Help/advice for the fatigue that comes with pain.

[Resqc]

Hello,

Just recently joined. I've suffered from pretty debilitating chronic pain for almost 13 years now. Coming up on the anniversary of my accident. Never an easy day on the calendar.

I wouldn't say I have the energy to be desperate anymore, but I've tried everything. Two surgeries, the first of which really destroyed me, making the pain exponentially worse, I had a second surgery a few years later to take the metal out in the hopes it would improve things, but... not so much.

After that I've spent time in two pain clinics, again, with not much help.

I've tried acupuncture, physical therapy, manual therapy, yoga, injections, every pain medication in the book, vitamins. I don't really know what else there is to do... I guess mostly I'm having trouble with energy. I just feel drained all the time and can get pretty frustrated and angry with the situation.

I don't want to sound so completely hopeless, and for the most part, I think I could put up with the pain better, as awful as it is, if I had more energy. I can typically motivate myself to do things, and I know it's not helpful to catastrophize my situation.

If anyone can offer any insight at all in how to deal with energy, be it a vitamin supplement or anything like that that can help with energy. I'd be all ears and eternally grateful.

But there's so much I don't understand about this condition. It's lonely having this pain. And of all the people I've met, no one really seems to understand, and I am less and less enthusiastic about trying to explain it to people. I don't know what to say to them, and I get angry when they don't understand or seem sympathetic enough. I feel like I've become something unnatural. Like those Japanese holdouts left to defend islands on the pacific and they keep fighting even though the war has long since ended.

Thanks

[Madlegs1]

So sorry for all that you are going through!

I had an accident 10 years ago - spinal reconstruction - rods/ screws etc. On opioids for pain relief.

Recently I was experiencing extreme fatigue in theornings -- blaming pain and opioids. And Covid vaccinations.

Turns out I have very high blood pressure - completely out of the blue- I don't smoke, no alcohol, weight ok and avoid salt like the plague..

Utterly shocked. But took the medication and am much more lively.

I just offer this up as a possibility and maybe worth following up. I would have been the last person I would have expected such an experience.

Hoping you get some simple solution to you woes.

All the best.

[Resqc in reply to Madlegs1]

Thank you so much for your reply.

I'm sorry to hear of your pains as well. That sounds so incredibly tough. It's a complicated situation in itself relying on opioids for pain relief...

I hope this isn't too personal of a question to ask, but I just got my blood pressure tested yesterday at the doctor. It was just on the verge of being high, but the doctor said it would most likely be high anyway due to 'white coat syndrome.' I don't smoke or drink either and am pretty thin as well.

Would you mind telling me what your blood pressure number was? Or what you consider to be very high?

Thanks again so much for reaching out.

All the best to you too.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Resqc]

My BP has been about 200/100 over the last few days - called hypertension, technically. I now take Amlodipine 5mg daily, and the fatigue part has disappeared.

Hopefully you will find a solution to your case.

Cheers.

[Resqc in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks for the information. I hope your medication continues to provide you with a lot of relief and energy.

All the best.

[Crystalbowl]

I am in a different kind of pain and I am also a lot older than you. I have PHN (post herpetic neuralgia) pain in RH rib cage front and back from navel to spine from shingles in January 2019. I also have had two fractured vertebrae at T12 and L1 which sort of meets with the PHN pain and have now been diagnosed with Osteoporosis. On top of that I am in permanent AF and have moderate HF all controlled by many drugs and a pacemaker. I don't have much energy. I have tried a wide variety of therapies, lotions, potions, etc. to improve my situation to no avail so far apart from the effect on my bank balance. More recently I have been working with the idea of neuroplastic pain and using some of the ideas suggested by various people such as Alan Gordon in 'The Way Out' and the Curable App curablehealth.com Drew Coverdale "The Pain Habit' www/thepainhabit.com Rachel Zoffness 'The Pain Management Workbook'. There are many more books, plus videos, etc on You Tube. I have no idea if it will make any difference but I think it is worth a try. I do hope you can find something which works for you as being in constant pain is exhausting. If you do, please let us know.

[Hellytheelephant]

Hi Resqc,I do relate to a lot of what you say, although the causes of my pain and fatigue and pain are verydifferent( I have widespread pain with no definitive cause, migraines and ME). Like you, I have tried so many different things, and nothing has worked.

I don't think anyone really 'gets' what life is like for chronic pain sufferers unless it happens to them . Before it happened to me I think I just thought that if you had bad pain, then you were given pain relief and could carry on as before. If only!

On this forum there are many folk who can identify what you are living with and see just how hard it is for you right now. and how much suffering is involved. It is super- exhausting and can really wear down your mental health.

It can feel so lonely at times...but your little island is in sight of so many others.

I don't know if you have considered meditation? I find it helps me cope better. I did the Breathworks course for people with Pain and Illness. The founder and creator of the course is in a wheelchair and in pain constantly. It might be a good place to start. Also anti

- Depressants have helped me cope better, so could be an option.

Most of all be kind to yourself.

Take care.

H

[Resqc in reply to Hellytheelephant]

Hello Helly,

First of all, thank you so much for reaching out. As well as the encouraging nature of your message. I'm sorry to hear that you are suffering in a similar situation.

Would you have any advice on dealing with guilt or feeling like a burden?

I've tried meditation off and on in the past, but am actually trying it again now. Hopefully, this time yields better results. Thanks for the tip on Breathworks, I will look into it I've also tried a lot of anti-depressants, but have unfortunately just never had any kind of success with them.

Thanks again for your very nice message It is really nice to know that I'm not alone in this situation, even if it is such a terrible situation. Because I really would not wish this on anyone.

Resqc

[Loramay in reply to Resqc]

Hi breathworks do a book and cd if you aren't able to go on one of their courses for any reason called living with pain and that's good.I also take extra iron and ginseng

[Resqc in reply to Loramay]

Hello Loramay,

Thanks so much. I will definitely check out the breathworks program, as well as the supplements you mentioned

[Hellytheelephant]

Guilt and feeling like a burden are very much a work in progress(!) but the first steps are noticing what your attitude to yourself is.

I am guessing you would be kind to a loved one dealing with everything you're dealing with...so then you can find that same compassion for yourself.

Meditation and the example of awesome disabled friends have helped me a lot.

As I said - it will always be a work in progress !