How does chronic pain affect your well-being and daily life? Let's share!

I have chronic pain from arthritis and have had it for years. Had my knees replaced but now my feet are so bad there is nothing they can do and will not do because of the multiple meyloma. The only meds that I can take is tramadol. I take it once daily sparingly so that I do not get addict to it. Recently I was in a car accident and I only took another tramadol each day for three days. I try to work through the pain. Cannot take Tylenol or any of the over the counter meds due to it being a problem for my stomach and kidneys.

I have had pain of some sorts all of my adult life. After an injury in my early 20's they gave me Codeine, which constipated me and made me sick, so I never took it again. Don't remember if it helped with the pain. Migraines, I would double up with the Advil or Aleve with Alka-Seltzer to chase it down. Nothing helped the severe sciatica I had back then, just immobilization, laying flat on my back with legs on the coffee table until the Chiropractor could fit me in to adjust the spine. Developing arthritis in my late 30's - early 40's and having the A/C joints cleaned out in each shoulder, the Doctor gave me a prescription for something (don't remember what it was) that made me black out for about 8 hours. From then on I would not accept any pain meds from any Doctors. Would only take the Advil or Aleve. Then a little over 15 years ago I collapsed a lung from Emphysema (former smoker for 40 years). The chest tube was the most pain I can remember, rivaled the sciatica pain. Got the Morphine drip in my IV which was the best thing since sliced bread!

Now I have the arthritis in several joints, occasional gout in my feet and ankles, diabetic neuropathy in both legs, edema in my feet and lower legs, COPD with chronic bronchitis and sometimes severe exacerbations which lead to the muscle pains in the chest and back from coughing, The arthritis in my hips limit my walking to less than a 1/4 mile before the pain sets in. Having Type 2 Diabetes and chronic kidney issues, I cannot take the Advil or Aleve any longer and can only take Tylenol, or the Codeine or other opiate or opioid, which I won't take. With the arthritis in the spine I did have the nerve block injections last year, which I will take again. The only adverse effect was a night of no sleep from the steroid injections.

There was an interesting article on here from @Courtney_J regarding Tramadol. Was thinking about asking my Doctor about a Script for that with the Tylenol. Then I remembered that was the pain med my Yorkshire Terrier was on the last few years of his life. Wondering if Tramadol would be any different or better than the Codeine, since it is another form of an opioid?

So right now I tend to ignore the pain when I can, adjust how I sit or lay down, try the bio-feedback technics from the late 60's (mostly internalizing and ignoring it), and if needed, a shot or two of Vodka in the evening... Like others here, I have good days and bad days. Most of the time on the bad days I try to conceal it from the wife and just do less (not that I do anything now...). I don't let it get me down or make me depressed. I am grateful for each day that I wake up on this side of the dirt, even with those little annoyances we call chronic pain...

Dearest Friends, When I had pain and it was unknown to my family I was told I was lazy!!! I remember when I could not get out of bed and my father grabbed his belt!! He died never knowing, I was really sick. My mother did know (approx age 60) I had SLE, aka Lupus. She told me before she died how very sorry she was for the physical abuse of my father(under her direction). I do not wish any child with Lupus to experience the abuse I received!!! I can only say at my age of late '60s--I am taking narcotics and I am not abusing them. I take it only as needed and the doctor knows this about me. Lately, my lupus is so active I never have any leftovers as I did before. I know, I am very sick when that happens along with being in bed during the day and unable to get up to make myself a meal.

Narcotics, for me, is a must when the pain is out of control. I do not want to call 911 and they help me Not to Call. I am sure at my age and feeling so very sick--I would not be selling the meds. Many years ago, I had a knock at the door and my caregiver said "it is for you and some men in suits". Well, it was the FBI and the State of California Narcotic Agents. They wanted to know if I was taking all that medicine, especially the narcotics. They were very real and I did ask for their IDs. They sat down in my dining area and requested to see all my medicine and I said do you have a warrant--(law school influenced that question). They said, "we will be back but, I decided to get all my meds. I sat down and they said, "You take all these drugs"? I said, yes why!!! Really, was the response of the FBI agent. I said--it is 2 pm in the afternoon and I am in my nightgown--that should tell you something!!! After my remark-they got up and started for the door. I said, please do not think I will forget this experience. They said "We are so sorry to of bothered you?!!

Yes, I take narcotics because I need them not because I want to. I had to stop law school because I was too sick to finish. I also was taking injections when the pain was out of control at break time during classes. If I was not very sick--I could have been a judge!! My internship was working for disability cases and I love working with that type of work. At this point in my life--I am housebound and sometimes bedbound, (not by choice) I had to give up my scholarship because I was only fooling myself. I was getting worse with every hour of class. It became so bad--the Judge teaching the class said "go home-your skin looks gray". I almost passed out from the pain and never returned again. I had 1.5 yrs left to finish my Ph.D. in Law. Since I had so much education and experience--I help the sick, the old, and the poor. My primary thing is to help those with hidden disabilities!!

