60 years later

[ocoeemanlost]

I have suffered from chronic back pain and that has led to MDD General Anxiety Disorder,PTSD this has cost me much trouble with my family and friends and also my abilities to work as a auto technician HVAC Technician. Hard to believe that I can get better in this life situation

[Fauxsmile733]

Hi ocoeeman,

Welcome.

I am gonna guess you have done a bunch of treatment for your back pain.

I have dealt with back pain for the past 35 years, it just gets worse and worse. I have tried a lot of things to deal with it. I take a lot of OTC pain meds everyday, and I have several prescription meds for it. I am currently trying to get SS disability because I now have degenerative disc disease, bone spurs, cysts and bulging discs, on top of the scolosis and arthritis I've had since my late teens.

I also deal with anxiety and depression. I've taken medication for that for 20 years.

I guess I just wanted to welcome you and let you know you're not alone.

Hang in there, you'll find support here.

[ocoeemanlost in reply to Fauxsmile733]

I would like to thank you for responding to me post I to am trying to see if I can get Social Security Disability the anxiety that goes with it and the wait is difficult to say the least. The pressure it causes the people around me is almost unbearable and compounds the problem.

I don’t want to push my self to the point that I have to go back to a pain management program.

I don’t know what is worse physical pain or the anxiety and depression. I don’t know how to really explain what I’m dealing with as it is in constant change and that fear of what will happen next. I have been dealing with changing my medication for almost a year and still have been able to get it right?? Can’t seem to find the satisfaction of doing the things that I have enjoyed in the past to feel a little better on any day. Just trying to keep hanging on hoping that it’s going to get better. Sorry for the late reply.

[Fauxsmile733 in reply to ocoeemanlost]

I do understand what you're saying.

May i ask...Are you a Christian?

I feel the only thing that keeps me from being overcome completely with anxiety over the disability wait, is my faith that God has me under His wing and i will be ok with or without the disability, although WITH disability would be a lot easier. Some days i find myself overwhelmed with dread that nothing is gonna get better, then i have to remind myself who i am and i force myself to do something i enjoy that i can still do! I HATE not being able to do all the stuff i could do, 2 years ago.

I also have my issues that i seem to have little control over.

I have some PTSD from past, abusive relationships and, sometimes my husband will innocently do or say something that triggers it. I feel bad for him, when that happens, so i understand what you mean by how your feelings effect those around you. I always apologize to him for my reactions. But i really just wish it didn't happen like that.

You know, there's always something.

I would LOVE to find a way to make the back pain less. I have dealt with pain for 25 years but it was tolerable. Always there but i was used to it. A little over a year ago it got to a point i had to start pain management, which is WAY to expensive. The pain got worse and worse until i could no longer work a regular job. I do food delivery when the pain is not intolerable, to make some money. BUT if i do almost anything i enjoy(like shopping a couple of hours or walking downtown) i spend the next day laying down and popping twice the pain meds. It is very irritating.

Feel free to vent anytime you need to.

I will say, when my anxiety gets bad i use a nasal CBD spray to knock the edge off. It helps. And i take effexor xr, for anxiety and depression. At this point I'll do what i need to just to survive.

[ocoeemanlost in reply to Fauxsmile733]

Yes I’m a Christian and I have been going to a new church that my sister and I have found it’s kind of strange that all of these medical issues and physical issues have made it difficult to get the spiritual peace that I once had I don’t let it get in the way of my belief in Christ. I’m gonna believe that I can be drawn closer to Him on this journey.

I have a problem getting back to pain medication as I would have to detox on weekends to get pain break throw during the next week?? Self meditation is not so good for my spirit not to mention that being honest with people and family the end result is that I’m a drug addicted so I slowed down the physical part and my pain level is almost manageable and I’m looked at as in my comfort zone and no in gauging life.

It seems to get the better of me I’m trying to learn how to take care of my self first. I’m not sure what that might be?? I’m definitely going to continue to do this throughout the year. Thank You for your response and best wishes for your New Year

[Fauxsmile733 in reply to ocoeemanlost]

As far as being drug addicted, i get that-with all the opiod stuff in the news.

I take ALOT of OTC stuff like extra strength excederine, aleve, and ibuprofen. I have some addictive stuff but i only take it occasionally-like when i just can't take it anymore.

Good luck with everything and i hope your 2020 is blessed.

You can pm me if u need to vent and u don't want it on the board here...

I'll keep u in my prayers.

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome to you.

I’m sorry for your struggles, and yes we never can see a way out of things when they feel so bad...

But things can change, sometimes when we lest expect, I try to keep the hope around stuff that bothers me, it keeps me going to think anything is possible, at times.

Best wishes , hope it helps being here, writing things down helps me x

[ocoeemanlost in reply to Hidden]

Thank You and I have been adding more tools it’s been a long year with medication and I’m still not there yet with Depression and Anxiety but continue to try to better understand al anon counseling,Church and get around people that understand the difficulty and the struggles that we go through this is a great place for understanding. Thank You for your response my your new year be great for you!

[Hidden in reply to ocoeemanlost]

Hope 2020 is kind to you x

[NeuronerdDoaty]

There are exercises by world renowned physiologist Robin McKenzie you can find on YouTube called ‘Heal Your Own Back’. PT departments all over the world use his method. My father had 8 spinal surgeries and got about 50% relief doing these quick daily exercises. There’s also some for the neck I do daily. So far I’ve avoided surgery for over 10 years.

I recommend them highly. During the years I was the head of the Neuro lab we handed these books out for free. I’m old- no YouTube back then.

It’s amazing gentle relief. Just be consistent. Check with your doctor first.

Best of luck to you

Doaty💛

[ocoeemanlost]

Thank You Doaty I will check it out on you tube