time I have heard anyone else talk about story lines in order to get to sleep. I started that when I was very young- it used to irritate me that it took me months to develop very far. By the time I did the refresh and got back into it, I tended to fall asleep. One of my favorite scenarios was placing myself in a shipwreck or in a far north air crash. I got to have my favorite people with me but the opposite of the coin was that I had to accept a couple of my least favorite too. I would set the scene then stand back and see how it developed- it's amazing what characters do on their own. People who don't daydream or write don't know what they're missing! Thanks. When I was going through lupus (I've been in remission for 23 years and have every expectation of remaining healthy) I had chronic pain. Of course, the thing that helped me the most, the fastest, was the ACTH shot- I was careful never to ask for it so I wouldn't feel addicted to it- but meditation definitely helped. I also pictured a round little woman with a dustcap, a broom and a big smile who was just the right size for sweeping the insides of my joints free of all heated and heating elements until they were pink and clean and cool and healthy. I love that little woman! Ebbie |
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29 Dec 00 - 12:49 AM (#365001) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Sorcha Ebbie, several things here: I can't write, but I can set a story line. Yes, waiting for the story line to refresh completly sometimes sends me to sleep, and pisses me off. My mom had Lupus, so I know what you mean.....migrating symptoms and migrating pain..... I have several, too. Always have had---the perfect house/home, the Daemon Lover (current Fantasy Male), cottage in Ireland (round, made of straw bales with built in bookshelves and bed frame; very small place), actually playing fiddle and making living from it, several others, I guess...... When I was small, it was defeating the baby alligators under the bed (they would bite off my toes.....) so that I could get out of bed to go pee........I did not actually defeat them very often. Went to sleep needing to pee; dreamed about getting up and going to loo but wasn't really......wet the bed until I was at least 9 because of vivid dreams. Thank heavens my mom understood what I was saying.....and believed me. |
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29 Dec 00 - 05:03 AM (#365020) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: katlaughing I acted them out throughout my childhood. My mom said she used to enjoy just watching and listening to me, from a kitchen window or wherever, as I spoke all of the parts for each character, too, using different accents etc. Wow, did I have a cast! I also made up languages for them. (Hmmmm, was this Training to be a Mudcat 101?) I'd forgotten about putting myself to sleep that way. Had to one time when Rog got stuck in Venezuela for over 6 months; we'd never been apart that long and no money was coming in because of the sitution there, also. Their exchange rate went from about 80 bolivars to the dollar to several hundred b's to the dollar, which sent the project funding spinning into a black hole...$20,000 of the funding ours. Anyway, I remember putting myself to sleep every night by visualising him beside me in bed, holding me. I would fall asleep and dream of us being together all night. It was the only way I could cope with the insanity of the time as every day I would be on the phone trying to talk with the obfuscators in Caracas, trying to find out what backwater hole they had him in at the moment, and/or faxing them my direst warnings about the need for payment and his return. Of course, there were no aches or pains which made sleeping in one another's arms uncomfortable in my dreaming! Well it's 310a, maybe I should go back to bed and dream me up a scenario....lol...thanks, gals. luvyakat
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29 Dec 00 - 08:00 AM (#365042) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Naemanson I have been dealing with chronic pain in my feet for the last four years. I have had shots, massage, pastes and potions rubbed into them, and operations. There just ain't nothin' can be done. I just have to live with it. Consequently I have lost much of what I love to do outdoors. I cannot stand for very long and cannot walk very far unless I gear myself up for it. I know there will be pain but I focus on the lessening of that pain when I get off of my feet. I focus on what I am doing and what I can do. If I am going anywhere and will be standing for any length of time I like to be with a good friend. That way I can focus on him/her and not on my feet and lower legs. I also try to replace what I love doing with something else I love to do that doesn't necessarily involve walking. My favorite activiy was always hiking and walking in the woods. I'd walk 5 miles to see a stretch of woods I hadn't seen before. Now, I do it by canoe. (and it's tough carrying that canoe through the woods...)*BG* Or, at least, I will see more by canoe. I just got my canoe in 1999 and 2000 was not a year in which I was able to do much of anything since I lost my partner and I threw myself into a myriad of other projects to distract myself. The new millennium will be different. I keep telling myself that what I'm going through is not as bad as what others suffer but there is no way to compare. What I feel may be more or less pain than any of that descibed by the people above. I have no standard of comparison and cannot judge the depth of suffering. So I focus on my pain as being in the lesser variety and take strength from the people who are suffering more pain than I. |
