Lost

[paul078]

Feeling lost suffering from chronic pain in back and neck and doctors cannot find problem which has caused me horrible depression hate how I feel , medication don't seem to help , doctor has put me on stronger levels of gabapentin so I help this helps I've lost all freinds due to me being a recluse and it's not good 😔

[Hidden]

My problems Paul is I suffer from a Chronic condition that effects my joints, I need to be able to control my pain and I have taken medications now for around thirty years. The medical Professionals were unable to find out what was wrong and it took two years and going Private before they had a diagnosis. Eventually they sent me to Pain Clinic where I learned to use pain medications and various other drugs that reduced swelling and slowed down my Immune System.

One way I was helped was in the use of a TENS MACHINE, this allowed me a way of reducing pain using Pain/Gate theory. They also introduced me to various Relaxation Techniques. In Mental Health they used to use the Maxwell Technique, Then the Pain Clinic used the Alexander Technique. Today most department use the Mindfulness Relaxation Technique and that allows you to control your mood and other various other techniques associated with pain and mental health.

Do you have any idea what is causing your problems, to know the cause in your own mind will help you begin to control your problems.

I do not know how old you are, age can be the cause of back pain as the spine does not actually stop developing until your are near thirty years old.

If your posture is bad, you slouch, and sit badly that can cause pain and stiffness, this will also affect your neck and give headaches. At work if your work station is not set correctly that will also cause pain.

If you are a manual worker, you have not been shown how to lift that can also cause problems, you never lift from your back, you rise and lift from your legs, straight back with chin in. Look forwards to easy things before looking for more complex problems.

Your mattress should be no more than ten/twelve years old, the bed looses support and weakens the back and neck as the pillow becomes unsuportive as well

BOB

[paul078 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the advice

[Osuki]

Hello I recognise your symptoms, I have also become a recluse as I don't feel physically confident and I'm always uncomfortable when I go out which makes the pain worse...I have found that heat pads help the most, you can get them online or rom a chemist, they are like mini electric blankets and give me so much relief, I even have one in the car...you can also get portable heat packs, Cura Heat, you just crack them to start them up and place them where you need them and they last for a couple of hours. I am sorry to hear they cannot diagnose you, that's awful isn't it, it took the NHS about 8 years to diagnose me! Do persevere with consultants. Maybe if you made an extended appointment with you GP and told them exactly how you feel and discuss he possibility of a second opinion for a diagnosis. Don't give up, check out Arthritis Care site and join in the discussion blogs you may find the support useful. Good luck

[paul078 in reply to Osuki]

Many thanks

[paul078]

I'm on gabapentin does anyone know how long they take to work been on them 4 weeks for nerve pain thanks

[Hidden in reply to paul078]

Nerve pain, you should be starting to feel the benefit now give it a couple more weeks. I take Amytryptalene the same group of drugs and have been on them for years, they seem to work for me most of the time.

BOB