Sometimes, I feel like my life is accomplishing much and other times, I cannot do enough for people with Lupus. I am active in my city plus I have been working on writing my book--I am halfway finished. That means with some good days I should be finished in a year or two. If I do not live long enough to finish it--I pray someone will complete the book and donate 90% of the profit for research.

I leave you with one request--if you read this post and have any opinion-I am open to any comments. If anyone knows of someone who wants to assist me with the completion of my book. Please feel free to contact Robin who is a very loyal advocate for Lupus.

May GOD be with us all--especially during the painful episodes, in our life.

Always Mickey aka Michele jr.Esq

My chronic pain affects my everyday living hard battle it really sucks

Dearest Friends,

Life has its challenges and we need every day to be right on target or our families suffer for it!! How can we shop and remember what we are looking for for the rest of the week's meal plans? I think we need just to be alert enough to remember. (take a paper pad with the list of your errands) Why we had to go to the store and then plan meals. I know if you are a mom and a wife--we have responsibilities that are not mentioned but they are a given!! If we are women, we are responsible for the meals, laundry, and running errands. If you are a man, good luck with attempting to compete for that special raise in salary. No matter what tasks, life can be demanding in one way or another. I know even on the bad days we are expected to be running a household, like a normal healthy person!!! Why--getting back to my famous saying of "OH YOU LOOK SO GOOD, HOW CAN YOU BE SO SICK". That statement says it all and I think you will agree-- that is just about anyone with Lupus has had this said to them, at one time or another!! Society is not going to change any time soon and that means for people with Lupus we are expected to be normal; because we look normal. Many of us, at times, need a cane or a wheelchair but, if you do not have anything that represents that you are handicapped you are expected to be just as normal as anyone. Many people will never know that we have an internal hidden disability. This disability, to most, is not recognized because of the lack of education of what Lupus Disease is and/or never heard of it before!! If a person has heard of it, they have no idea about the disease or the effects it can have on the body!!! "I heard of it but I have no idea about what it is or what it does to a person!!!!!" Good Luck if you have had the experiences I have had. I was going to my car and someone said"why are you parking in the handicapped"?? I could have explained it and more than likely have a flareup because it was over 100 degrees (summer) and being in the heat and sun (the worse thing for Lupus!! The risk, stand in the sun and educate a stranger; that you are handicapped or just get in the car and deal with it within yourself. Another day, Another Challenge!!! What would you do?? This is my golden opportunity to mention: I am searching for someone in the area of Southern California to assist me in writing about Lupus from a Patient's Point of View!! Donating, most of the proceeds for Lupus Research. Please if anyone knows or has someone that can assist with this task; please contact me (as listed) I wish all of you many pain-free days and possible remission. Many Blessings Mickey aka Michele (Rancho Cucamonga, Ca.)

mickeyitaly3@aol.com

I have chronic pain and on pain meds. Morphine and vicodin plus others as well. In reading some comments, I see some that I have as well. I am blessed not to have more than I have. My heart goes out to others. Could be worse.

HELLO, MY NAME IS MICHELE, AKA MICKEY!! :):) I FOUND OUT I HAD SLE AKA LUPUS DISEASE, LIFE HAD SO MANY STRETCHES!! LIKE THE ONE I GAVE MY SON!! I FILED FOR DIVORCE BECAUSE WHEN I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL-- HE HAD A GIRLFRIEND AND SPENT THE WEEKEND WITH HER. I WAS SO UPSET. MY EX-HUSBAND, THOUGH, I WOULD NEVER LEAVE BECAUSE I WAS SICK WITH LUPUS. HERE I AM IN CALIFORNIA AND YES I WORKED 2 JOBS TO GIVE MY SON AN EDUCATION. LUPUS HAS DONE A LOT TO ME PHYSICALLY!!!! (impact side effects from the drugs and the disease) SINCE I WAS IN THE BEAUTY BUSINESS, WITH A MAN NAMED PAUL MITCHELL. I WORKED FOR MANY YEARS, IN THE BUSINESS OF BEAUTY THEY WANT YOU TO REPRESENT THE BEAUTY. I BECAME SICK, MY HAIR WAS FALLING OUT AND I GAINED WEIGHT FROM THE STEROIDS. I HAD NO CHOICE BECAUSE THE PAIN WAS BEYOND WORDS. 1982, I STARTED A SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH LUPUS IN SOUTHERN CA.

I ATTEMPTED TO DO SOMETHING GOOD WITH WHAT I WAS FACING. TODAY HAVE NOT HEARD OR ASSOCIATED WITH HIM. I HEARD HE REMARRIED!! I WAS WONDERING, THAT IF HE CHEATED ON ME, HE MUST BE CHEATING ON HER ALSO. I CAN JUST SAY, I HAVE DONE WHATEVER IT TOOK TO GIVE MY SON A PRIVATE SCHOOL EDUCATION. I CLEANED THE BATHROOMS. AND WHEN I RECEIVED MY FIRST BS. THAT IS WHEN OI PLACED HIM IN THE BEST SCHOOL. THE PRIVATE SCHOOL UNTIL I SAW MOLESTATION. I TOOK MY SON OUT OF THAT SCHOOL AND PLACED HIM IN THE BEST SCHOOL AT $5,000. PER MONTH!!! AFTER I WORKED ON MY OWN EDUCATION--I WAS RUNNING A PRIVATE SCHOOL. SINCE MY SON HAD A MOTHER THAT WAS IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL, I WANTED TO GIVE HIM THE BEST--AN EDUCATION.

