Hello, just came across this site after surfing the net for the miracle cure, as we do! Anyway, I am a 46 year old male, worked in the forestry/tree surgery business most of my life. I live in constant pain due to a motocross, motorbike jump going wrong, back in 2000. I fell off at 20ft high and landed directly on my head, neck clicking loudly and knocked out for 15 minutes. I recovered and carried on working, with a sore neck, until 2012, when one day at work, my arm went numb. Off to the doctors, tested for heart attack, then got told I have got compressed nerve pain probably.
After serious pain set in, I was prescribed morphine syrup and tablets, plus amitryptiline, naproxen etc, etc. I eventually got to see a neurologist, physio, massage and acupuncture treatment, plus many doctors and other specialists. To no avail. I then paid for my own MRI scan, got referred to a top orthopaedic surgeon, tried nerve blocks plus other facet joint injections, to a cost of £1350, which I had to pay for. No improvement at all. Next was pain management programme, residential for two weeks of, hydrotherapy, relaxation techniques, exercising, tests and talks. It was great, and helped me reduce my pills. But it was a bit like living in a bubble, which was so nice and easy, which was what helped mostly. I am now back to serous daily pain, gave up my tree business years ago, so claiming benefits with my wife, as my carer.
I suffer from compressed vertebrae in my neck and lower back basically, resulting in permanent neck and sciatica pain, in both my lower legs, also an all over pain in my joints, and muscle spasms. Feel like I have been beat up or hit by a bus most days, but the pain varies daily, from manageable to bad, and every few days it's chronic, serious, rolling round, unable to do anything pain. I know many others on here suffer similar, and I really feel for you !
I take 10mg amitryptiline nightly, as the 25mg just wiped me out all the next day too. Several 50mg tramodol when needed, usually 5 a day, 2 of 150mg pregablin, I have just stopped my naproxen and not noticed any difference. I also take 10mg of diazepam nightly, unprescribed, but I find it helps a lot, the gp's only allow it when they see me on a bad day!! I also get prescribed morphine syrup for when times are really bad. I don't like taking any medication daily of course, but I can't imagine life without it. Occasionally I try to hold out, but end up in worse pain than usual, so have to take it quickly. Better to take it as it starts, usually when waking up!
Sorry to write so much but it's my first rant online, lol. Basically I am looking for any similar cases, or advice on how to improve my life/style, or opinions on what you think. Anything would be interesting.
I live in the country in a nice rented cottage, big garden, several pets-dogs and racing pigeons, which brings me happiness, and my wife is supportive and puts up with my mood changes the best she can. Great parents and friends. BUT I just wish I could be pain free and fit like I used to be ! I am currently having CBT therapy, talking about your pain and seeing if your depressed ! I am p****d off but don't consider myself depressed.
Well I hope this gets read at least, sorry again it's so long, all single finger typing too! Thanks and all the best to all of you out there in daily pain, sometimes invisible to others and so mis understood. Chin up and good luck, Richard.