Chronic Pain Support Group

Hello,

I am new to this website, but I am desperately trying to find support, reason, and guidance in my super painful, life. I have had 11 knee surgeries over the past 10 years due to bone structure, as well as other experimental surgeries. The reason being, I have horrendous pain in my knees...or so I think. Over this past year, my pain level has gone through the roof and I have changed jobs 3 times because I can no longer do what I used to. Here are my symptoms. Please help..

1. Constant pain that feels dull and achy from my knee to my ankles (both legs).

2. Pain that continues to get worse throughout the day.

3. Swelling.

4. Pain to the touch.

5. Pain even when resting, especially worse at nights.

6. The pain is very "deep" and feels like a bone pain.

7. It leads to a twitching type symptom because I get these flashes of pain.

8. I can walk/do stairs/etc but it hurts.

9. I limp when it gets really bad.

I'm getting very frustrated because I've looked in all directions. I've seen Orthopedics, Neurologists, Rheumatologists, Homeopathic doctors, and on and on the list goes. It's been a very expensive and draining past few years. The only diagnosis I have gotten so far is Osteoarthritis and a benign bone tumor (that they think is irrelevant). I am only 24 and I feel like I am 100. I'm sick and tired of taking pain killers. I cannot focus with this pain or work/finish grad school while taking strong meds.

I am at a dead end.

Please someone, help me. Even if you just have similar symptoms...I just need someone to speak to who understands.

Stacy

I am so sorry that you are suffering Stacy. I have never had knee surgery but I understand pain. I have had 10 abdominal surgeries due to endometriosis and other gyn issues. The docs told me i would be in pain for the rest of my life. I have suffered with this pain since i was 25, i am now 32 and the pain is worse. I take methadone for my pain, it helps take the edge off. I see a pain specialist and he told me that this is the best medicine for endometriosis. Have you seen a pain specialist for your pain? I hate taking pain meds because they make you sleepy. I cannot function like that because i have my children and husband. I only take it if the pain gets very bad.

I will be praying that the pain gets better for you or that you find some kind of resolution. I am here for you if you ever want to talk.

So sorry you are in so much pain. I to have had so many surgeries. I have had my gall bladder out in the nick of time because it was turning into gangrene. I have had a tumor removed from my stomach and they had to cut the top of my stomach off and nicked into the muscle between your asophagus and stomach so now the acid keeps coming back up and food gets stuck. I have a hernia on the surgery site and ulcers. I have degenertive disc disease and had to have surgery on my neck at C4,5 and 6. Which caused me to get RSD and it has spread all through my body but my left leg. I left somethings out because the list is to long but there is a good chance I will be having female surgery for the same reasons Kendra has.

I to am on very high does of pain meds. and spend my day in a recliner or bed. Except for the doctors I only get out of the house for family functions for a short time and once in a great while I will go to the store with my husband.

My Mother has had 2 knee replacements and I know how much pain she was in.

I will be praying for you and many gentle hugs, Cindy

I feel for you.....Living with chronic pain just plain sucks!!! You are not alone...I too have had a lot of surgeries and try and take one day at a time. I went to therapy over the years to learn to cope. It did and does help. Don't get me wrong it doesn't take your pain away.... But it teaches you how to find and do SMALL things that help lift your spirits so you can go on. Hang in there!

sschnitt:

I wonder if this might be complex regional pain disorder. Does the color of the legs change? The temperature? There are specific treatments for CRPD--notably ketamine--so the diagnosis is important if it is there.

sschnitt, Feel for you that you are in this much pains yet also studying as well as working at the same time- heart goes out to you big time! Was 24 when fibro struck me- was mostly housebound yet often bed bound- fast forward 15 years am pretty much in the same place- with moderate severe to severe pains constantly- so can identify with you to a certain extent. Found what helped me the most was to become my own life coach/be own best friend as well as to work out what gave me the best pain relief(not just with medicines yet with alternative therapies too) as well as to have plenty of low energy hobbies/distractions, plenty of pillows, cushions and aids to ease/soothe the pains, having an open mind- trying tips from others with chronic pains or just various experts , helping others, listening to favourite music each day, letting the imagination set you free, meditating and ensuring have plenty of humour therapy/humour medicine each day! Reflexology and tens machine helps also!

Would love you to join the Self Esteem & Positive Thinking Sg here on MDJ, too, click on my name and you will find SE&PT SG in My Groups so click on this then it will take you there.

Lean on us all here, too!! Will keep you in my prayers, too!

It is not easy living with chronic pain especially when you are young- my chronic pain started at your exact age- yet holding on to each others hands here as well as being your own best friend and keeping a positive mindset really helps !

Sending super gentle soothing hugs to you, love Clarita

Dear Stacey, I am in, really awful pain also. Sometimes we may feel like "I can't take this anymore." But with the help of others in pain, and the , 3 knee surgeries and I feel the awful pain too.I also have deep bone pain in many places on my body.I take high doses of painkillers and I am in college.Each and everyone of us understands our pain better than anyone else. I cannot feel your pain, but I do relate to it. I am so sorry you hurt.I am not on MDJ that often, but I promise you, I am going to make a greater effort to be here for people.I am here to help.You can send me a message and it shows up on my regular e-mail.And I will get back to you. I will be a friend if you need one.I am taking courses to become an Art Therapist. I suffer in pain all day, yet I received high grades in all my classes.So if you ever feel like, you want to return to college, there is hope. My name is Debi and I hope you will use your name, so I can remember you. I wish you much luck; and hope during these pain days. Sincerely, Debi Schoenholtz (debhurts)

Were any of your knee surgeries replacements? If not, perhaps replacements would help tremendously.

Though, having one or both replaced is a hard recovery it generally is well worth the end results.

Hoping you find relief soon.

Hugs