Chronic Pain and mental health

[LDYL]

Hi

I had a severe disc bulge a few years ago, and since then my entire body has changed and various things have happened.

As well as every day back pain, which limits me in what I am able to do. I have a radial nerve issues in my right arm/wrist. And a neck issue that has been going on for 18 months. Every morning I awake, I can hardly move it and I gradually have to loosen by moving side to side. When I do this it really crunches and feels so stiff from the left side of my neck down the left side towards the centre of my upper back.

Doctors have been unhelpful. I have had endless Osteopathy, dry needling and deep tissue massages. All of which help but dont fix it. I am a qualified yoga instructor and do certain things to help ease the pain but my yoga practice has changed dramatically over the past few years.

Has anyone else experienced this? Or have any idea what it could be?

Im 32, and fairly fit and healthy. I am really struggling with how much pain and discomfort I am in daily and I have really noticed myself feeling very down over the past couple of years.

I guess I wanted to join the forum to speak with people who may understand what it is like to live with pain.

And any tips would be great!

Thanks

[MSTKing]

pain and mental health do tend to sit together so it’s important to make sure those who know you know that you are struggling at the moment. Also, make sure your GP knows that this is causing problems with your mental health. It might be worth keeping a diary for say five days - time how long it takes you to get out of bed and give a number out of 10 for pain and how you’re feeling mentally. Plus any notes you are happy for a GP to see - as this can be given, when complete, to show the GP what is happening.

[PainConcernHelpline Moderator Community Champion Pain Concern]

Dear LDYL

I am a forum moderator at Pain Concern and have just been reading through your post.

I am sorry to read that you are struggling, there is a strong connection between pain and mental health.

I have put together some resources that are aimed at helping you self-manage your pain, with some references to mental health.

Mental health is something that you could maybe talk to your GP about, you can self-refer to the NHS Talking Therapies, and there are also mental health charities such as MIND that can support you.

painconcern.org.uk/product/...

painconcern.org.uk/product/...

painconcern.org.uk/airing-p...

painconcern.org.uk/warwick-...

painconcern.org.uk/airing-p...

The following link is to a website called 10 Footsteps, LiveWell with Pain, which looks at many aspects of pain management.

livewellwithpain.co.uk/ten-...

I hope you will find these resources useful

Best wishes

Pain Concern