What has helped your pain the most after VM?

[Faith8990]

I thought i would start a little post about what has helped me get thru the past months. I see us all suffer so much and there could be knowledge one of us has that someone else doesnt. We all help each other right!

For me, I added glucosamine and magnesium supplements to my daily intake. (Calcium & potassium have always been a great aid in leg pain for me as well, thats just an old running trick I had.)

I could not have made it without my heating pads and tens units. A TENS unit or Transcutaneous electrical Nerve Stimulation uses electric current to stimulate the nerves for therapeutic purposes. I was first introduced to these wonderful little things in physical therapy during my running days. They now sell them in the US in pharmacies as well as on the internet. And a simple one makes a world of difference! They also make heating pads to specifically fit around your neck. After spending days in doctors offices, waiting in pain just to hear more nonsense about how I should be better after ten days, coming home to these little gadgets were heaven.

There is a medication called mobic that many orthopedists use for inflammation and pain. It is easier on your stomach than downing ibuprofen daily. I wasnt sure it was making that much of a difference until i missed taken it one day and i ended up in terrible pain in bed. It has been very helpful.

I also have suffered with migraines my entire life. I know many of you have been left with terrible headaches but have not seen anyone mention topamax or zonegran. These are actually anti-convulsants that somehow work to reduce migraines although they dont seem to know exactly how. Some believe they slow overactive nerve cells in the brain. I have been on both. And there are side effects, to me the worst being short term memory loss. One day i just had to decide either to suffer daily or be forgetful. Its frustrating but i learned how to make notes for myself, set reminders and make lists. They will help you with brain pain.....you just have to weigh the benefits. But you wont be reaching for that imitrex/sumatriptan, pain med near as much.

This past week I got back into healthy eating per recommendations of the wonderful people on this site. Smoothies with fresh fruit, salads, grilled chicken. I am slowly working my way back into activity - and i am not going to lie, its a daily fight. But, as painful as it can be it helps. If you can find a place that hosts a slower hot yoga class for the injured or older people i highly recommend it. The heat does wonders for all of the muscles that have probably locked up on you which in turn helps those nerves and bones that have ached for so long.

That is the best I can think of at the moment! Sorry for the long post but as I said, i want to try to help and would love to see others helpful tips! thanks yall!