I am in chronic pain in spine painkillers not helping. What I need help with is the way it all makes me feel I have no ffamily or friends . Isolated.
I get panicky when pain is out of control, I feel freaked out and alone and am devoid of positive feelings everything everyday feels bleak no respite. I searched helplines but could not findother. sufferers to compare my experience
Every time I move it hurts. Ido not know how to deal with this please help
sorry to hear about your back pain and all the anxiety that goes with it. I have arthritis in my neck and spine. I also have pinched nerves in my neck and spine. When the pain gets real bad my anxiety goes off the charts. I have pain meds,not that strong but enough to take the edge off. I also take anxiety meds because pain and anxiety push up my blood pressure. Long story short, I understand the anxiety and depression that come with chronic pain. I will try to be kind to myself and get as comfortable as possible. As long as you have seen a dr. and get meds. I am 63 and it’s part of aging with arthritis. Feel better, feel more peaceful and know you are not alone. Sending a hug your way.
Good morning I am very sorry to hear that you are struggling so much, while being on your own.
I've had numerous spinal surgeries & in 206, I found myself alone trying to deal with it.
It is very difficult to cope on your own, but have you discussed this with your GP? Maybe they could refer you for some "talking therapy"/C.B.T? I really do understand how you feel & it's not a nice feeling but maybe you should try speaking to your GP.
Not only going to "talking therapy"/C.B.T, being able to talk to someone who is completely neutral, but it would get you out of the house (I know that getting out can be daunting when you're in pain).
I know that your pain is personal, just as my pain is personal. Unfortunately there aren't any painkillers available that will completely take the pain away (I wish there was, I'd be first in line), they dish out the painkillers to try & ease your pain.
Maybe speak to your GP, I think that they may be able to help you.
Everything does feel worse when you're on your own, but hopefully you can reach out and ask for help.
Best wishes
See your GP ( I accept that’s difficult in it self but persevere) ask them for a Referal to a Consultant Neurosurgeon.
Hopefully he will organise an MRI on your lower spine to see what’s causing the extreme pain.
If the GP will not refer you ask the GP to send you for a MRI
Good luck. xx
Hi, I am in London and last year I was invited by my GP to social prescribing (never heard of it) , it was for people who suffer from pain. I thought I would give it a go, it’s just once a month here. The first one I went to there were 5 people all had different symptoms of pain and you talk about yourself or not it’s up to you . I didn’t go to all of them as probably like you I live day to day, but it got me out and meeting people (I am normally very quiet) and I started the conversation sometimes. The last one I attended they actually had over 30 people turn up so it was very popular. Ask your doctor if there is social prescribing in your area, there were different groups in my area , pain, depression and anxiety and they were looking into doing a group for carers. Also as someone else mentioned talking therapy is very good and you can self refer you do it online at first and then either talk on the phone or online or face to face. Good luck hope you find what you’re looking for. Kevin
sorry to hear this. I have chronic pain too - it has got significantly worse and n the past year or so.
I think you may need the help of a counsellor - The Spinal Injuries Association hsce a support line - that you can call and also has an online counsellor that is free of charge. Other charities offer similar types of support.
I think it’s also important you let your GP know the situation. I have found that it’s much easier writing a letter to my GP than trying to get an appointment on the phone. Maybe ask someone if they can hand it in for you.
The other thing that might help is using a journal that you can use in bed or in a chair. Writing down how you are feeling is like talking it through with a friend - and although it can’t help with isolation it might help you develop resilience during this tough time.
Good luck and take care.
Firstly you are not crazy. I too suffer from chronic spinal pain and like all chronic pain it is the lonliest thing in the world. You can't get rid of it, nobody else wants it and even your loved ones, as much as they are sympathetic, can get tired of hearing you talk about it. Did you have an accident or did your pain just happen suddenly without any apparent cause such as a slipped disc? I don't know what the Medical situation is over there but if you have a very sympathetic Doctor you can demand much stronger pain killers or find another Doctor. Something else you could try would be a Pain Clinic. It might be worth your while to research where there is one near you. Also I found a Chiropractor who kept me going for 10 years with only minimal pain which I could tolerate. (You can't use one if you have already had an operation). I would be very interested to know a bit more about your history, age, cause of pain and what pain killers you are on.