YES, I DID WORK VERY HARD AND I WAS IN A UNIVERSITY MYSELF. I THOUGHT TIME TO USE MY BRAIN BECAUSE MY BODY IS SO VERY SICK.

LUPUS, GAVE ME AN INCENTIVE TO ACCOMPLISH MORE AND NOT BE SO PHYSICAL!! NO ENERGY AND MY HAIR IS HALF THE AMOUNT OF WHAT I HAD BEFORE DX WITH LUPUS. I WENT TO LAW SCHOOL AND I LOVED IT BECAUSE IT WAS SO EXCITING. THE PROBLEM, I COULD NOT WALK OR STUDY WITH THE PAIN. SO, I WENT TO LAW SCHOOL FOR LONG AS I COULD. I AM PROUD TO SAY I PLACED AN EFFORT. MY SON, IS NOW IN HIS 30'S!!!. MY SON, HAS NOT BEEN IN MY LIFE VERY MUCH AND I DID THE BEST I COULD. LUPUS WAS HARD FOR HIM BECAUSE WE HAVE HIDDEN DISEASES. I CONTINUE TO DO SOME PRO BONO WORK FOR THE SICK, OLD AND POOR. NOW, I AM IN MY 60'S AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE THE YEARS WENT!!! I AM ATTEMPTING TO WRITE A BOOK ABOUT LUPUS. (a patient's point of view) I UNFORTUNATELY HAVE TO CONSIDER GOING BACK ON THE STEROIDS AND DILAUDID.

LUPUS, HAS CHANGED ME AND I DO NOT LIKE ALL THE CHANGES. I AM DEALING WITH THEM BUT, I AM GETTING OLDER AND READY TO MEET MY FAMILY IN A BETTER PLACE.

I CAN ONLY SAY, WE NEED MORE RESEARCH AND LUPUS AWARENESS. MANY PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW OR HEARD OF LUPUS!! WE NEED TO EDUCATE PEOPLE IF WE EXPECT A CURE. I STARTED A SUPPORT GROUP OF OVER 150 FAMILIES AND SOME OF THEM HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER WITH LUPUS AND WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DISEASE! ONE MEMBER OF THE FAMILY HAS LUPUS. TOGETHER WE CAN FIGHT THIS TERRIBLE DISEASE WHERE THE BODY IS SICK AND THE BRAIN WANTS TO BE AS NORMAL AS POSSIBLE. (not counting the sun progresses lupus)

THIS IS WHERE I END BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN OUT OF REMISSION AND FULL OF PAIN!!! I HOPE TO GET A RESPONSE TO THIS ARTICLE. I HOPE AND PRAY IT SENDS A MESSAGE FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE FIGHTING THE BATTLE AND YET WE STILL HAVE A WAR TO CONQUER.

MANY BLESSINGS --Mickey

Chronic pain is constant. Today for example is a left pinkie. Only in cold usually it happens. Yes it is cooler today but not that cool. Lower back shoulder all have their periods. For me it happens about bed time. I can’t get comfortable and rested. I do better sitting up than lying down.

HELLO, I HAVE NOT HAD A PAIN-FREE DAY IN OVER 2 YRS. I ONLY WISH, I WOULD GET UP WITHOUT HURTING!! I KNOW, LIFE HAS MORE TO OFFER THAN SUFFERING. I HOPE I SEE THE FUTURE BRIGHTER.

MICKEY

I have had low back pain since I was 19. I am now 61. And have major pain from my neck down to l5 s2...my spine has spondylitis and they also found some scoliosis in the top. I Also have fibrimyalga, neuropathy I am in pain at all time. I went the 16th and had a shoot, epidural, into my spine area. It hurt like heĺl. Then he did left side and it didn't hurt. So as soon as it's done I cried because my whole spine, even in my neck is pain free. I was like sooo happy. First relief I'd had in 41 years. But ..... that was the numbing they said. I went 3 days pain free. I felt so good, I started doing a few things around the house. Well, I got my neck hurting emensy folding clothes. So I was in severe pain but used a patch for pain n it felt better. Then, I couldn't get out of bed yesterday before letting Tylenol do its work. Well, I finally got up but my back, from my ribs down was so bad of pain I could barely stand it. I dont know If i would recommend this to . Anyone but it can take up to 3 weeks to do what it's supposed to.

. And today is a week. So, if you are considering the epidural shots for ahead, they do help some. i guess im gonna have to have another soon. Good luck and God bless

Update, I has a second shot that is still working some. I'm going to have abulations Monday on my right side. Then the following week, the right side

I have the others round soon too. I'm pretty excited in a

way....mostly so , until a girl I know said he had a bad experience,that the drs " assistant " did it and hit a wrong nerve. So. She says that is why she on gabapaten. So, i dunno. Anyhow, I'm not afraid now..I trust my dr and he would never put anyone else to do my shots.

I'll. Update as soon as I am here again.