At my wits end with pain and lack of sleep

[Beth01]

Hi all new here so be gentle.

I had a car crash last March, broke most of the bones in my body but the worst being my pelvis, I snapped through my nerve root. I now suffer chronic nerve pain all over but particularly my left leg and foot. Burning, tingling, hot, cold, hypersensitive, agonising, restless legs. I’m on gabapentin 600mg twice a day. I was on zomorph originally but that was mostly for all the other pain from the car crash. I now suffer with insomnia. It’s getting me down. The quilt touching my feet, restless legs, the pain. It affects my whole body and leaves me completely beside myself unable to know what to do.

I’m 32 and have three young children and I’m trying desperately to be as best a mom to them as can be.

I struggle to walk far now, it’s like walking on glass. I also walk lopsided thanks to smashing my pelvis up so badly

Will this ever end?

Thank you for reading x

[sandybrown]

Hello,

I can understand the pain you are going through on a daily basis. Watch out for side effect of the medications you are taking.

I am 73, had a fall few years ago in the snow and ice. At that time as I could stand up and walk no action was taken, a big mistake. Now my left leg from the hip to toe is in pain, I am allergic to most of the pain medication!!

A year ago my left knee gave up while standing, MY, GP said you are standing and walking, therefore put ice or hot water bottle till the swelling goes down, again a mistake by GP.

Now I am seeing a consultant, X-rays were taken an appointment to discuss the problem is in two weeks.

Walking is a problem sleeping is a problem, can get angry very quickly because of the pain, just putting up with all these. In you case small children to manage.

Take care.

[Beth01 in reply to sandybrown]

Thank you for your reply. I’m sorry to read of your pain too. It’s so miserable. Rather like an existence.

I shall be contacting my GP Monday, I need some help, it’s gone too far.

You take care, hugs x

[chriscameron48]

Hi there, so sorry that you're having to live with such debilitating pain & trying to be a good Mum to 3 young children as well makes the situation virtually impossible. I hope you have a good doctor you can talk honestly with, because you truly need & deserve more support. As regards the nerve pain, which I`ve had for 20years, you need to make the difficult choice of medication with its accompanying side effects &/or finding something that works for you. I resisted the medication offered Gabapentin, until the severity of the pain got too much for me,, So then "gave in". Gabapentin only helped for a while & then I was given Pregabalin, which helps more with the pain, but has stronger side effects. The hard facts are that the medical profession don't have an effective answer for nerve pain. Try a very light duvet & I keep a light throw handy for the really bad nights. Also doc prescribed 50g Amatriptylene to help with sleep. I've also persevered with Mindfulness meditation & it is proving to be worth its weight in gold. I turn over & go straight to sleep now after years of terrible nights as well as difficult days. Also ice packs for the feet when they feel as though they're on fire. I hope something in here helps & I also hope you have some kind of practical support with the children. If you would like to communicate with others going through this kind of situation, & trust me, there are thousands, there's an excellent group on FB called Hands of Friendship, where you will meet lots of kind, brave people sharing experience & support with each other. You are not alone in this. Sending you much love & strength, xx

[Beth01 in reply to chriscameron48]

Thank you SO much for such a lovely response.

I shall be calling my doctors first this tomorrow morning and firmly requesting some more help.

This weekend has been terrible. I can nap for short periods but then

I’m waking in pools of sweat, drenched bed sheets now too.

The gabapentin is no longer as effective as once was and they offer me nothing to help aid my sleep.

Thank you for your suggestions of the lighter quilts etc, I shall definitely try that. Also I’ll give the meditation another go, I just struggle to switch off with it, if that makes sense?

I hope your pain has eased somewhat for you and you manage more and more restful nights.

You take good care of yourself xx

[chriscameron48 in reply to Beth01]

Cheers, Beth, thank you & don't forget Hands of Friendship ~ it will open your eyes, help you see & hear from so many others in similar situations. Where are you in the world? I'm in Scotland. Wishing you an abundance of blessings on your journey, Chris xx

[Collywobbles64]

Ask for a nerve conduction test. It will show if you have any compression of the nerves that could be causing your pain.

[CheetieCat]

Hi Beth01

Aw you're having a nightmare of a time!

As others have said Amitriptyline for sleep & nerve pain, calms everything down to just about manageable, usually alongside a few other meds, trial & error with that I'm afraid.

Have you tried magnesium spray directly onto feet & legs? Personally I couldn't cope without it for muscle cramps & restless legs.

Take Care

CC