There's a lot more we could discuss if you would like to.
God bless. Lauree.
I have osteoarthritis which is getting worse. I do have a pain clinic but pills are not helping me
Hello I have had several spinal surgeries & they have failed. At the moment they're not doing anything to help in case it causes permanent paralysis. I also have osteoarthritis & I'm on so much morphine & other meds, but it will never take the pain away, the pain clinic were very honest with me about it.
I don't really have any wise words of wisdom, but I do know what you're going through & it's very difficult & can rake you to the depths of despair.
But remember that you are stronger than you think 😊 sometimes, I go to bed sobbing because the pain is dreadful BUT I still get up the next day & hopefully it won't be too bad that day.
Best wishes to you & everyone in this thread.
It’s hard to hit that ‘like’ button when someone is in so much pain. I hope things improve for you.
Here in New Zealand we can, if we meet the criteria, be prescribed with Cannibas Oil which I have heard helps with the pain and is great for getting a good night's sleep. I have not tried it yet and I know it is expensive, but if you make some enquiries starting with your G.P. something might come of it.
This probably sounds funny but I find the good old fashioned Hot water Bottle works well. Put in a dash of cold water in first then fill with nearly (but not) boiling water. Make sure you have a cover on it. Only thing is of course you have to keep re-filling it now and again to maintain the heat. Place it on your worst pain area or cuddle it to your chest. I would not be getting any sleep without mine.
God Bless and keep in touch. Lauree.
I was on Cannabis Oil. It was a ‘so called’ research project but I had to pay for private online consultations and the oils. It was certified by the Care Quality Commission but even that did nothing at all for the pain. None of the oils that you can buy from shops in UK are anywhere near strong enough to work. I might as well have been taking olive oil. It might work for others though.
I believe we can be hellped but it is not reaching us rotten NHS it is criminal the pain we can be in. I wish I could help others
I’m sorry you’re in such non stop intractable pain. Have you been offered a low dose fentanyl duragesic? They really helped me when I was at my wits end with severe nerve compression pain.
Hello faith12,
I am sorry to hear you are struggling with feelings of isolation and anxiety along with the pain itself. Unfortunately these are common experiences of living with chronic pain. Whilst they are unpleasant experiences, I hope it brings you some comfort to know that you are not alone in experiencing this. If you take a look at this link on our website: painconcern.org.uk/product-... you will find various leaflets available. I think the 'managing your pain', 'stress, pain and relaxation' and 'managing emotions with chronic pain' may be useful to you if you do wish to take a look at those.
Finally, we also have some Pain Education online sessions starting next week which may be of interest to you. To sign up to one of the sessions, follow the link: 👉ow.ly/aPUn50SljHq I've also included a copy of the flyer with further information.
I hope this information is helpful to you.
-Pain Concern Admin
Hi Faith, I have understand exactly what you are describing. I have family, but not friends anymore because they don't want to limit their social activities by ensuring it's something I can join in with. These are mainly people I have known since my pre-teen years. At 56 I struggle more with the emotional pain of that, the loneliness I feel, than the physical pain most of the time. I have suffered from chronic pain for 37 years, the last 20 or so it's constant pain. I was interested to read about the "social prescribing" and intend to ring my surgery to ask about it - if all I do is make a few friends!
I had hydrotherapy and it helped a lot. I do exercises from the physiotherapist first thing and last thing and they help keep my core strong, reducing the load on my spine. I can't lie, I do have days when I put myself through it yelping like an injured dog and others when I cry for hours because the pain is too much.
I think that all we can do to "fight back" is use anything to lift our mood - from our favourite music, book, film, phone conversations with people, is swimming too painful? If you're able to drive or sit in a car at least it's out of the house... I have recently plucked up the courage to reach out to people and most are unaware of how lonely I am. They don't mean to be unkind or neglectful - they tell themselves that others will be helping me etc.
I hope that you can find something useable in that, take care, Claire
Ask for Baclofen I've been given it for 10/10 Pain it helps a Bit but dosnt take it away completely.
Dolphin_608.
Baclofen is a muscle relaxant not a pain killer. It did not help me
Dreaming, or not, how do you know?
Excepting 
Constant pain not bad enough for help
Am I CRAZY!!.