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29 Dec 00 - 03:46 PM (#365243) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: MAG (inactive) For low back pain (ruptured disc) I have one of those shaped thingies I lie on; it takes the load off the lumbar muscles so they can really relax. Hot tub is good. But when all else fails, I have a codeine prescriptiion ... |
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30 Dec 00 - 12:16 PM (#365690) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Catfeet I discoved a lovely slipping disc in the lumbar region this spring, and the 4 things that really helped me were; going to the chiropracter, when that ended, I started doing a stretch I made up, and taking MSM and Valerian. Valerian was probably the best thing of the 2 to take, as it's a natural & gentle pain reliver and relaxant, and doing the made up stretch was the best of 2 things to do. I still have the slipping disc, but am managing it much better now by taking the Valerian only when it's really painful, and doing the stretch 2x a day. Catfeet |
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30 Dec 00 - 12:34 PM (#365700) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Rick Fielding I just discovered this very interesting thread. Best of Mudcat in my opinion...caring folks and good writing. For a number of years I had excruciating back pain. Because I have a mild curvature of the spine, I was told to just "deal with it". Used muscle relaxers for a long time. As many of you know I played in bars for 20 years, and for much of that time I'd deal with the pain that often was at it's worst by about 11pm at night. The strangest thing happened on the night I decided to quit the bars, and start playin only "folkie" venues and teach music. The pain ended. Just like that. I haven't taken a muscle relaxer in 15 years...nor a Tum or Rolaid.(for the heartburn that plagued me as much as the back pain) I want to emphasize that there was no gradual cessation of discomfort....it simply stopped. If ever there was a person who now believes 100% that turning a stressful environment into a comfortable one, can work miracles, it's ME. Deep inside I'd hated playing "pop" music for drinkers night after night, but it was (on the surface) and easy way to make a decent living. Quitting cold turkey with no guarantees I could support myself outside of bars was terrifying.....but the PHYSICAL relief was incalculable. Rick |
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30 Dec 00 - 02:06 PM (#365743) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: Mary in Kentucky Naemanson, have you considered heel spurs? I didn't know what they were, thought they were calcium deposits on the back of the heel...they're not. For about a year, I had terrible stiffness when I got out of bed in the morning. It would disappear after about 6 or 7 steps. Many people I knew complained of foot pain, so I just thought it was standing too much, hard floors, or something temporary. Finally one day the pain was so bad I went to see a friend who is an orthopedic surgeon. The X-rays immediately showed heel spurs (calcium deposits) within the heel part of my feet. This is the result of chronic tendonitis. If I had known earlier (when the stiffness) started, I might have prevented them. Three things have made me pain-free. 1) Never, never, never under any circumstances go barefoot. Not even across the bedroom floor to turn off the alarm clock. I use the sports flip-flops (like all the teens wear) for house shoes. 2) Wear a good athletic shoe with arch support and heel cushions. I go to a running store to get fitted. 3) Do the runners stretch to stretch the achilles tendon. The only time I have pain is when I go to the beach. Even though I wear shoes to the water's edge and then get on a raft, there is something about walking in sand that does damage. For an acute episode you can freeze a bottle of water and roll your arch on that. |
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30 Dec 00 - 04:07 PM (#365803) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: R! I have rheumatoid arthritis. I had to stop my two favorite activities: dancing and gardening. I walked with a cane. Traditional medicines to control pain had adverse side effects. I decided to take control of my life. Tried accupuncture; it was ok but the Chinese herbs used to brew tea made me ill. Massage is fabulous. Once a month I have a Reiki massage and once a month foot reflexology. I will not give up massages. Mind the diet - no sugar, red meat, or processed foods. I am working on ending my relationship with chocolate. Add rosemary essential oil to hot bath water. Take supplements: flax seed oil, MSM, glucosomine, ginger (for inflamation). Pray. Listen to music that touches your soul. Meditate. Laugh. The most useful thing I've spent money on was a course in self hypnosis to control pain and stress. Still can't dance but I no longer use a cane. Hope some of this helps. Best of luck to you. Rowana |
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31 Dec 00 - 01:03 AM (#366058) Subject: RE: BS: Chronic pain From: katlaughing Thank you, Rowana and Rick and everyone else I may have missed. I think you've put your finger on a lot of what's been going on, Rick, the stress, which is gradually lessening now. Rowana, I am at that point, again, of taking charge and letting go of Western medicine, again. One year ago I was only taking herbs, no meds and felt great, until I caught pneumonia brought on by a system weakened with exposure to cigarette smoke. The rest of the year went downhill from there, healthwise. I am finally only on one drug and plan to get back to at least where I was last year, drug-free and feeling much better. MaryinKY, you've given me much to think about, too, as I've had heel pain ever since tearing up my tendons playing volleyball in sand several years ago! Your personal anecdotes and sharing are wonderful and I really appreciate everyone's help and caring. luvyakat |