Help with pain

[ChrisW2]

Hi. I have had bilateral hip replacements. 1 knee replacement and need the other knee replaced . I have other joints that have arthritis too. On top of this I have polymyalgia rheumatica. It's hard at times to know which pain is which. I wonder if anyone can recommend some good pain relief to cover both sorts of pain please.

[johnsmith]

I am making assumption that you have been taking pain relief drugs for a long time. If my assumption about your past is wrong please correct me.

I would not recommend further pain relief. Pain relief has done you a lot of damage resulting in the bilateral hip replacements and 1 knee replacement. Your posture is not good and your muscle control leaves a lot to be desired.

You have probably a lot of over contracted muscle which needs to be lengthened out. You need to become aware of the things you do which cause you to damage tissue, damage bone joints.

To begin to tackle the list of problems I have mentioned above requires that you begin to investigate what is happening muscle and posture wise. To do this you need the help of professionals who work with the body physically. These would be massage therapists, Alexander technique teachers, yoga teachers, t'ai chi teachers. This is slow work that will take time.

Another thing to look at developing is meditation and mindfulness. This also takes time to learn to do well. There should be local buddhist groups where you can learn about this.

Pain killers do what they say they do. They kill pain. They also kill sensitivity to what you are doing and in the long run can increase pain because you can damage yourself without realising you are.

I will stop at this point and await for your comments and questions.

[ChrisW2 in reply to johnsmith]

Thanku very much. I feel what u have said is right. I think I just needed someone to say that to me. I have been taking prescribed pain killers for over 10 yrs and have been on steroids for the pms for just over 2 years. ( on reducing program) I think I do need to look at alternative therapies and the ones u have mentioned interest me. Thanku very much indeed

[johnsmith in reply to ChrisW2]

Thanks for the reply.

Alexander Technique teachers

alexandertechnique.co.uk/

Meditation – A Way of Awakening is a free download. It is one of the best books available on meditation and mindfulness.

amaravati.org/dhamma-books/...

[ChrisW2 in reply to johnsmith]

Thanks very much I will certainly have a look

[Marylyn]

Chris your pain sounds like nerve pain where all the surgery doesnt help.Low vitamin D & B12 ,magnesium & iron can cause severe pain in joints & muscles effect balance,swallowing,,walking, energy & cause many other conditions.