![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by floatingbridge on May 11, 2010, at 13:53:12
Anyone else here deal with intermittent pain?
Right now I have tension in my neck, radiating into my shoulders. Then the rest of me begins to hurt.
There is the mind/body thing. I've been MD for about 10 years. Increasing pain episodes alarm me. Yes, they are stress related, and I'm trying, but can't control it....
When pain mixes with depression it ain't pretty.
Not a cure, but just knowing others, and maybe a pet coping trick.... I don't like feeling so alone.
Thanks,
fb
Posted by chujoe on May 11, 2010, at 14:18:49
In reply to pain episodes?, posted by floatingbridge on May 11, 2010, at 13:53:12
FB, I have neck pain too, from an old injury, but stress makes it worse. In addition to my psych meds, I have found that various relaxation methods are effective. I particularly like the audio recording of Jon Kabbat-Zinn leading one through a "body scan" relaxation. You can order things through his website: http://www.mindfulnesstapes.com/author.html
I'm actually pretty skeptical about "natural" and "alternative" approaches, but this one has worked for me -- both for pain and for general sanity.
Posted by bulldog2 on May 11, 2010, at 15:10:44
In reply to pain episodes?, posted by floatingbridge on May 11, 2010, at 13:53:12
> Anyone else here deal with intermittent pain?
>
> Right now I have tension in my neck, radiating into my shoulders. Then the rest of me begins to hurt.
>
> There is the mind/body thing. I've been MD for about 10 years. Increasing pain episodes alarm me. Yes, they are stress related, and I'm trying, but can't control it....
>
> When pain mixes with depression it ain't pretty.
>
> Not a cure, but just knowing others, and maybe a pet coping trick.... I don't like feeling so alone.
>
> Thanks,
> fbSounds very much like fibromyalgia! A rheumotologist or possibly your doctor could diagnosis this. There are specialogists for this syndrome and specific meds for this.
Posted by polarbear206 on May 11, 2010, at 18:04:55
In reply to pain episodes?, posted by floatingbridge on May 11, 2010, at 13:53:12
Hi FB :)
I get pain in my upper back and a tingling sensation in my left shoulder area when my depression gets worse. In fact that's one of the first signs.
Posted by floatingbridge on May 11, 2010, at 19:06:44
In reply to Re: pain episodes?, posted by polarbear206 on May 11, 2010, at 18:04:55
> Hi FB :)
>
> I get pain in my upper back and a tingling sensation in my left shoulder area when my depression gets worse. In fact that's one of the first signs.PB, what do you do? And is the sensation related to any other condition beside depression?
Thanks!
Posted by Phillipa on May 11, 2010, at 19:09:58
In reply to Re: pain episodes?, posted by floatingbridge on May 11, 2010, at 19:06:44
FB accupuncture is rated very high for pain from those I know who have used it. Might want to consider that also? Love Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on May 11, 2010, at 19:13:15
In reply to Re: pain episodes?, posted by bulldog2 on May 11, 2010, at 15:10:44
Hi Bulldog,
All autoimmune tests so far are normal--just had RA done and a few others. I see the physiatrist Thursday for back issues.
So far no one's talking rheumy except my shrink.
Thanks:)
Posted by floatingbridge on May 11, 2010, at 19:17:15
In reply to Re: pain episodes? » floatingbridge, posted by chujoe on May 11, 2010, at 14:18:49
Hi Chujoe,
That's an excellent idea. I'll dig my body scan CD out tonight. I feel silly for having forgotten it.
fb
Posted by floatingbridge on May 11, 2010, at 19:31:03
In reply to Re: pain episodes? » floatingbridge, posted by Phillipa on May 11, 2010, at 19:09:58
Hi Phillipa,
Acupuncture doesn't seem to be doing it (!). And I'd need to go almost every day which is out of budget. I'm worried because the episodes are more frequent. :(
Is your back pain more steady? Does it flare?
Posted by Phillipa on May 11, 2010, at 20:10:34
In reply to Re: pain episodes? » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on May 11, 2010, at 19:31:03
FB could it be fibromyalgia seems to fit the profile of this news letter. love Phillipp
http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guide/fibromyalgia-pain?ecd=wnl_fib_051110
Posted by sigismund on May 11, 2010, at 20:42:50
In reply to Re: pain episodes?, posted by floatingbridge on May 11, 2010, at 19:06:44
>what do you do?
There was a time I was in continuous pain for 6 weeks, referred from my neck to my chest area.
When it got too much, mentally speaking, I would smoke a little pot and take half a Valium and concentrate on the pain. This served to make the pain almost interesting.
An alternative means would be to take gabapentin.
Posted by emmanuel98 on May 11, 2010, at 22:51:25
In reply to Re: pain episodes?, posted by sigismund on May 11, 2010, at 20:42:50
The best money I ever spent was a on a number of sessions with a Feldenkreis practioner. I had severe pain in my neck and upper back and woke up one morning unable to move my head from a tilted-to-the-left position. Feldenkreis is a kind of massage therapy that trains you to be aware of tension in your body before it gets out of hand and causes spasms and pain. My insurance didn't cover it, but the case outlay was well worth it. I haven't had any spasms or painful tension in my muscles since I did it almost 20 years ago.
Posted by bulldog2 on May 12, 2010, at 15:01:17
In reply to Re: pain episodes? » bulldog2, posted by floatingbridge on May 11, 2010, at 19:13:15
> Hi Bulldog,
>
> All autoimmune tests so far are normal--just had RA done and a few others. I see the physiatrist Thursday for back issues.
>
> So far no one's talking rheumy except my shrink.
>
> Thanks:)I mentioned fibromyalgia. That is done by assessing pressure points and how many of then are painful.
Posted by floatingbridge on May 13, 2010, at 12:13:31
In reply to Re: pain episodes?, posted by bulldog2 on May 12, 2010, at 15:01:17
> I mentioned fibromyalgia. That is done by assessing pressure points and how many of then are painful.
Hi Bulldog,That's what the doctor said. Secondary fibromyalgia.
I'm in shock.
Posted by bulldog2 on May 13, 2010, at 14:20:12
In reply to yes » bulldog2, posted by floatingbridge on May 13, 2010, at 12:13:31
>
> > I mentioned fibromyalgia. That is done by assessing pressure points and how many of then are painful.
>
>
> Hi Bulldog,
>
> That's what the doctor said. Secondary fibromyalgia.
>
> I'm in shock.
>1. They use tricyclic ads low dose for this
2. The anti convulsants.... Most used are neurontin and lyrica
3. last case the opiatesI don't have enough pressure points to be fibro but maybe secondary fibro...Also have lumbar stenosis and arthritis in the right hip
The tricyclics never did anything for the pain.Neurontin and lyrica helped...Neurontin pooped out and now lyrica pooped..so I am forced to use to opiates for now...
The clomipramine does help with mood at 50 mg.
Posted by Justherself54 on May 13, 2010, at 18:16:30
In reply to yes » bulldog2, posted by floatingbridge on May 13, 2010, at 12:13:31
I have fibromyalgia. It can be responsible for and goes hand in hand with a lot of other ailments. I've learned to live with the pain. I'm also on clomipramine, and it has seemed to help a bit. What I've always had a hard time with is the chronic fatigue and "fibro-fog". Modafinil seems to help with both of them.
It's a hard illness to cope with, especially with friends and family, as you "look fine". They don't realize how much of a daily struggle it can be, especially after you push yourself too hard. I've always had a hard time finding the line that I shouldn't cross, as when I have good days I always marathon it to get things done.
If you ever need to vent, I'm all ears!
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.